I am continually amazed at the human spirit. In light of the most recent discovery of a child that had been held captive for 18 years, it's amazing to me what the human spirit will endure. We live in a broken, messed up world. We all endure a measure of the brokenness of this world. Unfortunately some must endure more that others. In fact, some endure more than most can even begin to imagine. Yet, beyond the odds...we endure and move on with life.
Or do we? I remember when my kids were small and we traveled on a plane for vacation. We travelled with tons of baggage. Thankfully then the airlines didn't charge for each and every item. You know all the items I'm speaking of: two or three suitcases, car seat, portable crib, and a backpack full of favorite toys, snacks, Benadryl, etc. If you've ever traveled with kids you know exactly what I mean. It's overwhelming at times how much stuff you have to take with you when traveling with small children. You almost need a vacation after your vacation, so that you can rest from carrying so much baggage.
I think we all tend to travel along in life like that - enduring. We carry so much baggage around. You know the baggage I'm speaking of: choices that lead to guilt and shame, cruel words that were spoken, lonely aches, vows that were broken, wasted years of addictions, Love that was never given or received, unfulfilled dreams. We live in a broken world but travel through it with all our baggage. Yes, the human spirit it very resilient...but it's also very broken. And it's in those moments of brokenness, when we're exhausted from carrying all of our baggage that God comes in with his grace. It's his grace that helps us through the brokenness of this world.
Are you tired of all your baggage? Is your heart tired of carrying all of it? Is it time to unpack those bags stop the rat race of life for a better way of life? Life breaks and falls apart, but this is exactly the places where God's grace is. Place all the brokenness of your life at Christ's feet and you'll find wholeness and healing. He takes all your baggage and replaces it with his love, acceptance and grace. He will redeem all that you see as loss, all the hurts you have, or all those lost years due to life controlling habits. Just watch and see what He can do with all of it. It will be AMAZING. You never know the miracle that God has in store for you as you walk with him and allow him to show you his grace in your broken places. You'll find your spirit soar and fly stronger than ever.
September 3, 2009
March 30, 2009
An Expression of Him
I love to be creative on the computer. I can take an idea or a picture and tweak it, crop it, add to it, or revamp it. But design something from nothing? Come up with an idea? Or even better, put a paint brush in my hand? You better give me a roller, a whole wall and one color; otherwise it may not be pretty. So when I found myself at a local pottery store with a blank plate in front of me – I became a bit anxious. My mind started racing, my hands started sweating. I had to call on all the artistic ability I had, which at this point seemed microscopic. I took a big breath and told myself, "this is only a piece of clay, I can do this!"
After several hours (and I do mean all afternoon), it was complete. My plate was done. Was it a masterpiece, a van Gogh? No, but it was mine. It came out of my creative ability. Leaving the shop that day, I was unsure what the plate would look like after it was fired. All I knew is I gave it my best and had to leave it at that.
The next week when I picked up my plate, I was amazed. It was actually pretty good. It expressed one of my favorite verses of the Bible, Jer. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." It will never get millions from an auction like a van Gogh, but it’s an expression of me.
I think we too are expressions of God. Ehphesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God skillfully crafts each of us to be expressions of himself. Why – to do good works. The works that God himself planned for us to do. It’s through good works for others that we are expressions of God.
How can you express yourself today, tomorrow or in the weeks ahead through good works that other will be able to see God? Let’s ask God to give us opportunities to be His expression to a world needing to see who He really is.
After several hours (and I do mean all afternoon), it was complete. My plate was done. Was it a masterpiece, a van Gogh? No, but it was mine. It came out of my creative ability. Leaving the shop that day, I was unsure what the plate would look like after it was fired. All I knew is I gave it my best and had to leave it at that.
The next week when I picked up my plate, I was amazed. It was actually pretty good. It expressed one of my favorite verses of the Bible, Jer. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." It will never get millions from an auction like a van Gogh, but it’s an expression of me.
I think we too are expressions of God. Ehphesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God skillfully crafts each of us to be expressions of himself. Why – to do good works. The works that God himself planned for us to do. It’s through good works for others that we are expressions of God.
How can you express yourself today, tomorrow or in the weeks ahead through good works that other will be able to see God? Let’s ask God to give us opportunities to be His expression to a world needing to see who He really is.
Worst of All Bad Days - But Why?
Have you ever had one of those days you wished you hadn’t gotten out of bed? Job had one of those days. In fact, in one day, Job was stripped of his future both financially and literally. One after another, four of his hired hands reported that 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys, and 3,000 camels were stolen in enemy raids; 7,000 sheep were struck by lightning and killed; and all ten of his children were killed in a tornado. If the same thing happened to you, what do you think you would do? Job fell to the ground and ripped his clothes off.
Job knew what had happened – he’d just lost everything he held dear to him, but he did not know why it had happened, and isn’t that what it’s all about. So many times there are events and happenings in our lives for which we have no explanation. How would these events make you feel about God? God gives us a picture into Job’s life as to "WHY" of his tragedies in the first chapter of Job. Unfortunately, we don’t have that same window into heaven when unfair things happen in our lives.
One important truth that emerges from the account of Job’s life, is that God is sovereign in all things. "The Almighty" is one of the key names for God in Job; it’s used thirty-one times. The whole book of Job reminds us that, no matter what happens in this world and in our lives, God is on the throne and has everything under control. We may not know until we get to heaven why God allowed certain things to happen. Until then, we walk by faith and say with Job, "May the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21) because, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth" (Job 19:25).
