Psalm 46:10 (NIV) Be still, and know that I am God.
 
If God were to tell you that something was going to happen to you in the future, then what questions or emotions would you have?
And what would be your mindset as you enter into the scenario to come?
 
Will I have to go through this alone?
Will I be afraid?
Will making it through this really be possible?
Can I take His word for it?
 
Oftentimes, by means of others, God answers your questions before you even knew you’d have any…and He knows just how to ease your mind.

Keep in mind that the name Gabriel means God is my strength…something that God knew Mary would need to keep at the forefront of her mind as she received this news.
 
Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV) 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel [God is my strength] was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

In Luke 1:26-38, God already knew that Mary would feel…

• Vs. 29…Not just troubled, but He adds Greatly Troubled (NIV).
  • When someone is greatly troubled…that troubling thing has the potential to…
    • Make you feel distant from God during this time (Psalm 30:7)
    • Bring about sudden and noticeable change to one’s demeanor. Sudden shame, shock, and fear (Psalm 6:10; Daniel 5:9; 7:28; Luke 1:12)
    • Some might internalize all that they’re experiencing (Dan. 7:28)
    • Consume or overwhelm their heart, mind, life, thoughts, and memories (Genesis 41:8; 2 Kings 6:11; Psalm 6:3; 77:3; Daniel 7:28; John 13:21)
    • Some might lose heart (2 Samuel 4:1)
    • Some might resort to complaining about their situation at hand (Psalm 77:3)
    • Effect your Leadership and your followers (Matthew 2:3)
    • Cause you to empathize with those who are experiencing troubling times (John 11:33)…something Mary and Elizabeth could share.
    • You might be greatly trouble because of what you saw or heard (Luke 1:29)
    • You might be greatly troubled because someone close to you betrayed you (John 13:21)
• Vs. 34…God knew she would have questions…how could this really come to be?
  • It’s ok to respectfully question God. He wants to hear you share your heart with Him. He had answers prepared for her before she even had questions for Him.

 
So, to put her mind at ease, by means of using the angel Gabriel, He goes ahead and addresses the questions He knew Mary would have…

• Will I have to go through this alone?
  • Vs. 28…Gabriel states, The Lord is with you. Immanuel.
    • Standing Still (2 Chronicles 20:17)
    • God is going through this with me (2 Chronicles 15:2)
    • Courage (Judges 6:12)
    • Confidence to do anything…no fear or distress (2 Samuel 7:3; 2 Chronicles 20:17)
    • Believing that He will provide salvation (2 Chron. 20:17)
    • Rejoicing (Luke 1:28)
    • With hopes that how I handle this can be a testimony to all on-lookers (Genesis 26:28)
  • Vs. 36…Elizabeth can share in your experience.
    • She can relate with you. She may not be a virgin, but her situation is unique as well. She is old and it’s unusual for someone her age to be pregnant.
• Will I be afraid?
  • Vs. 30…Do not be afraid.
    • God prepares you ahead of time how He’d have you respond (Deuteronomy 20:3; Proverbs 3:25; Isaiah 37:6; Jeremiah 10:5; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30; 5:10; Acts 18:9; 27:24; 1 Peter 3:14)
    • Fear has the potential to paralyze and or take you down (Matthew 17:7)
    • Choose to be still in the moment (Exodus 14:13)
    • Because the God of Peace is in this place…He’s always presently with you throughout your experiences. He wants to show you how to turn your Fear to Cheering/Rejoicing (Genesis 15:1; 43:23; 50:19; Deuteronomy 20:1; Joshua 1:9; Jeremiah 1:8; 42:11; Matthew 14:27; 17:7; Mark 6:50; Luke 2:10; John 6:20; Revelation 1:17)
    • He’s proven Himself to you time after time (Deut. 20:1)
    • God will take care of the situation you face (Joshua 10:25; 11:6; 2 Chronicles 20:15; Isaiah 10:24)
    • God will provide for you (Genesis 50:21).
    • God will save and protect you (Genesis 15:1; Exodus 14:13)
    • Provide you with comfort (Genesis 50:21)
    • God commands us to not be afraid or distressed. He will provide us with the strength and courage we need to make it through (Joshua 1:9; 8:1; 10:25 ; 2 Kings 1:15; 2 Kings 19:6; 2 Chronicles 20:15; 32:7; Ezekiel 2:6; Matthew 28:10)
    • Understand that in Him, we always win in the end (Joshua 8:1)
    • Fear has the tendency to get our sights and minds off the Lord. Our memories ought to remind us how great and awesome God has been, is, and will always be in our lives. Only Believe (Nehemiah 4:14; Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50)
    • God will deliver you…make a way to escape (Jeremiah 1:8; Jeremiah 42:11)
    • Consider the source (Ezekiel 2:6; 3:9; Luke 12:4; 1 Peter 3:14)
    • God hears your prayers (Luke 1:13)…Will I be afraid?
• Will making it through this really be possible?
  • Vs. 37…no word from God will ever fail…For with God nothing will be impossible (Joshua 21:45; 23:14; I Kings 8:56; Isaiah 48:3; Mark 10:27)

