Friends of the Family: Confessions of a Pastor

Pastor Peter Gowesky

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. —Ephesians 5:15-17

Wisdom=Taking what you know and putting it into action.

YOU CAN

THROUGH LIFE OR

Reveal Answer

THROUGH LIFE—IT’S UP TO YOU.

= Believing all that God says as being absolutely true, even though circumstances seem to be against its completion.

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. —Luke 8:22-25

Pt. 1 FAITH THAT IS

IS A FAITH THAT CAN BE

Reveal Answer

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2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” —Exodus 16:2–5

PT. 2

ON GOD DOES NOT

Reveal Answer

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Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. —Romans 5:1-5

PT. 3 SPIRITUAL STAMINA

TO GIVE UP ON GOD EVEN WHEN WE THINK HE’S GIVEN UP ON US.

FOCUSING ON CHRIST CLARIFIES EVERYTHING ELSE.