Job knew what had happened – he’d just lost everything he held dear to him, but he did not know why it had happened, and isn’t that what it’s all about. So many times there are events and happenings in our lives for which we have no explanation. How would these events make you feel about God? God gives us a picture into Job’s life as to "WHY" of his tragedies in the first chapter of Job. Unfortunately, we don’t have that same window into heaven when unfair things happen in our lives.
One important truth that emerges from the account of Job’s life, is that God is sovereign in all things. "The Almighty" is one of the key names for God in Job; it’s used thirty-one times. The whole book of Job reminds us that, no matter what happens in this world and in our lives, God is on the throne and has everything under control. We may not know until we get to heaven why God allowed certain things to happen. Until then, we walk by faith and say with Job, "May the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21) because, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth" (Job 19:25).
Your Kids' Daily Bible Reading
This morning I couldn’t help but think of the new challenges and exciting adventures both my kids will be faced with as the last several weeks of another year of school approach. With the end of the year comes, standardized tests, concerts, field trips, and finals, and as both of them left, I sensed their heightened level of anxiety.
I remember those days of going to school or being in the 'freshman' class- wondering if I’d get to the next class before the bell rang; hoping that it doesn’t take me more than a couple of times to get my combination lock open on my locker; scared to go to lunch since I had no idea who I would sit with. School is not what it used to be, the pressures are even greater. So when I saw that tinge of anxiety in both their faces as they left for the bus stop - I stopped and said a prayer for them. I want to be sure that they faced the day, and the challenges that it held, within the context of their relationship with Christ.
I consider it within my ‘job description’ as their parent to help them to understand how to live out their faith. One way to do this is by living out mine in front of them. When I demonstrate to them that God cares enough to hear them when they’re worried, maybe the next time, they’ll be the ones saying, "We need to pray about that." Wouldn’t we all love to hear that from our kids? Helping my kids bring their relationship with Christ into every area of their lives is such a high calling.
Paul said it in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT) "And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ's." I hope you are setting the same example to your children, no matter their age. After all, you just may be the only Bible they’re reading every day.
I remember those days of going to school or being in the 'freshman' class- wondering if I’d get to the next class before the bell rang; hoping that it doesn’t take me more than a couple of times to get my combination lock open on my locker; scared to go to lunch since I had no idea who I would sit with. School is not what it used to be, the pressures are even greater. So when I saw that tinge of anxiety in both their faces as they left for the bus stop - I stopped and said a prayer for them. I want to be sure that they faced the day, and the challenges that it held, within the context of their relationship with Christ.
I consider it within my ‘job description’ as their parent to help them to understand how to live out their faith. One way to do this is by living out mine in front of them. When I demonstrate to them that God cares enough to hear them when they’re worried, maybe the next time, they’ll be the ones saying, "We need to pray about that." Wouldn’t we all love to hear that from our kids? Helping my kids bring their relationship with Christ into every area of their lives is such a high calling.
Paul said it in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT) "And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ's." I hope you are setting the same example to your children, no matter their age. After all, you just may be the only Bible they’re reading every day.
Tame A Tiger or A Tongue?
Mix a trampoline and two boys, what do you get? Correct – an accident. That’s exactly what happened a few months ago to my two sons, Kyle and Sean. Sean’s head met up with one of Kyle’s front teeth. You’re probably already running the scenario in your head of what happened next. As expected, Kyle’s tooth broke on impact and Sean’s head received a good sized cut. And we spent the evening in the ER.
The process in the ER is a story in and of itself - one I won't get into. What was interesting was the fact that Sean had to take antibiotics because the cut was exposed to his brother’s mouth. In fact, Kyles tooth was lodged in Sean’s scalp. Over and over the Dr.s and nurses stated how horribly dirty and full of bacteria the human mouth is.
The power of our mouth or tongue is one of the greatest powers God has given us. With the tongue, we can praise God, pray, speak His Word, and lead the lost to Christ. What a privilege! But with that same tongue we can tell lies that could ruin a person's reputation or break a person's heart. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," warned Solomon (Prov. 18:21). The ability to speak words is the ability to influence others and accomplish tremendous tasks; and yet we take this ability for granted.
Let’s not underestimate the power of our words. A simple word of encouragement, instead of a slamming remark; a polite please or thank you with a smile could change someone’s whole day. An "I love you" when someone least expects it could be a moment they might never forget. Knowing the amount of spiritual bacteria I have in my mouth, I decided to mentally find at least three things to appreciate about the people I come in contact with; and to verbalize one of those things to the person. That’s hard. It’s easier for me to make a snide remark to get a laugh.
As James says, "This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer (James 3:7-8). Let’s not take for granted this gift of words that we have. This week think about how you can give life to those around you with your words, instead of spreading bacteria.
The process in the ER is a story in and of itself - one I won't get into. What was interesting was the fact that Sean had to take antibiotics because the cut was exposed to his brother’s mouth. In fact, Kyles tooth was lodged in Sean’s scalp. Over and over the Dr.s and nurses stated how horribly dirty and full of bacteria the human mouth is.
The power of our mouth or tongue is one of the greatest powers God has given us. With the tongue, we can praise God, pray, speak His Word, and lead the lost to Christ. What a privilege! But with that same tongue we can tell lies that could ruin a person's reputation or break a person's heart. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," warned Solomon (Prov. 18:21). The ability to speak words is the ability to influence others and accomplish tremendous tasks; and yet we take this ability for granted.
