3-1-2010
Religion
I had a meeting one afternoon with a friend of mine about some work related issues, and the topic of Christianity came up. I’ve known this particular person for a while now, and I knew he wasn’t brought up in a Christian home, and he isn’t a believer, but I am also not the type to beat people over the head with a bible. Little did he know, I had been praying that the conversation of salvation would come up, and that he would be open to the conversation, but I didn’t know that he would bring it up!
One of the major topics of conversation was his desire to reach the level of business success that I have been blessed to have achieved. He is new to sales, and he has the desire and drive to do big things in business, so I agreed a while back to give him advice along his journey as long as he would be coachable. As the conversation started, I asked him if he knew what I felt the most important thing in life was, and as God would have it, he made the comment, “I know you are very religious.” Here is my response:
I am not religious at all. In fact I cannot stand religion. To me religion is a bunch of people running around saying all the right things, doing the right things (at times), and they still don’t have a clue who Christ truly is. Anyone can memorize scripture, dress up on Sundays and go to church, and say the right things. I know someone who embodies these characteristics, yet she is clueless as to who Christ truly is! She is so caught up in religion that she misses the point of Christ’s death and resurrection. Do you know why most people go to the church they go to, or worship the God they worship? Their parents went to that church, or worshipped that God. They never truly studied why their parents took them to that church, or who Christ is and what Christ did. Christ literally walked this earth. He performed miracles that even non-believers admit they witnessed, but they chalked it up to magic or that He was demon-possessed! Christ walked this earth as a humble servant, he died, and he rose again. Everything Christ said would happen happened, and everything he predicted, has come to fruition, even as we speak. The bible is truth, and it is an account of exactly what happened before the birth of Christ, during the life of Christ, and after Christ ascended into heaven. If you were to read the bible, you would literally get chills at some points because you would realize the events Christ said would happen are literally happening over 2000 years later just as Christ said they would. So, the questions I have for you are simple: doesn’t it make sense to figure out exactly who this Jesus guy is? When Christ says there is only one way to Heaven, don’t you feel it’s important to figure out what that way is? Though I was taken to church as a kid, I still didn’t have a clue who Christ was until I overheard a friend of mine say something about “hearing God.” He was an older man, and he literally said, “God is speaking to me.” That fascinated me. I wanted God to speak to me, so what do I have to do to make that happen! I remember sitting in bed that night asking God to speak to me if He was real. I never got the immediate answer I was looking for that night. It wasn’t until I started researching Christianity before I realized God doesn’t literally speak to us. I’m not saying He can’t as He is God and He can do anything he wants, but the bible tells us, He speaks to us through the written word of God, the bible, and through various situations in life (people, events, etc.). After hearing the words, “God is speaking to me” I started researching different denominations, religions, churches, etc. I asked every question you could imagine, and through this process I learned the only way to real success, Christ. To answer your question, if you want to reach your God given potential if life, success, you need to know, understand, and accept Christ. Until you invest the time to do so, there will ALWAYS be a void in your life, and nothing will ever be enough. If you put your faith, hope, life, etc. into worldly things, you will be let down because everything of this world will disappear. Focus your trust on the eternal and you will quickly realize the things of this world don’t mean much in the way of success. If God is at the center of everything you do, you will never be let down because He will never abandon you. He may not answer you exactly when you think He should, but remember, you are on God’s time, not your time, and God never says, “Oops”! I don’t have all of the answers, I make mistakes all of the time, and I pray for forgiveness every day of life, but you must understand the difference between the worldly definition of success and the real definition of success. According to the world, you could say I am very successful. I have an amazing wife, money, house, cars, etc. The world views success in the temporal, but when you die, where does this stuff go? Success is the understanding we must die to the world and we will then truly understand what it means to be alive. There are many times in my life when I wondered why God would allow certain things to happen, but I’m quickly reminded that we aren’t called to question God; we are called to have faith in God. I want you to be successful. I want to see you alive, but I do not want to force Christianity upon you. If you would like to take this conversation further, I would be honored to help you in any way I can. I do not want to force anything on you, but since you asked, I felt it was important you know that I am not religious, I am a Christ follower.
Application:
1. Read James chapter 2
2. Do you have genuine faith, or is there a little religious in you?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Living For Today
4-14-2009
Living for today
We live in a world of I-phones, Blackberries, and tons of other types of scheduling devices, which ultimately leads to a life of extreme business. Before sitting down to write this devotional, I couldn’t help but notice how almost every second of my day is on a calendar. Someone could literally know where I am going to be at just about any moment! The advances in technology have enabled us to do more with the same amount of time. However, there is a downside to the fast pace world we now live in. Families rarely sit and eat dinner together, husbands and wives rarely go on dates, and friendships away from work for some seem like a distant memory.
James gives incredible advice about living for the moment. “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4: 14). Regret is one of the worst feelings in the world, so may I suggest we all start to prioritize? The typical person spends all of their left over time with the people they love the most. This isn’t done intentionally, and in most cases this is done with nothing but great intent. People are working hard to provide for their family, yet drive the very people they work so hard for away by accident.
Just as you become distant with friends, family, etc. your relationship with God becomes distant. As with any successful relationship, it takes work. We must schedule time to spend in prayer and reading God’s word each and every day, just as you schedule time for a business meeting. Here is the most important point I hope to get across: time with God is much more important than ANY business meeting! You cannot possibly love something you don’t know, and you certainly won’t know something you don’t invest time in. If you want to know Christ, invest the time to know Him, and until you do, everything you do will pale in comparison. When you know Christ, you will die to self and the world, and be born again. Once this life changing event takes place in your life, you will see the world through a completely different set of eyes. Invest in your God, your family, and the people you care about. Live a life of significance, not a life of business!
Application:
1.Read James 4: 13-17
2.Schedule time to read a devotional every day, put it on the calendar!
3.Schedule a date night every week for you and your significant other and turn the phone OFF during this time!
4.Make time for your family, friends, and loved ones even if it is only a phone call once a week.
Living for today
We live in a world of I-phones, Blackberries, and tons of other types of scheduling devices, which ultimately leads to a life of extreme business. Before sitting down to write this devotional, I couldn’t help but notice how almost every second of my day is on a calendar. Someone could literally know where I am going to be at just about any moment! The advances in technology have enabled us to do more with the same amount of time. However, there is a downside to the fast pace world we now live in. Families rarely sit and eat dinner together, husbands and wives rarely go on dates, and friendships away from work for some seem like a distant memory.
