 I have two ears, two eyes, two hands, two legs, two feet…one mouth. I am convinced that If I lived my life doing twice as much listening, twice as much observing, and twice as much doing, as I do talking…I would certainly be better off. I have one mouth and the Bible says my tongue is a fire. Consider this, our mouth can be used to ask questions, to seek guidance, to honor our elders, to affirm our children, or it can be used to tear down and destroy. Ephesians 4:9 says “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” King David wrote in the Psalms 19…” May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord.” I can think that I have everything altogether perfect on the inside and then hear myself say something so astonishingly wicked and wonder…where did that come from? Yet we know it is from the abundance and overflow of our heart that our mouth speaks. It isn’t enough to just watch what I say, I need to watch what I allow to come in to my heart. Paul says in Galations 2 “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. The fruit of the Spirit is… self-control.” Tonight we use our mouth Lord Jesus to lift up your name and give you praise. Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young.
0 Comments
 What picture comes to your mind when you hear the word "warrior?" Do you think of yourself? The Bible tells us that we are in a battle. Yet many of us don't think of ourselves as warriors. This shouldn't be the case! We live in the midst of a spiritual battle of epic proportion in which casualties fall daily. Yet, we do not see, so we do not prepare. This battle I am talking about is a battle for our hearts and mind. Make no mistake about it, there is an enemy who is seeking whom he can devour. 1st Peter 5:8 reads: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” His war strategy is three pronged... to steal, kill and destroy. We see the evidence of his destruction all around us. 2nd Timothy 3 1-5 Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people. We are in a battle that we should prepare each day for. The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6, that we are to put on the full armor of God! The Helmet of Salvation, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Belt of Truth, our feet shod in the Gospel of Peace! We stand firm armored and holding up the Shield of Faith in one hand and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God in the other! Friends we must stand our ground! The Bible says in James 4 to draw near to God and resist the Devil and he will flee. It's time to stop getting beat up, battered, and bruised by an enemy who is trying to keep us shackled in darkness! The victory is in Jesus Christ! Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
 Are you all alone? Hurting and afraid? Wandering through a valley of despair? Sitting alone tormented by past failures? Living a life in shackles of sin and shame? Perhaps this classic hymn will bless you as it did me in my darkest hours. "Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake To guide the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart And all is darkened in the vale of tears; Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart, Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears. Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay From His own fulness all He takes away. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on When we shall be forever with the Lord,When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last. Tonight, right this moment can you hear the jailor walking with keys? He is coming to you…he is coming to unshackle you, to free you from the penalty, the sentence of death. Your bail was paid…you have been pardoned. You are set free if you accept this gift of God's grace. Dear Jesus, help all those who are reading these word to feel your presence. Now cover us with your quilt of peace, hope, and joy. Amen
 Do you remember your last job interview? How did it go? Did you get nervous? I think most of us can agree that job interviews are not exactly relaxing and fun! Yet, they can represent an opportunity for us to better our circumstances, to join an operation that is going somewhere, and to work in our field of expertise, etc. Still at the same time they can be so stressful! I can remember before I started my business, going through a season of uncertainty. I was trying to determine what I should do next. I still remember the butterflies, upset tummy, dry throat, etc. I didn’t like the fact that someone else across a desk could determine or conclude in one short meeting that I didn’t measure up! I would get upset, frustrated, confused and feel demoralized with each rejection. Unfortunately, with each rejection comes the temptation to expect more “rejection,” and before long your body language and demeanor are all screaming defeat to prospective employers. I want to encourage you if your looking for a job or answers for the future, to get better connected! I also want to encourage you to start expecting the best for yourself, not the worst. How can we expect the best when we have been rejected dozens of times? Have you ever heard the expression, “ it’s all in who you know?” Well, It’s all in who you know. There is only one person you really need to know. Romans 13:1 He is at the very top of mankind’s operational flowchart. He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. Every living, breathing, creature, creation, human being, and thing is subject to Him. Are you ready for the amazing part? As vast, glorious and majestic as He is… The God of the Universe is interested in the finite, meticulous details that concern and trouble us. He will open the doors, prepare the way, and give you a bright future. I am so grateful doors that I begged God to open were not opened..He had a better plan! He has a plan for all of us! Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Tonight getting right with God is the first step to a bright future. Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