Let’s not underestimate the power of our words. A simple word of encouragement, instead of a slamming remark; a polite please or thank you with a smile could change someone’s whole day. An "I love you" when someone least expects it could be a moment they might never forget. Knowing the amount of spiritual bacteria I have in my mouth, I decided to mentally find at least three things to appreciate about the people I come in contact with; and to verbalize one of those things to the person. That’s hard. It’s easier for me to make a snide remark to get a laugh.
As James says, "This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer (James 3:7-8). Let’s not take for granted this gift of words that we have. This week think about how you can give life to those around you with your words, instead of spreading bacteria.
Seing Others Through Eyes of Hope
Last summer I had the opportunity to see "Noah – The Musical" in Branson, MO. It was very good, and worth seeing if you have a chance. From the beginning of the musical, they describe it as a ‘Fictional portrayal of a Factual Event.’ All that means is that they took artistic liberties in telling the story.
One theme throughout the play was that Noah was constantly telling everyone that he came across all about what God was going to do. But he never stopped there. He always went on to invite them into the ark. He always gave them the opportunity to be saved. He always wanted to give them hope. Even as he and his immediate family, extended family and friends worked together to build the ark, he continued to offer them entrance into the ark.
Initially Noah had many of his extended family and friends helping him build the ark. Eventually Noah and his immediate family watched as each of their family members and friends were drawn away from the work on the ark to ‘better things worth their time and effort’. This was their family. These were their best friends. Yet they chose not to enter the ark, though Noah never stopped offering it to them.
Can you believe it? He never stopped offering hope- and he did this for over 100 years! Can you imagine the number of people who came to gawk at the ark being built on dry land, far from water? Can you imagine how many people he offered hope to? Why did he never stop? The answer is that he didn’t see the people as God described them – ‘people with corrupt ways.’ He saw them through eyes of hope. The same hope that he had received from God. If God could give him salvation and hope, surely He would give it to others.
I was personally challenged by that. I have what Noah had. God has given me salvation and hope. Just as Noah never stopped offering hope of salvation…so I should never stop offering it to those I cross paths with. I may not have to do it over 100 years – but that’s not the point. I need to talk every opportunity now. So when I hesitate to share with someone…I can’t think about how they may react, but focus on the hope that I’ve been given to share.
The hope that I share may just be a helping hand. It may be a smile or a word of encouragement to someone who’s having a rough day. Or it may be an opportunity to share with them how God really is working in their circumstances or situation. No matter what the opportunity, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I must take those opportunities to offer hope and salvation.
I wish all of you would get the opportunity to see "Noah – the Musical." But even if you don’t, I suggest you read more about Noah in Genesis 6. Let God inspire you through Noah, to share the hope and salvation that we’ve been given.
One theme throughout the play was that Noah was constantly telling everyone that he came across all about what God was going to do. But he never stopped there. He always went on to invite them into the ark. He always gave them the opportunity to be saved. He always wanted to give them hope. Even as he and his immediate family, extended family and friends worked together to build the ark, he continued to offer them entrance into the ark.
Initially Noah had many of his extended family and friends helping him build the ark. Eventually Noah and his immediate family watched as each of their family members and friends were drawn away from the work on the ark to ‘better things worth their time and effort’. This was their family. These were their best friends. Yet they chose not to enter the ark, though Noah never stopped offering it to them.
Can you believe it? He never stopped offering hope- and he did this for over 100 years! Can you imagine the number of people who came to gawk at the ark being built on dry land, far from water? Can you imagine how many people he offered hope to? Why did he never stop? The answer is that he didn’t see the people as God described them – ‘people with corrupt ways.’ He saw them through eyes of hope. The same hope that he had received from God. If God could give him salvation and hope, surely He would give it to others.
I was personally challenged by that. I have what Noah had. God has given me salvation and hope. Just as Noah never stopped offering hope of salvation…so I should never stop offering it to those I cross paths with. I may not have to do it over 100 years – but that’s not the point. I need to talk every opportunity now. So when I hesitate to share with someone…I can’t think about how they may react, but focus on the hope that I’ve been given to share.
The hope that I share may just be a helping hand. It may be a smile or a word of encouragement to someone who’s having a rough day. Or it may be an opportunity to share with them how God really is working in their circumstances or situation. No matter what the opportunity, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I must take those opportunities to offer hope and salvation.
I wish all of you would get the opportunity to see "Noah – the Musical." But even if you don’t, I suggest you read more about Noah in Genesis 6. Let God inspire you through Noah, to share the hope and salvation that we’ve been given.
Mirror, Mirror in His Word
Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if the mirror was never invented? I can hear all of you ladies out there screaming in freight. But think about it. The main purpose for looking into it is to be able to see yourself and make yourself look as clean and neat as possible. When I finish in a public restroom, I wash my hands but usually never look very intently into the mirror. I admit, it’s a personal issue for me. I’m not usually at all pleased with what I see. Are you happy with what you see in the mirror? More importantly, are you happy with what you see when you look into the mirror of God's Word? Or do you do like I do in public mirrors and not look very closely. In the book of James, He mentions several mistakes people make as they look into God's mirror.
The second mistake is that we forget what we see. Are you shocked at times at the image you see in the morning; as if you’ve forgotten just how messy you look first thing? If we were looking deeply enough into our hearts through his word, I’m not sure it would be so unforgettable.
Mistake number three is: we fail to obey what the Word tells us to do. We think that hearing is the same as doing, and it’s not. At times we enjoy substituting reading His word for doing it, or even talking for doing. We can talk all we want about how we look, but until we act on what we know - what good is it to us?
