Monday, December 31, 2012

Great expectations

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”
(Amos 3:3).

Sometimes it is difficult to agree upon expectations, and in reality, we deal daily with expectation management. We are expected to do certain things at work, at home, and in friendships. We also project expectations on others. We know God expects faithfulness from us, and we have our expectations of Him, but expectations can get us into trouble.

We can expect the wrong things. Our expectations can be unclear or unrealistic or unrighteous. The same can be said of what others expect of us. At work you thought one outcome was expected while your supervisor expected something different. Even after the goals were put into writing, there were still different interpretations of the facts.

Indeed, it is easy to corral expectations of simple tasks. I can expect or even require my children to complete their homework. This is not unreasonable. I would be an unfit parent if I did not provide some framework of expectations for my children. However, I would be an equally ineffective parent if I had expectations of my children but did not communicate them with grace and understanding. Clarifying expectations takes time.

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Furthermore, the more your trust grows in a relationship, the fewer the expectations. Trust precludes the need for expectations. Trust causes many expectations to expire. When you place your total trust in God, you default to character expectations. You expect His love to be unconditional. You expect His forgiveness to be infinite. You expect to avail yourself of His wisdom. Your expectations are character driven rather than cynically driven.

It becomes about God’s will, not our wants. Healthy expectations revolve around God and His desires. The focus is off me but on God and others. He orchestrates the concert of life; so the goal is to discover His role for me and follow His lead. Then the motive with people becomes one of serving them in order to carry out God’s plan for their lives.

How can you facilitate understanding God’s will for your spouse, child, or work associate? This is not always easy to discern but character-driven expectations can get to the point of their true need, and you can help meet that need. Focus on building trust in the relationship, and communication will flow more clearly and compassionately.

Focus on fewer expectations and more on trust. Allow your expectations to begin and end with the character of God. Expect less, you will receive more. You can expect His faithfulness. Agree to expect what God expects, and allow your expectant desires to birth God’s will. “And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us” (2 Corinthians 8:5).

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Got Word?

“For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:37

God’s word never returns void and because of the Spirit’s inspiration, it is always successful and accomplishes what it was intended for. Mary and Elizabeth received a word from the Lord that He had blessed them with very special children. Sons who would represent their heavenly Father with a servant spirit and who would boldly proclaim the word of God. Yes, the Bible communicates Christ’s words in a transformational way, but Scripture requires respect, and honor.

Do you read the Bible for information or inspiration? Is your goal to study the Word, learn facts about God, or to know God intimately? If you are a serious student of Scripture you will encounter Christ in your search for truth. The word of God is a hammer that chisels pride from your heart, a fire that brands truth into your brain, and a sword that slices ego from your soul. Watch for a word from God, for it will lead you to success, and righteousness.

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29
As you take time to meditate on God’s word, it begins to marinate your mind with wise, and pure thinking. Beyond your personal interaction in prayer and study, make sure you are engaged with other believers who are followers of Christ who will challenge and sharpen your thinking, as iron sharpens iron. Life change and spiritual maturation result from a clear understanding of why you believe what you believe. Yes, ask your heavenly Father to fill your mind with what really matters to Him, as opposed to feeling like this is a quid pro quo relationship as it is not.

Do you have a word from God for a major decision you are facing? If not, wait until you do, and then validate your thinking with other godly advisors. If you do, then proceed in the power of the Holy Spirit and trust the Lord with the results. It may not make sense in the short run, but you can trust Him in the long run. God’s word always comes to pass.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Monday, December 17, 2012

Don't get to full of yourself

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37).

Pride will eventually give way to humility. It may not happen overnight. It may have to follow a painful process, because pride can be very, very stubborn. Like an embedded splinter deep in the flesh of your foot, it is hard to remove. You cannot remove it alone, and there is constant throbbing and pain until it is extracted.

This is the plight of pride. Pain and suffering are its cohorts. Pride provides a false sense of security. Spiritually minded people know it is only a matter of time until a fall, as pride will catch up with you. Humility was once a staple in your spiritual diet, but success has squelched your humility and subtly replaced it with pride. Authority without accountability generates pride.

The more authority you possess, the more you are required to submit to accountability. Otherwise, you cannot handle this freewheeling power. Your behavior defaults to pride without the checkmate of humility. This is true in relationships, business, ministry, and churches. Beware of obsessing over control.

Paranoia is an application of pride. You are fearful of losing control. It is better to hand over control than to lose control. Humility gives control, while pride grasps for it. So be open and humble about your insecurities. We are all insecure to some degree. Humility builds security, and pride tears it down. The humble have nothing to hide. So root out pride, replacing it with humility.

The process of pride’s removal begins with submission to Christ. It is acknowledging His lordship and ownership over your life. He is in control. He is large and in charge. Nothing in your life has sneaked up on God. He can be trusted. He holds your life, family, health, and career in His hand. You start by humbly bowing to God with your head and heart. He is to be feared and loved.