James gives incredible advice about living for the moment. “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4: 14). Regret is one of the worst feelings in the world, so may I suggest we all start to prioritize? The typical person spends all of their left over time with the people they love the most. This isn’t done intentionally, and in most cases this is done with nothing but great intent. People are working hard to provide for their family, yet drive the very people they work so hard for away by accident.
Just as you become distant with friends, family, etc. your relationship with God becomes distant. As with any successful relationship, it takes work. We must schedule time to spend in prayer and reading God’s word each and every day, just as you schedule time for a business meeting. Here is the most important point I hope to get across: time with God is much more important than ANY business meeting! You cannot possibly love something you don’t know, and you certainly won’t know something you don’t invest time in. If you want to know Christ, invest the time to know Him, and until you do, everything you do will pale in comparison. When you know Christ, you will die to self and the world, and be born again. Once this life changing event takes place in your life, you will see the world through a completely different set of eyes. Invest in your God, your family, and the people you care about. Live a life of significance, not a life of business!
Application:
1.Read James 4: 13-17
2.Schedule time to read a devotional every day, put it on the calendar!
3.Schedule a date night every week for you and your significant other and turn the phone OFF during this time!
4.Make time for your family, friends, and loved ones even if it is only a phone call once a week.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Unity In Christ
Unity in Christ
In 2003, I had the honor to coach one of the greatest 16 year old baseball teams ever assembled. They won the Mickey Mantle World Series that year going undefeated in the tournament. Every one of those players earned college scholarships, and many of them are playing pro baseball at this point. I have a picture of that team in my home office. They are on a knee, heads bowed, giving thanks to their Lord and Savior immediately after defeating California in the championship game. It was my job to teach them, yet they taught me a ton. One of the greatest quotes I’ve ever heard was a quote they taught me. “United we stand, divided we fall, all for one, one for all, Patriots!” Immediately after every game they would circle up pray, and then “break it off” by saying the quote above as a team. These boys were 16 years old at the time and they came from all over the state of Texas, and most every one of them had only one thing in common when they first met that May of 2003, a love for the game of baseball. By the end of the season they were a band of brothers in more ways than one.
Christ is the commonality every one of us has the opportunity to have in common. Put another way, we have unity in Christ. Ephesians 2:14-16 says, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” Through the death of Christ, he stopped the resentment between the Jews and the Gentiles, and we should follow this example with the growing number of groups in the world today. God never intended churches to compete with each other to save souls. Believers in Christ are the church, not the physical buildings constructed by man. We the church are called to be one in Christ and to love each other as Christ loves us. These versus clearly point out the importance of throwing out the old laws and traditions that separate us from the love of Christ, as it favored the Jews and excluded the Gentiles. Christ has destroyed these barriers and has instructed us how to live by his laws.
All of us have the opportunity to bring people together in unity or to cause fraction and resentment. Let’s do as Christ did and work in unity. As the leader of your house, make sure everyone is on the same page. If you are in a group of any type, make sure to accept people for who they are even though you may not agree with everything they say. Find the good in people. It’s easy to find the bad, as we are all sinners, and we are all a work in progress. Remember, “United we stand, divided we fall, all for one, one for all!”
Application:
1.Read Ephesians 2:11-22
2.What areas of your life need unity? How can you learn from the message of Christ?
In 2003, I had the honor to coach one of the greatest 16 year old baseball teams ever assembled. They won the Mickey Mantle World Series that year going undefeated in the tournament. Every one of those players earned college scholarships, and many of them are playing pro baseball at this point. I have a picture of that team in my home office. They are on a knee, heads bowed, giving thanks to their Lord and Savior immediately after defeating California in the championship game. It was my job to teach them, yet they taught me a ton. One of the greatest quotes I’ve ever heard was a quote they taught me. “United we stand, divided we fall, all for one, one for all, Patriots!” Immediately after every game they would circle up pray, and then “break it off” by saying the quote above as a team. These boys were 16 years old at the time and they came from all over the state of Texas, and most every one of them had only one thing in common when they first met that May of 2003, a love for the game of baseball. By the end of the season they were a band of brothers in more ways than one.
Christ is the commonality every one of us has the opportunity to have in common. Put another way, we have unity in Christ. Ephesians 2:14-16 says, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” Through the death of Christ, he stopped the resentment between the Jews and the Gentiles, and we should follow this example with the growing number of groups in the world today. God never intended churches to compete with each other to save souls. Believers in Christ are the church, not the physical buildings constructed by man. We the church are called to be one in Christ and to love each other as Christ loves us. These versus clearly point out the importance of throwing out the old laws and traditions that separate us from the love of Christ, as it favored the Jews and excluded the Gentiles. Christ has destroyed these barriers and has instructed us how to live by his laws.
All of us have the opportunity to bring people together in unity or to cause fraction and resentment. Let’s do as Christ did and work in unity. As the leader of your house, make sure everyone is on the same page. If you are in a group of any type, make sure to accept people for who they are even though you may not agree with everything they say. Find the good in people. It’s easy to find the bad, as we are all sinners, and we are all a work in progress. Remember, “United we stand, divided we fall, all for one, one for all!”
Application:
1.Read Ephesians 2:11-22
2.What areas of your life need unity? How can you learn from the message of Christ?
Monday, February 22, 2010
No Waiting Room
2-23-2010
No Waiting Room
Prayer is so powerful and so free! The privilege of prayer is amazing. We don’t have to set an appointment, there’s no waiting room, and we can have a conversation with God at anytime about anything.
As we look at the life of Jesus Christ, He not only taught us to pray, but He modeled how to pray. If the Savior of the world makes the time to pray each day, shouldn’t we? Luke 5:16 says, “16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” The mention of prayer is abundant in the Bible, yet very few people set aside time to communicate with the maker of the world. We make time for TV, email, sports, phone calls, working out, but one of the most important aspects of our lives goes to the waste side.
God desires our communication with him as a parent deires to hear those first words. Parents of a newborn child can't wait for their baby to speak for the first time. Half the time the baby says nothing and we act like it said "Dada" when in fact the all the baby did was burp!
We all desire for God to intervene on our behalf at some point in our lives, and prayer proceeds these interventions we so desperately desire. That’s not to say that prayer should be used like a wish factory, as we must have pure intentions.
Matthew 7:7-8 states, “7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
When we pray that the will of God be done, not our will be done, but His will, prayers will be answered on God’s time. Are you praying regularly? Do you pray for what you want, or do you pray for what God desires for you? Start today by allowing the power of prayer to transform your life!
No Waiting Room
Prayer is so powerful and so free! The privilege of prayer is amazing. We don’t have to set an appointment, there’s no waiting room, and we can have a conversation with God at anytime about anything.
