10-1-2009
Are You A Christian?
Today was a wonderful day as I was able to watch an 11 year old boy accept Christ into his life. I received an email from the boy’s mother asking me if I would meet with her son in regards to God and Christianity as the boy had attended an FCA event at school and came home with a lot of questions. I was honored to help this young boy with his questions, so we visited today. Long story short, the boy asked Christ into his life, and his life is forever changed. Out with the old, in with the new. He is a new creation.
As I answered the questions this young boy had on his mind, I couldn’t help but think about all of the people that need answers to these questions. After all, the decision to accept Christ into your life is the MOST IMPORTANT DECISION you will ever make. His questions were well thought out and very on point, and I could tell he had been thinking about this decision for some time. He truly didn’t know what it meant to be a Christ follower, but he did know he believed in Christ, and so I simply explained to him that’s all it takes to be a Christian. One must accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.
If you know of anyone that would simply like to sit down and have their questions answered, we are here to help. It may be you that have questions, and if you don’t have anyone to go to, please feel free to email us. We want to help everyone have clarity as to why Jesus Christ is and should be the Lord of their lives!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:36-45
2. Who do you know that needs to hear the good news?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Input=Output
9-30-2009
Input = Output
It can be said of just about anything; what comes in will reflect what comes out. If we eat bad foods, we won’t be in good shape. If we expose ourselves to sinful entertainment, those thoughts and ideas will probably be reflected in our behavior and speech. If kids are raised improperly in the home, we usually see bad behavior in other surroundings as a result. If we feed our minds the right food, our behavior will be pure as well.
Matthew 12:33-37 says, 33"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
It’s very evident what one fills their minds with by looking at their behavior and what comes out of their mouths. If you fill your minds with Godly things, you will think in Godly ways, thus your speech will reflect what you’ve consumed. Never underestimate the effect music, movies, and other forms of communication and entertainment have on you. We need to avoid certain things if we desire to be Godly people. We must feed our hearts with purity and love, so that we may respond with purity and love in all we do. By doing this, you will know whom to avoid and whom to hang out with. You will be able to recognize the difference between good and evil, and respond in Godly ways at all times.
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:33-37
2. What do you subject yourself to? Are they positive influences in your life?
Input = Output
It can be said of just about anything; what comes in will reflect what comes out. If we eat bad foods, we won’t be in good shape. If we expose ourselves to sinful entertainment, those thoughts and ideas will probably be reflected in our behavior and speech. If kids are raised improperly in the home, we usually see bad behavior in other surroundings as a result. If we feed our minds the right food, our behavior will be pure as well.
Matthew 12:33-37 says, 33"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
It’s very evident what one fills their minds with by looking at their behavior and what comes out of their mouths. If you fill your minds with Godly things, you will think in Godly ways, thus your speech will reflect what you’ve consumed. Never underestimate the effect music, movies, and other forms of communication and entertainment have on you. We need to avoid certain things if we desire to be Godly people. We must feed our hearts with purity and love, so that we may respond with purity and love in all we do. By doing this, you will know whom to avoid and whom to hang out with. You will be able to recognize the difference between good and evil, and respond in Godly ways at all times.
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:33-37
2. What do you subject yourself to? Are they positive influences in your life?
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Team
9-29-2009
THE TEAM
When I look at various teams there are a few keys I fix my attention to such as who runs the team, the leaders of the team, and the team’s purpose. First a foremost, the person running the team has to be solid. Everything rises and falls on leadership, and if the person at the top can’t get the job done the team will fail.
As we parallel this team analogy with Christianity, it’s extremely important to understand what team YOU are on. There are only two teams in life that really matter in the grand scheme of things; Christ’s team and Satan’s team. You either believe in Christ and are for him, or you don’t believe in Christ, thus you are against him. Matthew 12:30 says, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” This is a bold and harsh statement, but its truth according to the Bible. I have friends that don’t openly profess to know God, which means they are playing on the wrong team. My responsibility is to love them and do all I can to show them who God is, so they will make the decision to join Christ’s team. If you have people in your life that aren’t on Christ’s team, then there’s only one other team they can be on because you either believe or you don’t believe.
The importance of God’s team is that of eternal life in Heaven. If you don’t believe in Christ, then you haven’t asked for the forgiveness of sins, thus you aren’t able to experience God’s grace and mercy. To reject Christ is to eliminate the ONLY way to eternal life in Heaven. It’s in heaven that Christ’s team resides. Here’s the great news: it’s never too late to switch teams! Christ wants to have a relationship with you, and is eagerly awaiting your call.
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:22-32
2. What team are you playing for? What about those around you?
THE TEAM
When I look at various teams there are a few keys I fix my attention to such as who runs the team, the leaders of the team, and the team’s purpose. First a foremost, the person running the team has to be solid. Everything rises and falls on leadership, and if the person at the top can’t get the job done the team will fail.