If we are to use God's mirror profitably, then we must look into it carefully and with heart-felt intent. No quick glances will do. We must examine our own hearts and lives in the light of God's Word. This requires time, attention, and devotion. How might you need to restructure your devotional times in order to look more intently into the mirror of God's Word? Five minutes with God each day will never accomplish a deep spiritual examination, though it’s a great place to start if you have yet to.
First, we merely glance at ourselves. Like me in a public mirror, we don’t carefully study ourselves as we read the Word. As followers of Christ too often we read a chapter of the Bible each day, but it is only a religious exercise and we fail to internalize it - see how it might impact our daily lives. Our conscience bothers us if we don’t have our daily reading time, when actually our conscience should bother us because we read the word carelessly.James 1:22-25 (MSG)
Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
The second mistake is that we forget what we see. Are you shocked at times at the image you see in the morning; as if you’ve forgotten just how messy you look first thing? If we were looking deeply enough into our hearts through his word, I’m not sure it would be so unforgettable.
Mistake number three is: we fail to obey what the Word tells us to do. We think that hearing is the same as doing, and it’s not. At times we enjoy substituting reading His word for doing it, or even talking for doing. We can talk all we want about how we look, but until we act on what we know - what good is it to us?
If we are to use God's mirror profitably, then we must look into it carefully and with heart-felt intent. No quick glances will do. We must examine our own hearts and lives in the light of God's Word. This requires time, attention, and devotion. How might you need to restructure your devotional times in order to look more intently into the mirror of God's Word? Five minutes with God each day will never accomplish a deep spiritual examination, though it’s a great place to start if you have yet to.
March 29, 2009
From Show and Tell to Stop and Listen
I always loved Show and Tell when I was a kid. To this day, I remember one Show and Tell in 1st grade when I took a ‘mini’ bottle that my grandmother had received on a plane flight. I filled it with water and (with the lid off) could turn it upside down and the water would not come out. What I thought was the most revolutionary thing since sliced bread; was needless to say, less than exciting to my fellow classmates. I often get that same reaction when I try to share with others how exciting it is to follow Christ. But, once again, others seem less than exited to hear about it. Why? One reason is that we live in a post-Christian Society. Most people are initially turned off or at least ambivalent when you share Christ with them. For me, it’s show and tell all over again.
Recently I heard a quote by Leonard Sweet: “It’s not time for Show and Tell it’s time for Stop and Listen.” In the past we’ve all be taught to share our story when we attempt to witness to others who may not know Jesus. And I think there are times and places were that’s true and it works to bring others closer to a relationship with Christ. However, I think we’re missing it. Or at least I know I’ve been missing it. Instead of connecting people to ‘Our Story’ we need to connect them to “Jesus’ Story.” We need to stop and listen to them and learn to draw out of them their story and what God is doing in their lives.
Before I knew Christ, He was working in my life, there were signs of his hand all over my life. I just didn’t recognize it. It wasn’t until I came to know Him that I could look back and see all the signs of his workings. We don’t need to take Jesus to others, He’s already there in their lives. All we need to do is point Him out to them. We need to point out to them the signs of His workings in their life. Jesus so often shows up in our lives as interruptions, sickness, weakness, unique circumstances that we may not understand. Helping someone understand that the situations in their life is really God trying to get their attention will be much more appealing to them than me telling them about God in my life.
So, next time when you’re worried about how to ‘Show and Tell’ Jesus to others, instead Stop and Listen. Think about:
1. How can I draw out of them their story?
2. How can I discern Jesus’ workings in their life?
3. How can I connect them to Jesus’ story instead of mine?
Recently I heard a quote by Leonard Sweet: “It’s not time for Show and Tell it’s time for Stop and Listen.” In the past we’ve all be taught to share our story when we attempt to witness to others who may not know Jesus. And I think there are times and places were that’s true and it works to bring others closer to a relationship with Christ. However, I think we’re missing it. Or at least I know I’ve been missing it. Instead of connecting people to ‘Our Story’ we need to connect them to “Jesus’ Story.” We need to stop and listen to them and learn to draw out of them their story and what God is doing in their lives.
Before I knew Christ, He was working in my life, there were signs of his hand all over my life. I just didn’t recognize it. It wasn’t until I came to know Him that I could look back and see all the signs of his workings. We don’t need to take Jesus to others, He’s already there in their lives. All we need to do is point Him out to them. We need to point out to them the signs of His workings in their life. Jesus so often shows up in our lives as interruptions, sickness, weakness, unique circumstances that we may not understand. Helping someone understand that the situations in their life is really God trying to get their attention will be much more appealing to them than me telling them about God in my life.
So, next time when you’re worried about how to ‘Show and Tell’ Jesus to others, instead Stop and Listen. Think about:
1. How can I draw out of them their story?
2. How can I discern Jesus’ workings in their life?
3. How can I connect them to Jesus’ story instead of mine?
March 27, 2009
Getting In Stride With God
Since last September, I’ve been getting together with several others each Saturday at local parks. Most of us walk, but some have strapped on their Rollerblades, while others take the opportunity to bring their dogs. I enjoy getting outside, breathing that fresh crisp morning air, and getting my blood flowing. I also enjoy getting to know the others that gather each week.
