December 6, 2006
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“What defines your life, obligations or opportunities?” Think about this question awhile…………is your life defined by obligations, things you have to do because you have no choice, or by opportunities? Did you know that Webster defines “opportunities” as “a favorable juncture of circumstances……… a good chance for progress”? When we live through the “lens” of obligations………we do just what is required …………we focus on all the energy we expend and the time that we spend to get there. When we live through the “lens” of opportunity, we act with strength, joy and determination, because opportunities are fulfilling by the vary nature of the definition. I would note here that as I study the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus lived a life of opportunity, not obligation. Additionally, “If we were to focus on God instead of ourselves, what would it look like?” I believe that we can gain insight into both these questions and their answers in the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9, verses 10-17.
Direct download: PC-Feed-120306.mp3
Category: Sermons
Comments (14)
cool, it’s a Jancast! not a podcast!
Thanks for getting back to me. I’ll give you a ring on Friday so that we can coordinate on the time. I just appreciate your willingness to help out tremendously!
i listened to your ‘jancast.’ it was SO great to listen to…thanks so much for casting it out in cyberspace.
the really cool thing is that i’ve been contemplating how Jesus continually turns our attention toward opportunities. jim and i talked about how when we live out of Jesus’ saving grace, the movement of the Spirit, and God’s ever-present love, all we see are opportunities. through Jesus and the Spirit, God gives us opportunity to walk through this life knowing that we are God’s children…wholly and dearly loved. the past two weeks has found me reading Scripture in light of the opportunity for the Kingdom of Heaven being lived out on here and now…all we need to do is (repent) change our ways as well as our perspective.
thanks so much and continued blessings to you and yours.
Thank you for the kind comments Yes, Jesus does turn our attention toward opportunities. I like very much how you said it. God bless!
Funny you should ask the above. For the last 27 years, my role in taking care of my kids (and grandkids) has defined me; in a day-to-day way. That’s changing now, and I’ve been mulling this over for some months recently. At a deeper level, what defines me most is my utter need for God, which drives me at the core.
I’ve got to try that Jancast! I’ll let you know how it goes.
blessings, deacon!
Jim
ryc Jim: I’m with you brother……the last 21 years have been all about raising our two girls in a loving, caring, encouraging environment. Like you, this is changing and most of all, I too am defined by my utter need for God. I look forward to my role as a grandparent (both my girls are getting married this year) and I look forward to the opportunities that God brings my way. Have a great day! God bless you brother!
I love your speking style and voice! More about this topic:
I’ve come to view my obligations as OPPORTUNITIES put before me by God.
I am not trying to be difficult. I do indeed, take your point to heart…if we view life and our mundane responsibilities as something onorous, foisted or burdensomely “dumped” upon us, there will be nothing but drudgery for us. It seems to me to be another form of legalism. If, however, we look at the things we need to do daily as opportunities, they can be life-giving in the partnership we can have serving others (and God ) through them.
I am deeply vulnerable to the very trap you define…I have had the tendency even to look at prayer as someething I “have to do”.
I’m still working on this…..learning to take rest in time with The Lord.
I enjoyed your lesson immensely…thanks, Jan
ryc Jim: Thank you for your comments. I too am deeply vulnerable to different traps……the same traps I speak of. Like any relationship, there are times I realize that I need to do things to deepen my relationship……..like with my wife, children and friends….as well as with God. I appreciate your comment so very much because it serves to remind me that “I’m still working on this” also……. every day.
didnt get the Jancast but I think m y current post may kind of be an answer, if not somehow related to it, in practical terms. Blessings, John
Steve wanted me to be sure to invite you to our House Warming Holiday party December 30th. I know I have your address somewhere, and I’ll send you the special invite this week, but we wanted to let you know so you can pencil in the date because we know how busy the holidays can be. It’s an open house kind of thing so stopping by anytime between 3 and 9 is totally acceptable. we love and appreciate you somuch, debra and steve burns
Jan, I am just catching up on my subscriptions after an unplanned exhaustion-induced hiatus. This lesson is a good bit of advice! I am not sure how or whether I’ll be able to apply it, since in my marriage I have always been the ‘responder’, taking care of needs as they crop up, not really looking ahead. Mr. Darcy has been the one to see opportunities and pursue them, and lead the family in pursuing them. Just fulfilling obligations is such a core part of who I am that I don’t know how I can change it.
Maybe the solution for me is what jimmish said: “I’ve come to view my obligations as OPPORTUNITIES put before me by God.”
Thanks!
Hello John and Mrs.Darcy. It’s been crazy around here and so, as you can see, it has been slow in posting
(and commenting).
John, your post was right on time! Thank you for commenting. Sorry it took so long to respond
Mr. Darcy, I agree, in that we cannot get rid of responsibilities
It is the way we look at them that counts…….as Jim and you both said….”I’ve come to view my obligations as OPPORTUNITIES put before me by God.” What a powerful statement!
Yes, I really think there is a lot of wisdom in that quote of Jim’s. We can’t usually see what the outcome of our actions is, but if we stick to our tasks and remain obedient in the little things, I believe that God makes great things come of that–much more than we are able to forsee. As Mr. Darcy and I say to each other when we try too hard to see the end of the road and the purpose in things: “That’s above our pay-grade. Just obey.”
Mrs and Mr Darcy
…………….I certainly resonate with your way of thinking! 
God bless!