As we parallel this team analogy with Christianity, it’s extremely important to understand what team YOU are on. There are only two teams in life that really matter in the grand scheme of things; Christ’s team and Satan’s team. You either believe in Christ and are for him, or you don’t believe in Christ, thus you are against him. Matthew 12:30 says, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” This is a bold and harsh statement, but its truth according to the Bible. I have friends that don’t openly profess to know God, which means they are playing on the wrong team. My responsibility is to love them and do all I can to show them who God is, so they will make the decision to join Christ’s team. If you have people in your life that aren’t on Christ’s team, then there’s only one other team they can be on because you either believe or you don’t believe.
The importance of God’s team is that of eternal life in Heaven. If you don’t believe in Christ, then you haven’t asked for the forgiveness of sins, thus you aren’t able to experience God’s grace and mercy. To reject Christ is to eliminate the ONLY way to eternal life in Heaven. It’s in heaven that Christ’s team resides. Here’s the great news: it’s never too late to switch teams! Christ wants to have a relationship with you, and is eagerly awaiting your call.
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:22-32
2. What team are you playing for? What about those around you?
Decisive
9-28-2009
Decisive
Action must take place for success to occur. What’s keeping you from taking action? What do you want to pursue today? If you could do anything in the world, what would you be doing? God calls us to be decisive once we are given direction.
God speaks to those of us that choose to listen. When I say “he speaks to us,” I don’t mean you actually hear God’s voice necessarily. God speaks to us through people, the written word, and he lays things on our hearts. If God has laid something on your heart you must be decisive NOW. You can’t lie to your heart, and you cannot ignore what God has laid on your heart. God may have laid a new career path on your heart, or maybe a different direction within the scope of what you already do. Pursue the vision God’s put on your heart, and go with the confidence that only Christ can give you. Too many of us allow fear to paralyze us into stagnation. Next thing you know years have gone by and your dreams begin to look farther and farther away!
The closer you are to God, the easier it is to be decisive. God will grant you clarity as you go about each and every day of your life. It may take a while before the clarity to sink in, but once it does, take action! When you go, remember you are carrying out the vision God put into your heart, therefore, have all the confidence in the world in the success you will be blessed with!
Application:
1. Are you doing what you feel God’s called you to do?
2. What’s keeping you from pursuing your dreams?
Decisive
Action must take place for success to occur. What’s keeping you from taking action? What do you want to pursue today? If you could do anything in the world, what would you be doing? God calls us to be decisive once we are given direction.
God speaks to those of us that choose to listen. When I say “he speaks to us,” I don’t mean you actually hear God’s voice necessarily. God speaks to us through people, the written word, and he lays things on our hearts. If God has laid something on your heart you must be decisive NOW. You can’t lie to your heart, and you cannot ignore what God has laid on your heart. God may have laid a new career path on your heart, or maybe a different direction within the scope of what you already do. Pursue the vision God’s put on your heart, and go with the confidence that only Christ can give you. Too many of us allow fear to paralyze us into stagnation. Next thing you know years have gone by and your dreams begin to look farther and farther away!
The closer you are to God, the easier it is to be decisive. God will grant you clarity as you go about each and every day of your life. It may take a while before the clarity to sink in, but once it does, take action! When you go, remember you are carrying out the vision God put into your heart, therefore, have all the confidence in the world in the success you will be blessed with!
Application:
1. Are you doing what you feel God’s called you to do?
2. What’s keeping you from pursuing your dreams?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Success by Design
9-23-2009
Success by Design
Success happens by design, not by accident, and in order to achieve success a systematic approach must be in place. When an individual focuses on the proper systematic approach over an extended period of time, results come to fruition. Without a systematic approach and consistent effort, you may be active, but that doesn’t equate to being productive. Remember, we want to be productive, not just active. A simple formula to remember:
Focus -> Systematic Approach -> Consistent Effort -> Results -> Productivity
In order to obtain success in most aspects of your life, I suggest the above formula. The most important piece to this puzzle is our spiritual foundation. Without a solid spiritual foundation, your focus will NEVER be in the right direction. Once we are focused in the right direction, then and only then can we begin to develop a systematic approach. With consistent effort over an extended period of time we will in fact see results. The first key is our spiritual foundation, and in order to obtain a solid spiritual foundation we should apply the same formula.
Our focus needs to be on God and growing in our relationship with him. Our systematic approach should include feeding ourselves the spiritual nourishment we need to grow in our relationship with Christ. This would include reading scripture and a daily devotional, prayer, accountability, and Christian community. By doing these things over a consistent period of time, we will grow spiritually. When we grow spiritually, we will be a lot more productive for the Kingdom of God, ourselves, family, and all we come in contact with. Each and every day we should strive for success, and remember, success happens by design!