Have you ever gone for a walk with someone and immediately you’re out paced? You struggle to keep up, your body begins to scream in pain and you gasp for more oxygen? I’ve been there...in fact, I’m still there, at least with my group on Saturdays. Since the first time we met, I’ve been the one to ‘bring up the rear.’ I’m not in great shape and know it. I’ve struggled to keep pace with the others. But with a sweaty brow and painfully weak leg muscles, I do my best. As I said, I really enjoy getting to know the others that gather with me to walk, but there are moments when my need for oxygen, far outweighs my desire to converse. Thankfully I’m with a group of people that give me much grace and understanding. They’ve kept my pace at times, instead of the pace (that’s much faster) they would likely prefer.
But what about with your ‘walk’ with God? Do you find yourself struggling to keep pace with God? It’s difficult to get into stride with God. We tend to find He’s out paced us before we can take three steps. He has a different ways of doing things, and a different way of seeing things. It’s only through spending time with Him, during our prayer and devotional time, that we can be ‘trained and disciplined’ into His stride. It’s through our ever-deepening relationship with Christ that we begin to take on His characteristics. And it’s then that we fine ourselves getting that ‘second wind.’ It’s then that, the we begin to manifest His characteristics in our lives. Our character, values, desires, hope, dreams, will and agendas are lost sight of and are tailored into His character, values, desires, hope, dreams, will and agendas. It’s within this personal union with God that we can achieve the ability to keep in stride with Him so that the power of God alone can be manifested in our everyday lives.
Are your ‘spiritual legs’ screaming in pain because you’re trying to keep up with God but can’t seem to? Instead of thinking of the time you spend praying or do your devotions as a ‘have to’ thing; think of it as a time to exercise your ‘spiritual legs.’ Start out with 5 or 15 minute ‘walks’ with God. As you are faithful with that, increase it to 20-40 minute ‘walks’. Eventually, you’ll find that you’re not even keeping track of the time your ’walking’ with Him - you’re getting into stride with God. That’s when you’ve hit that ‘second wind’ and He’s the one being manifested through you.
Have you ever gone for a walk with someone and immediately you’re out paced? You struggle to keep up, your body begins to scream in pain and you gasp for more oxygen? I’ve been there...in fact, I’m still there, at least with my group on Saturdays. Since the first time we met, I’ve been the one to ‘bring up the rear.’ I’m not in great shape and know it. I’ve struggled to keep pace with the others. But with a sweaty brow and painfully weak leg muscles, I do my best. As I said, I really enjoy getting to know the others that gather with me to walk, but there are moments when my need for oxygen, far outweighs my desire to converse. Thankfully I’m with a group of people that give me much grace and understanding. They’ve kept my pace at times, instead of the pace (that’s much faster) they would likely prefer.
But what about with your ‘walk’ with God? Do you find yourself struggling to keep pace with God? It’s difficult to get into stride with God. We tend to find He’s out paced us before we can take three steps. He has a different ways of doing things, and a different way of seeing things. It’s only through spending time with Him, during our prayer and devotional time, that we can be ‘trained and disciplined’ into His stride. It’s through our ever-deepening relationship with Christ that we begin to take on His characteristics. And it’s then that we fine ourselves getting that ‘second wind.’ It’s then that, the we begin to manifest His characteristics in our lives. Our character, values, desires, hope, dreams, will and agendas are lost sight of and are tailored into His character, values, desires, hope, dreams, will and agendas. It’s within this personal union with God that we can achieve the ability to keep in stride with Him so that the power of God alone can be manifested in our everyday lives.
Are your ‘spiritual legs’ screaming in pain because you’re trying to keep up with God but can’t seem to? Instead of thinking of the time you spend praying or do your devotions as a ‘have to’ thing; think of it as a time to exercise your ‘spiritual legs.’ Start out with 5 or 15 minute ‘walks’ with God. As you are faithful with that, increase it to 20-40 minute ‘walks’. Eventually, you’ll find that you’re not even keeping track of the time your ’walking’ with Him - you’re getting into stride with God. That’s when you’ve hit that ‘second wind’ and He’s the one being manifested through you.
Valuing the Valuable
What our attitudes toward the lost say about what we value
On a recent trip to the mall, I watched as a young man dropped a nickel while walking through the mall. When I pointed out to him, he wasn’t interested in it and walked away. So I put it in my pocket. The nickel wasn’t worth his effort. He saw it as dispensable.
Shortly after that I found myself walking past a quarter that had been lying on a step in my house for a few days. The thought occurred to me, “Why didn’t I pick that quarter up sooner?” My answer was, ‘I guess I didn’t see it as valuable enough to take the time or make the effort to pick it up.’ It was then I remembered the incident in the mall just days earlier.
In the busyness of our lives, we often look at the lost as I did that quarter- not valuable enough to take the time or make the effort to reach. In other words valuing other things above the lost. Jonah in the Old Testament had the same issue. He was more concerned about the death of the plant that gave him shade than the death of the 125,000 in the city of Nineveh. Jonah didn’t possess the plant, didn’t work to grow it or cultivate it. Yet, its death caused him to be angry enough to want to die. Jonah was willing to die for a plant but not the lost souls of Nineveh - after all they were ‘the enemy’. We are all like Jonah. All of us at one time or another value our own comfort level over the salvation of the lost. We refuse to get out of our comfort zones and sacrifice our time effort or resource.
