Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Fireworks Faith - #8306

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Download MP3 (right click to save)

It was the Fourth of July, and as newcomers to the area, we ventured into Manhattan to check it out. As we drove along the Hudson River on our way home, the traffic just came to a stop…for an hour. People were getting out of their cars, they’re walking around, they’re sitting on the hood, on the roof. Well, it turns out it was time for the big fireworks display on the other side of the river. So too bad if you needed to get somewhere—it’s time for the fireworks!

I’m Ron Hutchcraft, and we do love our fireworks…not just the Fourth of July kind, but the spiritual kind, too. Sadly, too many Jesus-followers depend on spiritual fireworks to keep them going: the concert, the retreat, the revival, the conference, the big feeling. We tend to be addicted to an event-driven faith, a series of Jesus-highs rather than a Jesus-life, and a fireworks faith equals the frustrating roller coaster of spiritual inconsistency—ground gained/ground lost, never much progress.

There’s something better than fireworks faith. Peter was there for ultimate fireworks at Jesus’ Transfiguration, when heaven came down on a mountain and he saw Jesus in His heavenly glory and actually heard God’s voice from heaven. But later he would say, “We heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain” (2 Peter 1:18-19 ). He’s talking about the Bible there.

See, grownup relationships with Christ rests squarely on a personal, non-negotiable daily time with Jesus in His Word. It’s the only solid foundation for a life that matters and a faith that prevails, then the fireworks are what they should be—a celebration, not a life support system!

Hey, if you want some more spiritual encouragement, would you visit our website? It’s ALifeThatMatters.org.

This radio program references: 2 Peter 1:18-19