Gtcotr/ws031710
Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. Ever wonder who Saint Patrick was and why he has a day?
The brief history:
British 16 year old captured by Irish raiders
Spent 6 years captive in Ireland before escaping
5th and 6th Century Priest to Ireland
Irish soldiers in British military first marched in NY in 1762
1845 Potato Famine in Ireland drove immigration – 1 mil I. Cath.
Prejudice stereotypes depicted as drunken monkeys (paddy wagon)
1900 Voting bloc known as the “green machine”
1948 President Truman attended NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Each year 3 mil line the 1.5 mile route to watch 150K ppl participate
The oldest civilian and the largest parade in the US … plus the world
Celebration of Ireland and the Irish people’s strength to overcome
BTW – I am of Irish descent … Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Just like the story of Saint Patrick’s life …
Our life should also be a script which only God can write. Realizing that …
Life is filled with things that just did not happen, and things which did!
And how important it is that we learn how to cope with both.
I’m told that at the end of life, people most often do not regret the things they did but rather the things they did not do.
Some people seem to be born with an adventurous spirit while others have to work hard at trying new things or being spontaneous.
As well, some people are born with a stable soul while others have to work hard at putting down roots and keeping commitments.
In either case, life is work … but it just keeps coming at you, day after day.
Tonight I want to open the Word of God and share principles that will give us a practical hand on life, its disappointments and its victories.
As I said earlier, Life is filled with things that just did not happen, and things which did. And it is important that we learn to cope with both.
Open your Bibles to:
2 Corinthians 12 NKJV
6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
1. Do not let your past keep you from your future.
2 Corinthians 11 NKJV
22 ¶ Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? —I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
· The list of things which did and did not happen …
2. Do not let your adventurous spirit keep you from being a stable soul.
3. Do not let your stable soul keep you from being an adventurous spirit.
2 Corinthians 11 NLT
16 ¶ Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little.
12 But I will continue doing what I have always done …
2 Corinthians 12 NLT
1 ¶ This boasting will do no good, but I must go on …
4. Allow God to write the script of your life.
5. Live life while you can.
So, in conclusion … what is God saying to us tonight?
Life is filled with things that just did not happen, and things which did. And it is important that we learn to cope with both.
Keep the balance of life while you allow God to write the script He has in mind for you.