You have the awesome opportunity to worship and adore Him. When you walk with God, you walk in humility. Pride cannot coexist in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Pride is extinguished in the presence of Jesus. Pride is like a roach lurking in the dark recesses of your heart. The Holy Spirit’s light reveals pride and convicts you during times of prayer and Scripture meditation.

The second offense to pride is praying people. Ask people to pray for humility to infiltrate and occupy your life. You want the occupation of humility on the soil of your heart and mind. Be transparent with others about your sins and shortcomings. Talk about them with the motive for change.

Humble yourself, and trust God to humble others. It is easy to recognize pride in others while it is still looming in your spirit. Run from spiritual pride. It is the worst kind. It is insidious. It is self-righteousness in nature, and it chokes the Holy Spirit. Humility grows in an environment of honesty, openness, prayer, and change. Be a change agent on behalf of the humble. Humble pride!

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:5–6).

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Pray on it

“Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do” (Jeremiah 42:3).

There is wisdom in praying about “that,” whatever “that” may mean. It may mean waiting on marriage because one parent has yet to bless the engagement. “That” could represent a check in your spirit over a business deal or an additional financial obligation. Praying about “that” is the Lord’s way to protect, preserve, and provide for His children.

What are you currently facing that needs your prayerful attention? Perhaps it is a career transition—pray about that, consider changing churches—pray about that, tempted to quit school—pray about that, or weigh an opportunity to volunteer—pray about that. Prayerfully ask, “What does the Lord want for my life and what is best for His kingdom?”

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12–13).

It is in the discipline of waiting that we discern the best course of action. Consider cloistering yourself with Christ for twenty-four hours just to listen and learn. It is rare that prayer is a waste of time; indeed, it saves time. When you pray about “that,” you allow the Holy Spirit to tap on the brakes of your busy life. Slow down and listen to Him.

Prayer positions you to be productive in the ways of God. Abraham’s senior servant experienced this. “Then he prayed, ‘LORD, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham’” (Genesis 24:12).

When you, your family, your church, your company, or your ministry prays about “that,” you receive liability insurance for your life from the Lord. Where He leads, He commits to provide. Where He reroutes, He creates the necessary resources. Where He shuts doors, He opens another with greater kingdom possibilities. So pray about that knot in your stomach, and watch Him free you in effective service for your Savior Jesus.

“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man” (Nehemiah 1:11).

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Cross Culture

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.” Ephesians 4:17 NKJV

Followers of Jesus are called to walk against the grain of a Godless culture. Indeed, Christian character is meant to be like a thermostat influencing the spiritual temperature of culture, unlike a thermometer that merely measures the degrees of decadence. Prayerful pursuits are probably not a path of least resistance or conflict free efforts. A walk of intimacy with Jesus and ethical behavior invite push back from culture.

Our goal is not to create controversy, but to be peacemakers who win over accusers with counter-cultural kindness. However, there are those who may never change, who are quick to categorize our values as narrow, intolerant and insensitive. These skeptical souls need our grace during disagreements and our forgiveness over fractured relationships. Do you have a family situation that requires you to take the high road of restoration?

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

Furthermore, your ultimate opponent is Satan and his menacing demons of deception, distraction and discouragement. You are engaged in a spiritual battle in the heavenly realms that is only overcome by the blood of Christ and His testimony on your behalf. In prayer you boldly confess the blood of Jesus as your salvation and security. A cultural canopy of darkness is lifted by the Lord’s loving light. So, walk empowered by the Spirit.

Yes, be in the world but not of the world. Be attractively different without being repulsively weird. Your walk against the culture is a mission of mercy that requires perseverance and prayer. Some who dismiss you now will one day search you out in their season of suffering. Culture needs the calm of Christ delivered by your winsome walk with Him. Without apology, model acceptance while risking rejection. Walk wisely.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

What words reveal

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me, is one of the biggest untruths we learn in our childhood and has substantial significance in our adult lives.  Words are powerful things, as a matter of fact more powerful than a stick or a stone.  God has revealed Himself to us in detail in His written Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  It is the Word preached that, when heard, can lead to repentance and salvation (Romans 1:16, 10:17).  It is the Word that just by its very reading can move hearts and change minds (1 Timothy 4:13).  Jesus Himself is even referred to as the Word (John 1:1) so you know it is the most powerful thing in the world.  Language and communication are God’s inventions, and, as such, Satan has great interest in perverting them.  That is what the evil one does, taking the good things of God that can be used for edification, grace, enlightenment, and empowerment, and love and making them into something vulgar, dehumanizing, and certainly not pointed to the glory of God. 

As believers, we need to recognize that there are jokes that we shouldn’t laugh at, there is gossip that we shouldn’t participate in, and there are words that we shouldn’t use.  Bridling the tongue is a very difficult part of the believer’s life, but it is one that we cannot dare to ignore.  James 1:26 says, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.”  Part and parcel to sanctified living by the power of the Holy Spirit is controlling the words we speak and focusing on saying only that which is useful for edification and God-honoring purposes. 

