#493 Pivot Series# 3, Now What!

Pivot Series# 3, What Now!
By: D. Karl Thomas

“When opportunity comes it’s too late to prepare.”   John Wooden

Pivot:— fixed point supporting something which turns or balances.
The Unchangeable in relationship to the Changeable.

1 Corinthians 16:9
“For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Viktor E. Frankl (Man’s Search for Meaning)

We are told we are in lockdown. Our choices and options are limited. But we always have a choice.  You can’t take away my choice to forgive … love!!!

This is a season like none other. People will examine this season for years to come. What happens when this kind of crisis hammers the global community? Times like these expose your foundations … your base values.
How will you look back at this season? How will you revisit you actions and responses?

Why not choose now to intentionally write a story that you will be glad the revisit. A story that reveals a confidence in God’s faithfulness.

Do you remember when the world was thrown into a global crisis?
I had a meltdown! I lost it! I was afraid!  I lashed out in anger!  I said a lot of stupid things I wish I hadn’t?  OR  I remember leaning hard into the faithfulness of God and by His grace I was able to advance myself personally and demonstrate His unshakeable Kingdom.

David doing some cave time:
Psalm 142  Title NKJV
A Contemplation of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave.
Vs. 7 “Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

Jonah Had A Lockdown
Jonah 1:3-17
“But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish’s belly three days and nights.”

Jonah 2:9-10 “But I’m worshiping you, God, calling out in thanksgiving! And I’ll do what I promised I’d do! Salvation belongs to God!” Then God spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.”

Jonah 4:2-3 “I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness! ‘So, God, if you won’t kill them, kill me! I’m better off dead!’”

Daniel Had A Lockdown
Daniel 6:16 “So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.’”

Daniel 6:18-22 “Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. … “O king, live forever!  …

…My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

Daniel 6:26 “Peace to you! Abundant peace! I decree that Daniel’s God shall be worshiped and feared in all parts of my kingdom. He is the living God, world without end. His kingdom never falls.”

Paul Had A Lockdown
Philippians 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; …

 …whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” 

 … and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely …

Caleb Endured The Wilderness
Numbers 13:30-31 “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”

Joshua 14:11-12 “As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day;…”

Ready for a transition of a lifetime!
What are you writing about your future?
What are you writing with?
Careful and cautious or COURAGE
Problems and panic or PEACE
Fear and frustration or FAITH

493 Pivot Series# 3, What Now!, Sermon notes to print, PDF