Application:
1. What’s your success formula look like?
2. Are there any components missing from your formula that need to be added or improved upon?
Success by Design
Success happens by design, not by accident, and in order to achieve success a systematic approach must be in place. When an individual focuses on the proper systematic approach over an extended period of time, results come to fruition. Without a systematic approach and consistent effort, you may be active, but that doesn’t equate to being productive. Remember, we want to be productive, not just active. A simple formula to remember:
Focus -> Systematic Approach -> Consistent Effort -> Results -> Productivity
In order to obtain success in most aspects of your life, I suggest the above formula. The most important piece to this puzzle is our spiritual foundation. Without a solid spiritual foundation, your focus will NEVER be in the right direction. Once we are focused in the right direction, then and only then can we begin to develop a systematic approach. With consistent effort over an extended period of time we will in fact see results. The first key is our spiritual foundation, and in order to obtain a solid spiritual foundation we should apply the same formula.
Our focus needs to be on God and growing in our relationship with him. Our systematic approach should include feeding ourselves the spiritual nourishment we need to grow in our relationship with Christ. This would include reading scripture and a daily devotional, prayer, accountability, and Christian community. By doing these things over a consistent period of time, we will grow spiritually. When we grow spiritually, we will be a lot more productive for the Kingdom of God, ourselves, family, and all we come in contact with. Each and every day we should strive for success, and remember, success happens by design!
Application:
1. What’s your success formula look like?
2. Are there any components missing from your formula that need to be added or improved upon?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Crowds Follow Jesus
9-22-2009
Crowds Follow Jesus
It’s not easy to do amazing things quietly. In other words, when we have a huge success, we want to shout it from the mountain tops. When we have an accomplishment, we tell anyone that will listen. Jesus had a few reasons to stay quiet, and ask others to stay quiet about the miracles he was performing.
First, he didn’t want people to come to him because of the miracles he could perform. He wanted them to follow him for the right reasons…he is the Messiah. Second, he had a pure heart, thus he performed miracles to help those in need. Jesus didn’t want anything to take away from his purpose on earth; the teachings and ministry. Jesus understood the sinful nature of human beings, and that people would come to him because of what they could get. Many came to Jesus for their own personal gain, and not to follow Christ. Unfortunately, people have this same mindset today. Jesus came to the world to serve, not be served, and we should have the same servant leadership. Let’s not hang out with certain individuals because of what they can do for us. Instead, let’s show everyone the love of Christ regardless of whether or not they can do anything in return. Christ demonstrated unconditional love, and we should all follow his example as we live our lives!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:15-21
2. Do you love people unconditionally?
Crowds Follow Jesus
It’s not easy to do amazing things quietly. In other words, when we have a huge success, we want to shout it from the mountain tops. When we have an accomplishment, we tell anyone that will listen. Jesus had a few reasons to stay quiet, and ask others to stay quiet about the miracles he was performing.
First, he didn’t want people to come to him because of the miracles he could perform. He wanted them to follow him for the right reasons…he is the Messiah. Second, he had a pure heart, thus he performed miracles to help those in need. Jesus didn’t want anything to take away from his purpose on earth; the teachings and ministry. Jesus understood the sinful nature of human beings, and that people would come to him because of what they could get. Many came to Jesus for their own personal gain, and not to follow Christ. Unfortunately, people have this same mindset today. Jesus came to the world to serve, not be served, and we should have the same servant leadership. Let’s not hang out with certain individuals because of what they can do for us. Instead, let’s show everyone the love of Christ regardless of whether or not they can do anything in return. Christ demonstrated unconditional love, and we should all follow his example as we live our lives!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:15-21
2. Do you love people unconditionally?
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Jesus Heals
9-21-2009
Jesus Heals
If only people would simply do the right things for the right reasons at all times the world would be a much better place. Instead, we allow politics, favoritism, and etcetera to get in the way of simply doing the right thing.
In Matthew 12:9-14 Jesus is confronted once again by the Pharisees as they try to question his actions.
“9Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
11He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
13Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.”
The Pharisees were more concerned with “rules” than humanity. They put their laws over human need! Jesus, being the man he is, went against the Pharisees rules as his conviction to do right supersede the laws of the Pharisees. As Christ followers, our conviction to honor God and do God’s will should supersede everything!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:9-14
2. Do you allow human factors to keep you from doing the right thing all the time?
Jesus Heals
If only people would simply do the right things for the right reasons at all times the world would be a much better place. Instead, we allow politics, favoritism, and etcetera to get in the way of simply doing the right thing.
In Matthew 12:9-14 Jesus is confronted once again by the Pharisees as they try to question his actions.
“9Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
11He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
13Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.”
The Pharisees were more concerned with “rules” than humanity. They put their laws over human need! Jesus, being the man he is, went against the Pharisees rules as his conviction to do right supersede the laws of the Pharisees. As Christ followers, our conviction to honor God and do God’s will should supersede everything!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:9-14
2. Do you allow human factors to keep you from doing the right thing all the time?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sabbath
9-18-2009
Sabbath
The Sabbath is generally known to be a day of rest, and in the Christian faith it’s typically on Sunday. In Matthew chapter 12, Jesus and his followers are being accused of working on the Sabbath when in fact they weren’t. Instead of looking at the situation and the hearts of the accused, the accusers are focused more on the legalism and rituals of the Sabbath versus the true intent of the Sabbath.