As we look at the life of Jesus Christ, He not only taught us to pray, but He modeled how to pray. If the Savior of the world makes the time to pray each day, shouldn’t we? Luke 5:16 says, “16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” The mention of prayer is abundant in the Bible, yet very few people set aside time to communicate with the maker of the world. We make time for TV, email, sports, phone calls, working out, but one of the most important aspects of our lives goes to the waste side.
God desires our communication with him as a parent deires to hear those first words. Parents of a newborn child can't wait for their baby to speak for the first time. Half the time the baby says nothing and we act like it said "Dada" when in fact the all the baby did was burp!
We all desire for God to intervene on our behalf at some point in our lives, and prayer proceeds these interventions we so desperately desire. That’s not to say that prayer should be used like a wish factory, as we must have pure intentions.
Matthew 7:7-8 states, “7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
When we pray that the will of God be done, not our will be done, but His will, prayers will be answered on God’s time. Are you praying regularly? Do you pray for what you want, or do you pray for what God desires for you? Start today by allowing the power of prayer to transform your life!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Psalm 1
2-22-2010
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 gives us a distinct contrast between those that walk with the Lord and those that do not. There are two types of people: faithful and the faithless. The more we delight in God’s presence the more fruitful we are. The more we do wrong, the further we remove ourselves from truth. Who and what we surround ourselves with leads to success or failure. We should avoid the wicked, sinners, and mockers, or you too can become one. We are called to love all people, and those described in the previous sentence deserve our love, prayers, and witness. However, we are called to reach down in the ditch and pull them out, not jump down in the ditch with them! You will become who you hang around.
Who do you walk with? Do you allow the word of God to speak into you on a regular basis?
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 gives us a distinct contrast between those that walk with the Lord and those that do not. There are two types of people: faithful and the faithless. The more we delight in God’s presence the more fruitful we are. The more we do wrong, the further we remove ourselves from truth. Who and what we surround ourselves with leads to success or failure. We should avoid the wicked, sinners, and mockers, or you too can become one. We are called to love all people, and those described in the previous sentence deserve our love, prayers, and witness. However, we are called to reach down in the ditch and pull them out, not jump down in the ditch with them! You will become who you hang around.
Who do you walk with? Do you allow the word of God to speak into you on a regular basis?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
REST-Repost
Rest
It’s not often my wife and I get to spend an entire day with each other without going on vacation somewhere. She is busy teaching fitness classes, playing tennis, and getting work done, and I’m busy coaching baseball, speaking, doing business, in meetings, and whatever else seems to come up! Yesterday was probably the first day we didn’t have anywhere to go, literally. We simply stayed home, grilled out, and had fun in the pool. We even had time to teach our youngest puppy how to swim. Haley and I call alone time, quality time. This is the time where we shut out the world and simply relax. Granted, it doesn’t happen often, but when we make time to relax, it’s amazing how refueled you feel.
Isn’t it amazing when we listen to what God calls us to do, we find great results? Think about it, In Genesis chapter 2 verses 2-3 it says, “By the seventh day God had finished his work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” If God rests, why don’t we? For all of you that know me, you know the person that needs to hear this as much as anyone…ME! This is certainly one of my weaknesses. So where do we draw the line? How do we work the way God wants us to work without wasting time, and balance that with the proper rest?
Many biblical arguments arise out of the verses in the previous paragraph regarding the Sabbath. I chose not to argue about the bible, but instead apply the word of God. We need rest. Mark 6:31 says, “Come with me by yourselves to a quite place and get some rest.” This is Jesus speaking to the disciples. Due to their business, they were getting worn out, missing meals, and needing to refuel. If Jesus recommends his disciples rest, shouldn’t we? In a previous devotional we spoke about the difference between finding time and making time. In order to have rest, some of you are going to have to schedule it. I blocked off my calendar to spend a day of rest with my family, and I cannot begin to tell you how awesome it feels! My wife and I got to catch up, hang out, take a nap, swim, play with the dogs, etc. Yes, I have a ton of work to do, and now I will be a lot more productive while working. With rest, you will think faster and clearer. Your brain will function properly. Instead of simply being active at work, you will be more productive, and you will enjoy what you do more. Too much of anything is bad. We need water to live, but drink too much water and you drown! You have to work to make a living, but work too much, and you stop living.
Application:
1.When is the last day you turned the phones off, didn’t check email, and simply enjoyed your family?
2.Schedule those days more often!
It’s not often my wife and I get to spend an entire day with each other without going on vacation somewhere. She is busy teaching fitness classes, playing tennis, and getting work done, and I’m busy coaching baseball, speaking, doing business, in meetings, and whatever else seems to come up! Yesterday was probably the first day we didn’t have anywhere to go, literally. We simply stayed home, grilled out, and had fun in the pool. We even had time to teach our youngest puppy how to swim. Haley and I call alone time, quality time. This is the time where we shut out the world and simply relax. Granted, it doesn’t happen often, but when we make time to relax, it’s amazing how refueled you feel.
Isn’t it amazing when we listen to what God calls us to do, we find great results? Think about it, In Genesis chapter 2 verses 2-3 it says, “By the seventh day God had finished his work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” If God rests, why don’t we? For all of you that know me, you know the person that needs to hear this as much as anyone…ME! This is certainly one of my weaknesses. So where do we draw the line? How do we work the way God wants us to work without wasting time, and balance that with the proper rest?
Many biblical arguments arise out of the verses in the previous paragraph regarding the Sabbath. I chose not to argue about the bible, but instead apply the word of God. We need rest. Mark 6:31 says, “Come with me by yourselves to a quite place and get some rest.” This is Jesus speaking to the disciples. Due to their business, they were getting worn out, missing meals, and needing to refuel. If Jesus recommends his disciples rest, shouldn’t we? In a previous devotional we spoke about the difference between finding time and making time. In order to have rest, some of you are going to have to schedule it. I blocked off my calendar to spend a day of rest with my family, and I cannot begin to tell you how awesome it feels! My wife and I got to catch up, hang out, take a nap, swim, play with the dogs, etc. Yes, I have a ton of work to do, and now I will be a lot more productive while working. With rest, you will think faster and clearer. Your brain will function properly. Instead of simply being active at work, you will be more productive, and you will enjoy what you do more. Too much of anything is bad. We need water to live, but drink too much water and you drown! You have to work to make a living, but work too much, and you stop living.
Application:
1.When is the last day you turned the phones off, didn’t check email, and simply enjoyed your family?
