Chapel Service
Stateline Speedway
July 11, 2015
Special Edition
“OK God, Whatta Ya Got That We Need?”
www.BeyondCheckeredFlags.com
Bob Butcher
When Jesus lived on this earth, He invited people to come to Him, and He still does today. But what do He and His Father in heaven have that we need? Here are 10 things:
Salvation. Jesus is the only way to have forgiveness of sin and the promise of heaven. “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:15).
Joy: “Until now you have not asked for anything in My Name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24)
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the
goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)
Purpose. We are to give all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength to following Jesus. That is the command of Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart: love Him with all that’s in you, love Him with all the strength and desire you’ve got within you!”
“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34).
Correction: “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He also bandages up; He inflicts pain as He strikes like a loving Dad, but His hands also heal quickly.” (Job 5:17-18)
“Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” ( Hebrews 12:10-11)
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” (Revelation 3:19)
Comfort. “In trial or sorrow, the “God of all comfort . . . comforts us in all our tribulation” (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
Wisdom. We need wisdom beyond our own for making decisions. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, . . . and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Strength. When we’re weary, “the Lord will give strength to His people” (Ps. 29:11).
Abundant life. The fullest life is found in a relationship with Jesus. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger.” (John 6:35)
Note: The day after Jesus performed the miracle of feeding thousands of people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, the crowd asked Him: “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’ ” (John 6:30-31 niv). This question is significant because it was the same group of people (or at least part of that group) that Jesus fed the day before who were now asking for a sign. They claimed their ancestors believed because they ate the bread from heaven. They had just seen Jesus miraculously provide bread for them, but they lacked faith to believe Jesus was who He said He was.
Friendship: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 5:15)
Jesus said, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out Come!” (John 6:37).
Supernatural Protection: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-39)
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (Psalms 56: 3-40
How can we take advantage of these blessings and grow closer to God today?
Here is a wonderful prophetic answer to this from Sarah Young in her daily devotional “Jesus Calling.” She has written it in the form of a love letter from Jesus Himself as she heard Him speak it to her:
“DRAW NEAR TO ME with a thankful heart, aware that your cup is overflowing with blessings. Gratitude enables you to perceive Me more clearly and to rejoice in our Love- relationship. Nothing can separate you from My loving Presence! That is the basis of your security. Whenever you start to feel anxious, remind yourself that your security rests in Me alone, and I am totally trustworthy. You will never be in control of your life circumstances, but you can relax and trust in My control. Instead of striving for a predictable, safe lifestyle, seek to know Me in greater depth and breadth. I long to make your life a glorious adventure, but you must stop clinging to old ways. I am always doing something new within My beloved ones. Be on the lookout for all that I have prepared for you.”
God says to us: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way for you in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19)