“1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."
3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? 6I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
We all need rest, and thus we should all honor the Sabbath. It’s extremely important to vacate and take time to focus on God and all He’s provided, and to make an impact for the kingdom of God. At the same time, it’s important not to judge what other’s do. We are called to love people, not judge people. God is the ultimate judge, so let’s leave that to him or you may end up looking like a fool like the Pharisees. They were so focused on the letter of the law; they missed the entire purpose of the law!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:1-8
2. Honor the Sabbath
Sabbath
The Sabbath is generally known to be a day of rest, and in the Christian faith it’s typically on Sunday. In Matthew chapter 12, Jesus and his followers are being accused of working on the Sabbath when in fact they weren’t. Instead of looking at the situation and the hearts of the accused, the accusers are focused more on the legalism and rituals of the Sabbath versus the true intent of the Sabbath.
“1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."
3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? 6I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
We all need rest, and thus we should all honor the Sabbath. It’s extremely important to vacate and take time to focus on God and all He’s provided, and to make an impact for the kingdom of God. At the same time, it’s important not to judge what other’s do. We are called to love people, not judge people. God is the ultimate judge, so let’s leave that to him or you may end up looking like a fool like the Pharisees. They were so focused on the letter of the law; they missed the entire purpose of the law!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 12:1-8
2. Honor the Sabbath
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Rest For Your Soul
9-17-2009
Rest For Your Soul
It’s easy to worry about the burdens, trials, and events of the world. We all deal with stress, worries, and difficulties which in turn can lead to a lot of weight on our shoulders. As we read Matthew 11:28-30, hear what Jesus has to say.
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Jesus frees us from all of our burdens, and gives us rest through his love which brings us peace. We have this unending peace as a result of our understanding of the purpose we have on earth. We are called to be a light in this world. As a believer in Christ, we understand the importance of living for the eternal versus the temporal. We are here to make in impact for the kingdom of God, and any platform the Lord blesses us with should be used to glorify him!
What burdens are you dealing with right now? Are you calling on Jesus to give you rest from these burdens or are you trying to lean on human understanding? Allow God to control the uncontrollable, and control what you can control.
Application:
1. Read Matthew 11:28-30
2. Let God be God!
Rest For Your Soul
It’s easy to worry about the burdens, trials, and events of the world. We all deal with stress, worries, and difficulties which in turn can lead to a lot of weight on our shoulders. As we read Matthew 11:28-30, hear what Jesus has to say.
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Jesus frees us from all of our burdens, and gives us rest through his love which brings us peace. We have this unending peace as a result of our understanding of the purpose we have on earth. We are called to be a light in this world. As a believer in Christ, we understand the importance of living for the eternal versus the temporal. We are here to make in impact for the kingdom of God, and any platform the Lord blesses us with should be used to glorify him!
What burdens are you dealing with right now? Are you calling on Jesus to give you rest from these burdens or are you trying to lean on human understanding? Allow God to control the uncontrollable, and control what you can control.
Application:
1. Read Matthew 11:28-30
2. Let God be God!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
To Know
9-16-2009
To Know
To know God, doesn’t simply imply that you’ve heard of him, it means you have an intimate relationship with God. There’s only one way to truly love someone, and that’s to know a lot about them. The more you learn about someone, the closer you get to loving who they are. If you don’t take the time to truly get to know someone, you will never experience true love. I’m not simply referring to a dating relationship; I’m talking about all types of relationships. For instance, I love my family because I truly know them. I would do anything for my brother, I love him as my brother because I’ve spent countless hours growing up with him, and thus I know him. In the same vein, we should all love Jesus Christ, but it takes energy and effort to have an authentic relationship with our maker. We must spend time getting to know Jesus by reading his word, going to Bible studies, and by finding a church home. You cannot expect to have a genuine relationship with God if you don’t take the time to truly get to know him. Trust me, the time you spend getting to know God will unlock more truths for your life than you know. Lives have been changed for eternity as a result of getting to know more about Jesus Christ. I want to encourage you to make the time to get to know your maker, so you can experience the endless love, grace, and mercy God has for you!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 11:20-27
