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All choices have consequences. One wise and insightful person in this room told me a few days ago, “You can’t buy a life at the dollar store.” What that means: when life is out of control you have to make hard choices, stick to doing the right thing, be faithful in your commitments. It is not easy. It costs something to have a good and meaningful life.
All choices have consequences: “I appreciate the insight of Rick Warren: “Many of our troubles occur because we base our choices on unreliable authorities; culture ("everyone is doing it"), tradition ("we've always done it"), reason ("it seems logical"), or emotion ("it just felt right".)” The highest character choices are based on truth and faithfulness to your commitments. You may just get thrown to the lions. You can’t buy a meaningful and satisfying life at the dollar store. It takes commitment, faithfulness and consistency no matter the results. Is Jesus Lord of your life? Are you fully committed to your family? Filter all your choices through your commitments ~ what is the right thing to do.
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 “A river cuts through a rock, not because of its power, but its persistence” (Unknown). A life centered in God, slow and persistent, is a beautiful life. At any moment perhaps it looks the same, but in time, there is something about the steadiness, the consistency. The same way that the tortoise beats the hair in a race, slow and consistent. Be a river for Christ: steady. Faithful.
Daniel’s life is rooted in God. One person told me last Sunday how much she appreciates the book of Daniel because of his example of unwavering faith. Any moment of life may not be that dramatic. The river plods on with no obvious impact, but over time, the changes are huge. In a high paced society, the world needs consistent people. In a world full of drama, you need to have a steady spirit, a consistent faith. That’s one reason I am honored to be a member of the Sumas Advent Christian Church…so many people who are faithful, consistent, honor God, love people, a witness for Christ…  I have a new book idea nobody would buy: What’s so Amazing about/ Judgment? Judgment is on the other side of the coin from grace. What’s so Amazing about Grace? is a best seller. Grace is life transforming: by grace we are saved, by grace our sins are overcome. By Grace alone we have reason to live with optimism and hope.
Judgment is amazing too… judgment is good. You learn more, grow more, change more, through judgment. Yet we resist judgment, probably for the same reasons students don’t like tests/ criticisms. We don’t like judges because they have power over us! Here’s a joke with a great title: “Don’t Mess with the judge” There were three men at a bar. One man got drunk and started a fight with the other two men. The police came and took the drunk guy to jail. The next day the man went before the judge. The judge asked the man, “Where do you work?” The man said, “Here and there.” The judge asked the man, “What do you do for a living?” The man said, “This and that.” The judge then said, “Take him away.” The man said, “Wait, judge when will I get out?” The judge said to the man, “Sooner or later.”  The Handwriting on the Wall of Daniel 5 You know what’s coming. You know Christianity is in conflict with culture. You know there are a 1000 ways to describe how our country is falling apart such as the rate of spending vs. income, the rise of addictions, murders and terrorism. Our world is no different: Iran wants Israel destroyed, Isis is on the march, the strange alliances of countries. So many questions. We know that as long as the Lord waits there will be more wars. Those who dream of a post war world are naïve and don’t understand the nature of sin, power, conquest. The Bible confirms what our eyes tell us: things will get worse before they get better. We may not know the specifics of how a thousand issues on the local, national and international level will work out, but we know there will be tension, an erosion of values, willful blindness by our leadership, ignoring social issues ~ it is not for the good. You know what’s coming. Greater poverty. Moral confusion. Misdirections. More widespread depression, loneliness. How can anyone possibly not know what is coming? Our solutions are at best superficial, an ignoring of the real problems. You know what is coming.
The handwriting is on the wall!!!! |
 
Carl Crouse, Pastor
At SACC we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Every Sunday the worship service includes a message from the Bible. My words are an attempt to understand and apply the Bible to our daily living. I post weekly sermons and other biblical messages on this page. May you find meaning and hope as you read through each message and seek to hear God's voice. Leave a comment to ask questions or inspire others with your insights. Categories
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