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”  Believe it or not, I have heard some professing Christians argue that using some degree of foul language is purposeful to convey certain truths or feelings.  Some even try to claim that Paul used what we refer to today as curse words or swear words when he spoke of his former life without Christ as being “dung” (Philippians 3:8).  The word skubalon, translated as “dung” or “rubbish,” carries extreme revulsion as of excrement, but it was not a parallel in any way, shape, or form to the curse words used today in our time, in our language, and in our culture. 

The reality is that Paul, who spoke of dung while being under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is the same Paul who in Ephesians said that we should use no unwholesome word.  So either unwholesome means that believers can speak the same derogatory words that the world speaks, or Paul was consistent in his own application of his admonition for God-honoring language.  The truth is that Paul was willing and able to state something strongly without crossing the line into worldliness. 

“Unwholesome” carries the meaning of rotten, putrid, corrupt, of poor quality, unfit for use, worn out, and worthless.  We can all think of words, discussions, outbursts, and conversations that fit these criteria.  Worldly talk does not bring grace to the hearer or to the speaker, and it most certainly does not edify.  It only defiles.  As Jesus Himself said in Matthew 15:11, “It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”  Pure and undefiled religion before God involves keeping oneself unstained by the world (James 1:27).  Part of the way we demonstrate the legitimacy of our walk with God is by not letting even a hint of the immorality of the world impact our speaking and conversations.  Ephesians 5:3-4 says, “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” 

Filthiness is translated from sapros, the same word used in Ephesians 4 for unwholesome.  Gutter talk and dirty words are certainly in view here.  Silly talk is from morologia, meaning foolish words.  By not thinking through what we say before we say it, particularly in light of Biblical truth, we likely will say things that we will later regret.  We should focus on making our words purposeful.  Jesus always lived His life with purpose and objective.  Sure, we can expect that He made some degree of small talk, but it was also with a God-inspired agenda, seeking to create an opportunity for the gospel.  He didn’t waste words on pointless gibberish, and neither should we.  Coarse jesting is translated from eutrapelia.  This includes any rude or abusive remarks such as a racist attack or personal insult.  It is the student making fun of the teacher or another student.  It is the locker room degrading into sex jokes.  Sexual innuendos, a plague in our day, is certainly in view here. 

We would do well to follow Paul’s admonition in Colossians 3:8, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.” Our words betray our hearts by revealing who we really are and what we really think.  Some people can control their tongues better than others, but unless their hearts are right, eventually evil speaking will pour forth from their mouths.  This is why we need to objectively evaluate our walks with Christ by taking a look at what we laugh at, what we say, and whether our words are abusive to others or offensive to God in any way. 

Our words should edify, minister grace, and demonstrate how thankful we are to be changed from the inside out and freed from language that defiles, debases, and dehumanizes.  The apostles couldn’t help but speak of Christ and His glory and gospel, and, even under duress, they spoke praise and thanksgiving.  We, under much less severe conditions, too often refuse to give thanks and rather speak malice, anger, abuse, and filth.  As God’s people, let us be those who minister healing to others through kind and gracious words and who stand out as an example from the world by speaking truth and not by speaking filth.  In many ways, we are, after all, what we speak.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Accountability

“But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself” (Ezekiel 3:21).

Effective accountability partners are not passive. Once someone invites a friend into his or her life for accountability, it is a serious responsibility. Accountability is active, engaging, and encouraging. The giver and the receiver of accountability have entered into a trusting relationship. Indeed, wisdom listens to the warning of its accountability partner or group.

Authentic accountability requires caring confrontation. A little bit of short-term discomfort and embarrassment will save you a lot of long-term regret. Thus, when you encounter emotional situations, keep a level head. Accountability facilitates objectivity. When you are under pressure, you have an objective team that gives you wise perspective. Your accountability group is there as a buffer to unwise decision making.

“Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning” (Ecclesiastes 4:13).

Accountability provides much needed courage for another to do the right thing. Sometimes it is hard decisions that paralyze us into non-action. However, avoiding a difficult decision today will compound its inevitable consequences in the future. Accountability encourages you not to procrastinate when you are afraid. It relieves your fears and bolsters your faith.

For example, team members may need to be terminated for the good of the company and for their individual betterment. Prospective church volunteers may need to be told “no” because their character is not fitting for a leadership role. Your young adult children are not prepared for marriage because they need to first move out from home and experience independent living. Accountability helps everyone move forward in God’s will.

Above all else, live like you are accountable to almighty God, as one day we all give an account to Him for our actions. “They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:4–5).

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Confidence vs. Conceit

There is nothing wrong with being a confident person; however, it does matter what or Whom we put our confidence in. Either our confidence is ultimately in God or in ourselves. One is faith and the other is arrogance, pride, and conceit. We need only look to one of the most powerful men ever to walk the earth to discern the difference, for it is a lesson he himself had to learn.