2. How well do you know Jesus?
To Know
To know God, doesn’t simply imply that you’ve heard of him, it means you have an intimate relationship with God. There’s only one way to truly love someone, and that’s to know a lot about them. The more you learn about someone, the closer you get to loving who they are. If you don’t take the time to truly get to know someone, you will never experience true love. I’m not simply referring to a dating relationship; I’m talking about all types of relationships. For instance, I love my family because I truly know them. I would do anything for my brother, I love him as my brother because I’ve spent countless hours growing up with him, and thus I know him. In the same vein, we should all love Jesus Christ, but it takes energy and effort to have an authentic relationship with our maker. We must spend time getting to know Jesus by reading his word, going to Bible studies, and by finding a church home. You cannot expect to have a genuine relationship with God if you don’t take the time to truly get to know him. Trust me, the time you spend getting to know God will unlock more truths for your life than you know. Lives have been changed for eternity as a result of getting to know more about Jesus Christ. I want to encourage you to make the time to get to know your maker, so you can experience the endless love, grace, and mercy God has for you!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 11:20-27
2. How well do you know Jesus?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Surprise
9-14-2009
Surprise
Life is full of surprises, and this past weekend I received a major surprise from all of my friends and wife. Though my birthday is on September 16th, my wife and I were going out to dinner for my birthday on the weekend like we do every year, but this year she decided to pack a private room with a bunch of my friends without me knowing it! I can only imagine the stress she went through to plan a surprise party for me, but like she always does, she pulled it off perfectly.
Life is full of surprises, some good, and some bad, and we must come to expect and embrace them. Life would be pretty boring if the road were perfectly straight. God allows bumps in the road, just like he allows surprise birthday parties. There will be great, good, and bad surprises in life that you don’t have any control over, but what we do have control over is the way we respond to life’s surprises. We have limited control to the things that come our way, but we have all the control as to how we respond. Do all you can to show God’s love no matter what type of surprises come your way, and do all you can to provide joyful surprises for others!
It’s easy to take things for granted, as we all have a lot to be thankful for, so focus on the blessings and be a blessing to others. Thank you all for making my birthday so amazing. This was one surprise I will never forget!
Application:
Surprise someone!
Surprise
Life is full of surprises, and this past weekend I received a major surprise from all of my friends and wife. Though my birthday is on September 16th, my wife and I were going out to dinner for my birthday on the weekend like we do every year, but this year she decided to pack a private room with a bunch of my friends without me knowing it! I can only imagine the stress she went through to plan a surprise party for me, but like she always does, she pulled it off perfectly.
Life is full of surprises, some good, and some bad, and we must come to expect and embrace them. Life would be pretty boring if the road were perfectly straight. God allows bumps in the road, just like he allows surprise birthday parties. There will be great, good, and bad surprises in life that you don’t have any control over, but what we do have control over is the way we respond to life’s surprises. We have limited control to the things that come our way, but we have all the control as to how we respond. Do all you can to show God’s love no matter what type of surprises come your way, and do all you can to provide joyful surprises for others!
It’s easy to take things for granted, as we all have a lot to be thankful for, so focus on the blessings and be a blessing to others. Thank you all for making my birthday so amazing. This was one surprise I will never forget!
Application:
Surprise someone!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wise Council
9-11-2009
Wise Council
We all need wise council in our lives. To simply rely upon your own understanding is foolish, yet many of us fall into that trap. The first council we should seek is God’s council through consistent prayer. When we read about the leaders of the Bible, they all sought God’s council and most of them had earthly council as well.
My wife and I are looking at purchasing another home at the moment, and with all big decisions I’ve learned to seek council. We’ve prayed over the decision regularly and most importantly, SPECIFICALLY. Our prayers include what type of house, how much to finance, should I have a mortgage or pay cash, should I build or buy a pre-existing home, the location, and most importantly I pray for the timing. Is this the right time to move?
Along with seeking God’s clarity through prayer, I seek wise council from experienced individuals. One of my great friends has extensive experience in home sales, thus I sought his wise council and prayed over it. I used a godly real estate agent that I feel I can trust. I’ve spoken with new home builders about the cost and time associated with building a new home, and I’ve spoken with residents that live in certain areas of Dallas that I can trust as to their experiences in living in certain locations.
It’s amazing to me how clarity arises once council is sought through patient and consistent prayer, and Godly council from brothers and sisters in Christ. Every “big” decision I’ve made where wise council was used has turned out for the good. EVERY time I’ve rushed into a decision it’s led to heartache, rebuilding, and usually a lot of scrambling to fix a problem I created.
In Matthew 11 Jesus gives wise council to John and his disciples. John was imprisoned by King Herod, and during this time John began to doubt whether or not Jesus was the Messiah, because John felt his calling was to preach the message of the coming Messiah, and how was he supposed to do so if he was in prison. Jesus calmed those doubts through his acts of healing, thus eliminating any doubts John had at the time.
