From: The Pastor’s Heart
To: You
Title: “The Banging Noise”
This morning I was awakened by the rattling sound of men working on my roof. A construction crew arrived very early to repair and replace the roof on my home. They are not only putting on new shingles, but first they have to remove the old ones and those of you who’ve been through the process know that it’s a long, dirty, messy, and NOISY process. Most of the work I do is done from my home office these days and I’m accustomed to creating ministry plans in a quiet and serene atmosphere, however that is not happening this morning.
So now I’m faced with, in the natural realm, what many of us have to contend with often in the spiritual realm. The continual sound of banging noises that challenge our ability to remain focused and steadfast in the assignment that we’ve been given to complete. Interruptive noises that frustrate us and work to push us off course and remove us from reaching goals in a timely manner.
I often think about Peter who at times exhibited more faith and confidence in Jesus than any other disciple that walked with Him in ministry. Remember when Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and then he courageously stepped out on the water and began to
walk toward Jesus. He did what no other man in bible history had ever done and he maintained that walk toward Christ as long as he kept his eyes on Him. All of a sudden, he became distracted by the sounds around him and the reality of what he was doing. He became afraid and took his eyes off of the Master and began looking at the circumstances around him. That’s when he began to sink.
It’s when you and I allow the sounds of disappointments and setbacks to become a distraction in our lives that we put ourselves in harms way. We become vulnerable to temptations of the enemy which could quickly lead us away from the protective arms of the Lord. Lot’s wife caused her world to come to an immediate and abrupt end when she allowed the sounds of Sodom and upon Gomorrah’s destruction to distract her from following God’s instructions to not turn around. He specifically said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, or stop anywhere in the entire valley; escape to the mountains [of Moab], or you will be consumed and swept away.” She received the instructions clearly, but the noise was too tempting and she got distracted.
Today I want to do more than encourage you, I want to warn you in love. Do Not Allow the ‘Banging Sounds’ around you to make you loose your focus and connection with all that you’ve gained through walking hand and hand with the Lord. You’re too close to victory and He’s too important to the journey.
EVERYTHING WE DO MOVING FORWARD WILL BE INTENTIONAL AND DRIVEN WITH PURPOSE TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT!
NOTHING WILL BE DONE WITH ENERGY LESS THAN OUR BEST AND EFFORT BELOW OUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.
OUR SERVICE IS LOCAL, BUT OUR REACH IS GLOBAL – SO WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR PRESENTATION DOWN TO WHAT’S CONVENIENT, BUT RATHER WE MUST RAISE IT TO THAT WHICH IS EXPLOSIVE!
Get ready for major change that’s coming systematically, intellectually, purposefully, and professionally. Nothing we do moving forward will be done haphazardly, sloppily, poorly, or carnally.
We Are the LIGHT!
Sincerely,
Pastor J.E. Chandler, Sr.
(CEO/Pastor of MLCM)