“
Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”
~
Deuteronomy
34:10-12 (NIV) ~
WHAT IF?
When I preach funerals, and when I think of my own funeral, I often find myself trying to answer the question, “What mark has this life made?” When I think of myself, I ask the question: “What am I doing to ensure that when I leave this world, that it is in better shape than it was when I arrived?”
To make the world a better place this should be the goal of every believer. Often, we’re accused of being so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good, but to tell you the truth, I don’t really see that. In fact, those who have an eternal perspective on life are more apt to be devoted to making a difference in the here and now.
The opposite of living to make a difference is living for yourself and when you do this, you end up making yourself and everyone around you unhappy. When you live for yourself, it’s hard on everyone. What ultimately happens is that you end up alone. Living for yourself leads to isolation.
It also leads to missed opportunities. When I talk about organizing your life, I talk about how lack of proper time management can cause you to miss out on opportunities. When you multiply this over the course of a lifetime, it adds to much more than a “you’re just missing a good chance here and there.” It adds up to a life that never reaches its potential.
The flip side of this is that when you live to make a difference you will reach your potential you will experience deeper, fuller relationships and you will make the world a better place.
There are three things I want you to see.
The first is a rather sobering truth. I want you to see that when your time comes …
1. You will be mourned, but not forever.
“The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.”
~ Deuteronomy 34:8 (NIV) ~
No matter who it is that is gone, life goes on. Even when it’s one of the greatest leaders of all time, one of the greatest men who ever walked the planet, life goes on.And that’s the way it should be.
Now, I’m not trying to depress you. I’m trying to impress upon you a simple and sobering truth. You will be mourned for a while no matter who you are. How much and for how long you are missed will be determined by the kind of life you build for yourself.
2. Devote yourself to a vision that will outlive you.
Right before Moses died, the Bible says that God showed Moses the Promised Land and said to him…
“‘This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.’”
~ Deuteronomy 34:4 (NIV) ~
If you want to live to make a difference, you need to devote yourself to something that is bigger than you. Something that can outlive you and outlast you.
3. Invest in building those who will come after you.
“Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.”
~ Deuteronomy 34:9 (NIV) ~
Among the most important work that you do in your life will be the work you do building others. God’s plan for His people is that we build up one another.
So, I encourage you to ask yourself three questions:
• Am I living for something bigger than me?
• Am I inspiring others to keep moving toward greater things?
• Am I investing my life in building people?
Being able to answer these questions will help you live your life in such a way that you change the world.
Blessings on your week as you honestly wrestle with those questions. I’m looking forward to seeing you this coming Sunday for In-Person or Online Worship. We are continuing the last section of IMMERSE. This week we’re looking at ACrash Course on Changing the World (part 4).
Pastor Terrellwith our activities.
ScheduleforSunday,September17,2023:
Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM in Room #202
The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM in Room #201
Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM Room #206
Preschool Worship opens in KID CITY @ 10:15 AM
Morning Worship In-Person & Online @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center
Kidz4Christ dismissed during Morning Worship
Schedulefortherestoftheweek,September18–22,2023:
Monday @ 4:30 PM Growth Group @ Puffers’ home.
Tuesday @ 10:00 AM Growth Groups: Men Room #202; Women in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday @ 6:20 PM Choir Rehearsal in Room #203
Wednesday @ 6:30 PM Youth Group in Fellowship Hall
Thursday@ 6:00 PM Growth Group in Fellowship Hall
GROWTH GROUPS
Chronicles is the final installment of Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience program. Check out this website for videos, reading schedule, online book, and even an audio portion that will read the selections to you! immersebible.com/chronicles-8-week/
OUR GOAL: $ 4,500.
(Room #206)
Come early on Sundays and spend some time in prayer for the Morning Worship.
In addition, during the week, the Prayer Room is open to you when the Church Office is open.
Are you interested in technology as it relates to operating our sound system for Sunday Morning Worship? We are greatly in need of a person or persons who would like to learn how things work in our sound booth. Please see Pastor Bart.
21,191.96
Keep on sharing the Good News of Jesus!
Gospel Conversations Total : 45,417
IF YOU NEED HELP OR ASSISTANCE
Deacon of the Week: Doug Crow 520-831-0146
THE PRAYER ROOMMorning Worship at a glance
“
Crown Him”
“Majesty”
“
A Life Giving Church … Giving Life
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 928-772-7218
fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org
www.firstsouthernpv.org
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265
PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org
“
Majestic”
Shine, Jesus, Shine”
BACK TO CHURCH
Welcome & Offertory Prayer
Kidz4Christ dismissed
“Build Your Kingdom Here”
“The Potter’s Hand”
CHRONICLES
Immersing Our Lives in God’s Word
A Crash Course on Changing the World (part 4)
Esther 4:1-17/pages 149-150/paragraphs 2ff
“Be Strong in the Lord”
“Shine, Jesus, Shine”
Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713
PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
Advancing the Kingdom of God
one heart at a time.
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