 
By God meeting Mary where she was and answering her immediate / most important questions, she was able to respond in the moment…

• Vs. 38…I am the Lord’s servant…LORD, use me.
  • That’s learned trust…remarkable, considering Mary was so young. She didn't tell Gabriel that she'd need to check with her mom or dad first. Though young, she was very mature in her responses. 
• Vs. 38…May your word to me be fulfilled…Let it be to me according to your word.
  • Whatever You say, let it come to be. 
  • God’s word can…
    • Be fulfilled (1 Kings 8:20)
    • Provide understanding (Psalm 119:169)
    • Cleanse one’s ways (Psalm 119:9)
    • Bring about revival (Psalm 119:25, 107, 154)
    • Provide strength (Psalm 119:28, 116).
      • Gabriel means God is my Strength. Mary had that reminder in front of her this entire time…most likely she knew what his name meant when she heard it.  
    • Provide mercy (Psalm 119:41, 58, 76)
    • Provide Salvation (Psalm 119:41)
    • Provide deliverance (Psalm 119:170)
    • Express God’s goodness (Psalm 119:65)
    • Provide peace (Luke 2:29)

 
Conclusion:

• Be prepared to be still during whatever situation God allows to come your way.
• Go through different life scenarios in your mind,
  • don’t be afraid to ask God the questions you have…to share the concerns you have.
  • He already knows what questions you’ll have or already have anyway.
• Remember, He won’t give you more than you can handle (1 Cor. 10:13). 

Total Access

• NFL Total Access is the only live, nightly show, dedicated to NFL football! NFL Total Access gives fans inside access to all 32 teams, including the latest NFL news and reports from coast-to-coast. Watch exclusive interviews with players and coaches and behind the scenes footage from inside team facilities. Link to Website

• The city of St. Louis and surrounding communities have multiple sites for what they call Total Access Urgent Care. 
  • At Total Access Urgent Care “patients…have access to on-site X-ray,
    CT imaging, ultrasound, lab testing, IV hydration, and much more.”
    Their “Mission is to provide fast, friendly, and affordable healthcare in every community.” 
    Link to Website
  • They’re not only accessible to individuals but also to communities…at any time for any situation.
    TOTAL ACCESS!!!
• Some of you may know what it’s like to have an open-door policy at school or work. An opportunity to meet with your boss or teacher and ask or share anything you’d like.  

 
Limited and at time Denied Access

• Why My Access is Denied to Certain Websites? Many countries, organizations and educational institutions block websites for different reasons. For example, you can’t access social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter…Similarly, schools and colleges restrict social access inside campus as a policy to control students.
  Link to Website
• Cable companies offer differing packages that allows their customers total access to whatever package is chosen and purchased. Unpaying customers are denied access.

 
The Bible offers each person a Total Access Package.
What are some package benefits if your names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

• Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 20:15; and Revelation 21:27.

 
Benefits…
Total Access to Christ.