Daniel 4:28-30 says, “All this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'”
Here we see Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, in all his glory and pride. His confidence was in what he himself had built, and he gave no credit to God for giving him the kingship and the kingdom. He believed that he built this great ancient empire by the might of his own hand and for his own glory. In his mind, there was no need to glorify God or thank Him because he was the center of the universe and the source of his own benefit. It can be very difficult to recognize dependence upon God and to give Him all glory, not just some for “helping.” Either God is our all in all and the only sufficient One, or He is not. For Nebuchadnezzar, God wasn’t even deserving of some glory, and he gave Him none.    God had a purpose for Nebuchadnezzar, and He knew that Nebuchadnezzar could and would praise Him if only he had his eyes opened. However, for a man of such great pride, it would take a great fall.
 
Daniel 4:31-33 says,“While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.”
Even before Nebuchadnezzar had a chance to finish his arrogant sentence, God passed judgment on the king. He took away the throne and took away his sanity so that he was like an animal, eating grass like cattle. All his peers saw what happened to the king, and a more humbling scenario couldn’t have been conceived of. This lasted seven years until he realized that God was King and that he was merely a steward of God’s earthly creation. Even his throne was a gift and blessing of God, not something he deserved or merited. It was God’s ordaining, not his dictating, that held ultimate sway.

Daniel 4:34-35 says, “But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What have You done?'”

It is interesting that Nebuchadnezzar was able to praise God first and then his reason returned to him. If he was totally mentally gone, he wouldn’t have been able to pray. So even though he was acting like an animal, there was enough going on inside his head to still call out to God. God left him with enough mental capacity to understand and appreciate what it was like not to have the ability to release himself from this seven year bout of crazed behavior. When he was finally ready to acknowledge God as having all power, God let him have his sanity back. He learned that he couldn’t dictate things to God and that there was an Authority higher than his own. He realized that he was nothing compared to God in terms of all possible aspects. He recognized a greater kingdom than his own, and he finally understood his dependence upon God, even for his own sanity, let alone for his throne. He understood that he was but a man and that God deserved his praise and worship.

There was no reason that the king’s peers would allow him to rule again, but they did by God’s grace. His counselors and nobles began to seek him out, realizing that he had great wisdom even if they didn’t realize that it was God who was adding surpassing greatness to him. But Nebuchadnezzar realized just Who it was Who was giving him favor. He learned that God is just and not cruel, teaching him a lesson out of love for His glory so that he would glorify Him. The most important thing he learned was what he said last, that God is able to humble those who walk in pride. This is what separates those who are confident in God and those who are confident in themselves. The prideful and arrogant are wicked because they don’t believe or acknowledge that God is able to humble them. They don’t fear or respect Him, let alone glorify and worship Him. It is very tough to be a haughty, pride-filled person when being fully aware that God could make us bound up in a shell of insanity at any point should He see fit. He could take all our possessions away or afflict us with ailment after ailment. Because God is just and holy, He won’t harm people for no reason. In ordaining these events for Nebuchadnezzar, God actually reached out to Him in extravagant mercy, laying it on thickly for seven years. Finally, Nebuchadnezzar repented and turned to God. If we need humbling as God’s children, if we wrestle with believing that we are fully dependent upon God, or if we struggle to submit our ways to Him, He will gladly show us the truth. The process may not be pleasant, but the end will be.   

Confidence in self is always a phony confidence because the foundation is mere dirt. That, after all, is what man is made from (Genesis 3:19). Godly confidence, on the other hand, is an assurance not of one’s own ability but of God’s power working in and through His faithful and obedient children for His glory and not for our own. It is a boast not in man but in God, thereby giving Him all the glory. Nebuchadnezzar was confronted with this kind of confidence once before by Daniel, who stood in his fiery furnace unfazed by his commands. This minion, about to be executed, had more confidence than he did because of his God. That which had previously stirred Nebuchadnezzar to wrath (Daniel 3:19) now moved Him to worship.  Indeed, there is a God who is more powerful than the king (Daniel 3:15).

May God rid us of any confidence that comes from the wrong place, for such is sin and glorifying only to self. May we be confident people because we are confident in God.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Payment plan

For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:30-31
Someone may be in debt to you. They may owe you money, a reputation, an apology, a job, or a childhood. But God is asking you to let go and let Him. Let Him handle this. He has a payment plan for those who are in debt to his children. It may mean He wipes their slate clean with minimal repercussions. It may mean their stiff neck forces God to bring them to the end of themselves through trials and tribulations. Or, it may mean that what awaits them is an eternity of reaping in hell what has been sown on earth. But God’s position is one of judge and jury. You do not have to carry this burden or responsibility. Your role is to forgive and to trust God with the proper judgment and consequence.