2.Schedule those days more often!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Genealogy
2-18-2010
Genealogy
One of my favorite books in the bible is the book of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament. The central purpose of the book is to prove that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Imagine writing that book! The author is Matthew, a Jewish tax collector, who became one of Jesus’ disciples. One of the keys of the gospels, especially the book of Matthew, is to understand what Jesus said would happen, did in fact happen. In other words, look at what Jesus predicted would take place, and notice how he has been right 100% of the time. Moreover, when we look at what was said of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament, Jesus Christ is described perfectly, yet some people still didn’t believe!
The people of Israel were waiting for the Messiah, their king. Little did they know he would come in the form of a carpenter, born of the Virgin Mary. When we think of the coming Messiah or King, we don’t picture a humble servant that washes people’s feet. Instead, our world depicts a king as someone to be served, who dresses in fancy jewelry and a crown, and dines with the wealthy. Not Jesus! He did the exact opposite. Jesus came as a humble servant, to serve not be served. He dines with the lowest of the low…isn’t that a message we ought to take notice of? As we read the book of Mathew together, let’s focus on the character of Jesus Christ, not only the words and guidance. Focus on his humility. If you had the power and knowledge he had, would you respond as patiently and kind as he did? Let’s recognize who Christ is, so we can understand who we are called to be.
As we read Matthew 1: 1-14, it may not mean a whole lot to most. It’s simply a genealogy to prove that Jesus is the descendant of both King David and Abraham, just as the Old Testament predicted. Understand the importance of this genealogy: this proves Jesus is one of the chosen one to all of the Jewish people of the time. Because of Jesus family line, being the descendants of kings, he was special, thus being called a “chosen one.” In Isaiah 11:1-5, it was written more than 400 years earlier, it informs us of the prophecy of the coming King. What’s even more interesting about the genealogy of Jesus is many of the people were from ordinary people. In other words, Jesus is the descendant of King David and Abraham, but in between the kings and Jesus were a bunch of “no-names.” It would be like looking at a famous athlete and saying that his great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great………..grandfathers, grandfather was a great athlete also! While that may sound like I am downplaying the importance of all of the “no-names,” I’m not. Without all of those descendants, we would have never had the great athlete of today. Going back to the bible, without all of those doing their part, where would Mary and Joseph come from? By the way, they were both direct descendants of David as well! The important concept to grasp here is simple; never underestimate the power of your actions. What you do today, leads to exponential results years and years later for your families, family, etc. Make an impact in your family, and it will be passed down from generation to generation. If you come from a tough family background, accept the challenge and be a part of changing the way your family sees the world. Be the one that your family says, “thanks to that servant leader of a person, the ________ family has been forever changed!”
Application:
1.Read Matthew 1:1-14
2.What would you like to see your families do better? Be the one that fixes that family problem. If you come from a financially poor family, be the one that changes the way your family operates. Brainstorm, and see if you notice any generational similarities between family members. Of those, what needs to change?
Genealogy
One of my favorite books in the bible is the book of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament. The central purpose of the book is to prove that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Imagine writing that book! The author is Matthew, a Jewish tax collector, who became one of Jesus’ disciples. One of the keys of the gospels, especially the book of Matthew, is to understand what Jesus said would happen, did in fact happen. In other words, look at what Jesus predicted would take place, and notice how he has been right 100% of the time. Moreover, when we look at what was said of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament, Jesus Christ is described perfectly, yet some people still didn’t believe!
The people of Israel were waiting for the Messiah, their king. Little did they know he would come in the form of a carpenter, born of the Virgin Mary. When we think of the coming Messiah or King, we don’t picture a humble servant that washes people’s feet. Instead, our world depicts a king as someone to be served, who dresses in fancy jewelry and a crown, and dines with the wealthy. Not Jesus! He did the exact opposite. Jesus came as a humble servant, to serve not be served. He dines with the lowest of the low…isn’t that a message we ought to take notice of? As we read the book of Mathew together, let’s focus on the character of Jesus Christ, not only the words and guidance. Focus on his humility. If you had the power and knowledge he had, would you respond as patiently and kind as he did? Let’s recognize who Christ is, so we can understand who we are called to be.
As we read Matthew 1: 1-14, it may not mean a whole lot to most. It’s simply a genealogy to prove that Jesus is the descendant of both King David and Abraham, just as the Old Testament predicted. Understand the importance of this genealogy: this proves Jesus is one of the chosen one to all of the Jewish people of the time. Because of Jesus family line, being the descendants of kings, he was special, thus being called a “chosen one.” In Isaiah 11:1-5, it was written more than 400 years earlier, it informs us of the prophecy of the coming King. What’s even more interesting about the genealogy of Jesus is many of the people were from ordinary people. In other words, Jesus is the descendant of King David and Abraham, but in between the kings and Jesus were a bunch of “no-names.” It would be like looking at a famous athlete and saying that his great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great………..grandfathers, grandfather was a great athlete also! While that may sound like I am downplaying the importance of all of the “no-names,” I’m not. Without all of those descendants, we would have never had the great athlete of today. Going back to the bible, without all of those doing their part, where would Mary and Joseph come from? By the way, they were both direct descendants of David as well! The important concept to grasp here is simple; never underestimate the power of your actions. What you do today, leads to exponential results years and years later for your families, family, etc. Make an impact in your family, and it will be passed down from generation to generation. If you come from a tough family background, accept the challenge and be a part of changing the way your family sees the world. Be the one that your family says, “thanks to that servant leader of a person, the ________ family has been forever changed!”
Application:
1.Read Matthew 1:1-14
2.What would you like to see your families do better? Be the one that fixes that family problem. If you come from a financially poor family, be the one that changes the way your family operates. Brainstorm, and see if you notice any generational similarities between family members. Of those, what needs to change?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Spiritual Muscle
2-17-2010
Spiritual Muscle
Our spiritual lives operate very similar to our physical lives. When we exercise we gain strength, but if we don’t we weaken. Obedience enables you to gain both physical and spiritual strength. It takes a lot of obedience to hit the gym each day, and it certainly takes a lot of obedience to open the Word of God every day. A couple of quotes referencing the Bible that brings this point home:
“Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives!”
“This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book!”
The Bible is your instruction manual for life, so doesn’t it makes sense to read it? Just about every sound business and life principle originated in the Bible. The world bombards us with so many temporal thoughts; it can be easy to lose focus. When we lose focus, we allow the world to swallow us, and it can often be very difficult to get out. A friend of mine contacted me about some issues he was having with his family, and the only advice I could give him was, “Keep your eyes on the eternal prize, and everything else will be remain in perspective.”