• Ephesians 3:11-12 (ESV) This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
• Romans 5:2 (ESV) Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
• Ephesians 2:18 (NKJV) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
• The word “We” refers to those adopted by Christ individually and corporately regardless of race or social status.
  • Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
  • Paul’s meaning of “in Christ” has both a personal and a communal aspect. The personal element is beautifully summarized by Adolf Deissmann who states, “Christ is Spirit; therefore He can live in Paul and Paul in Him. Just as the air of life which we breathe is ‘in’ us and fills us, and yet we at the same time live and breathe ‘in’ this air, so it is with St. Paul’s fellowship of Christ: Christ in him, he in Christ.” The result of the incorporation of the believer into Christ and Christ into the believer is the manifestation of “every spiritual blessing” necessary for the believer’s spiritual health (Ephesians 1:3). Additionally, F. F. Bruce summarizes the communal element by explaining that being “in Christ” breaks down social and racial barriers between Jews and Gentiles. In other words, just as the Hebrew of Hebrews obtained new life in Christ through faith and not the law, Gentiles also have the opportunity to participate in God’s community through faith and not the law. However, even beyond the Jew and Gentile community, Craig Keener notes that Paul’s emphasis on a corporate unity in Christ necessarily expands to “all ethnic, cultural, and earthly kinship connections.” …An explanation of “in Christ” to a curious non-believer starts with an understanding of the inner self. Every human has a body, but humans are also born with a spirit and when individuals confess their need for a Savior, then God, in the form of the Holy Spirit, joins their spirit through faith (Romans 8:16). The incorporation of God into the individual’s life provides the inner power to live healthily from the inside-out due to the righteousness of God residing within the new believer (Romans 3:22). The implications of receiving the gift of God’s righteousness are staggering (Romans 5:17). Specifically, the new believer no longer needs to attempt to find their value and worth from outside themselves in the things of the world such as their performance, other people’s opinions, or external circumstances. Instead, believers can rely on the righteousness of God within them to complete them (Colossians 2:10). The result is that the new believer has the opportunity to experience true freedom for the first time in their life (Galatians 5:1). https://www.livestransforming.com/pauls-meaning-of-in-christ/
  • Your perspective about everything changes when you're IN Christ.

Total Access to Spiritual Blessings.

• Ephesians 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
  • What is the spiritual blessing?
    • The blessing of God at work in our lives…every kind of blessing whether past, present, or future.
      • Pas (BAGD p. 784) everything belonging, in kind, to the class designated by the noun, every kind of, all sorts of.

Total Access to Contentment.

• Philippians 4:12 (NIV) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
  • In Gordon D. Fee’s book Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (p. 433), he “points out that the Apostle Paul ‘learned to accept whatever came his way, knowing that his life was not conditioned by either [having a need or having plenty], and that his relationship to Christ made one or the other essentially irrelevant in any case.’”
    • Autarkas (BAGD p. 152) – content, self-sufficient.

Total Access to Return Thanks.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
  • Charles A. Wanamaker, in his book The Epistles to the Thessalonians on p. 200 “To thank God at all times is to see God working in every situation to bring about the divine saving will. This is not to say that God causes suffering and affliction, but to acknowledge, as Paul does in Rom. 8:28, that God works for the good of the elect through every situation. For this reason the Christian is obliged to give thanks to God at all times.”
  • Pas (BAGD p. 783) totality, in everything.
  • Eucharisteo (BAGD p. 415) to express appreciation for benefits or blessings, give, thanks, express thanks, render/return thanks.

This Thanksgiving Season…

• As a Believer, take some time to Reflect and Return.
  • Reflect on all that God has allowed you access to, and then take time to Return or express your thanks to Him for all He’s done, is doing, and will do in your life. Practice giving thanks on a daily basis in every situation faced and allow it to become habitual. 
• As an Unbeliever, Access to these packages are limited and at times denied until you accept the invitation to Salvation in Him.
  • No better day, than on Thanksgiving to become a lifetime follower of Christ. Will you accept that invitation today? Visit this website if that’s a step you’d like to take today https://stepstopeace.org/

Remembering what is left behind? Or Looking forward?
 