Life gets complicated and draining when we take on the responsibility of making sure a person gets what he deserves. This is arrogant and unwise on our part. How can we know what others deserve for their injustices, neglect, and self-absorption? Our role is not to play God, but to serve God. Playing God is a never-ending disappointment. We were not made for that role. Only the Almighty can fill these shoes. And He does have it under control. There is no indiscretion or blatant injustice that is off His radar screen of sensitivity. He picks up on every “little” sin.

So, rest in the assurance of knowing God will pay back in His good timing and in His good way. Give this person or issue over to God. Do not bear the responsibility of executing payback time as if you trying to live out a James Brown song. Your role is to forgive and let go. God’s role is to establish a payment plan of justice and judgment.

You can bring reconciliation to a fractured family relationship by forgiving. Once you have forgiven, trust God to administer whatever punishment He sees as fitting. He may see a broken and contrite heart in your offender that leads to their salvation and freedom in Christ. Your forgiveness and unconditional love may be the very thing God uses to illustrate what they can experience up close and personal. Forgive and give. Forgive them of their hurt, insensitivity, and selfishness; then give them over to God. Trust Him with His repayment plan. He owns the payback process. His vengeance may be swift, it may be delayed, or it may be dissolved. Regardless, you do the right thing, and trust God to do the same. Vengeance is His, not ours. Payback time is up to God. We have enough in our own lives to consider. Pray for yourself and others to avoid falling into the hands of judgement of the living God, for it is a dreadful thing.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Always Remember

“Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.” Deuteronomy 15:15

God gives good memories to His children. The foundation of what He did has freed them by His great grace and love. Sin shackles the soul with insensitive servitude. Its memories are filled with fear, false hopes and fleeting pleasures. But redemption from Jesus buys back those who step onto the auction block of belief. Sin brings heartache, but Christ brings comfort and joy. God memories make a heart smile in gratitude and obedience.

Remember we were lost, but now we are found. Remember we lived for ourselves, but now we live for others. Remember we were guilty, but now we are forgiven. Remember we were selfish, but now we are unselfish. Remember we were proud, but now we are humble. Remember God was distant, but now He is our heavenly Father. Remember Jesus was a good teacher, but now He is our Savior. Remember the Holy Spirit was strange, but now He is our personal guide. We remember God and our faith flourishes.

“They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.” Psalm 78:35

Do you suffer from spiritual amnesia? Do you regularly recall the radical love of Christ? He loves you as a beautiful image of His creation. He loves you to the point of laying down His life on your behalf, so by faith you can die to sin and live His resurrected life. The Lord’s ransomed love for you is a special memory of sacrifice. He died for you. 

Yes, remember how He brought you out of citizenship in this world to become a citizen of His kingdom. You serve a risen Savior, not a lying serpent. Your allegiance is to Almighty God, not the almighty dollar. You walk in the light, not in the darkness. Your soul is prayerful, not self-reliant. Your body is a temple of the Spirit, not an object of abuse. Your mind is renewed by truth. Thus, remember who you are: a child of God!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A lil give an take

"Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:21

The Lord gives and the Lord takes. He gives life and He takes life. He gives relationships and He takes relationships. He gives blessings and He takes blessings. He gives prosperity and He takes prosperity. He gives opportunities and He takes opportunities. He gives health and He takes health. He gives and takes but He still deserves all our praise, worship, and adoration.

It is easy to praise God when He gives us good things, but it is hard to praise Him when He takes away what we feel is a good thing. Yet, it is the power of praise to the Lord that empowers our faith to endure and mature during these times. Praise to Jesus prompts us to persevere in belief and obedience. He realigns our heart and mind to heaven's expectations instead of bowing to earth's demands. When God gives it’s a blessing and when He takes it is a blessing. He knows our needs 100 times better then we do.

"As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:11

Furthermore, the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. His character is not cruel, but caring. He is not harsh, but kind. The Lord is gracious, not mean spirited. However, He is jealous for you. He delights in you for who you are, and who you can become by His grace. His loyal love will not allow you to be enamored with someone or something that competes with Him. Christ removes any competitors of exclusive devotion to Him.

Therefore, you can be content and grateful for the lot in life God has given you. Perhaps He has you in your current career or situation for the growth of your character, spiritual maturity, and competence. Sometimes He rains down grace and other times the sun of adversity beats down in a sweat of suffering. The Lord gives and takes in His timing for His glory. Thus, hold loosely His blessings and burdens, and be ready to receive His great grace and love.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Disobedience

“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Jonah 1:12

Disobedience is indiscriminate in its influence. One person’s mismanagement of money can bring down the financial fortunes of a company, church, ministry, government or family. One bad decision can cause a series of negative scenarios. Sin is not experienced in a vacuum, its tentacles of trouble wrap around innocent lives.

Because Jonah ran from God he brought into relationships his baggage of disobedience. Innocent bystanders became victims of one man’s foolish behavior. We all have to examine our hearts and make sure we are not projecting our problems onto other people. Are we bringing unresolved anger into our marriage or workplace relationships? Are we running from God or toward God? Indeed, obedience is the remedy for disobedience.