Jonah wasn’t the only one that had issues with valuing the correct things. The Pharisees were constantly valuing themselves above everything else. They were more concerned about themselves and not breaking the law than they were breaking the heart of God with their callous attitude. In Luke 15 the Pharisees valued themselves over the publicans and sinners. They found no value in anyone else other than themselves. It angered them that Christ continuously spent time with those who the Pharisees thought had no value. We give time to what we value, and Christ was no different. He obviously valued the lost, since that’s where he spent a large portion of his time and efforts.
Further on in Luke 15, Christ attempts to teach that value of the lost over:
· those already in the fold in the parable of the lost sheep
· those already found in the parable of the lost coin
· those who are already working for the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
In each of the parables Christ attempts to teach those who will listen the fact that above all else, the lost are of greatest importance.
So, how do we refocus our attitude to be like Christ’s - to value what he values - the lost?
1. We must see our own dependence on Christ.
2. We must meet them on their level of Spiritual interest.
3. We must see their relationship with Christ as not only possible but necessary.
4. We must see Christ’s heart for seeking and saving that which is lost and pray that our heart be change to be like His.
5. We must be willing to abandon own agendas and excuses and intentionally seek to find those who are far from Christ and include them in our lives.
In order to have a desire to be the witness God has called us to be, we must see the lost as God sees them - as more valuable then things or even ourselves. We must see His relationship with them and their relationship with him - not only possible but as valuable. We must value them as God values them, and celebrate with them when they come back to Him.
On a recent trip to the mall, I watched as a young man dropped a nickel while walking through the mall. When I pointed out to him, he wasn’t interested in it and walked away. So I put it in my pocket. The nickel wasn’t worth his effort. He saw it as dispensable.
Shortly after that I found myself walking past a quarter that had been lying on a step in my house for a few days. The thought occurred to me, “Why didn’t I pick that quarter up sooner?” My answer was, ‘I guess I didn’t see it as valuable enough to take the time or make the effort to pick it up.’ It was then I remembered the incident in the mall just days earlier.
In the busyness of our lives, we often look at the lost as I did that quarter- not valuable enough to take the time or make the effort to reach. In other words valuing other things above the lost. Jonah in the Old Testament had the same issue. He was more concerned about the death of the plant that gave him shade than the death of the 125,000 in the city of Nineveh. Jonah didn’t possess the plant, didn’t work to grow it or cultivate it. Yet, its death caused him to be angry enough to want to die. Jonah was willing to die for a plant but not the lost souls of Nineveh - after all they were ‘the enemy’. We are all like Jonah. All of us at one time or another value our own comfort level over the salvation of the lost. We refuse to get out of our comfort zones and sacrifice our time effort or resource.
Jonah wasn’t the only one that had issues with valuing the correct things. The Pharisees were constantly valuing themselves above everything else. They were more concerned about themselves and not breaking the law than they were breaking the heart of God with their callous attitude. In Luke 15 the Pharisees valued themselves over the publicans and sinners. They found no value in anyone else other than themselves. It angered them that Christ continuously spent time with those who the Pharisees thought had no value. We give time to what we value, and Christ was no different. He obviously valued the lost, since that’s where he spent a large portion of his time and efforts.
Further on in Luke 15, Christ attempts to teach that value of the lost over:
· those already in the fold in the parable of the lost sheep
· those already found in the parable of the lost coin
· those who are already working for the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
In each of the parables Christ attempts to teach those who will listen the fact that above all else, the lost are of greatest importance.
So, how do we refocus our attitude to be like Christ’s - to value what he values - the lost?
1. We must see our own dependence on Christ.
2. We must meet them on their level of Spiritual interest.
3. We must see their relationship with Christ as not only possible but necessary.
4. We must see Christ’s heart for seeking and saving that which is lost and pray that our heart be change to be like His.
5. We must be willing to abandon own agendas and excuses and intentionally seek to find those who are far from Christ and include them in our lives.
In order to have a desire to be the witness God has called us to be, we must see the lost as God sees them - as more valuable then things or even ourselves. We must see His relationship with them and their relationship with him - not only possible but as valuable. We must value them as God values them, and celebrate with them when they come back to Him.
March 5, 2009
Let Me Encourage You
Throughout the Bible there are examples of Encouragers – people who came ‘along side’ others to lift them up. That’s what encouragement means, to come along side, literally "to put courage in". We all love to be around encouragers. One man in particular in the New Testament is not well known, but one of the greatest examples of an Encourager. His parents named him Joseph. But the Joseph had such powerful influence on the leaders of the New Testament Church that they renamed him Barnabas – ‘Son of Encouragement’. In short, he was a man who believed in the potential of people – particularly those whom others were cautious or suspicious of.
So how do we become an Encourager – a Barnabite? Allow me to suggest a couple of things:
1. Affirm the potential in others.
"Because of you the LORD became angry with me also and said, ‘‘You shall not enter it, either. But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it" Deuteronomy 1:37,38
Moses had been telling the Israelite community that because of their stubbornness and rebellion and faithlessness that none of the older generation would enter the Promised Land. He told them that they would all die in the desert and even he wouldn’t make it into the Promised Land. However young Joshua was to be a different story. The Israelites were to recognize the hand of the Lord on Joshua, to affirm the Lord’s call or mantle on Joshua. They were to put courage into him to lead them into the Promised Land by speaking into him words of courage and strength and support. Joshua would be energized by the words that people spoke to him - affirming the capabilities they saw that God had given to him. That is a task that "Barnabites" fulfill. Extraordinary things are achieved by ordinary people who are supported by extraordinary people who have spoken affirming words of courage and inspiration into them. Believing what people can become brings about a greater rippling effect that none of us could even begin to imagine.
