What Matters, What Doesn't

Last week on Facebook our church informed all of us that our pastor was planning on discussing What Matters, What Doesn't and I was looking forward to the sermon on Sunday to see what key highlights I could walk away with and apply in my life.  I loved the sermon so much that I thought that I would share my highlights.

What Matters, What Doesn't?

Did you know that a lot of the little things in life don't matter?

Life is about seeing how God provides and cares about you!

Life is about what you are pursuing!

What you invest in heaven matters and what you value on this earth does not!

Serving God matters, serving money does not!

God providing for you matters while seeking food, drink, and clothing does not!

Faith matters, worry does not!  (this is one I really need to work on)

Today matters, tomorrow does not!

(Don't worry about tomorrow)

Each day has enough trouble of its own - Matthew 7:34

What Matters the Most

The condition of your HEART: whatever your HEART is into is what you value in life.

I love the above statement!  This is going to be my area of focus over the next several months. 

The Kingdom of God and his righteousness: seeking this will result in all your needs being met in your life. 

Whose Kingdom are you seeking?  Money?  Career?  Family?  Sports?  Personal Empire?  All About Me?  We all should be seeking the KINGDOM OF GOD!

However many of us have to experience a tradegy in life to learn what matters.  So lets stop this cycle and consider what matters in life and know that everything we have today we cannot take with us to Heaven. 

Our pastor asked us this question on Sunday and I thought it was great!

What is it going to take for you to come to the place in your life to really learn what matters and what doesn't? 

Free In Suffering

This past Sunday at church our pastor spoke on We Are Free - "Free in Suffering" and it was amazing!  So I thought that I would share the keypoints that I took away with all of you. 

First ask yourself this question, is it possible to be free in suffering?  What must I see and understand in times of suffering?  The below insights might assist you as they did for me in feeling free from suffering. 

While listening to our Pastor preach on this subject there was one family that I kept thinking about and the suffering they faced in 2008 when they lost their daughter Audrey Caroline.  Yes I am referring to Angie Smith's blog and if you have followed her blog for some time you know her story and I truly admire the Smith family for there strength they continue to show during the struggles they faced and continue to face with the loss of their beautiful daughter Audrey.  They are a true example of feeling free from suffering. 

Here are the five insights that were discussed in regards to suffering:

1.  Everyone and Everything experiences suffering - in my days of struggling with infertility I felt as if God was picking on me and allowing me to go through this while others don't have too.  I felt as if it was unfair!  Why would God want me to struggle with infertility?  What is his greater purpose for me?  But after our pastor spoke on this subject it made me realize that we all experience suffering just in different forms.  What a relief!  Suffering is not fun, but I have learned so much from my suffering that it will be with me for the rest of my life. 

2.  All suffering is temporary - Praise the Lord that suffering is only Temporary!  The tough part about suffering is realizing that it is only temporary and it will pass.  All of us that face infertility will soon realize that it is only temporary when we are holding our little one in our arms.  Suffering allows us to grow as individuals and appreciate the world around us.  If everything was easy we would all take the life that God has given us for granted!  Suffering is a great gift and even though it is painful it is only temporary. 

3.  Eagerly expect Redemption of my body - this will happen when Jesus comes again and He raises all from the dead, my body will be raised from the dead and glorified before Him. 

4.  Greatest suffering is incomparable to the coming Glory of God - even the greatest of suffering that I will face is no where comparable to the Glory I will face when I am face to face with God.

5.  The Holy Spirit is with Me - even during the days of struggles and sadness that I have faced I need to remember that the Holy Spirit is with me praying for me, and showing me how to be a stronger person. 

I share this post to all that are suffering today and I hope it gives you hope to feel free in suffering.  All the best to you!

In addition the following song from Kari Jobe - "You Are For Me" was worshiped during this service as well and it is an amazing song!  So I hope you will take sometime and listen!