Plain and simple, change is hard. This year, things have gotten turned upside down and we’ve all had to make adjustments. But this disruption can be the beginning of something new. It can be something that God uses to shape us towards being more like Jesus. As much as we might not like it, this could be a season where we learn some important lessons about who God is and about who we are. Our assumptions might be broken down and we might learn to relate to the world in a different way. God is on the side of life. How might we be looking out for Him and what He is doing?
PIVOT: LOOKING OUT FOR GOD
Message by Josh MutterWHAT GOD HAS BEEN DOING IN OUR LIVES SINCE MARCH?
WHAT HAS THIS EXPERIENCE TAUGHT ME ABOUT MYSELF?
WHAT HAS THIS EXPERIENCE TAUGHT ME ABOUT MY FAITH?
LOOKING BACK, HOW CAN I SEE THAT GOD HAS BEEN WITH ME THROUGH ALL OF THIS?
Acts 9:1-19 NIV
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
REFLECT:
LOOKING BACK OVER THE PAST 8 MONTHS, HOW HAVE WE NOTICED GOD?
PRACTICE:
TO PRAY IS TO INTENTIONALLY TURN OUR ATTENTION TOWARDS GOD.
About Josh Mutter: Josh Mutter is the Lead Pastor at Westheights Community Church. Josh is married to Michelle and they have two very busy little boys named Silas & Isaac. Josh enjoys long walks on the beach and smooth jazz – well, not really. But he does enjoy time with his family, spending time outdoors, watching baseball, sipping coffee and reading a good book.
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