2. Allow people to grow.
A Barnabas encourager expects people to grow and mature and even exceed their own mentors as God continues to work on them. The relationship that Barnabas had with Paul the Apostle is a perfect illustration. Paul struggled initially for acceptance with the other Christian leaders who where suspicious of him due to his past. It was Barnabas who saw Paul’s potential, took a risk, and was willing to give him a go. It was then that Barnabas mentored Paul and worked with God to equip Paul for the call that God had on his life. Then the Holy Spirit called and consecrated both Barnabas and Paul to an intenerate ministry as missionaries.
Within the culture of the day, the leader of the team was always listed first, i.e. ‘Barnabas and Paul’. Barnabas was the leader and Paul was the apprentice. Yet, later in the book of Acts we read about ‘Paul and Barnabas’ rather than ‘Barnabas and Paul’. At some point in their ministry together - Paul assumed the more prominent leadership role. The implication is that Barnabas willingly exchanged being the mentor or coach to Paul and instead became his number two. The leader allowed the prodigy to grow and mature and even then assume the more prominent leadership role.
The Church will never have a shortage of people who want to be its Pauls (leaders), but who will be its Barnabas (encouragers)? Who will come along side and pour courage into its Pauls so that they can become all that God has called them to be? Let me Encourage you – Be a Barnabas to someone. Allow God to use you to be an encourager in someone’s life!
So how do we become an Encourager – a Barnabite? Allow me to suggest a couple of things:
1. Affirm the potential in others.
"Because of you the LORD became angry with me also and said, ‘‘You shall not enter it, either. But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it" Deuteronomy 1:37,38
Moses had been telling the Israelite community that because of their stubbornness and rebellion and faithlessness that none of the older generation would enter the Promised Land. He told them that they would all die in the desert and even he wouldn’t make it into the Promised Land. However young Joshua was to be a different story. The Israelites were to recognize the hand of the Lord on Joshua, to affirm the Lord’s call or mantle on Joshua. They were to put courage into him to lead them into the Promised Land by speaking into him words of courage and strength and support. Joshua would be energized by the words that people spoke to him - affirming the capabilities they saw that God had given to him. That is a task that "Barnabites" fulfill. Extraordinary things are achieved by ordinary people who are supported by extraordinary people who have spoken affirming words of courage and inspiration into them. Believing what people can become brings about a greater rippling effect that none of us could even begin to imagine.
2. Allow people to grow.
A Barnabas encourager expects people to grow and mature and even exceed their own mentors as God continues to work on them. The relationship that Barnabas had with Paul the Apostle is a perfect illustration. Paul struggled initially for acceptance with the other Christian leaders who where suspicious of him due to his past. It was Barnabas who saw Paul’s potential, took a risk, and was willing to give him a go. It was then that Barnabas mentored Paul and worked with God to equip Paul for the call that God had on his life. Then the Holy Spirit called and consecrated both Barnabas and Paul to an intenerate ministry as missionaries.
Within the culture of the day, the leader of the team was always listed first, i.e. ‘Barnabas and Paul’. Barnabas was the leader and Paul was the apprentice. Yet, later in the book of Acts we read about ‘Paul and Barnabas’ rather than ‘Barnabas and Paul’. At some point in their ministry together - Paul assumed the more prominent leadership role. The implication is that Barnabas willingly exchanged being the mentor or coach to Paul and instead became his number two. The leader allowed the prodigy to grow and mature and even then assume the more prominent leadership role.
The Church will never have a shortage of people who want to be its Pauls (leaders), but who will be its Barnabas (encouragers)? Who will come along side and pour courage into its Pauls so that they can become all that God has called them to be? Let me Encourage you – Be a Barnabas to someone. Allow God to use you to be an encourager in someone’s life!
The Marks of True Friendship
Love: As with all relationships, Love is the basis on which true friendship must be built. After all, only love will endure the tests that friends experience as we do life together. The Book of Proverbs states, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (17:17). Isn’t it funny how we can have many acquaintances, but few true friends, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24). Friendship is something that has to be cultivated, and its roots must go deep, just as a tree’s roots go deep allowing it to weather the storms. Love must be the soil that the friendship is planted in for the roots to grow deep.
Loyalty: When we cultivate our friendships and relationships with love it will produce loyalty. Sometimes our friends do more for us in an emergency than our own relatives do! David had a loyal friend in Jonathan. In I Sam 19:1-5, Jonathan pleads with his father, Saul, to not kill David. Why did Jonathan plead for the life of his friend...because of his love and loyalty to him. Jonathan and David were a shining example of loving, loyal friends.
Keep a Confidence: "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret" (Prov. 11:13, niv). If we aren't careful, gossip can ruin a friendship. No one wants to hear their private discussions spoken out of the mouths of others. When we gossip we usually don’t share the best qualities of the other person, right? So, when we find ourselves wanting to point those things out in others, the wise thing to do is to cover the offenses with love (Prov. 17:9; 1 Peter 4:8).
Controlling the Tongue: James calls the tongue, “A restless evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:8). But if controlled, can be a tool for God to use to praise him and encourage others. Remember that "a man of understanding holds his tongue" (Prov. 11:12, niv). Yet, we all get ourselves in trouble now and then and speak things we wish we could have grabbed right out of the air as they came out of our mouths. So, if you happen to be a recipient of someone who speaks wrongly of you, talk to them about it privately. Don’t try to take matters in our own hands to get back or get revenge. (Prov. 24:28-29; Prov. 25:18).
