THIS AGAIN...
Notes
Transcript
SCRIPTURE
Mark 8:1 (NLT) About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again.
Mark 8:1 (NLT) About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again.
SETUP
I was unusually jaded for the start of a new year...
I was unusually jaded for the start of a new year...
I used to stay up and wait and would feel like something had changed
When in school, I would write a note in my text books saying “see you next year.”
I would have an elaborate list of resolutions // goals // dreams
Why?
Maybe b/c I’m older // Maybe 2020 broke me
Or Maybe...
Maybe I am realizing that a “New Year” means a whole lot less than a
New Mind // New Perspective // New You = does…
My only goal for 2021 comes from something I learned in 2020
The way we learn is not from experience or hindsight…
We don’t learn from the past…
We learn from pain…
Either our pain or someone else’s pain
My greatest mistake of 2020:
I allowed circumstances outside of my control to control circumstances within my control.
I allowed circumstances outside of my control to control circumstances within my control.
I allowed them to control my physical health // my emotional state // my relationships // and most of all - my spiritual life
Now, I know I’m the only one that this happened too…
SUBSTANCE
NOTHING CHANGES UNLESS YOU CHANGE
NOTHING CHANGES UNLESS YOU CHANGE
The storms/challenges/failures/problems will follow you into 2021/2022/2023
UNLESS - you decide to change
Nothing in your life will change until the pain of staying he same is greater than the pain of transformation.
Nothing in your life will change until the pain of staying he same is greater than the pain of transformation.
Mark 8:1 (NLT) About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again.
Mark 8:1 (NLT) About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again.
You may think = This Again?
We’ve already covered one miraculous feeding miracle… Why another?
1 About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, 2 “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.”
Lesson = Storms // Problems // Hard Times // Tests = They keep coming!
Hard Truth: While 2020 was very difficult for almost everyone, there is no denying that 2021 will also have its share of challenges.
Hard Truth: While 2020 was very difficult for almost everyone, there is no denying that 2021 will also have its share of challenges.
Changing the calendar changes nothing.
Changing your thinking changes everything.
4 His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” 5 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they replied. 6 So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. 7 A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. 9 There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten.
HOW DO YOU CHANGE YOUR THINKING?
HOW DO YOU CHANGE YOUR THINKING?
Stop asking the wrong questions!
Stop asking the wrong questions!
How can I get through this [again]?
We look for the shortest route.
God looks for the greatest impact.
Why is this happening [again]?
It’s a new year, new season, new job, new church, new diet, new ______
Life will always be full of problems!
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Start asking the right questions
Start asking the right questions
What are you teaching me? [maybe something I didn’t “get” before]
What God does in me is greater/more important than what God does for me.
When we face challenges we often see them as obstacles in the way of where we want to be.
When God allows challenges in our life, He sees them as a way of making us who He wants us to be.
What is your purpose?
He always has a purpose...
God’s plan may change, but His purpose never will.
What do you want me to do next?
When we face a problem we often do like the disciples did here:
They wanted a solution.
Jesus doesn’t give solutions; He gives steps.
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
5 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they replied.
The following may sound repetitive if you remember the message when Jesus fed the 5,000 a few weeks ago, but if the Holy Spirit saw fit to record each one of these accounts with similar lessons in each, maybe it was b/c He really wants to make sure we get it.
WHEN “THIS AGAIN” HAPPENS...
WHEN “THIS AGAIN” HAPPENS...
Step One: Start where you are.
Step One: Start where you are.
Mark 8:5 (NLT) Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they replied.
Mark 8:5 (NLT) Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they replied.
Don’t dwell on what you can’t change, what you wish was different, or even where you wish you were…
Step Two: Do what you can do.
Step Two: Do what you can do.
Mark 8:6 (NLT) So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground.
Mark 8:6 (NLT) So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground.
If getting out of debt is your goal, write a budget.
If losing weight is your goal, commit to a new diet/fitness routine/or just maybe take a walk.
If you are trying to break a habit, try to start a new, healthy habit.
When things outside of your control occur, focus on what you can control...
Step Three: Give Him what you do have.
Step Three: Give Him what you do have.
Mark 8:6 (NLT) Then he took the seven loaves…
Mark 8:6 (NLT) Then he took the seven loaves…
(See Verse 7) — Mark 8:7 (NLT) A few small fish were found, too...
You always have more than you realize!
Step Four: Maintain a heart of gratitude.
Step Four: Maintain a heart of gratitude.
Mark 8:6 (NLT) So Jesus… thanked God for them [what they did have]…
Mark 8:6 (NLT) So Jesus… thanked God for them [what they did have]…
Remain thankful for what you do have even when faced with what you don’t have.
Step Five: Trust His process.
Step Five: Trust His process.
Mark 8:6 (NLT) So Jesus… broke them into pieces.
Mark 8:6 (NLT) So Jesus… broke them into pieces.
You’ve heard of addition by subtraction?
Here Jesus multiplies by dividing…
This can be so hard...
I started tithing expecting a blessing, but instead I got an unexpected bill!
Step Six: Do what He says next.
Step Six: Do what He says next.
Mark 8:6 (NLT) So Jesus… gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.
Mark 8:6 (NLT) So Jesus… gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.
You’re either in a storm, exiting a storm, or about to enter another storm...
10 Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha.
Faith rests… but it doesn’t stop
The minute you stop moving forward you will start moving backwards.
I have no idea what 2021 will look like for me, my family, or any of you…
But this I am sure of…
Jesus wants to make 2021 the best year of your life - you just have to remember that your idea of best and Jesus’s idea of best sometimes look different.
In Me > For Me
MAKE 2021 THE BEST YEAR EVER
MAKE 2021 THE BEST YEAR EVER
Look for Jesus in every situation
Remember all that God has done for you
Maintain an attitude of gratitude
Remember if it isn’t good it isn’t the end
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
5. Keep your hopes up — If the thought doesn’t inspire hope, it isn’t from God, and it is rooted in a lie.