The 201 class is designed to give you LOTS of ideas to spur you on in growing with the Lord. It’s very practical stuff I’ve used over the last 35 years! It’s helped “unlock” the bible to me, and over time has given me a love for God’s word.

If you’d like to know how to grow closer to God, how to “get more” out of your bible, develop your prayer life and a lot of other good, practical ideas about how we grow, SIGN UP for our 201 Class.

Next Class: THIS Sunday, 4:30–8:00 (includes dinner)

We will take a maximum of 12 people for this class, so that those who come can ask questions and get specific help. There will be time to “practice” what we’re learning, and for you to ask any questions you’d like (more “workshop” than “class”).

Right now we have 6 opennings left. E-Mail me at seth@pacificchurch.com if you’d like to get in!

Remember to bring an appetite as we will be having dinner on our back patio, weather permitting.

 

His friend, your friend…

Strategy

We all have assumptions about how life ought to work. We respond to life in certain ways but there are things we are inclined to do that undermine the very things we want. We set out to get happiness, but in the way we try to get happiness, even when we get what we want it leaves us (and others) sour.

Our strategy is reflective of what we think we need to be happy. We may want a person, a type of job, a style of living, a kind of house. “If I can just have _____, then I’ll be happy.”

Strategies are rarely thought through. Most of the times, our strategies are just done intuitively, without much thought. Our hearts are generating a strategy we may not even be able to put words to.

 

5 Self-Defeating Strategies

The bible identifies 5 different strategies that are all “foolish.” A fool is someone who makes poor judgments. God is usually left out of the decision-making process. Therefore we end up with poor decisions. We “naturally” don’t see ourselves as foolish.

Our hearts have a “defective chip” inside us. Therefore, these strategies will appear good to us.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.

Ultimately, they will undermine the happiness we’re looking for. We may get what we think we want but we won’t be happy for long. Without God’s work we won’t see our own self-defeating strategy!

Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

1. The Easy Way.

Attitude: Confident because he keeps hoping in the wrong thing; naïve, simpleton

Characteristics: lazy streak; big plans; not work out step-by-step plan; expect the big solution; “Magic Key.” Financial: moving from job to job. Quick fix mentality. Moving from Magic Key to Magic Key. Path of least resistance.

Major tools: lazy, lying, squirming, deception.

Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. But the folly of fools is deception.

Cycle: False HopeàDisappointmentàFalse HopeàDisappointment

2. The Reactive Way.

Attitude: stubborn, reactionary, and determined.

Characteristics: rebellious, adversarial, and manipulative. Once they set their mind, they are going to have their way. They’ll get you to do what they want.

Major tools: Irritability; anger. Upset. Blow up.

Proverbs 27:3 Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both.

We say of people like this, “Don’t tell so-and-so or they’re going to blow.” You tip toe around this person.

3. The Fun Way.

Attitude: Desire, feelings and emotions. “You wouldn’t want me to be unhappy, would you?” Ready to party.

Characteristics: Impulsive; irresponsible.

Major tool: Denial. Block out the rest of the world, and the consequences that are sure to come. They just take what they want. They are prisoners of the moment. Drinking/drugs/affairs, etc.

Jeremiah 5:21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear…

They don’t want to see or hear.

4. The Glory Way.

Attitude: arrogant; attention-seeking; limelight. We demand more for ourselves than is due. Center stage; making sure I get the credit.

Characteristics: self-promoting; pushing themselves upward. Scheming. Plot to get. Critical when not receive recognition.

Major tools: Pushiness. Push others back.

Psalm 75:5 Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.

The two images are a bull (lifting his horns in arrogance) and the giraffe. Pushy. Have to be #1.

5. The Predatory Way.

Attitude: without mercy

Characteristic: godless. If no God to bring justice, all I have to do is deal with stupid people. Ruthless. Joy at others pain. Prefer win–lose.

Major tools: Pretense. Pretend to be one thing so they can get what they want.

Sexual predator: Philip Garrido. Financial predator: Bernie Madoff. 

Isaiah 32:5 No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected. He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the Lord; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.

The Easy Way; the Reactive Way; the Fun Way; the Glory Way; the Predatory Way

 

My Strategy vs. God’s Strategy

Ecclesiastes 2:26a To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…

·         Wisdom: correct pursuit

·         Knowledge: perspective about what’s going on.

·         Happiness: gift! Not something we get.

Therefore, my goals become “I want to get what God thinks is good” (person; job; location). One thing worse than loneliness—regret. Go after what God wants in a way that honors and pleases God. If I please God he will grant me happiness. If we don’t we are going to run into problems.

                                                            My Way                                  God’s Way

Short-term:                                          Looks great!                            Uh oh             

Long-term:                                          What happened?                     Wow                

John 8:32 If you hold to my teachings, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

All other strategies are self-defeating!

Your strategies make it impossible to ultimately get what you want. You’ll move from job to job, church to church, marriage to marriage, location to location, friend to friend, etc.

God’s kind of life he wants to give you begins with a new heart! You need a new purpose, a new plan, and a new power. The chip inside you starts getting repaired! We grow as we continue to give up our foolish strategies and pursue God’s will from the heart.

We are in the middle of a great series on trying to figure out “what went wrong” — in a marriage, with my kids, with someone at work, church, the neighborhood or school. “What went wrong” with out finances, my career, etc.