When gain spiritual muscle, we are equipped to handle the curve balls life hands us in a Christ-like manner. If our spiritual muscles haven’t been used in a while, we often react, thus causing a lot of hurt and damage to ourselves and those around us. Make a point to workout daily. Get into the word of God and build spiritual muscles and life will make a lot more sense!
Spiritual Muscle
Our spiritual lives operate very similar to our physical lives. When we exercise we gain strength, but if we don’t we weaken. Obedience enables you to gain both physical and spiritual strength. It takes a lot of obedience to hit the gym each day, and it certainly takes a lot of obedience to open the Word of God every day. A couple of quotes referencing the Bible that brings this point home:
“Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives!”
“This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book!”
The Bible is your instruction manual for life, so doesn’t it makes sense to read it? Just about every sound business and life principle originated in the Bible. The world bombards us with so many temporal thoughts; it can be easy to lose focus. When we lose focus, we allow the world to swallow us, and it can often be very difficult to get out. A friend of mine contacted me about some issues he was having with his family, and the only advice I could give him was, “Keep your eyes on the eternal prize, and everything else will be remain in perspective.”
When gain spiritual muscle, we are equipped to handle the curve balls life hands us in a Christ-like manner. If our spiritual muscles haven’t been used in a while, we often react, thus causing a lot of hurt and damage to ourselves and those around us. Make a point to workout daily. Get into the word of God and build spiritual muscles and life will make a lot more sense!
Monday, February 15, 2010
God's Intervention
2-15-2010
God’s Intervention
The senior pastor at Preston Trail Community Church, Jim Johnson, preached an amazing sermon about God’s intervention. Within this sermon he outlined what we should do when we need God’s intervention and the two ways in which He intervenes.
James 5:13-15 says the following:
“13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.”
The first thing we should do in times of need is pray, as this leads to healing. Secondly, we need to confess any wrong doing so we may have peace. Last, we need to walk with God because the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16). Through these three steps we recognize the two ways God intervenes.
One way God can intervene is by the removal of a circumstance. For instance, he may miraculously heal someone with cancer or a disease. Though God is certainly capable of doing this, he doesn’t always intervene in every circumstance, but God always redeems the circumstance, and this is the second way God intervenes.
God always utilizes circumstances to aid us in our maturation as a Christian. It’s in the difficult times we build character and our faith grows. It’s extremely important to understand the fact that God can be found in all circumstances. It’s not His will that bad things happen, and His perfect will was destroyed when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. We have free will and live in the confines of created order. God never desires for people to die in earthquakes or other forms of natural disasters, but he does intervene and redeems the circumstance for good. What ways has God intervened in your life? Do you see how God intervenes in your life daily?
God’s Intervention
The senior pastor at Preston Trail Community Church, Jim Johnson, preached an amazing sermon about God’s intervention. Within this sermon he outlined what we should do when we need God’s intervention and the two ways in which He intervenes.
James 5:13-15 says the following:
“13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.”
The first thing we should do in times of need is pray, as this leads to healing. Secondly, we need to confess any wrong doing so we may have peace. Last, we need to walk with God because the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16). Through these three steps we recognize the two ways God intervenes.
One way God can intervene is by the removal of a circumstance. For instance, he may miraculously heal someone with cancer or a disease. Though God is certainly capable of doing this, he doesn’t always intervene in every circumstance, but God always redeems the circumstance, and this is the second way God intervenes.
God always utilizes circumstances to aid us in our maturation as a Christian. It’s in the difficult times we build character and our faith grows. It’s extremely important to understand the fact that God can be found in all circumstances. It’s not His will that bad things happen, and His perfect will was destroyed when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. We have free will and live in the confines of created order. God never desires for people to die in earthquakes or other forms of natural disasters, but he does intervene and redeems the circumstance for good. What ways has God intervened in your life? Do you see how God intervenes in your life daily?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Under Authority
2-12-2010
Every great leader was at some point in time a great follower. Here’s a great devotional written by Boyd Bailey!
Under Authority… “For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." Matthew 8:9
We are all under authority—the authority of God, government, school, a corporation, a Board of directors or a parent. There is no need to escape the fact that we answer to an individual or an institution for our actions. The mature of faith embrace their position of being under authority and recognize it as the Lord’s protection and provision.
Jesus modeled this principle of being under authority, as He submitted to the will of His Heavenly Father. In prayer and practice He made it a point to minister on earth as directed by His Father in heaven. “But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave” (John 14:31).
It is when we stray from the influence and accountability of authority that we are exposed to attacks from the enemy. For example, a child can choose to dishonor his/her parents by not obeying their instructions, but there will be consequences from their choices. The wise dad or mom may choose to show tough love by withholding money to make their point.
So how do you respond at work when your authority is unreasonable in their demands? Once you reason with them and they still require an unreasonable expectation, how do you respond? First, recognize that your ultimate authority is to the Lord. You work for Him. Do your best, work hard, be resourceful, engage your team and trust God with the results. You may lose your job, but keep a respectful attitude in the process. Stay under authority, even when you disagree with their actions. God works through the authorities in your life.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality” (Colossians 3:23-25, NKJV).
Do you struggle with rules, especially rules that are unreasonable? You are not alone. However, the Lord can still get the right results through wrong rules. It is a trust issue. Trust Him to change you, change the rule or change the person’s heart that is in charge. Leaders under authority are able to lead followers under authority. Thus, you have authority when you are under authority. So trust God and patiently submit to authority.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18).
Is my life under the authority of Jesus? Do I trust Him with the authorities over me?
Related Readings: Mark 1:22; Romans 13:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; Hebrews 13:17
Every great leader was at some point in time a great follower. Here’s a great devotional written by Boyd Bailey!
Under Authority… “For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." Matthew 8:9
We are all under authority—the authority of God, government, school, a corporation, a Board of directors or a parent. There is no need to escape the fact that we answer to an individual or an institution for our actions. The mature of faith embrace their position of being under authority and recognize it as the Lord’s protection and provision.
Jesus modeled this principle of being under authority, as He submitted to the will of His Heavenly Father. In prayer and practice He made it a point to minister on earth as directed by His Father in heaven. “But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave” (John 14:31).
It is when we stray from the influence and accountability of authority that we are exposed to attacks from the enemy. For example, a child can choose to dishonor his/her parents by not obeying their instructions, but there will be consequences from their choices. The wise dad or mom may choose to show tough love by withholding money to make their point.
