Temporary Right Now…

She's hurting…bad

What do you do When you're waiting For life to change back? Or finally become?

You're on the next marriage It's not looking so good either

You can't wait to get the kids Grown and out of the house Or back out of the house

You can't find a job So you can get out on your own

You planned to Pwn the world by now You can't even pay your Credit Card each month

The Disease is progressing…

You always pictured walking On the beach with your love You live in the mountains And she doesn't want to move

Single and waiting For the life you want To begin

Stuck… Waiting for life to start Or to continue

What do you do When life hasn't turned out Like you planned?

Making decisions based on Circumstances is slavery Making decisions based on Who your God is Is Faith that leads to Freedom

American Christianity - God is a means to an end - God is the end

…my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus… - Philippians 4

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory… - Eph. 3

I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth - 3 John 1

Every single verse… Out of context My God shall supply - Giving

Him who is able to do far more abundantly - Paul is in jail! God works to his glory and our ultimate benefit

I wish above all things…you may prosper and be in health - A prayerful greeting, not a guarantee from God

American Christianity - God is a means to an end - God is the end

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" - Jesus, Luke 9

Going to build a tower? Count the cost first King going to war? Do you have what it takes? - Luke 14

Jesus doesn't promise You'll get what you want But that you'll look back And be glad you followed Esp. when it had a cost

The Faith we follow Is not a means to an end You get Jesus. (He's more than enough)

Life hasn't turned out well And you're waiting for it To change

I got a word for you…

These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles…

…and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon

"Give us a King" Divided Kingdom

"Give us a King" If you argue for your limitations Long enough, they'll be yours Divided Kingdom

God + false gods= backup plan

God + false gods= backup plan God removes his hand Of protection

Israel in North, Samaria BC Judah in South, Jerusalem BC BC

Lost it all - Promised Land - Throne and Temple - Homes and Jobs - Culture and Language

Besieged, starved Forced into Cannabalism Marched 800 miles Paraded through city Now living in foreign land

…it said: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

God is Sovereign

God is Sovereign Nebuchadnezzar doesn't win Unless God allows it

Where you are, God has allowed - Your free will - Other's free will - Fallen world - God caused (in response)

They've lost it all And they're waiting For God to restore For a change For things to work out right

They've heard it may happen Within 2 years!

They've heard it may happen Within 2 years! (It's dangerous to listen To people who only tell you What you want to hear)

So they've done what You're doing Putting off living until…

And God has a message…

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles… Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce

But…just around the bend Very soon we'll…

But…just around the bend Very soon we'll… "Build houses"

Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage…

…that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease Sign of blessing

But it's not the right place The right time The right circumstances To have children

Continue on as God's people Where you are With what you have Your circumstances changed Your God hasn't

Making decisions based on Circumstances is slavery

Making decisions based on Circumstances is slavery Making decisions based on Who your God is Is Faith that leads to Freedom

I can hold on to How it's supposed to be And get stuck waiting Or trust God, move forward And start living now

Get busy living or…? Divorce imminent= Pray Seek help if they are willing But don't stop living, seeking Walking with Jesus

Credit Cards Sit at home, wring your hands Make a plan, pray, trust God Do the free stuff that you can

Waiting on a partner Live now. And decide now What your minimums are…

Live now Because of who your God is Rather than waiting for Life to change the way you want (it may not…ever)

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf…

…for in its welfare you will find your welfare

Jesus died for the world He loves the world Let's stop praying for Fiery judgment

Live now…stop waiting Do it based on who I am Pray for the people who Hurt you Because it affects you

Making decisions based on Circumstances is slavery Making decisions based on Who your God is Is Faith that leads to Freedom

When things turn out wrong… There's no shortage of people Who will tell you What you want to hear

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you…

…and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord

Ego/Greed sent them (popularity) Satan uses them (prosperity) Faith is derailed and destroyed In those who follow them

"You just confess your healing" "I speak abundance over you…" "You're the head And not the tail" 2 years and you're free

Jesus gave me the gift Of reading your palm And telling your future

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you…

…and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place Who?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope

You'll be dead But your children And their children Have a future and a hope

Better the hard truth Than a beautiful life Because we act on That which we Believe to be true

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart

Did those other gods Protect you? Were they a means To an end?

Did those other gods Protect you? Did they claim responsibility? False prophets even now Offer more of the same

God is not a means to an end God is the end, the goal The gospel…you get Jesus

I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord…

…and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile - Jeremiah 29

Jesus is the goal Not some idea of how things Are supposed to be

Jesus is the goal Because in him We find purpose, freedom, life Regardless of circumstances

Making decisions based on Circumstances is slavery Making decisions based on Who your God is Is Faith that leads to Freedom

3 Things: - Scripture: Reminds you who your God is That you're free to live NOW

3 Things: - Community: Begin to serve others Watch life happen in yourself

- Prayerful Reflection: What am I waiting on to change? Why? What should I be doing now?

As a Church Our history: No finances, few people Sit and preside over the death? Or move forward in faith?

We do based on Who we serve Not what we have At the moment

Questions, Comments Disagreements

Pray

Small Groups Bonfire Grads