I don’t know what big decisions you have on the horizon, maybe a new home, car, career change, what college to attend, should I get married, but whatever you do seek wise council. Your first resource should always be your maker, GOD. Secondly, surround yourself with a great team of people that you can live life with and seek their wise council. In order to have wise council, you must seek it, and whatever you do, make sure you don’t rush into who you listen to. Don’t just ask anyone and everyone for their opinions, as all that will do is muddy the water. You will end up with the paralysis analysis problem. Once you do have wise council, take the leap of faith and make things happen!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 11:1-19
2. Who are your mentors and counselors?
3. Do you listen to what they say and pray over your situations?
Wise Council
We all need wise council in our lives. To simply rely upon your own understanding is foolish, yet many of us fall into that trap. The first council we should seek is God’s council through consistent prayer. When we read about the leaders of the Bible, they all sought God’s council and most of them had earthly council as well.
My wife and I are looking at purchasing another home at the moment, and with all big decisions I’ve learned to seek council. We’ve prayed over the decision regularly and most importantly, SPECIFICALLY. Our prayers include what type of house, how much to finance, should I have a mortgage or pay cash, should I build or buy a pre-existing home, the location, and most importantly I pray for the timing. Is this the right time to move?
Along with seeking God’s clarity through prayer, I seek wise council from experienced individuals. One of my great friends has extensive experience in home sales, thus I sought his wise council and prayed over it. I used a godly real estate agent that I feel I can trust. I’ve spoken with new home builders about the cost and time associated with building a new home, and I’ve spoken with residents that live in certain areas of Dallas that I can trust as to their experiences in living in certain locations.
It’s amazing to me how clarity arises once council is sought through patient and consistent prayer, and Godly council from brothers and sisters in Christ. Every “big” decision I’ve made where wise council was used has turned out for the good. EVERY time I’ve rushed into a decision it’s led to heartache, rebuilding, and usually a lot of scrambling to fix a problem I created.
In Matthew 11 Jesus gives wise council to John and his disciples. John was imprisoned by King Herod, and during this time John began to doubt whether or not Jesus was the Messiah, because John felt his calling was to preach the message of the coming Messiah, and how was he supposed to do so if he was in prison. Jesus calmed those doubts through his acts of healing, thus eliminating any doubts John had at the time.
I don’t know what big decisions you have on the horizon, maybe a new home, car, career change, what college to attend, should I get married, but whatever you do seek wise council. Your first resource should always be your maker, GOD. Secondly, surround yourself with a great team of people that you can live life with and seek their wise council. In order to have wise council, you must seek it, and whatever you do, make sure you don’t rush into who you listen to. Don’t just ask anyone and everyone for their opinions, as all that will do is muddy the water. You will end up with the paralysis analysis problem. Once you do have wise council, take the leap of faith and make things happen!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 11:1-19
2. Who are your mentors and counselors?
3. Do you listen to what they say and pray over your situations?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Unselfish Love
9-10-2009
Unselfish Love
Jesus is the perfect example of love. He loved those that loved him, and he loved those that didn’t believe in him. He treated everyone with unconditional love no matter what their backgrounds were. He didn’t love people for what they had or could provide. He simply loved people for who they were, and one thing we should all strive to do is love people the way Jesus Christ loved others. Matthew 10:40-42 says the following:
40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
It’s been said that how much we love God can be measured by how much we love others. We are called to love people unconditionally. Meaning, you may not agree with how people live their lives, and you may not even want to hang out with them, but you are still called to love them for they are a child of God. Be a living example to others as to how God wants us to live, so they may turn away from the way they currently live and fix their eyes on the eternal. Do the right thing at all times for the right reasons and God will truly bless you!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10
2. Do you demonstrate your love for God by the way you treat others?
Unselfish Love
Jesus is the perfect example of love. He loved those that loved him, and he loved those that didn’t believe in him. He treated everyone with unconditional love no matter what their backgrounds were. He didn’t love people for what they had or could provide. He simply loved people for who they were, and one thing we should all strive to do is love people the way Jesus Christ loved others. Matthew 10:40-42 says the following:
40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
It’s been said that how much we love God can be measured by how much we love others. We are called to love people unconditionally. Meaning, you may not agree with how people live their lives, and you may not even want to hang out with them, but you are still called to love them for they are a child of God. Be a living example to others as to how God wants us to live, so they may turn away from the way they currently live and fix their eyes on the eternal. Do the right thing at all times for the right reasons and God will truly bless you!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10
2. Do you demonstrate your love for God by the way you treat others?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Christian Commitment
9-9-2009
Christian Commitment
As we dive into the gospel of Matthew, chapter 10 versus 34-39 get about as blunt as any part of the Bible as it pertains to Christian commitment.
32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - 36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Christian commitment may separate you from friends, peers, and even family. Our first priority should be Christ. Anything away from Christ is temporal, and in the end meaningless. Christ is eternal, and you will have to forfeit some of the pleasures of the world in order to fully follow him. What’s awesome is the fact that chasing worldly things leaves you empty inside in the end anyways. There’s nothing wrong with having fame, power, money, popularity, as long as you understand those are gifts that God has allowed, thus they need to be used to bring HIM glory and not you. To truly understand the meaning of life is to die to self and live to serve. Never allow anything or anyone to stand in the way of your relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10:32-39 carefully
2. Who or what do you allow to stand in the way of your relationship with Christ?
Christian Commitment
As we dive into the gospel of Matthew, chapter 10 versus 34-39 get about as blunt as any part of the Bible as it pertains to Christian commitment.
