There were times early in my ministry when I
would observe faults in a person and decide I
needed to preach toward correction. Invariably,
that person would not show up on that Sunday. On
the other hand, there have been times when I
nearly fought with God because I did not want to
deliver a sermon on a difficult topic. But I went
ahead with it, and someone was there who asked
how I knew exactly what was needed. That sermon
seemed to be directed toward him or her.
It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit can work in this
way!
I remember teaching at “License to Preach” school. I offered
devotions to local pastors starting out in ministry. I read from Psalm
37:25 where the Psalmist writes, “I was young and now I am old (sounds
familiar), yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children
begging bread.” The next morning, a young black lady came to me and
said she was sure that scripture was meant just for her. She and her
husband both had high-paying jobs, and she was sure they were giving
up a lot materially to go into ministry. But this passage affirmed for her
that their needs would be met.
I hope the following lessons from Noah’s Ark have something that
speaks to you. It is copied from another church newsletter; however, no
credit is given to a specific author.
“All I really needed to know I learned from Noah’s Ark.”
1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Don’t forget that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone might ask you to do
something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics; just get on with what has to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7/ For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
8. Two heads are better than one.
9, Speed is overrated; the snails were on board with the cheetahs.
10. When you’re stressed, float awhile.
11. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic was built
by professionals.
12. Remember that the woodpeckers inside are a bigger threat than the
storm outside.
13. No matter how big the storm, with God there’s
a rainbow waiting.
There are a few sermons in that list! Hope your fall season is going well
and I’m looking forward to seeing you in church!
In Christ’s Love, Pastor Dan