So how do you respond at work when your authority is unreasonable in their demands? Once you reason with them and they still require an unreasonable expectation, how do you respond? First, recognize that your ultimate authority is to the Lord. You work for Him. Do your best, work hard, be resourceful, engage your team and trust God with the results. You may lose your job, but keep a respectful attitude in the process. Stay under authority, even when you disagree with their actions. God works through the authorities in your life.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality” (Colossians 3:23-25, NKJV).
Do you struggle with rules, especially rules that are unreasonable? You are not alone. However, the Lord can still get the right results through wrong rules. It is a trust issue. Trust Him to change you, change the rule or change the person’s heart that is in charge. Leaders under authority are able to lead followers under authority. Thus, you have authority when you are under authority. So trust God and patiently submit to authority.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18).
Is my life under the authority of Jesus? Do I trust Him with the authorities over me?
Related Readings: Mark 1:22; Romans 13:1-3; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; Hebrews 13:17
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Step By Step
2-11-2010
Step by Step
Galatians 5:22-25 says, “22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
In verse 22 we see the outcome of allowing the Holy Spirit to live in and through us. When I look at love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, I can’t help but think I need work!!! There are a few things in this list I do pretty well, but there are a few I need a ton of work in. I’m about as impatient as they come, therefore, I can be a little unkind at times, and certainly need to be gentler. The fact of the matter is simple; if we are saved we should live like it!
In verse 25, we are told to “keep in step with the Spirit.” In other words, everything we do should be Spirit led. Pray daily that God will bless you mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally, vocationally, intellectually, socially, etc. and that the Holy Spirit will control these aspects of your life. This will enable you to do all the wonderful things described in verse 22.
Analyze your life and determine which of the characteristics in verse 22 need work. Why do you suppose you struggle with these? If you struggle with a few of them, that’s part of the journey. Don’t get frustrated, stay positive and understand failure is a part of the learning process. The first step to solve a problem is to find out there is a problem. We all have aspects of our lives that need work, so let’s allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us step by step!
Step by Step
Galatians 5:22-25 says, “22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
In verse 22 we see the outcome of allowing the Holy Spirit to live in and through us. When I look at love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, I can’t help but think I need work!!! There are a few things in this list I do pretty well, but there are a few I need a ton of work in. I’m about as impatient as they come, therefore, I can be a little unkind at times, and certainly need to be gentler. The fact of the matter is simple; if we are saved we should live like it!
In verse 25, we are told to “keep in step with the Spirit.” In other words, everything we do should be Spirit led. Pray daily that God will bless you mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally, vocationally, intellectually, socially, etc. and that the Holy Spirit will control these aspects of your life. This will enable you to do all the wonderful things described in verse 22.
Analyze your life and determine which of the characteristics in verse 22 need work. Why do you suppose you struggle with these? If you struggle with a few of them, that’s part of the journey. Don’t get frustrated, stay positive and understand failure is a part of the learning process. The first step to solve a problem is to find out there is a problem. We all have aspects of our lives that need work, so let’s allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us step by step!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Here's Your Sign
2-10-2010
Here’s Your Sign
There’s been many times in my life where I’ve asked God for answers, yet I may have done a poor job of listening. It reminds me of the guy that was warned of a flood, yet chose not to evacuate. All of the local news stations were informing all the residents in the county to evacuate immediately due to rising waters. This one gentleman said, “I’ll be okay, God will save me.”
He then heard a banging on his front door, and it was his neighbor begging him to leave immediately as he was sure to die if he stayed home. To which the man replied, “I’ll be okay, God will save me.” In short order, the water level had risen and the man was now looking out the window on the second story of his home watching the water rush by when a man pulled up in a boat, and begged him to get in. To which the man replied, “I’ll be okay, God will save me.” The man in the boat then sped off to save as many people as he could.
Now the man is standing on the roof of his house watching the water levels flood his entire home when a helicopter flew over and dropped a rope ladder. The rescue men in the helicopter begged the man to grab the rope, but he wouldn’t do it. All he said was, “I’ll be okay, God will save me.”
Finally, the man drowned and went to Heaven. The man was confused, so he asked God what happened, as he remained faithful during the floods and trusted that God would save him. God replied, “I sent you a neighbor, a boat, and a helicopter. What more could I have sent to rescue you!”
As was the case with the man in the story, we too find ourselves in situations we could have avoided had we simply paid attention to the answered prayers God sends our way. It’s one thing to be faithful and prayerful, and it’s just as important to listen and see the signs God gives us.
Application:
1. How is your prayer life?
2. Are you seeking His answers?
Here’s Your Sign
There’s been many times in my life where I’ve asked God for answers, yet I may have done a poor job of listening. It reminds me of the guy that was warned of a flood, yet chose not to evacuate. All of the local news stations were informing all the residents in the county to evacuate immediately due to rising waters. This one gentleman said, “I’ll be okay, God will save me.”
He then heard a banging on his front door, and it was his neighbor begging him to leave immediately as he was sure to die if he stayed home. To which the man replied, “I’ll be okay, God will save me.” In short order, the water level had risen and the man was now looking out the window on the second story of his home watching the water rush by when a man pulled up in a boat, and begged him to get in. To which the man replied, “I’ll be okay, God will save me.” The man in the boat then sped off to save as many people as he could.
Now the man is standing on the roof of his house watching the water levels flood his entire home when a helicopter flew over and dropped a rope ladder. The rescue men in the helicopter begged the man to grab the rope, but he wouldn’t do it. All he said was, “I’ll be okay, God will save me.”
Finally, the man drowned and went to Heaven. The man was confused, so he asked God what happened, as he remained faithful during the floods and trusted that God would save him. God replied, “I sent you a neighbor, a boat, and a helicopter. What more could I have sent to rescue you!”
As was the case with the man in the story, we too find ourselves in situations we could have avoided had we simply paid attention to the answered prayers God sends our way. It’s one thing to be faithful and prayerful, and it’s just as important to listen and see the signs God gives us.
Application:
1. How is your prayer life?
2. Are you seeking His answers?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tap Into The Power
2-9-2010
Tap Into The Power
I had an interesting conversation with a man in his mid-thirties that didn’t believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He believed in God, but not in Jesus. I explained the significance of the resurrection, and that many witnessed this event, yet this gentleman still wasn’t convinced. I then explained the amazing prophesies from the old testament describing what the savior of the world would do and say, and how that correlates perfectly to the life of Jesus as described in the new testament (the old testament stories about the coming savior were written hundreds of years before the birth of Christ), yet he still wasn’t convinced. He seemed to think the Bible was nothing more than written words by human beings. When I explained to him that the book of John was written about 30 years after Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written, his thoughts remained the same. Then it hit me, he has never experienced the power of the Holy Spirit!