32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - 36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Christian commitment may separate you from friends, peers, and even family. Our first priority should be Christ. Anything away from Christ is temporal, and in the end meaningless. Christ is eternal, and you will have to forfeit some of the pleasures of the world in order to fully follow him. What’s awesome is the fact that chasing worldly things leaves you empty inside in the end anyways. There’s nothing wrong with having fame, power, money, popularity, as long as you understand those are gifts that God has allowed, thus they need to be used to bring HIM glory and not you. To truly understand the meaning of life is to die to self and live to serve. Never allow anything or anyone to stand in the way of your relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10:32-39 carefully
2. Who or what do you allow to stand in the way of your relationship with Christ?
Monday, September 7, 2009
He Knows
9-8-2009
He Knows
Matthew 10:21-31 says the following:
21"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
26"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Jesus continues to speak about the persecution you WILL receive for being a Christ follower. As with anything you do in life, persecution will take place if you go against the grain. How many times do we go with the flow because we want to be a part of the crowd? Do you feel the need to “fit in” with the crowd? Do you do things you know you shouldn’t do, and do everything you can to keep people from finding out? Two important keys to grasp: God knows all things and nothing can be hidden from him. Second, everything we do needs to be focused on glorifying God. By understanding these two facts, you should fear nothing but God himself, and your trust in God should be rock solid.
Application:
1. Is God the center of everything you do in your life?
2. Is God the center of everyone of your relationships?
He Knows
Matthew 10:21-31 says the following:
21"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
26"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Jesus continues to speak about the persecution you WILL receive for being a Christ follower. As with anything you do in life, persecution will take place if you go against the grain. How many times do we go with the flow because we want to be a part of the crowd? Do you feel the need to “fit in” with the crowd? Do you do things you know you shouldn’t do, and do everything you can to keep people from finding out? Two important keys to grasp: God knows all things and nothing can be hidden from him. Second, everything we do needs to be focused on glorifying God. By understanding these two facts, you should fear nothing but God himself, and your trust in God should be rock solid.
Application:
1. Is God the center of everything you do in your life?
2. Is God the center of everyone of your relationships?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Stand Firm
9-4-2009
Stand Firm
Just how much influence does the world have in your life? Do you make decisions based on what the world thinks or based on what’s right by God? We’re all influenced by the world at one point or another in our lives, and as we grow in our relationship with Christ we become aware of this problem, and we seek to remedy this way of thinking. When we continue to grow spiritually, we become more and more bold for Christ no matter what environment we may be in at the time. It isn’t what we say that has the influence, it’s what we ARE.
Jesus prepares the disciples for persecution in Matthew 10:17-42. It’s amazing to me that the disciples didn’t change their minds about following him! Focus on the words of Christ in the following passage.
17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Living for God often brings on persecution, and it’s during these times you have the opportunity to be bold and tell the news of salvation. Most wither away during these times in order to satisfy the world. Christ followers speak truth in a loving way. In the above passage Christ informs the disciples that they will be persecuted, and to stand firm as he will lead them through. Do you have the faith in Christ to stay focused on the gospel? Do you remain faithful during times of weakness? Do you allow the world to influence your decisions in a way that goes against what we’ve been taught as Christ followers? Remember, the only opinion that matters is that of your Father in heaven!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10:17-20
2. Stand firm!
Stand Firm
Just how much influence does the world have in your life? Do you make decisions based on what the world thinks or based on what’s right by God? We’re all influenced by the world at one point or another in our lives, and as we grow in our relationship with Christ we become aware of this problem, and we seek to remedy this way of thinking. When we continue to grow spiritually, we become more and more bold for Christ no matter what environment we may be in at the time. It isn’t what we say that has the influence, it’s what we ARE.
Jesus prepares the disciples for persecution in Matthew 10:17-42. It’s amazing to me that the disciples didn’t change their minds about following him! Focus on the words of Christ in the following passage.
17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Living for God often brings on persecution, and it’s during these times you have the opportunity to be bold and tell the news of salvation. Most wither away during these times in order to satisfy the world. Christ followers speak truth in a loving way. In the above passage Christ informs the disciples that they will be persecuted, and to stand firm as he will lead them through. Do you have the faith in Christ to stay focused on the gospel? Do you remain faithful during times of weakness? Do you allow the world to influence your decisions in a way that goes against what we’ve been taught as Christ followers? Remember, the only opinion that matters is that of your Father in heaven!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10:17-20
2. Stand firm!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Keep Climbing
9-3-2009
Keep Climbing
I was blessed with some words of wisdom by a buddy of mine during a golfing adventure the other day so I felt I should share. To say that it was a golf adventure would be a dramatic understatement. Had I marked my company logo on my golf balls I would have some amazing marketing going on as those golf balls are all over the course as we speak! The golf wasn’t so great, but the experience was awesome.
