"Through the Eyes of a Lion"

FAVORITE SERMON OF 2016
http://brownsbridge.org/messages/see-the-world/through-the-eyes-of-a-lion/
visiting pastor
Levi Lusko from Montana
spoke at Browns Bridge over the summer
during the "See the World"
series.....
He wrote a book called:
"Through the Eyes of a Lion"
He and his wife have 4 daughters...
he tells their story of the loss of
their daughter Lenya (which means lion)
He spoke on... How we view
Pain and Suffering.
NOTES:
*We don't see the world as it is...
but, as we are
*Suffering is not an obstacle but,
an opportunity
*2 Cor. 4:16 "That is why we never
give up. Though our bodies are dying,
our spirits are being renewed every day."
*Fix our gaze on things we cannot see
*LIONS have really good eyes- can see
really far--6X better than a person in the
dark...not because there is more light
for them--but, because they make better
use of the light. (just as football players
use "eye black" to keep light away...in the
opposite way- Lion's have "eye white"
to draw in the light)
*Trials WILL come
*we should train for the trial we are
not yet in
*storms reveal foundations- you prepare
ahead of time--not in the storm
#1 LOOK BEYOND
*see what is in front of you- but, have
Faith in what God says and look beyond
what you see or you will lose heart
*when he wakes up he thinks of how
many days it has been since he has
hugged his sweet  daughter Lenya
and how much he misses her...that
particular day was 1,092 days...
as each day goes by he could feel
a little further and further away---OR
look beyond and see that God is telling
him he is 1,092 days closer to seeing
her again.
#2 EARNEST EXPECTATION
*Romans 8:19 "For the creation waits
in eager expectation for the children of
God to be revealed"
*Lions never walk flat footed--they
are always on their tip toes (like
boxers stay on their toes)....they
are ready and prepared for what's
to come
*pain is a microphone--the more it hurts
the louder the microphone
*the devil has to check with God
before he messes with anyone
*we don't know why God says Yes--
but, we DO KNOW that whatever the
devil's agenda is- God has a bigger plan
and a bigger agenda that works for good.
*God puts us to use by what He
puts us through
#3 NEW NORMAL
*it is an honor to be trusted with a trial
*new opportunity for ministry
*Pain is your passport...it unlocks doors..
we don't know why now...but, ONE DAY
WE WILL- so, for now TRUST
*"God gives his most difficult
assignment to his most trusted
soldier" Spurgeon
#4 SCARE TACTICS
a. STICK TOGETHER...lions live in
prides...be there for each other--
have each other's backs
b. KEEP YOUR ANCHOR ON A SHORT
LEASH....Hope (JESUS) is an ANCHOR
it is up to us how much slack we are
going to let between us...
keep your anchor on a short leash...
then you can feel the
tug of heaven everyday.

*Picture of his daughter "Lenya"*