1 Thessalonians 1:3
3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Isaiah 30:21
21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
 
Luke 9:62
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
 
Hebrews 11:10
10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
 
2 Peter 3:14
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
​

​Have you ever been in a group setting outside of church, maybe at work or a school, and heard someone come up with and or use a biblical principle…convincing themselves that they came up with it on their own, but in all reality it coming directly from God’s Word? For instance…The Golden Rule, Serve Others, Love Others, Respect Others, etc. 
 
Today’s concept / principle is just that…a term or phrase that the military forces take pride in maybe without even knowing that it originated in scripture. 
 
Today’s Title: Biblical/Spiritual Actionable Intelligence  
 
Imagine with me that you are in Bogota, Columbia. While there, you’re a mission commander as part of a counter-narcotics operation for the US government…you're fighting the war on drugs…each day attempting to put bad people out of business. You take a plane ride to get to your next destination, but while on your way there something goes wrong with the plane…your pilot does his best to land the plane…you land and realize you’re alive and have some broken ribs…you look up and see that the pilots have died in the accident, and as you’re helping a few others get to their feet, you hear gunshots…just then you realize that the plane has crashed deep in the Columbian jungle and you’re surrounded by the communist FARC guerrillas…some of the very people you’ve been trying to put behind bars. What do you do? Do you fire back with very little ammunition available to you? Or do you surrender and face the unknowns? 
This is exactly the situation former Marine, Keith Stansell, found himself in. At that moment, he said that all of his actionable intelligence couldn’t have prepared him for what he was about to face. After being used as currency and held hostage for over 5 years…he was finally rescued by his own people. 

• This was a show I watched on National Geographic’s: Locked up Abroad.  
  • https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/locked-up-abroad/episode-guide/season-09/episode-04-jungle-crash/vdka25496784 

 
Today I’d like to share with you the concept of Actionable Intelligence…more specifically Biblical/Spiritual Actionable Intelligence. 
 
First of all, from a military point of view, what is Actionable Intelligence?
“Broadly defined, actionable intelligence is all about having the necessary information immediately available in order to deal with the situation at hand.” 
- From the Article...Actionable Intelligence: How U.S. Forces can Stay One Step Ahead  
 
For followers of Christ…Biblical/Spiritual Actionable Intelligence, then, is “actionable faith – the act of doing what you see God do, and Intelligence is the understanding of what’s placed before you to do. Using as your guide, the Word of God and His Holy Spirit. I am calling the Word application actionable intelligence because spiritual power can only be obtained by means of expecting, believing, understanding and obeying the Word heard, and then receiving it’s benefits by faith in God. Faith is acting on the Word of God to effect change in the world. When you believe and understand the Word heard, you then take action on it by DOING SOMETHING.”
https://marjoriemcwilliams.com/2019/11/26/spiritual-actionable-intelligence-word-application/ 
 
In other words…DOING is the same as APPLICATION. There are some who are so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good…and there are others who have no godly knowledge but do good. Where’s the balance? Where are those who do good because of their godly knowledge? 
 
Three truths to take into consideration when discussing Biblical/Spiritual Actionable Intelligence. 
 
First of all, Trust your God-given Arsenal. 

• 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” (NLT)
• No excuses…He’s made each of us for a very specific purpose. 
• Listen to those who are attempting to speak life into you and helping you see what your god-given gifts truly are. 
  • Proverbs 22:6 (NLT) Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. 

 
Secondly, Never cease Preparing.

• Proverbs 4:5a, 7 (NKJV) Get wisdom! Get understanding!...Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. 
• Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
• Concerning 2 Timothy 2:15(BSB) “Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.”…“Paul’s instruction makes it clear that the study of the Bible is work. It takes effort. It takes diligence. We need to be committed to doing that work if we desire to be equipped for what God intends us to do in life. Second, Paul helps us to focus on the idea that this work in the Word is not about the approval of other people. Rather, it is God who is assessing how we handle His Word, and so we are studying His Word for Him. Also, we understand that, if we are diligent, we will not need to be ashamed because we will have been faithful with the remarkable stewardship of His Word. Sometimes we may take for granted that we have His completed Word—the Bible.” https://www.gotquestions.org/rightly-dividing-the-word-of-truth.html 
• We find that 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” It’s a verse that motivates Christian apologists as they prepare to give answers in defense of their faith…A believer should always be ready to tell others the good news of salvation in Jesus’ death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:2–4). https://www.gotquestions.org/always-be-ready-to-give-an-answer.html 
  • Therefore, our responsibility is to take the arsenal He’s given us, prepare ourselves for any situation at hand, and then put it into action.