What this man didn’t care to learn, yet so desperately needs to know is there’s only one way to Heaven, and that can be told by Jesus Christ in John 14:6. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” WOW!!! Jesus doesn’t say “most” come to the Father through me. He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
The power of the Holy Spirit makes the Bible real, and it’s what inspired the Bible writer. Anyone can obtain knowledge and read off information, but the power source of living an authentic Christian life is the Holy Spirit. Many know and even speak of Jesus, but very few experience the power of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth, and guides us to the true understanding of who Christ is, thus enabling us to be transformed. The power of the Holy Spirit is the difference between the person that says they know Christ, and the person that shows they know Christ!
Application:
1.Are you plugged in to the Holy Spirit?
2.Are you open to allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you, or do you want to control things?
Tap Into The Power
I had an interesting conversation with a man in his mid-thirties that didn’t believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He believed in God, but not in Jesus. I explained the significance of the resurrection, and that many witnessed this event, yet this gentleman still wasn’t convinced. I then explained the amazing prophesies from the old testament describing what the savior of the world would do and say, and how that correlates perfectly to the life of Jesus as described in the new testament (the old testament stories about the coming savior were written hundreds of years before the birth of Christ), yet he still wasn’t convinced. He seemed to think the Bible was nothing more than written words by human beings. When I explained to him that the book of John was written about 30 years after Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written, his thoughts remained the same. Then it hit me, he has never experienced the power of the Holy Spirit!
What this man didn’t care to learn, yet so desperately needs to know is there’s only one way to Heaven, and that can be told by Jesus Christ in John 14:6. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” WOW!!! Jesus doesn’t say “most” come to the Father through me. He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
The power of the Holy Spirit makes the Bible real, and it’s what inspired the Bible writer. Anyone can obtain knowledge and read off information, but the power source of living an authentic Christian life is the Holy Spirit. Many know and even speak of Jesus, but very few experience the power of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth, and guides us to the true understanding of who Christ is, thus enabling us to be transformed. The power of the Holy Spirit is the difference between the person that says they know Christ, and the person that shows they know Christ!
Application:
1.Are you plugged in to the Holy Spirit?
2.Are you open to allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you, or do you want to control things?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
"Someday"
2-8-2010
Someday
Very few people take immediate action on what they desire to have or obtain, because most live in “someday.” “Someday I will do this or that.” James 4:13-16 gives us strict instructions about “someday.”
“13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.”
Truth is, we don’t know if we will have another day, so let’s start working on “someday” today! Your first step in starting “someday” should be prayer. Ask God for clarity and direction. Whatever you do, never make a decision without clarity. To act without God’s direction is to basically play God. I don’t know about you, but anytime I try to play God, I lose!
God blesses you with a peace of heart and mind. That’s the clarity you are praying for, and that’s the time to take action. God speaks to us through people, the Bible, and life experiences, so make sure you are listening intently.
Let’s make today our “someday”!!!
Application:
1. Read James 4:13-16
2. If you could do anything, with anyone, anywhere, what would “someday” look like?
Someday
Very few people take immediate action on what they desire to have or obtain, because most live in “someday.” “Someday I will do this or that.” James 4:13-16 gives us strict instructions about “someday.”
“13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.”
Truth is, we don’t know if we will have another day, so let’s start working on “someday” today! Your first step in starting “someday” should be prayer. Ask God for clarity and direction. Whatever you do, never make a decision without clarity. To act without God’s direction is to basically play God. I don’t know about you, but anytime I try to play God, I lose!
God blesses you with a peace of heart and mind. That’s the clarity you are praying for, and that’s the time to take action. God speaks to us through people, the Bible, and life experiences, so make sure you are listening intently.
Let’s make today our “someday”!!!
Application:
1. Read James 4:13-16
2. If you could do anything, with anyone, anywhere, what would “someday” look like?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Desire vs. Should
2-5-2010
Desire vs. Should
For most of us, we know what we should do, but very few understand the limitations that “should” gives us. When we know we should do something, that doesn’t necessarily mean we are going to do it. However, when we desire to do something, we won’t stop until it’s been achieved!
I typically workout in the mornings, but yesterday morning I was tired. I landed in Dallas late the previous night, and felt like I was running on fumes. My first thought was, “I should workout.” Unfortunately, the thought of “should” wasn’t going to get me out the door. Then I remembered our upcoming trip to the beach, and the chips and queso I ate the previous day would probably look a lot better off of my stomach! My desire to look good in a bathing suit had me running on the treadmill about as fast as I could arrive at the gym. Again, desire sprung me into action, not what I “should” do.
In Romans 7:15-17 we read of Paul’s struggle with sin despite the fact he knew what he “should” do.
“15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.”
Paul had the same struggles with evil and sin as we have today, so did Paul spring into action because of what he knew he “should” do? NO! Paul had a burning desire to spread the message of truth to the world. Paul’s desire to make God famous controlled his life, thus motivating him daily to die for his beliefs.
In order for us to live the life God desires us to live, we must have a burning desire that motivates us. To simply know what you “should” do isn’t enough. To do what you “should” do requires a desire to do it. How do we obtain the burning desire like Paul had? Get to know your maker intimately and you won’t be able to contain your desire for Christ!
Desire vs. Should
For most of us, we know what we should do, but very few understand the limitations that “should” gives us. When we know we should do something, that doesn’t necessarily mean we are going to do it. However, when we desire to do something, we won’t stop until it’s been achieved!
I typically workout in the mornings, but yesterday morning I was tired. I landed in Dallas late the previous night, and felt like I was running on fumes. My first thought was, “I should workout.” Unfortunately, the thought of “should” wasn’t going to get me out the door. Then I remembered our upcoming trip to the beach, and the chips and queso I ate the previous day would probably look a lot better off of my stomach! My desire to look good in a bathing suit had me running on the treadmill about as fast as I could arrive at the gym. Again, desire sprung me into action, not what I “should” do.
In Romans 7:15-17 we read of Paul’s struggle with sin despite the fact he knew what he “should” do.
“15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.”
Paul had the same struggles with evil and sin as we have today, so did Paul spring into action because of what he knew he “should” do? NO! Paul had a burning desire to spread the message of truth to the world. Paul’s desire to make God famous controlled his life, thus motivating him daily to die for his beliefs.
