Excel Still More Kris Emerson

What would you write if you had the chance to pen a letter to your younger self? What changes would you make? Would you try to avoid bad decisions? Would you direct yourself to lucrative investments? Okay, cool. But what if it risked what you have now? Would it be worth it?

We are going to dig in on all of those questions today. To help guide us through, we will be reading and considering the lyrics from the Mercy Me song, "Dear Younger Me." I have added the lyrics to the song below. It takes a surprising, and somewhat humbling honestly, turn at the end that has me thinking through a lot of things. I hope it has that affect on you as well.

A pursuit into changing the past can make us feel worse about our life today. You know, wishing we could change things but having to live with the fact that we cannot. But there is a much, much better outcome available that will - spoiler alert - seed everything great thing in knowing Christ!

Dear younger me
Where do I start
If I could tell you everything that I have learned so far
Then you could be
One step ahead
Of all the painful memories still running thru my head
I wonder how much different things would be
Dear younger me,
Dear younger me
I cannot decide
Do I give some speech about how to get the most out of your life
Or do I go deep
And try to change
The choices that you'll make cuz they're choices that made me
Even though I love this crazy life
Sometimes I wish it was a smoother ride
Dear younger me, dear younger me
If I knew then what I know now
Condemnation would've had no power
My joy my pain would've never been my worth
If I knew then what I know now
Would've not been hard to figure out
What I would've changed if I had heard
Dear younger me
It's not your fault
You were never meant to carry this beyond the cross
Dear younger me
You are holy
You are righteous
You are one of the redeemed
Set apart a brand new heart
You are free indeed
Every mountain every valley
Thru each heartache you will see
Every moment brings you closer
To who you were meant to be
Dear younger me, dear younger me
You are holy
You are righteous
You are one of the redeemed
Set apart a brand new heart
You are free indeed
You are holy
You are righteous
You are one of the redeemed
Set apart a brand new heart
You are free indeed
You are holy
You are righteous
You are one of the redeemed
Set apart a brand new heart
You are free indeed

Do you remember what it felt like to start something amazing? Do you remember the first day of marriage? Or what it felt like to be washed in the blood of the Lamb? Wow, that was truly the best. For those who are exploring new things and feeling the joys of discovery, drink in every ounce of that! As for the rest of us, let's not give up the dream of daily joy and the emotions of gratitude. 

To enjoy the gift of fresh and excited eyes, we need to identify the qualities we once had and reach for them again. To help with this, let's look at a beginner embracing new hope in contrast with a long timer who had lost that spark. You can choose to be that first person again, no matter how long it's been. In fact, because of how long God has blessed you!

- What is the beginner's gift and how does it feel to possess it?

- What happens over time that keeps us from the feelings we once had?

- How does remembering desperation bring us to place of rejoicing?

- Why is honesty and openness a wonderful quality that we all need?

- What part does gratitude play in keeping you as joyful as the first day of blessing?

First, special thanks to Kinsey Fountain for a terrific idea!

Second, thank to Bob Goff for his quote and life and work. 

There is a deep and different richness when our value is connected with our acts of kindness, not what people say about our acts of kindness. We all crave validation, and we live in a social media age, where likes amount to value for a great many things in our lives.

But what if we figure out how to Be Secretly Incredible? Maybe you can be more loving and generous, for the sake of the act and the people you help, with zero need for or desire for accolades or affirmation. Bob Goff will show us how. His sentiments perfectly echo the teachings of Jesus in the sermon on the mount. Let me tell his story and see if he can inspire you.

I also want to share four little ideas that are transforming my thinking. I hope to be more personal, emotional, and connected in my acts of good will in the name of Jesus. A short progression of thoughts can make that real for you. Then, if people find out about it, that's perfectly okay. They will want to be like you, and that's a great reason to have your good deeds known!

- Why do we care so much what other people think about the good things we do?

- How can we find value in our personal work, not just in collective or institutional actions?

- How can you sit down with your family and find the way God wants to use you?

- What would a life without generosity limits, led by relationships, be like for your family?

- Is it okay for people to see what we do if our sequencing is correct?  YES!

Big Promise Today - A little bit of questioning can go a really long way. Just a few simple questions, asked at the right moment, can lead you to better decisions and fewer regrets.  First, let's overcome some simple decision making mistakes we all make. Then we will look at the power of "want." After all, most people do exactly what they want to do! But there is more analysis needed. We need to ask three simple questions to put ourselves, and others, in a better place - day after day!

Much of today's content was drawn from a great new book by Andy Stanley: "Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets." You can click the link to purchase from Amazon. I highly recommend the read. 

- What is the difference between "big" decisions and "little" ones?

- How important is what you want when it comes to your choices?

- How does stretching what you want out over time affect your decisions?

- Should things go differently if what you want is JUST about you?

- Who stands to be affected by what you do and why does that matter?

Two Big Things Today:

First, I'll be at the Twin Creeks church of Christ on May 1-4, 2022. This church is in Allen, TX, just North East of Dallas. Everyone is welcome as we study Missions of Mercy and making sure we have emptied our vessels so He can fill us with the Spirit.  Here is a link to the church website.

Second, the Mercy Me song "Say I Won't" gets our attention today. I will provide the lyrics below as well as a link to the incredible music video.  Check it out!

"Say I Won't"

Today it all begins
I'm seeing my life for the very first time
Through a different lens
Yesterday
I didn't understand
Driving 35 with the rocket inside
Didn't know what I had

While I've been waiting to live
My life's been waiting on me

I'm gonna run
No I'm gonna fly
I'm gonna know what it means to live
And not just be alive
The world's gonna hear
Cause I'm gonna shout
And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out
Say I won't

Not enough
Is what I've been told
But it must be a lie
Cause the Spirit inside says I'm so much more
So let them say what they want
Oh I dare them to try

I'm gonna run
No I'm gonna fly
I'm gonna know what it means to live
And not just be alive
The world's gonna hear
Cause I'm gonna shout
And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out
Say I won't
Say I won't
Say I won't
Say I won't

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
So keep on saying I won't
And I'll keep proving you wrong

I'm gonna run
No I'm gonna fly
I'm gonna know what it means to live
And not just be alive
This world's gonna hear
Cause I'm gonna shout
And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out
Say I won't
Say I won't
Say that I won't
Oh say I won't
Say I won't

Most Christians are familiar with sentences like this: "This is a salvation issue." Of course, only Jesus decides such things. And while it may be alright to say such at times, it is often more about my personal convictions and, by the way, my side of the issue is always the saved side! lol.

There is room to show people in Scripture that some issues make the difference between heaven and hell. Though we must be very careful to make sure it is what the Scripture actually and clearly teaches. But here is something that is absolute:  if Jesus says it is a matter of heaven and hell, then that's exactly what it is. Can we agree on that?

Today I want to show you a chapter where Jesus lays out 3 Salvation Issues. No amount of label making, partying up, or loud sermons can supplant these issues or substitute for them. If we want to be saved when the Savior comes, we must have full lamps, growing talents, and active hands.

- Who determines if an issue is a matter of personal conviction or a salvation issue?

- Why is it so important to us to draw deep lines in the sand with our personal convictions?

- What did Jesus say will matter in the judgment when it comes to being prepared for Him?

- What did Jesu say will matter when it comes to "ing" living and using what we have?

- How important is service to others when it comes to the final judgment and eternal destiny?