Tough Love: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Prov. 27:6). True friendship or any relationship for that matter, can't be built on deception. Even if "the truth hurts," it can be nothing but healing in the long run - if it's given in love. It’s only in the presence of Truth that the Spirit can use truth combined with love to build character. Satan on the other hand uses lies and flattery to tear things down (Prov. 29:5). "He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue" (Prov. 28:23). It has well been said that flattery is manipulation, not communication. I don’t know anyone who wants to be manipulated. But there are tons of people all around us that need a faithful friend that will speak truth in love.
Forgiveness: We must never take our friends for granted and think that they will immediately forgive our offenses, even though forgiveness is the right thing to do. "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle" (Prov. 18:19). The reality is that some followers of Christ will forgive offenses from unbelievers that they would never forgive if a fellow believer committed them. Matthew 18:15-17 gives us the steps to take when such things happen, and our Jesus warns us that an unforgiving spirit only puts us into prison (Matthew 18:30)! Think about it...the other person may not even know that they offended you, but you’re miserable (sitting in Jail) because you won’t forgive them.
Counsel and Encourage: “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." (Prov. 27:9, NLT). We’ve all been there. Confused, not knowing which way to go, or what the answer is to a complex situation. Then a close friend offers a much needed outside perspective on the situation. How refreshing it is when the confusion clears. Almost like the freshness of a Spring morning - can’t you smell the fresh breeze and flowers even now? The images of oil and perfume are fine when the discussion is pleasant, but what's it like when friends disagree? "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend" (Prov. 27:17). We’re never all going to agree. I don’t thing God expects us to agree 100% of the time. So when we don’t see eye to eye...take the opportunity to step back, ask God about the situation and allow yourself and your friend to discuss it calmly, maybe with a third person, or neutral person. Done right, we can all come out better in the long run, and usually with a better understanding of one another.
A happy family, encouraging friends, and good neighbors: Let's be sure we do our part to make these blessings a reality in our lives and the lives of others. Ask yourself this week: What can I do to be a better friend, co-worker, neighbor, husband, wife, etc.?
Loyalty: When we cultivate our friendships and relationships with love it will produce loyalty. Sometimes our friends do more for us in an emergency than our own relatives do! David had a loyal friend in Jonathan. In I Sam 19:1-5, Jonathan pleads with his father, Saul, to not kill David. Why did Jonathan plead for the life of his friend...because of his love and loyalty to him. Jonathan and David were a shining example of loving, loyal friends.
Keep a Confidence: "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret" (Prov. 11:13, niv). If we aren't careful, gossip can ruin a friendship. No one wants to hear their private discussions spoken out of the mouths of others. When we gossip we usually don’t share the best qualities of the other person, right? So, when we find ourselves wanting to point those things out in others, the wise thing to do is to cover the offenses with love (Prov. 17:9; 1 Peter 4:8).
Controlling the Tongue: James calls the tongue, “A restless evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:8). But if controlled, can be a tool for God to use to praise him and encourage others. Remember that "a man of understanding holds his tongue" (Prov. 11:12, niv). Yet, we all get ourselves in trouble now and then and speak things we wish we could have grabbed right out of the air as they came out of our mouths. So, if you happen to be a recipient of someone who speaks wrongly of you, talk to them about it privately. Don’t try to take matters in our own hands to get back or get revenge. (Prov. 24:28-29; Prov. 25:18).
Tough Love: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Prov. 27:6). True friendship or any relationship for that matter, can't be built on deception. Even if "the truth hurts," it can be nothing but healing in the long run - if it's given in love. It’s only in the presence of Truth that the Spirit can use truth combined with love to build character. Satan on the other hand uses lies and flattery to tear things down (Prov. 29:5). "He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue" (Prov. 28:23). It has well been said that flattery is manipulation, not communication. I don’t know anyone who wants to be manipulated. But there are tons of people all around us that need a faithful friend that will speak truth in love.
Forgiveness: We must never take our friends for granted and think that they will immediately forgive our offenses, even though forgiveness is the right thing to do. "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle" (Prov. 18:19). The reality is that some followers of Christ will forgive offenses from unbelievers that they would never forgive if a fellow believer committed them. Matthew 18:15-17 gives us the steps to take when such things happen, and our Jesus warns us that an unforgiving spirit only puts us into prison (Matthew 18:30)! Think about it...the other person may not even know that they offended you, but you’re miserable (sitting in Jail) because you won’t forgive them.
Counsel and Encourage: “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." (Prov. 27:9, NLT). We’ve all been there. Confused, not knowing which way to go, or what the answer is to a complex situation. Then a close friend offers a much needed outside perspective on the situation. How refreshing it is when the confusion clears. Almost like the freshness of a Spring morning - can’t you smell the fresh breeze and flowers even now? The images of oil and perfume are fine when the discussion is pleasant, but what's it like when friends disagree? "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend" (Prov. 27:17). We’re never all going to agree. I don’t thing God expects us to agree 100% of the time. So when we don’t see eye to eye...take the opportunity to step back, ask God about the situation and allow yourself and your friend to discuss it calmly, maybe with a third person, or neutral person. Done right, we can all come out better in the long run, and usually with a better understanding of one another.
A happy family, encouraging friends, and good neighbors: Let's be sure we do our part to make these blessings a reality in our lives and the lives of others. Ask yourself this week: What can I do to be a better friend, co-worker, neighbor, husband, wife, etc.?
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