 
Lastly, Take Action. 

• James 1:22-25…“22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (NKJV).  
• 1 John 3:18 (NIV) Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
• Again, looking at 2 Timothy 2:15…we find that Timothy knew the Word of God and was well-equipped for any situation at hand. 
  • (NKJV) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  
  • (BSB)  Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. 

• Make every effort…a few versions interpret it as “Study” but here’s the actual definition of the word, “to be especially conscientious in discharging an obligation, be zealous/eager, take pains, make every effort, be conscientious.” (BDAG). 
• Rightly Dividing means…to “guide the word of truth along a straight path.” (BDAG).  
  • One author states that, “Literally, success in handling the Word is to cut it properly or correctly. This is farming imagery, as a farmer who is plowing a field would seek to cut straight furrows in order to plant rows of seed. When plowing, a farmer would look at a point on the other side of the field and focus on that point to ensure the line cut in the dirt was straight. This is what the good student of the Word is doing, as well: remaining focused on the goal or outcome and being diligent to handle the Word of God properly. To rightly divide the Word of truth is to “cut it straight.” Ultimately, in studying the Word, we are trying to understand what the Author has said and not allow our own opinions or views to cloud the meaning of what He has written. When we are diligent to “cut straight”—to rightly divide the Word of truth—we can understand what He has communicated in His Word and be well-equipped for what He would have us to do and how He would have us to think.” https://www.gotquestions.org/rightly-dividing-the-word-of-truth.html
• Some take action without biblical knowledge. 
  • Romans 10:2 (NIV) For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 
  • The same can be said of many in our Community today. 

• One author reminds us that, “understanding how to apply the Word is a master key to entering The Kingdom of God and victory in your life. The Word of God will work if you work it!” https://marjoriemcwilliams.com/2019/11/26/spiritual-actionable-intelligence-word-application/ 
• What is your situation at hand? Are you prepared for it? Are you involved in a small group or some kind of Bible Study? Are you seeking out others to mentor and speak life into / discipleship? 
• Spend some time in prayer asking the Lord to reveal to you how it is that He’d have you apply Biblical actionable intelligence in your own personal life.  
• Just a friendly reminder…“We should preach the Word accurately and rightly (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2), and allow the Holy Spirit to do the convicting.” Article from gotquestions.org
• You might ask, “So where can I start?” Here’s a first step / an Actionable message from Andy Stanley that you can apply along your faith path…Putting Your Faith Into Action. It’s only a six-and-a-half-minute video…short, but to the point and worth it to listen to.    

 PURSUE three more virtues/characteristics…
HOLINESS / TO BE FOUND SPOTLESS AND BLAMELESS / FINISHING WELL

Pursue Holiness.
Motives to keep in mind:
Why choose holiness? 
To possess a “Holier than thou” mindset? A Pharisee/Hypocrite approach. 
Or
Done for the Lord and His glory?

Facts about holy living:
Definition: To be holy means to be set apart for special use or purpose/different from the world…Holiness…hagiosmas: (BAGD p. 10) “personal dedication to the interests of the deity, holiness, consecration, sanctification; the use in a moral sense for a process or, more often, its result (the state of being made holy).”

Holy Living is commanded and attainable.
- We’re made in His image. 
- Be holy for I AM holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Holy Living Takes Effort and is a Testimony to the World.
- It’s not something innate or given.
- Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) Make every effort [(PURSUE)] to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 