WEEK 1: 3 PROBLEMS IN THE HUMAN HEART

Every human being deals with 3 things in their heart that help create messes:

1. “Folly” - “I want what I want.”

The desire for my needs to be met is prominent even when we “hide” it with, “my kids are most important,” or “my family is most important.” Folly in my heart means I will naturally attach prominence to my desires. I will expect them to be met by my kids, my family, etc., even without knowing it. How do you know that’s true? Easy: tell me what you get angry about or with.

2. “Madness” - “I deserve it.”

We inflate our own desires and justify them in a thousand different ways. The end product is our “folly” is now “justified.” “I want what I want, and I deserve it.” We rarely question this working assumption. In fact, most of our conflicts come from fighting over this very premise: “I want what I want, and I deserve it.”  

3. “Evil” - “I don’t want to harm anyone, but I will if I need to.”

No one wants to think of themselves as “evil,” because we define someone who is “evil” as an ax murderer. The bible defines “evil” as someone who does harm for their own benefit. Our form of harm is not with an ax. It is usually with our tongue and attitude. We “faithfully” (whether overtly or covertly) let people know when they have not met our needs, and though we don’t leave permanent physical scars we usually do leave permanent emotional scars. Our words and attitudes can be as cutting as a sharp sword.

Put folly, madness, and “evil” together and this is what you have:

“I want what I want (prominent). I deserve it (it’s justified). I’ll harm you if need be.”

Of course, we’d never say these things but they underlie all of our interactions. You may not be able to see these things in yourself, but others will feel the effect of these things. They are the termites in the wood, the virus in the computer, the hidden components reeking destruction in our day-to-day lives.  

That was WEEK 1.

WEEK 2 later…

Tired of dealing with money pressure? Is money causing stress in your home?

Beginning October 12, we will run a new series called, “Managing Finances God’s Way.”

This 7-week series involves:

1. 7 messages regarding how to manage money and not let it “manage” you.

2. Video curriculum (20 minute lessons) from 5 experts in the field. You can participate in this by joining a small group. There is time in the small group for sharing, questions, and discussion.

3. A workbook that combines the biblical teaching on finances with some great tools, worksheets and charts to help you. Included in the workbook is a CD with all the tools and charts in the workbook!

The workbooks will be available this Sunday. Check in at a table in the foyer. You will only need one workbook/family.

During these economic tough times, our desire is for you to experience:

* Obedience to God in your family

* Financial freedom, especially from debt

* The joy of knowing your finances make a difference that will outlast you

* Replacing stress and pressure with satisfaction and peace at home

Listen to enough people and your hear them pursuing “peace:”

* Inner peace,

* Peace  with themselves,

* Peace as opposed to  being a worry-wart,

* Peace in difficult relationships,  circumstances, or finances,

* Peace with difficult kids.

Without God, people are left to find peace by their (1) circumstances and (2) own efforts. Think about that. How good are we at controlling our circumstances?  That’s like trying to control the weather! And how are you at controlling your efforts to bring you peace? Sometimes:

* NO amount of perfect effort can bring peace.

* My efforts are “spotty,” bringing some peace but not enough. We jump on ourselves to “do better” which instantly brings less internal peace.

Relying on circumstances and my efforts to find peace is like taking a cruise on an iceberg. I may actually get to where I want to go, but is it worth the effort? What’s missing?

Peace with myself STARTS with finding peace with God.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Being at peace with God means we can also be at peace with ourselves. Peace with God doesn’t come from my efforts. It comes from God, received with child-like faith.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were trying to hide from themselves and God. Our Lord took everything sinful on Himself that we might experience freedom and peace.

This is only possible for the genuine Christian. Why? Only Jesus Christ can deliver!!!! “Religion” doesn’t, being “religious” doesn’t, being “sincere” doesn’t.

John 16:33 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Do not be afraid.”

Being at peace with God, receiving peace from Christ means you can be at peace right now. Period.

2 Corinthians 10:12 We do NOT dare to classify or COMPARE ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and COMPARE themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

I swim at Nova Masters during lunch Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Virtually everyone there “seems” to be a Who’s Who of swimming. I have seen some of our Olympians, Iron Man triathletes, folks who competed in the World Championships in Sydney, as well as our own swim meets. (to date, I have not been asked to “compete” at our swim meet).

Friday, a young woman came to my lane, “Lane 1,” to share the lane for an hour. When Coach Mike saw her he shouted out, “Hey, Jet!” (apparently her nickname). She started swimming while I asked Coach Mike who “Jet” was. Read the rest of this entry »

There is something God-placed, deep in the heart of every person: the longing to know and be known. You were made to “know” others and for others to “know” you.

Of course that means more than knowing your name, your family, and your career. It means to know the “real” you, the parts of your lives you tell few people: what you struggle with, what longings are unmet, what you aspire to be but fall short, how you want to be closer to your spouse or kids but can’t seem to “make it happen.” It’s the kind of stuff you can’t talk about in the school parking lot or during a worship service. Read the rest of this entry »

Contentment is one of those things we always seem to be chasing, like attorneys chasing ambulances, except the attorneys apparently catch the ambulances!

Philippians 4:11 “… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Contentment doesn’t come “naturally” or “automatically” to the Christian. Even the great apostle Paul had to learn contentment.

What comes “naturally” or “automatically” are things like griping, muttering, complaining, and grumbling, all children of the parents known as “Never Enough” and “I Deserve Better.” Read the rest of this entry »