Keeping It Young

We're finishing this mini-series on Overcoming Pitfalls of Family and Ministry!
3. Please God wholeheartedly
In ministry we were/are all in 
We served as a family
We have gone soul winning as a family
We have sung as a family
We have worshiped as a family
We have sat together as a family in church
We have had family devotions
We have had long talks about life and godliness
We have prayed together and seen God do great things as a result
 
In family we were/are all in
We have Trained - it never stops until they are adults on their own
We have done a ton of teaching - it never stops either
We have played - we did a lot of this Games
Walks
Movies
Fun Family Fridays
Beach days
Coffee shops
We have been to Disney, Busch gardens, and Cedar Point
We have hiked in Nevada, Arizona, California, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan
We have been to the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, The Gulf of America (or Mexico :)) and all of the Great Lakes
Dr. Dave Teis - spend money having fun with your kids

We also attended church some 300 nights each year in revival services, conferences, and camps

So how do you overcome the pitfalls of family and ministry?
Dave and Bethlie make three suggestions:
Have ONE priority GOD IS EVERYTHING
I know that we are taught that Family is First Bethlie and I perhaps take a different approach
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be added unto you.  All these things: Refers to God's blessings and favor and provisions

The kingdom of God encompasses all of our Christian lives and responsibilities  Our walk with God - that is a priority
Our family - that is a priority
Our ministry - that is a priority

This doesn't have to be about 1, 2, 3 It has to be about living our lives each day doing the right thing in the right way

His righteousness: What does He want?
What is right according to Him?




 
Pursue all responsibilities passionately and intentionally Dr. Bob Jones Sr. famously said - Duties never conflict.  Like any saying that can be challenged - it isn't the Bible
But he has a point

Duties must be fulfilled God doesn't want us to give up one for the other
He wants us to live our life and win on all fronts

Ministry is not above family Serve the Lord - with your family

Family is not above ministry Serve the Lord - with your family

Both are life and and both are God given responsibilities
Win at both

We're wrapping up this Overcoming Fear series! 
6. Fear can be overcome
It takes power
It takes love
It takes a sound mind

Part 2 of our Overcoming Series!
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Part 2
4. Fear is caused
By Temperament traits
By Childhood experiences Basic needs aren't met Love
Understanding
Acceptance

Overprotective parents
Dominating parents

By a traumatic experience
By Anger
By Sin A guilty conscience

By lack of Faith Unbelief is failing to trust God
Unbelief is also trusting in something besides God

Ultimately by Selfishness - the basic cause of fear Shyness (an expression of fear) - is a focus on self  

 
5. Fear is sometimes good
There is a good "fear" Recognize that there is a "fear" that is different from what we are talking about here Fear God Proverbs 1:7  In this passage fear is referring to having an awareness and a reverence for God


Recognize that caution can be helpful, but is different from the fear we are talking about here: Caution leads an airline pilot to check the instruments carefully
Caution can lead a pharmacist to check and recheck the medication he is giving

Remember that Jesus told us to fear in Matthew 10:28 Fear the one who can destroy soul and body in hell
Fear that which is deadly or trying to hurt you

We're continuing our Overcoming series and beginning a new topic, fear. 
Fear is universal Adam and Eve experienced fear in the garden Farther we go from God and the more disobedient we are, the greater the fear that we experience

Our world offers a continual diet of fear Economy
World conditions
Medical concerns
See Reader's Digest illustration p. 82 LaHaye Joseph Fort Newton, former pastor of St. James Church, Philadelphia
Had newspaper article called "A ministers mail"
His column "everyday living" reached millions of people
One article was about fear and he said that "fear leads to worry and worry is a tiny rivulet seeping into the mind like slow poison, until it paralyzes us and cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained."



Fear is personal We fear failure
We fear that our kids will be hurt
We fear retirement
We fear not having medical help
Parents in our culture especially battle with fear Fear of leaving our kids in a church nursery
Fear of letting our kids attend youth ministry
Fear of losing our kids to the world

Singles battle fear Fear of getting married to the wrong person
Fear of being deceived by someone you marry


Fear is costly 92% of our fears NEVER take place
Emotionally - fear leads to any number of emotional issues Anxiety
Doubts
Timidity
Indecision
Superstition
Withdrawal
Loneliness
Overagression
Worry
Inferiority
Cowardice
Suspicion
Hesitancy
Depression 
Haughtiness
Social shyness

Socially Fear keeps us from speaking
Fear keeps us from serving

Physically Fear affects our health in a variety of ways

Spiritually Quenches the Holy Spirit
Stifles our soul wining Compare Paul and Silas with the Philippian jailor

Prevents us from pleasing God