PowerBreak Message for November 26, 2001

THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE

"If you think you can or if you think you can't - you're right!"

I'm sure you've heard that phrase before but have you thought about it as it pertains to your situation. When we think about facing a difficult situation and focus on the negative pretty soon we'll convince ourselves of the impossibility of the situation. On the other hand if we can focus on the possibilities and ask the right questions - filling our minds with positive power - filled thoughts pretty soon we'll be convince of the possibility of the situation.

The Bible is full of examples of this principle where some missed out on God's best for their lives because they refused to go forward, having convinced themselves of the impossibility of the situation. There are other examples of those who have believed God to do the impossible, moved forward in faith and enjoyed much more than they ever dreamed.

God made sure those accounts are in the Bible for a purpose.

Romans 15:4 (NIV) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Next time you need some encouragement and some help in finding hope in a situation - pick up the Bible because God has a reserve of lessons that will not only give you hope and encouragement but teach you how to apply it to your life. Let's look at one.

God brought His people out of Egypt where they had been slaves for 400 years as you can find in the book of Exodus. He promised them a land that flowed with milk and honey and led them to the edge of the land where He instructed Moses to send some spies into the land to check out the land so the people would know it was better than what had been promised. When the spies came back to camp ten out of the twelve were convinced of the impossibility of the situation where Joshua and Caleb were convinced of the possibility of moving ahead, trusting God who had miraculously taken care of them so far. As you read Numbers 13 & 14 you can see the two distinct perspectives on the situation.

Numbers 13:25-30 (NIV) At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land. 26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan." 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

Part of the spies were viewing the situation through the eyes of fear and spread a report of impossibility resulting in so much discouragement among the people they talked of returning to Egypt and slavery.

Numbers 14:1-4 (NIV) That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."

On the other hand, the two faithful spies, Joshua and Caleb looked at the situation as just another "God moment" seeing the situation through the eyes of faith rather then fear - not wanting to miss out on the great possibilities that were theirs to claim.

Numbers 14:5-9 (NIV) Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."

Who was right? Both groups! Those who brought the impossibility report refused to obey God and move forward so God allowed an entire generation to miss out on the blessings He had for them. All of them except Joshua and Caleb who led the next generation into the promised land.

Ever think about what you could be missing by focusing on the impossible. With God's help and encouragement you can the possibilities and find great blessings.

Godspeed.

Bob Brubaker

RUNNING WITH A PURPOSE

There's a story in the book of Samuel in the Old Testament where a runner was instructed to take a specific message from a battle back to the king. Once he left another man decided he wanted to be a runner too so he took off and overtook the designated runner. He was so fast he got to the king much faster than the man who had the message. So when the king asked about the report - the faster runner had nothing significant to say, in fact he looked pretty silly once the designated runner arrived with the message from the battlefield.

How many times have we all had a great idea and started what we thought was a great plan of action which really had no purpose for our long range goals. It's so easy to get up the momentum and feel like we are doing something significant but in the long run we take ourselves away from the real prize. It happens to all of us. We get some hair-brained idea and jump in with both feet only to regret ever getting involved. It would be better to ask ourselves: "How does this fit into the long range plan for my life?"

Here's how Paul in the New Testament described it:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Notice verse 26 -- just being active is not enough to get the prize in life. Being specific with your actions is essential. Today more than ever before there are so many things that call out to us and many of them are legitimate good things with which to be involved. The question is remains - is this just running or running with a specific purpose. The runner with egg on his face was the runner who just decided to run but had no message or no purpose for his running. He may have looked like he had won the prize for out running the other man but when he had nothing to say about what was going on at the battlefront he looked stupid - just as we do when we get involved in too many things and we allow the really important things to slip aside.

Next time you receive a request for your time, next time you get pressure to get involved, see if God is really in the matter of this new direction and see if it fits your purpose in life. If not learn the power of saying, "No!"

Just because someone asks, or just because you have the ability to handle it, doesn't mean it's best for you. Hold to the purposes that drive you and you'll be more like Paul than the runner with egg on his face.

Godspeed.

Bob Brubaker, SPAMMAN

Several years ago in the midst of soda manufacturers advertising low caffeine and low sugar, one manufacturer advertised double of both and they called the product "JOLT COLA." I never tried the product but it promised a good pick up whenever you need a "jolt" to get or keep going.

God's word has a better way to get a good lift. Check this out!

Proverbs 11:25 (NIV) A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Notice the promise that you'll find refreshment whenever you seek to refresh others. Too many times we get really inward focused. It's easy to center our attention on all that is wrong, all that could go wrong, or our lack of being in control of things. We all do it.

Prior to the Ironman race last weekend, a number of athletes and friends met in what we called an IRON PRAYER SERVICE. It was a time designed to take our focus off ourselves and focus on God and His goodness and to focus on other athletes by praying for each other. In fact, we were instructed to pick out an athlete that we didn't know and have prayer with each other - then before and during the race keep that person in mind. It was a great time of seeing God bring the group together in a very special way.

While I was nearing the end of the marathon portion of the Ironman race, fighting off feelings of fatigue, I met up with my prayer partner, David Garner. David was struggling in his first Ironman race and said he was out of energy so we stopped and prayed. After some words of encouragement - I felt refreshed and went on to finish the race and I was happy to learn that David was not far behind me.

What a great lesson: "If you need a lift - be an encourager to someone in need."

Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Godspeed.

Bob Brubaker, SPAMMAN