“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19

Are you comfortable with a sin that brings discomfort to those around you? What will it take for you to release it to God, before He releases you to the enemy? Yes, willful disobedience is a dangerous game. It is like an unrighteous round of Russian roulette that commits spiritual suicide. But you do not have to gamble with God. The bets of bad behavior are off when you confess, repent and turn to Christ. He brings calm to the storm.

Moreover, if you are an innocent bystander to another’s bad behavior, look to God for relief. Give them to Him for His care and concern. It is hard to not be fearful of their fate and yours, however you can trust Jesus to judge wisely. Your obedience to Christ models the cure for your friend’s disobedience. And, be willing to release the relationship, so they suffer the consequences and believe God. Pain can produce obedience and salvation.

Friday, November 9, 2012

A long wait yet, it's worth it

In this fast paced, micro wave, instant culture that we live in the term wait is nearly considered profane language. No one wants to hear it, but it is something that all of us have to do, but none of us like doing it. Everyone needs a rush and no one wants to wait. There are nearly 1 billion people in America out of work right now and they are waiting on an employment opportunity. There are people in ICU and CCU at local hospitals and if you frequent the waiting room right now they will tell you that they are waiting on the test results, waiting on the doctor to stop by and waiting to see what the diagnosis says. There are people that are standing in line at Wal-Mart and they are waiting to get to the register, older people are waiting to be appreciated for their years of hard work, young people are waiting to be grown so that they can leave the house and come home when they please, and poor people are waiting to win the lottery so that they can
see what it feels like to be rich. Even though we are all in a rush, waiting seems to be the order of the day.
You see, everyone has to wait! But, there comes a moment in your wait when the wait is over because your turn is next! And that's the Word of healing that the Lord has given us today from His Word! Here's the Word for you today. God has watched you wait long enough and He is about to move on your behalf because He is in your area and your turn is next!
In the Gospel according to St. John 5:1-9 there is a story written of a man who had to wait a long time before his healing came. After thirty eight years his turn came next! God never forgets us no matter how bad it seems. Now here's a good question for you to consider, how do you know when your turn is next?

You know that it's your turn when waiting has become your place of worship. Real worshippers don't just worship at church. But, they worship in a place called the waiting room. It's the place where you are trapped between where you are and where the Lord is taking you and instead of complaining you have just learned how to say thank you while you wait for your change to come. This man in the passage has been waiting for thirty-eight years. Two years short of an entire generation. The amazing part about this record is that we have no complaint launched at all by this waiting warrior. Why? Because he has learned the art of waiting. Here's a great devotional question for you to consider. Have you learned to worship while you wait? If so, what proof do you have? (Read Psalms 40:1-2; Isaiah 40:28-31).

You know that it's your turn when life is at its worse and winning is a matter of spiritual warfare. Here's the truth about waiting, it can make you want to quit, give up, walk away, and throw in your towel. But, that's when you have to roll up your sleeves and say to yourself "I've come too far to give up now! I've just got to wait!" The man in the text has to fight to stay sane. It is spiritual warfare at its best. He has an internal condition, that is causing external problems. He is paraplegic and to make matters worse he has "so-called" friends who are determined to rob him of his blessing. The text puts it on this wise, "every time the water is troubled another steppeth down before me." But, here's what he decides to do, he fights for what he has until he gets what he wants! Here's the greatest footnote of the day, waiting can be a place of warfare and you must find ways to encourage yourself until your healing comes. And the way that you do that is to remind yourself that the Lord is still faithful no matter how long you have to wait and He is not going to let you down. (Read Prov. 3:5-6; Psalms 121:1-3).
You know that it's your turn when the Word brings healing your way. When you are the one waiting you have questions for God. We ask God questions like "why me?", "how long?", "when will my breakthrough happen?", and "if you're God, why won't you help me?" But, when your turn is next and your wait is over, God brings you a Word that has within it questions for you. Jesus asked this man, "do you want to be made whole?" In other words, are you ready for your situation to change? Now here's what's deep. The man in the text does not say yes. The lesson is that when it's your turn, it's your turn even if you're not ready for it. Nothing can stop your turn from happening, not even you. God has some questions for you right now. Listen to His Word to those that are unemployed, God says, "what's that in your hand?" If you just start with what you've got I will do the rest. Listen to His Word for those hurting, confused, bewildered and down, "who told you that you were naked?" God is saying "I know your condition but I am getting to redo your position so that blessing flows in your direction" Here's the healing word of the day, RISE!!!! That's what the Lord wants you to do because you've been down too long. (Read Romans 8:28).
You know that it's your turn when the was of your past becomes the witness for your future. Keep this in mind and never let it leave you. God allows you to be next so that you can tell the rest. If you don't tell it you've missed it. Jesus tells this man to rise, but He also tells him to take up his bed and walk. The same bed that held him down is now what he is told that he should hold up. The stuff that's been keeping you down will soon become the thing that you lift up. The Lord will not let you throw it away and hide it. But, He wants you to take it with you so that the world will know that you have been delivered and set free. It is a witness that your turn was next. Here's a great concluding question, how would you act if your turn was today? Don't wait until it happens, worship while you wait and know that your turn will be next