 Promises, promises…have you ever had someone make a promise to you and break it? Political candidates make all sorts of promises and we know there is no way they will be able to keep them all. We tend to half heartedly believe what they are saying and grow somewhat cynical the more promises they make. Our Father in heaven makes us promises as well, and those promises we can stand on. He keeps His word and delivers what He says. Unfortunately, I sometimes can be guilty of "over thinking" it. What do I mean? If I am not careful I can limit God by my own limitations and understanding. I can inadvertently marginalize His power , His promises, because I can’t fathom how He is able to deliver on the promise. When Moses sent the spies out to check on the land that God promised for His people, they were terrified because of the giants living in the land. Yes, even though God had promised them that He would deliver that land to them, they became gripped with fear and disbelief. Think of that... the fear of the giants and their own personal limitations, thwarted God’s blessing… so they wandered for 40 years in the desert. Yet, we read of one man who was courageous, bold and impetuous...his name was Caleb! Joshua 14 says he trusted God and took his promises seriously! Tonight during these Quiet Moments let’s be more like Caleb and trust God, no matter what giants we face. He promises to never leave us or forsake us, He promises to give us everlasting life if we accept His son Jesus Christ as our Savior. He promises that He is a help in time of trouble, a refuge, a hiding place! Do we believe? Lord, help us to believe! Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
 How do we know God’s will for our life? That is a huge question that many of us really want the answer to. It really doesn’t much matter how old we are, or where we currently are in our socioeconomic condition. Most of us want to know that we are in God’s will. I believe the answers to these and other questions about the future are right in front of us. It isn’t a mystery, God isn’t keeping His will a secret or behind a curtain like the game show “Let’s Make a Deal!” What kind of a father would hide his desires from his kids? Imagine if you asked your mom or dad what they thought about something that was important to you, and they just ignored you, or made you guess what they were thinking? Our Heavenly Father loves us and is intricately involved and interested in our life. We don’t have to guess or cover our eyes and hope we know what His will is. I have found in my own life that God guides me one step at a time. I have always been a “big picture” kind of guy, and always looking toward the big goal. I have had to learn to experience the joy in the journey. You know what I mean? …” I know I should do this…but I would much rather do that!” I can hear His voice telling me…”one step, an obedient step, at a time… is my will. The answer is so easy that we can miss it. I didn’t like the answer because I wanted something much more grand and powerful. Yet, one step of obedience in faith, will open up another and another, and soon we are at that place we so desired to be. Right now no matter where you are or what you’ve gone through, be encouraged you are merely one step away from being in God’s will, and on His path. God’s will for you and me is first and foremost, fellowship with Him. In His sermon on the mount Matthew 6:25 Jesus taught us “not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough worries of its own.” But rather seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto thee.” Perhaps tonight you are waiting for direction from God for your life in a relationship, or a career opportunity, or in a situation at work, etc.? The answer is right in front of you. Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
 Have you ever driven in thick fog? How did you respond? I am sure you didn’t speed up… or you could slam into a car ahead or even drive off the road. The natural response would be to slow way down, turn on our hazard lights, and keep the vehicle between the lines, following the tail lights of another vehicle out of the fog. Have you ever been caught somewhere when the power goes off and its pitch black? I mean so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face? What did you do? I suppose the prudent thing to do is to search for any light at all, and then put our hands in front of us and walk slowly so we won’t trip, toward the light. The answers to these questions seem basic enough, yet they also are answers for many of us tonight in our current state. I spent years ignoring God and His will for my life and instead pursued any and every thing that I thought would bring me happiness. I call that “The Good Lie!” You know what it brought me? It brought me darkness and emptiness and misery. I found myself living a life out of harmony with who God wanted me to be. I was lost and completely demoralized and almost lost everything. How did I respond to this darkness? I continued full speed ahead! More alcohol, more indulgences, more self-gratification! The darkness and fog are indicators of our current condition and should compel change within us! The emptiness and pain inside are also the equivalent and represent estrangement from God. Tonight, if you are feeling alone, afraid, and empty inside, slow down and follow the light out of the darkness and exchange the Good Lie for the Good Life in Jesus Christ. Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
