MOMENTUM

Our good friend Steve was asked to run a men’s group night and the Lord put the key word ‘momentum’ on his heart. He asked us to do a leaflet for him and a funny aspect immediately grabbed our attention – moMENtum!

It’s definitely an action word, meaning ‘force of a moving body; impetus gained from motion.’ A good word in respect of male who are normally considered as ‘men of action’ wanting to be moving ahead in all of life.

But sadly many men feel discouraged and helpless because of circumstances or some spiritual enemy. It can be in the work place, family life, even poor health or lack of vision. Whatever the pressure they’re blocked, they’re motionless and just can’t move ahead.

Steve’s key scripture was 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (GNB): ‘We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.’

Paul
Paul was God’s New Testament man of action - no matter what challenges he faced, no matter what or who his enemies, he could write with confidence that he would never be defeated! He had supportive friends and, more importantly, knew the greatest and most faithful of all friends, Jesus, whom he knew would never let him down.

So even when things were difficult, Paul would be fired up in the Holy Spirit and was a force to be reckoned with. Act 9:22 (Message) tells us that even suspicions about his conversion ‘didn't slow Paul down for even a minute. His momentum was up now and he ploughed straight into the opposition, disarming the Damascus Jews and trying to show them that this Jesus was the Messiah.’

What had happened to make him such an impetus? Seven things: He had met the living Christ, been converted, baptised in the Holy Spirit, received a miracle of sight, water baptised, relaxedly ate a hearty meal, mixed in fellowship with the brethren and then swung into ministry action! No holding this guy back - he was a man of momentum!

Note verse19…it tells us that after the meal (he hadn’t eaten or drank for three days) he was ‘strengthened.’ This is enischuō indicating being invigorated, having and exercising force.’

Jesus
Jesus himself was a man of action. Acts 10:38 (Message) is a favourite scripture of ours in respect of his ministry and attitude to life: ‘Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.’

The Jesus kind of ministry is an everyday opportunity ministry wherever/whenever we meet people with needs. But Sunday church can be a special time/place to allow the Holy Spirit to move in his supernatural power. Mark 3:4-6 tells of one such time when Jesus was aware that narrow-minded religious people were ready to oppose his moving in momentum to bless.

The Message version says: ‘He spoke to the people: "What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?" No one said a word. He looked them in the eye, one after another, angry now, furious at their hard-nosed religion. He said to the man, "Hold out your hand." He held it out - it was as good as new! The Pharisees got out as fast as they could, sputtering…’

Men (and women, of course)
Paul has much to say about Christians whatever age - women too, not just men -  being Spirit-filled people of action and momentum. For example Romans 8:5: ‘Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them - living and breathing God!’

1 Corinthians12:6 speaks of God’s heart in this: ‘God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all.’ Paul’s Colossians 3:2 command is clear! ‘Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.’

This is definitely for every Christian, not church leaders and not just men. Obviously God wants us all to be free – unbound by anything that causes us not to be a man or women of momentum.

No wonder James writes: ‘But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God - the free life! - even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action’ (James 1:25).

Action
This signifies God’s plan for your life. It involves your talents and skills, past and current training, life’s experiences, hopefully your dreams in God, the fulfilment of his promises for you in 2014.

It can begin simply with guys under pressures being helped by the fellowship of Christian mates who understand and want to give a hand in climbing dangerous mountains. Again an encouragement for Paul… Galatians 6:2 ‘Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law.’

This is the law of love - John 13:14 - and it’s the same for women reaching out to encourage and bless other women.

Moving ahead

May we all move ahead this year and in so doing advance the kingdom. It happened in Jesus’ day simply because he moved in the Spirit to help needy people mentally, emotionally and physically – it can happen today too.

‘Jesus used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God's kingdom was his theme - that beginning right now they were under God's government, a good government! He also healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives. Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them, one and all. More and more people came, the momentum gathering’ (Matt. 4:23-25)

Followers of Jesus are people of action – a moving force!

Choices

We recall the first time we visited a big city store, quite a few decades ago. So many floors of quality merchandise with the top one filled with extremely expensive furniture.

Returning to the ground floor via the escalator, we discovered there was yet another floor, one below ground that we’d missed earlier on my way up. The Bargain Basement down the escalator for ‘el cheapo’ deals. But as we went down we realised we had made a wrong choice. That underground cavern was so dismal, hot, airless and stuffy. We couldn’t wait to get out!

We never went down into a store basement again. But the memory came flooding back recently when we found the illustration below! There’s an escalator leading up to brightness, life and safety and one that leads down to the basement, to the danger of an unquenchable fire.