In order for us to live the life God desires us to live, we must have a burning desire that motivates us. To simply know what you “should” do isn’t enough. To do what you “should” do requires a desire to do it. How do we obtain the burning desire like Paul had? Get to know your maker intimately and you won’t be able to contain your desire for Christ!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Self Awareness
2-4-2010
Self Awareness
I would say a commitment to personal and spiritual development is your number one key to success. As a result of such development, self awareness will come to the forefront and much needed changes will begin to occur as you grow closer and closer to who Christ wants you to be. Wisdom Hunters has a great devotional on the subject of self awareness, thus I decided to share their thoughts with you today.
Self-Awareness…“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3
Self-awareness allows us to see our own shortcomings and to understand our limitations. We are able to answer questions like, “What do I do best?” “Where am I least gifted? “How does my character need to grow?” and “What sin easily seduces me? It is a mixture of honesty, discernment and common sense when we are able to see how God sees us. Go to the Lord in prayer, so you are first able to test and see if an opportunity is from Him.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Spirit-filled believers are men and women of self-awareness. They use their understanding of themselves as a filter for wise decision-making. For example, when you become aware that you are not a natural planner, you then surround yourself with those who understand how to plan and implement a process toward an agreed upon result.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8).
Self-aware individuals wisely select activities that allow them to have the most impact. You have a limited amount of time, a limited amount of opportunity and a limited amount of resources. What experiences, skills and abilities can you offer to your family, work and ministry with focused intensity? Where is God working and how can you join Him with the gifts He has given you? Self-awareness sees the unseen and engages God there.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”(2 Corinthians 4:18).
Moreover, self-aware servants of Christ are quick to take an inventory of their own indiscretions before they pronounce judgment on others. You can clearly see in another what has become familiar in your own heart and mind. Resist the temptation to quickly judge another until you have judged yourself. Confront the sin of a fellow believer only after confessing and repenting of your own sin. Be self-aware and honest about your sin.
What relationships and opportunities do I need to avoid? And what relationships and opportunities do I need to steward better with focused attention?
Related Readings: Genesis 28:16; Leviticus 4:14; Matthew 12:15; Galatians 4:21
Self Awareness
I would say a commitment to personal and spiritual development is your number one key to success. As a result of such development, self awareness will come to the forefront and much needed changes will begin to occur as you grow closer and closer to who Christ wants you to be. Wisdom Hunters has a great devotional on the subject of self awareness, thus I decided to share their thoughts with you today.
Self-Awareness…“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3
Self-awareness allows us to see our own shortcomings and to understand our limitations. We are able to answer questions like, “What do I do best?” “Where am I least gifted? “How does my character need to grow?” and “What sin easily seduces me? It is a mixture of honesty, discernment and common sense when we are able to see how God sees us. Go to the Lord in prayer, so you are first able to test and see if an opportunity is from Him.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Spirit-filled believers are men and women of self-awareness. They use their understanding of themselves as a filter for wise decision-making. For example, when you become aware that you are not a natural planner, you then surround yourself with those who understand how to plan and implement a process toward an agreed upon result.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8).
Self-aware individuals wisely select activities that allow them to have the most impact. You have a limited amount of time, a limited amount of opportunity and a limited amount of resources. What experiences, skills and abilities can you offer to your family, work and ministry with focused intensity? Where is God working and how can you join Him with the gifts He has given you? Self-awareness sees the unseen and engages God there.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”(2 Corinthians 4:18).
Moreover, self-aware servants of Christ are quick to take an inventory of their own indiscretions before they pronounce judgment on others. You can clearly see in another what has become familiar in your own heart and mind. Resist the temptation to quickly judge another until you have judged yourself. Confront the sin of a fellow believer only after confessing and repenting of your own sin. Be self-aware and honest about your sin.
What relationships and opportunities do I need to avoid? And what relationships and opportunities do I need to steward better with focused attention?
Related Readings: Genesis 28:16; Leviticus 4:14; Matthew 12:15; Galatians 4:21
Fork
1-3-2010
Fork
As we live life, people we know will come and go, and we celebrate the end of life by way of a funeral. During a funeral this week, the pastor conducting the funeral was very enlightening. One phrase in particular made sense.
When tragic deaths happen, and people’s lives on earth seem to be cut short, we tend to ask questions of God. “Why did he/she have to leave so early God?” When in fact the Christ follower meets his maker he/she says, “What took you so long to take me!” We must all remember there’s more to come, and the ultimate destination is Heaven. We all have work to do on earth to make our King more famous, but let’s never lose site of the eternal perspective.
Here’s a story that was sent to me recently. Enjoy!
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming ... like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' .Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.'"
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral, people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over, he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Fork
As we live life, people we know will come and go, and we celebrate the end of life by way of a funeral. During a funeral this week, the pastor conducting the funeral was very enlightening. One phrase in particular made sense.
When tragic deaths happen, and people’s lives on earth seem to be cut short, we tend to ask questions of God. “Why did he/she have to leave so early God?” When in fact the Christ follower meets his maker he/she says, “What took you so long to take me!” We must all remember there’s more to come, and the ultimate destination is Heaven. We all have work to do on earth to make our King more famous, but let’s never lose site of the eternal perspective.
Here’s a story that was sent to me recently. Enjoy!
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming ... like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' .Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.'"
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral, people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over, he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Meaning of Life
2-2-2010
The Meaning of Life
How often do we look to others for the meaning of life? It may be a friend, family member, co-worker, or a minister you ask. The truth is many of the people you would think to ask don’t know the answer to your question themselves. The answer to your question can only be answered by studying the creator of life.
John 3:1-21 says the following:
"1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.
10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
If you or someone you know has ever felt as if something’s missing in life, the answer can be found in the scriptures above. The creator of everything, God, desires to have a genuine relationship with you. You may have gone to church, and you may even acknowledge God exists, but nothing changes until you give your life to Jesus Christ. To give your life is to dive in head first seeking his will in your life. As your journey continues, you love of your maker will increase, thus the void in your life will decrease as he is the answer to the meaning of life!
The Meaning of Life
How often do we look to others for the meaning of life? It may be a friend, family member, co-worker, or a minister you ask. The truth is many of the people you would think to ask don’t know the answer to your question themselves. The answer to your question can only be answered by studying the creator of life.
John 3:1-21 says the following:
"1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.
10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
If you or someone you know has ever felt as if something’s missing in life, the answer can be found in the scriptures above. The creator of everything, God, desires to have a genuine relationship with you. You may have gone to church, and you may even acknowledge God exists, but nothing changes until you give your life to Jesus Christ. To give your life is to dive in head first seeking his will in your life. As your journey continues, you love of your maker will increase, thus the void in your life will decrease as he is the answer to the meaning of life!
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