 “Have you ever seen a man sitting at a bar all alone drinking? Thought to yourself, “where is his family?” That was me. Have you ever heard a distasteful, rude, obnoxious, shocking comment? I am the one who said it. Have you ever been behind a swerving vehicle and thought, “this guy must be drunk?” It was me driving. Ever see the face of a hurt and broken woman who was filled with sorrow? That was my wife. Or drove by a house at night and saw a child looking out the window waiting? That was my son waiting for me. Thankfully, that man is no more and I have been made a new creation in Jesus Christ. This program tonight can be a lifeline to you… a beacon of light in a dark night, if you find yourself all alone, lost, hurt and empty inside like I was. There is Hope from above, even when we are buried below! There is medicine for a lovesick heart. You see God reached out and heard my desperate cry, in my darkest and most desperate moments. Yes, I cried out to Him…after years and years of living the so called “good Life,” where I was the Lord of my life. My recipe for a healthy, happy life was that I denied myself nothing and indulged in everything! This lifestyle looks impressive on the outside, the luxury cars, homes on both coasts, exquisite trips, big business deals, etc. Yet it was destroying me on the inside. I literally gained more and more weight, up to 260 pounds (from 200) became dependent on more and more alcohol just to regulate and relax, found myself farther and farther away from the man I wanted to be, and hardly ever saw my family, and had no intimacy with my wife. You see I became alone and lost inside, with a fancy wrapper on the outside. This is no way to live. I almost lost everything that was so important to me. Tonight in these Quiet Moments, we come to the end of a day…and we come to an end of our striving. We seek refuge, shelter, we need a deliverer to save us. His name is Jesus Christ. He is willing, and only He is able. He conquered death and gave us access to the God of the Universe. What must we do? Surrender. Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
Are you at peace tonight? Do you feel reassured that you are in the palm of God’s hand, in His tender merciful care? Nothing is worse than living without the peace of God in our life. What is the opposite of peace? War? Turmoil? Conflict? I have found that often the battle or war I am fighting isn’t against outside forces, it is against… me. It is a fight to the “surrender” each day. I know that if I will live in His peace, be about His business, pursuing His will for my life, showing His grace, love, and mercy to those around me, then I must surrender and die to my own self and my selfish ways. The Gospel of John 3 says it best…”I have to decrease so He can increase…” It sounds easy enough, yet this struggle persists constantly. Who will reign? Who will sit in the driver seat? Choose this day who you shall serve! While we may not be choosing to worship some false god or idol…we may in effect be choosing to serve our self, and as a result, we are living out of His peace. I spent years going to bed at the end of a long day with pain, emptiness, and regret. I wasted so much time trying to fill that void, that emptiness with anything and everything to numb the pain of a life without God’s peace. There are many counterfeits the world will offer up, yet we know where true peace comes. The good news tonight is that He is willing to bring us in from the darkness and into His presence and cover us with His peace. Friends, His peace is a byproduct of a surrendered life where Jesus Christ is made our Lord and Savior. Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
Why is saying “I am sorry” so difficult? Why is sharing our faults with others so hard? Do we believe we are above this, or too holy? Is there reason to hide our mistakes from those we love? Do they not see them when they occur in real time? Is it a sign of weakness to admit a short coming? Is strength really a covered up mistake or sin? Or is strength a confessed mistake and repentant heart? We stumble, we fall, we get dirty, and we pick our self up, too fast, I’m afraid. Why won’t we take an extra moment while on the “ground” to consider what caused us to stumble in the first place? What is the lesson in the moment of the fall? Let’s take a moment or two to ponder how feeble we are, how prone we are to wonder and fall. Randy don’t just pull yourself up quickly and proceed at the same pace, share your faults, don’t hide them. Be real! What a shame that we experience life in the silence of shame. We keep on pretending to have it all together and yet we know better. God knows our hearts, He knows our thoughts, He knows… us. I sometimes have to call my kids together and say, “I blew it…please forgive, etc.”. They look at me and instantly want to comfort me by saying, ”we love you daddy, or it’s okay…we all make mistakes. etc.” You see when we confess and share our mistakes, it leads us to intimacy with our heavenly father as well. I want to let everyone see the scars that have been healed by God’s grace and mercy in my imperfect life. In order for you to see that I have to let you get close enough. 2nd Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.“ Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young
|
Randy YoungQuiet Moments Archives
March 2014
Categories |
RSS Feed