Naturally this icon produces thoughts of heaven and hell – and bright preachers will quickly come up with choice sermons warning about the dangers of ending up ‘down below’ where it is stuffy and airless to say the least.

Choice
Personally we want to highlight the sign – It’s Your Choice. It’s really clear – it’s up to the person standing at the edge to make the right choice. 

Of course any sensible, balanced person would make the correct choice in relation to those escalators! But what about life choices? Sometimes circumstances lead people to make wrong ones. Sometimes the choices themselves seem too hard to make.

The noun ‘choice’ means ‘the act, option or power of choosing.’ Used as an adjective it means ‘carefully selecting the best.’  Used in scripture choice means to make the best selection.

King David, of course, didn’t go shopping as we do today but in Psalm 16:4-5a (Mge), he makes an interesting observation on making the right choice: ‘Don't just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I'll never treat god-names like brand-names. My choice is you, God, first and only.’

Then in verse 5(b) he adds his astounding discovery: ‘And now I find I'm your choice!’ What an incredible truth to be grasped by all – when we choose God, we then discover that we are truly his!

And because we’re God’s we can call on his help when hard choices have to be made.

Paul’s hard choice
In Philippians 1 Paul speaks of his difficult time in gaol. It seems that he is considering that death – his removal to heaven to be with Jesus – would be the perfect choice. 

He writes in verses 22-23, ‘If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better.’

But Paul turned his thoughts and eyes away from looking down and the difficulties he had as an imprisoned Christian. He looked upward beyond his own problems to something brighter - to serving Jesus for his glory through his responsibility to his fellow-Christians.

In fact his choice was based on his acceptance of a realised truth - ‘Everything happening to me in this gaol only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn't shut me up; they gave me a pulpit!’ (v20).

No wonder he wrote: ‘But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues’ (v24-25).

Life choices
In our western nations with religious freedom we may never find ourselves in prison for our faith. But life itself repeatedly requires several natural choices. And life can also throw unexpected ‘hard’ challenges and some weird curves at times.

In life we have to make choices that not only affect us but others as well - family, children and friends. Life and Christian service choices such as –

+ Ministry
+ Church
+ Friendships
+ Career
+ Location
+ Vehicles
+ Marriage
+ Health
+ Study
+ Finance.

In all these matters we should make the right – the best – choices. Learning to rely on Jesus helps. Paul gives this advice in verse 27: ‘Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.’

An important aspect of honouring Christ in life choices is to rely on God and the Holy Spirit as Jesus did. Inspiration, guidance and direction from God are repeatedly found through praying. 

Jesus’ examples
Luke 6:12-13 is the classic example. Before Jesus chose his disciples he spent the previous night in prayer obviously getting God’s direction. Sometimes we too might have to think and pray for some time before we feel an assurance within to make certain decisions that will then prove correct and fruitful. 

Then there was that terrible time before Calvary when, as Mark 14:33-34 (Mge) puts it, ‘He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony. He told them (Peter, James and John), "I feel bad enough right now to die. Stay here and keep vigil with me."’ Jesus then prayed so earnestly to the Father and received an incredible strengthening and the ability to make the right choice that pleased God and would lead to victory for humankind.

Whatever decisions we must make in life – small or large, simple or intricate, personal or corporate, as we rely on Jesus and experience more of the reality that God is always there for us, we’ll be confident in making the right choices. And we too can discover an amazing strengthening within. 

Especially if we’re living daily in the light of Proverbs 3: 5-6, ‘Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.’

Depression!

Despite the strengths and victories Christians receive from Jesus Christ, many times – as we minister to people at a prayer line -  some tell us quietly (wrongly feeling ashamed and not wanting anyone else to know) that they are suffering from depression.

Depression is an interesting word, meaning to be lowered in spirit, dejected, weakened, pressed down, despondent, lowered activity, having feelings of low value, sadness and pessimism, carrying delusions of inadequacy and hopelessness. It comes from Latin words meaning ‘pressed down.’

Anyone could be so afflicted
Yes, as mentioned above, we Christians have great strength and resources in Christ. But we must all be aware that even we could get hit by depression at some point, especially if overworked, tired, going through difficulty, disappointment or illness.

But if it happens, it’s not something to be ashamed of and feel we must be quiet about. That someone will accuse us of having lost our faith. If they do, that’s their problem, not ours! What we must learn to do is to recognise symptoms and how to deal with this problem.

