November 2023
Taking Aim
Section 1 News
Thank you to everyone who made the FL Section One Wrap Up Rally a tremendous success. Our youth gathered on October 27th at First Apostolic Church of DeFuniak Springs and experienced a beautiful move of God. A powerful message was delivered by Rev. Jordan Hudspeth.
During the altar call, there was a gentle spirit of worship and a sweet time of consecration. Young people prayed long past worship and into the night. After service, they gathered outside for pizza and s’mores by the bonfire.
Upcoming Events
We are looking forward to gathering together for the annual Section 1 Minister’s Christmas Banquet on Monday, December 11th at 7:00 PM. Please RSVP before December 4th by emailing kherbst@firstpent.org or calling (850) 530-9076.
For the first time ever, Florida Bible Quizzing is hosting a combined Senior & Junior Pre-Season Training Event- with fellowship! Please check out the information found at flbiblequizzing.com.
Holiday Youth Convention is in Orlando this December 28-29. This event will be held at the Rosen Centre Hotel. The speakers are Aaron Bounds and Cole Beebe. Registration is $75. Information for this event can be found at flupci.org.
Pastors, you are encouraged in nominate a Sunday school teacher from your church to the Fl District Children’s Department. From there- they honor one teacher a month on their Facebook and Instagram, as well as submit the nomination to headquarters for national recognition. Please email a photo and informational bit to fldistrictcm@gmail.com.
Taking Aim
Luke 12:26–31 (AV) — If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Find Your Target
Among shooting enthusiasts there is a common expression; aim small, miss small. The idea behind this expression is that if you aim in the general direction of your target, there is a good chance you could miss what you are shooting at.
However, if you pick a very small, or concentrated area near the center of your target, even if you miss your exact point of aim, you will still manage to hit your intended target. With enough discipline, training, and intentional focus, it is possible for you to always hit your target, even if it isn’t your exact point of aim. This same principle can be applied spiritually.
Philippians 3:14 (AV) — I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
It is extremely easy to find yourself in the position where you are living from moment to moment, service to service, expecting your walk to grow simply because time is passing you by. Age does not equal growth in the kingdom of God, just as age does not always equal wisdom.
Job 32:9 (AV) — Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
This is why it is imperative that we remain intentional in our growth and in our spiritual aim. If we lose sight of our intended target, we end up focusing more on the distractions of life and getting lost in the sea of monotony, rather than the will of God.
Focus Your Breathing
In the verse above, Jesus tells us that we need to consider the lilies. They’re not worrying, they’re not fretting, and they need nothing because God Himself is providing everything they need. He is telling us that we were made for God to be our sole provider in life - not worrying over anything and putting it all into His hands.
Jesus says that when we do so, and we focus on His kingdom rather than our selfish ambitions, all things will be added to us! We were made for more and we will get more if we focus on Jesus. But this takes a certain intentional discipline.
When a marksman decides he is about to take his shot, he focuses his breathing. In the same sense, we must have a focused spirit when we are aiming for the Kingdom purpose.
Jesus told His disciples to make disciples of all nations. If the disciples were chosen of God to make disciples, ultimately, that makes me a disciple chosen by God. Therefore, it is my duty, my purpose, to do the same. I must submit myself to that purpose and give all of me to God so He can use me to make disciples.
Practice Makes Principle
It is God’s intention that His people live abundant lives.
Intentional living means not to be weighed down with temporal things that will all pass away, but to be blessed abundantly that we may be a blessing to others.
God promised Abraham that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through him and his seed.
Genesis 22:18 (AV) — And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Yes, we are Gentiles by birth, but we are sons of Abraham through our re-birth!
Galatians 3:29 (AV) — And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
It seems pretty clear that God intends for us to have these blessings and intends for His chosen people to be more, not just for themselves, but for the kingdom.
The blessings referred to here are not all temporal blessings. The things in this life that we treasure so much: a good job, house, car, etc. These are party favors to the One who created EVERYTHING! He will give them freely, because eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (AV) — But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
None of these things truly matter in the end. That is why we must lay up our treasures in heaven.
Matthew 6:20–21 (AV) — But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
So, you’re ready to get focused.
You’re ready to get intentional.
How do you get intentional about growth? To answer that question, I would like you once again to consider the marksmen mentioned earlier. What would it take for him to get to a point of hitting his target nearly each time? An action plan is the only way; a plan that demands we be consistent.
Think of your children, if you are a parent. What is the most effective way that they learn? Through random happenstance? Or through consistency? Made for More teaches one how to apply Biblical principles to his or her life in a way that promotes true excellence. And although it uses universal values from the Bible, each person will find their unique gifts being hewn out and sharpened in a way that they can become more aware of what God has called them to be.
Yours for the Kingdom,
Pastor Brian Kinsey