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Collecting square pegs

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Luke 7:34

Jesus was a friend of sinners. Yes, Holiness helped unholiness. Godliness gave to ungodliness. Perfection served imperfection. The sinless mingled with sin. Christ was guilty of influencing the guilty toward God for He was God. He ate with them, He drank with them and He laughed with them. His life of love was irresistible to those who lacked true love. His clear, authoritative teaching gave hope, forgiveness, and peace. Like spiritual sonar Jesus came to seek and save the lost. His heart broke for the broken.
We are all sinners, yet there is a difference between a sinner who knows Jesus and a sinner who does not know Jesus. Because we have been saved by the grace of God, we know a better way than the way of waywardness. Like any good father our Father in heaven wants a relationship with His children. By faith in His son Jesus we have full access to God. We are friends with Jesus, so we can befriend others for Jesus.

“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.” James 2:23
Are your friendships only with those within the faith? Are any what have been tabbed as outsiders a part of your circle of influence? If so, wonderful—if not, pray for a person who needs your loving hospitality. Like an athletic team you have a home court advantage when you invite someone into your home. Show them a good time, so they can see that God is good by your unselfish service. Sinners need a safe environment to feel accepted and be real.

Maybe you accept an invitation from an unsaved friend on their terms. It may be a golf game, a football or basketball game, a dinner, a social event, or a party. Be pleasant, not preachy. Be a friend with no agenda but to love and be loved. Do not compromise your Biblical convictions — you are in the world without being of the world. Some will find you crazy for your crazy love, but love nonetheless. Sinners need a friend. Are you a friend?

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Election day thoughts as a Christian

“Then the commander said, ‘I had to pay a big price for my citizenship.’ ‘But I was born a citizen,’ Paul replied. Those who were about to question him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains” (Acts 22:28–29).

Citizenship in a free country means something, especially for Christian citizens. Citizens who are followers of Christ have a platform to live out the teachings of Jesus. A responsible Christian citizen models his Biblical values and principles modestly. Beliefs lived out are truly beliefs, while those unapplied are not real beliefs.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24).
This applies to our political beliefs as Christian citizens. We can endorse an independent political party, but we are not autonomous from the Almighty’s influence. Paul was persecuted for his faith, but he still spoke the truth with humble boldness. If we say we believe in the sanctity of life, then we elect congressmen or women who do the same.
If we say we believe in a government that spends less and balances a budget, then we elect leaders who will make hard choices and implement fiscally conservative changes. If we say we believe in free enterprise, then we elect statesmen and women who support the system, even if it requires businesses to fail. Responsible Christian citizens care more.
Because our citizenship is in heaven, we always keep an eye on eternity’s expectations while we deal with earthly issues. It is not creating an entitlement-motivated government that becomes the savior of the masses. On the contrary, it is a political system that ensures the freedoms and liberties of its citizens are not threatened and removed. A diverse people can only be truly unified around common values and principles espoused by God.

Monday, November 5, 2012

He reigns

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. Psalm 47:8
 God reigns over the entire earth. The Lord reigns over everyone. The sun never sets on the omnipresent shadow of our Savior Jesus. He is the greatest in power, high and lofty in dominion, extremely eminent in wisdom and elevated in excellence of glory. Our God reigns, He reigns in war. He reigns in peace. He reigns in crisis. He reigns in calm. He reigns in economic catastrophe. He reigns in economic prosperity. Our God reigns. He reigns over evil. He reigns over good. He reigns over nations. He reigns over individuals. Our God reigns.

He reigns from His holy throne. His is not a throne soiled with corruption and self-serving scenarios. His throne is full of grace, mercy and truth. His throne is marked and defined by holiness. It is a throne that has never been stained with sin, corrupted by cover-up or defiled by injustice. God is seated on His holy throne. He never sits dismayed or in a dilemma. God does not wring His hands in worry. He sits in serenity, for He knows His own power and sees that His purposes will not miscarry. He sits on a throne from where He dispenses truth and wisdom. Therefore, approach His holy throne boldly but reverently.

Furthermore, God reigns over the human heart. It is here that we can submit to or spurn the Lord’s authority. We are wise to jettison the latter. It is in submission to our reigning King Jesus that we come to know His will for our lives. Obedience leads to opportunity. Because our God reigns, He can be trusted. His rules are for our good pleasure. Christ is not a cosmic killjoy. His rules are inviting when we are in right relationship with our reigning King. It is when we resist Him that we foolishly push back from His gracious guidelines. Therefore, love Him and you will love to follow His statutes. Indeed, our God reigns in love and holiness. It is easy to follow an unconditional lover. He reigns lovingly.