Depression - this ‘pressing down’ - is a ‘following on from’ word. Depression can follow on from some upset or stress that happened to the person being affected.

Depending on which translation you use, you’ll find depression used quite a few times in scripture. For example Prov. 12:25, ‘Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression.’ Anxiety – that’s means anything that causes heaviness of heart.

It’s interesting how the Bible knew all about many illnesses and God had answers before prescription tablets!  Actually there are a number of examples in scripture that indicate people were struck by depression. For example, depression can hit…

Following exhausting hard work, including ministry
Samson - that incredibly mighty man of God was exhausted after killing 1000 of Israel’s enemies single-handedly (even though he moved in the amazing power of God’s Spirit and strength) – and cried out to God: ‘Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagan people?’ (Judges 15:14-19).

The strongest man in the world was obviously depressed but God had an answer…he ‘caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground … and Samson drank and was revived as he drank.’ Revived indicates that he was refreshed anew...’came alive.’ The Good News Bible puts it this way: ‘began to feel much better.’

God always has an answer to every problem, including sickness weariness and heaviness of heart (depression).

Following success

Elijah, that amazing prophet, who held back rain for almost four years and called fire down from heaven destroying false prophets, became crushed in spirit – depressed - after his incredible victory over satanic forces.  

1 Kgs 19:3-4 (Mge) tells us that ‘When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life’ from the evil Queen Jezebel who now threatened him for having caused this victory over her evil rule.

Again, God had an answer. Just a gentle whisper of his comforting voice and a good heaven supplied meal fixed him up (1 Kgs 19:12ff)! Elijah found himself strengthened, recommissioned by God and sent out immediately on a new assignment.

Even a little R&R in God’s presence is enough to get us refreshed and going again! Spending time with the Lord, reading the Bible (our heavenly food!) and talking to God will help refresh us and we’ll be able to move ahead into whatever the Holy Spirit has for us next.

Following dark times and all kinds of attacks

David, the ‘man after God’s own heart,’ was no exception. Dark times fall on all of us every now and then, no matter who we are or how close to God we may be! In fact, when you carefully read David’s writings in Psalms and elsewhere, you get the impression that he suffered quite a bit from depression.

But David always ‘picked himself up, shook himself down and started all over again’ as he turned to God and drew strength and refreshing from him. For example, 2 Sam. 22: 29-30,’O Lord, you are my light: yes, Lord, you light up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army.’

It’ll be the same for us if times of depression come. We can echo David’s strategy by truthfully admitting we have problems but then exclaiming, ‘But ah God.’ See Psalm 10:14 for example; ‘But you, O God, do see trouble and grief...’ 

These are good ‘Buts’ And no matter how dark the hour, our God will never let us down.

Following heavy decisions and responsibilities

Jesus too had his moments!

Think about the awful agony he went through in the garden struggling with the knowledge of the torture he would soon be suffering. (Mark 14:33-34): ‘He began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told (his disciples), “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.”‘

The Message Bible puts it like this: ‘He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony.’ The wording means a deep distress of mind. But Jesus knew how to draw answers and supernatural overcoming strength from his God! ‘Abba, Father, everything is possible for you…I want your will, not mine’ (v36).

Strengthened within Jesus moved afresh in ministry, miraculously restoring the severed ear of one of his opponents (Luke 22:51).

Following disappointments and troubles

Hey, being disappointed, especially being heartbroken, over what someone did or said can hurt big time!

But, again, God has an answer: ‘The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit’ (Psa. 34: 17-18).

Depression is a real nasty!

Like Satan it endeavours to sneak up on us, catch us unawares and rob us of joy. If we hang on to feelings of depression, they’ll flatten us – ‘de press’ - for days, weeks, months or longer.

They can lead to emotional and mental illness and cloud our thinking for a long time! We’ll go round the clock dwelling on even trivial matters. It’s really a rotten thing.

Yet God always has answers…we ought to turn to him right away and get his help. See Pro. 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart for everything. Verse 8 promises renewed health, nourishment and vitality. GNB says: ‘If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.’

The good news
Revelation 21: 4 is comforting! ‘God will remove all your sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.’

That’s not just a promise to be outworked in eternity…it can be ours here and now! But remember…it all depends on us calling out to God, just like Jesus and other biblical examples did!

And, by the way, if we need some professional medical care, there’s nothing wrong with that providing we look to the Lord first and trust him fully!  And as we grow in Christ we can learn to trust him to free us from everything that goes wrong and tries to destroy us. 


Calling out to him is simply a matter of intelligent prayer.