Resembles the Nazarite Vow in Numbers 6:1-21.
- The Nazirite/Nazarite vow is taken by individuals who have voluntarily dedicated themselves to God. The vow is a decision, action, and desire on the part of people whose desire is to yield themselves to God completely. By definition, the Hebrew word nazir, simply means “to be separated or consecrated.” The Nazirite vow, which appears in Numbers 6:1-21, has five features. It is voluntary, can be done by either men or women, has a specific time frame, has specific requirements and restrictions, and at its conclusion a sacrifice is offered. First, the individual enters into this vow voluntarily. The Bible says, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite’” (Numbers 6:2). This shows that it is individuals who take the initiative to consecrate themselves to the Lord. There is no divine command involved. While generally done by the individual by his own choice, two individuals in the Old Testament, and one in the New Testament, were presented to God by their parents. Samuel and Samson in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 2:8-28; Judges 13:1-5), and John the Baptist in the New Testament received the Nazirite vow from birth (Luke 1:13-17). https://www.gotquestions.org/Nazirite-vow.html

Illustration: Sometimes we pull out the paper plates for a meal, and other times it’s the fine china that gets used. God doesn’t want to leave us on the shelf…He wants to use us. 

Beautiful collision: When God-centered motives and holy living collide.
Hymn: Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee.


Pursue to be found Spotless / Blameless.

Definitions:
- Spotless…aspilos (BAGD p. 114) – pertaining to being of untainted character, pure, without fault of inward condition as of character.
- Blameless…amomatos: (BAGD p. 56) – blameless, unblemished of Christians.

Our Example
- John 19:4 (NKJV) Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.”
- 1 Peter 1:19 (NASB) but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Our Pursuit
- 2 Peter 3:14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (NIV).
- Philippians 2:14-15 (NASB) 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

Illustration: We have a daughter who can’t be trusted with buying white clothing…she’s always spilling something on her clothes. Recently I caved and got her a white sweatshirt…a few hours down the road we hear “Oh no”…sure enough, her sandwich kicked out all the honey mustard onto her brand-new sweatshirt.

Beautiful Collision: When our proven character and the world’s judgments collide.


Pursue Finishing Well

• Christ…The Perfect Example of being a Finisher.
  • Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  • John 19:28-30 (NIV) 28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
    • His redemptive plan was finished.
  • Revelation 21:6 (NIV) He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
• The Apostle Paul’s Resolve.
  • Acts 20:24b (NIV) However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--
    • Finish…teleiow (BAGD p. 996) to complete an activity, complete, bring to an end, finish, accomplish.
    • Complete…dromos (BAGD p. 261) carrying out of an obligation or task, course of life, mission.
      • Acts 13:25 (NKJV) And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
• The Apostle Paul’s Contagious Confidence.
  • Philippians 1:6 that “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus [(finish line)].”
  • Follow my Lead.
    • 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
• The Reward.
  • 2 Peter 1:11 (NIV) and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
  • The obedient will hear, “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, 23).
  • 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (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. 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.

​I started off this series with a quote…I’ll include the ending of that quote for you today…
“When the world trade center was bombed in 2001 President Bush used a phrase that is commonly used by politicians, ‘stay the course.’ He said we would ‘stay the course’ in our fight against terror. To stay the course is ‘to stand firm in pursuing a goal or course of action, to persevere in the face of whatever challenges or obstacles one may encounter.’ I was curious as to the origin of this term so I looked it up on the internet. The first use of the phrase in print, in 1885, comes from another sort of ‘course,’ the racetrack. ‘To stay the course’ in this sense referred to the ability of a horse to endure the race and reach the finish line, preferably in a winning position. Politicians have adopted this phrase and often use it to encourage their constituents.” From Sermon Central  
 
This week on ESPN’s website, there was, “An Instagram post by Venus Williams reflecting on the 28th anniversary of her professional tennis debut [which] raised speculation that her legendary career could be nearing an end. ‘On this day 28 years ago I made my debut to professional tennis,’ [Venus] Williams wrote in the caption alongside two photos of her as a 14-year-old at the 1994 Bank of the West Classic, the site of her first WTA match. ‘I never imagined 28 years later what [Serena Williams] and I would experience in this sport. I can recount the wins and the losses, but in the end it was always about the pursuit of my best self. Every day, win lose or draw. I can look back with no regrets. It's all been worth it.’"
https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34921986/venus-williams-reflective-post-raises-speculation-tennis-future
 
Beautiful Collision: When our walk / the race we’ve run, and God’s Finish Line collide.