CGFIU’s first meeting of the semester kicked off with powerful worship sung live in the GC Annex.  The grace of God fell like rain as the multi-cultural crowd was ushered into the presence of God.  Shortly after, a colorful video was played of Elder Jan explaining what was in store for the rest of the semester.  Elder Jan stood in a car shop as he explained what was under the hood. 

Check your engine…

I’m so excited to speak this message.  I know that your life is about to be changed.  God gave me this message since the summer and I can’t wait to share what I’m about to share and I know your in the right place at the right time.

Do you own a car?  Have you been in a car?  Have you ever seen the “maintenance” light?  God told me to take a look at a car and see how every once and a while it needs maintenance.  He wanted me to look and compare a car with my own life.  A car needs certain things to function correctly.  I don’t know about you but God has told me, “Do you see that 2008 is almost over?”  Usually people have goals before the year starts but God has told me that the year has not ended.  I want you to say, “My year hasn’t ended!”  What does that mean? God can still do a miracle in your life.  It means that no matter how your year has been so far it can change for the better.  These next three things, if you apply them, you will see God do a miracle in your life.

Is Your Maintenance Light On?

Change your tires!

Tires.  God told me to compare your walk with Him to tires.  Tires get you from one place to another.  Your legs get you from one place to another.  God has the perfect road, the perfect path to get you to your destiny.  If you’re walking on your own road, the opposite road, you’re walking the wrong way.  So how is your walk with God so far?  Has it turned out the way you wanted it to be?  The year started good and then it got a little worse because you began to doubt God, to let your faith waver.  Tires go through wear and tear. 

All those bumps in the road, all those things that tires get exposed to produce wear and tear.  See, it’s not a straight and clear road.  Your car could break down on you and you could be stuck in the dark.

12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

The first thing I want to point out to you is that you might think your tires are good but in reality they are low on air.  You think your going down the right road but there’s a dead end.  God wants to speak to you about your tires, about your year.  He can change your situation regardless of what’s happening in the world.  Have you been curving too much?  Have you put God on the side; thinking that it’s all good but it’s not all good?  You have a destiny.  You have a final destination.  Grab your goal and tell yourself “I will accomplish that goal; I will do this thing that I haven’t done yet.”  Things can change in your life!  Do you believe it with me?

Fill up your tank!

We can’t continue walking the way we are and expect things to change.  There’s a saying that says, “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.”  The second thing I want to share with you is gas.  One time I was driving on the turnpike and I had my gas tank below the E.  The tank was empty but I thought that I could make it to a gas station.  So I’m thinking that I’ll make it but the car started turning off!  I started freaking out because my car started slowing down and then it turned off in the middle of the road and my phone had no battery so it was dead on top of that.  So I was stuck on my own.  After walking a few miles to a gas station, sweating, I took my gas tank to fill it up and take it back to my car.  On my way back the cap broke off the tank that I was holding so I had to hold it with my hand.  Not only that but it started to rain!  The gas started to spill over my jeans and even though I was frustrated I asked God, “You want me to die today don’t you?  You just want me to learn this lesson.”  I share this with you because I don’t want you to do what I did.  I thought everything was all good and I didn’t listen to God when He was telling me to fill up my gas tank.  See, God wants me to compare gas to daily prayer.  I know everyone is busy but we all need to dedicate time to God.

6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6

Be intimate with the Father…daily

Jesus didn’t say “if” you pray but “when.”  He was indirectly telling you that you need to pray.  God wants to have that kind of relationship with you.  You shouldn’t go a day without prayer.  If you do, you might get stuck in a situation you don’t want to be in.  In America many people deal with depression every day.  I don’t want you to be a part of that statistic.  God is calling us to spend time with Him.  You need to fill up your gas tank, you need to pray and give time to God.  Go sit under a tree; go to a park, or in your room, wherever you feel comfortable.  It’s not easy sometimes because there’s a real enemy named Satan who doesn’t want you giving time to God, so the price of that gas starts to rise. 

But you need gas every day.  There are things that you and I won’t be able to get: the passing grade you want despite the hours you spend studying, the situation at work, or the problems of life without spending time with God.  The place you can find that answer, that wisdom, or that door to be opened is through prayer.  Enjoy a real, honest, relationship with Jesus Christ.

Don’t leave without His oil!

You need oil in your car.  Without oil your engine is going to be messed up.  Oil can be compared to the presence of God.

35 “And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

Oil helps your car to filter dirty things.  It prevents filth from messing up your engine.  When you’re in the presence of God you’ll be walking in peace.  You won’t be all messed up; you won’t be screaming and crying when others are full of depression.  You’ll be able to stand on top of that mountain and say, “I conquered this mountain!”  You need the ingredient of the presence of God to overcome your mountains!  God wants to pour oil into you and overflow His presence into you.  He wants to fill you.  He longs pour Himself more and more into you.  Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life, He who comes to me will never hunger, I am the water of life.  Whoever drinks from Me will never thirst.’  The presence of God is here right now.  Shout, “Give me oil Jesus!”

Get lost in His presence… 

God has examined your oil, your tires and it’s time for a tune-up.  He’s going to fill you with oil. He’s going to change your year. He’s going to transform you, and He won’t allow you to be the same!  He’s pouring out right now.  Receive His presence, His everlasting bread and water so you will never hunger nor thirst again.  Open your heart, speak it now, and don’t care if you sound weird.  This is about your life changing right now.  What others say about you doesn’t matter.  You need the presence of God.  You need your tires changed. You need special attention.  You need maintenance!  Give your burdens to Jesus Christ.  Give your problems, your mountains, and your situation to Him. Allow God to service your life and move that mountain.  Answer your problem and allow God to reign completely in your life!