I was in the passenger seat of the golf cart, and my buddy must have known I missed my workout that morning as he parked as far away from my golf ball as he could, and he managed to park under every hill on the course. Instead of parking the golf cart by the green entrance, he would park so we had to walk up a steep hill, and it was during one of these moments I was challenged in more ways than one. The obvious challenge was the physical, but the life lesson challenge occurred when he said, “never stop climbing, when you do it shows your content, and it’s never good to be content.” As I hiked up the hill towards the green it hit me, HE’S RIGHT! No matter what you do in life, never become complacent or content with where you are. We are always in need of improvement and growth. No matter what you do, you can get better.
While it’s good to be content with certain things in life, it’s never good when our spiritual journey is at a standstill. We’ve all had moments in our life where we needed to dust off the Bible. You may be at this moment in your life now, or perhaps you need to purchase your first Bible. Maybe you know someone that stopped going to church, and you can lead them back into a community of believers. Regardless of the situation, we need continued growth. There’s no such thing as standing still in your spiritual journey, as you are either growing or straying. The path is narrow, and we all need accountability and stability in order to continue to grow spiritually!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10:1-16
2. What are you doing to grow spiritually?
Keep Climbing
I was blessed with some words of wisdom by a buddy of mine during a golfing adventure the other day so I felt I should share. To say that it was a golf adventure would be a dramatic understatement. Had I marked my company logo on my golf balls I would have some amazing marketing going on as those golf balls are all over the course as we speak! The golf wasn’t so great, but the experience was awesome.
I was in the passenger seat of the golf cart, and my buddy must have known I missed my workout that morning as he parked as far away from my golf ball as he could, and he managed to park under every hill on the course. Instead of parking the golf cart by the green entrance, he would park so we had to walk up a steep hill, and it was during one of these moments I was challenged in more ways than one. The obvious challenge was the physical, but the life lesson challenge occurred when he said, “never stop climbing, when you do it shows your content, and it’s never good to be content.” As I hiked up the hill towards the green it hit me, HE’S RIGHT! No matter what you do in life, never become complacent or content with where you are. We are always in need of improvement and growth. No matter what you do, you can get better.
While it’s good to be content with certain things in life, it’s never good when our spiritual journey is at a standstill. We’ve all had moments in our life where we needed to dust off the Bible. You may be at this moment in your life now, or perhaps you need to purchase your first Bible. Maybe you know someone that stopped going to church, and you can lead them back into a community of believers. Regardless of the situation, we need continued growth. There’s no such thing as standing still in your spiritual journey, as you are either growing or straying. The path is narrow, and we all need accountability and stability in order to continue to grow spiritually!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10:1-16
2. What are you doing to grow spiritually?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Extraordinary Work
9-2-2009
Extraordinary Work
We are all children of God, born into this world with a sinful nature, and rescued from sin by the grace of Jesus Christ. No one person is any better than anyone else. Granted, some are more famous, but that doesn’t mean they are better. God made us all in his image to do extraordinary things on earth.
Matthew 10:1-10 reads:
“1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil[a] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[b]drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.”
If you focus on the introduction of the 12 disciples, you will find they don’t have fancy resumes. They were ordinary people like you and I that chose to follow Christ. They were ordinary people that did extraordinary things! It’s easy to forget these simply truths: you are a child of God, made in his image, and you have a calling to make a major impact in the world for the kingdom of God. You don’t have to be famous or rich to make an impact. Every person you come in contact with needs to hear the message of Christ, and you might be the only Christ they hear. Never underestimate your worth and your calling while on earth. Let’s make a difference!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10:1-10
2. How can you minister to others? What special gifts do you have and are you using them to Glorify God?
Extraordinary Work
We are all children of God, born into this world with a sinful nature, and rescued from sin by the grace of Jesus Christ. No one person is any better than anyone else. Granted, some are more famous, but that doesn’t mean they are better. God made us all in his image to do extraordinary things on earth.
Matthew 10:1-10 reads:
“1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil[a] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[b]drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.”
If you focus on the introduction of the 12 disciples, you will find they don’t have fancy resumes. They were ordinary people like you and I that chose to follow Christ. They were ordinary people that did extraordinary things! It’s easy to forget these simply truths: you are a child of God, made in his image, and you have a calling to make a major impact in the world for the kingdom of God. You don’t have to be famous or rich to make an impact. Every person you come in contact with needs to hear the message of Christ, and you might be the only Christ they hear. Never underestimate your worth and your calling while on earth. Let’s make a difference!
Application:
1. Read Matthew 10:1-10
2. How can you minister to others? What special gifts do you have and are you using them to Glorify God?
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