Therefore, we have reason to celebrate Christ’s reign. His kingship brings praise to our lips. We have no real reason to worry or stress out because our God reigns. We can put the kibosh on our complaining and murmuring because our God reigns. We can rest in a peaceful sleep at night, not toss and turn in distrust, because our God reigns. We can let go of control and not be controlled because our God reigns. We can give Him our grief, sorrow, and sin because our God reigns.

Our God reigns for the purpose of His glory and His glory alone. It is all about Him and His eternal aspirations. Our God reigns for righteousness’ sake. Our God reigns for the sake of the gospel. Live like He reigns. Live free and by faith. Tell all whom you have earned the right to tell. Your God reigns. Validate your words with your life of faith and faithfulness. Your God reigns. He reigns now and for evermore

Friday, November 2, 2012

Spoken Word

Words are powerful things. God has revealed Himself to us in detail in His written Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is the Word preached that, when heard, can lead to repentance and salvation (Romans 1:16, 10:17). It is the Word that just by its very reading can move hearts and change minds (1 Timothy 4:13). Jesus Himself is even referred to as the Word (John 1:1). Language and communication are God’s inventions, and, as such, Satan has great interest in perverting them. That is what the evil one does, taking the good things of God that can be used for edification, grace, enlightenment, and love and making them into something vulgar, dehumanizing, and certainly not pointed to the glory of God. As Christians, we need to recognize that there are jokes that we shouldn’t laugh at, there is gossip that we shouldn’t participate in, and there are words that we shouldn’t use.

Bridling the tongue is a very difficult part of the believer’s life, but it is one that we cannot dare to ignore. James 1:26 says, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.” Part and parcel to sanctified living by the power of the Holy Spirit is controlling the words we speak and focusing on saying only that which is useful for edification and God-honoring purposes. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Believe it or not, I have heard some professing Christians argue that using some degree of foul language is purposeful to convey certain truths or feelings. Some even try to claim that Paul used what we refer to today as curse words or swear words when he spoke of his former life without Christ as being “dung” (Philippians 3:8). The word skubalon, translated as “dung” or “rubbish,” carries extreme revulsion as of excrement, but it was not a parallel in any way, shape, or form to the curse words used today in our time, in our language, and in our culture. The reality is that Paul, who spoke of dung while being under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is the same Paul who in Ephesians said that we should use no unwholesome word. So either unwholesome means that Christians can speak the same derogatory words that the world speaks, or Paul was consistent in his own application of his admonition for God-honoring language. The truth is that Paul was willing and able to state something strongly without crossing the line into worldliness.

“Unwholesome” carries the meaning of rotten, putrid, corrupt, of poor quality, unfit for use, worn out, and worthless. We can all think of words, discussions, outbursts, and conversations that fit these criteria. Worldly talk does not bring grace to the hearer or to the speaker, and it most certainly does not edify. It only defiles. As Jesus Himself said in Matthew 15:11, “It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” Pure and undefiled religion before God involves keeping oneself unstained by the world (James 1:27). Part of the way we demonstrate the legitimacy of our walk with God is by not letting even a hint of the immorality of the world impact our speaking and conversations. Ephesians 5:3-4 says, “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” Filthiness is translated from sapros, the same word used in Ephesians 4 for unwholesome. Gutter talk and dirty words are certainly in view here. Silly talk is from morologia, meaning foolish words. By not thinking through what we say before we say it, particularly in light of Biblical truth, we likely will say things that we will later regret. We should focus on making our words purposeful. Jesus always lived His life with purpose and objective. Sure, we can expect that He made some degree of small talk, but it was also with a God-inspired agenda, seeking to create an opportunity for the gospel. He didn’t waste words on pointless gibberish, and neither should we. Coarse jesting is translated from eutrapelia. This includes any rude or abusive remarks such as a racist attack or personal insult. It is the student making fun of the teacher or another student. It is the locker room degrading into sex jokes. Sexual innuendos, a plague in our day, is certainly in view here. We would do well to follow Paul’s admonition in Colossians 3:8, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.”

Our words betray our hearts by revealing who we really are and what we really think. Some people can control their tongues better than others, but unless their hearts are right, eventually evil speaking will pour forth from their mouths. This is why we need to objectively evaluate our walks with Christ by taking a look at what we laugh at, what we say, and whether our words are abusive to others or offensive to God in any way. Our words should edify, minister grace, and demonstrate how thankful we are to be changed from the inside out and freed from language that defiles, debases, and dehumanizes. The apostles couldn’t help but speak of Christ and His glory and gospel, and, even under duress, they spoke praise and thanksgiving. We, under much less severe conditions, too often refuse to give thanks and rather speak malice, anger, abuse, and filth. As God’s people, let us be those who minister healing to others through kind and gracious words and who stand out as an example from the world by speaking truth and not by speaking filth. In many ways, we are, after all, what we speak.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Ain't no half stepping

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Matthew 7:21-23

There is a false religion that is absent of authentic faith in Jesus Christ. A person who lacks a real relationship with the Lord can know all the right words to say, but does not know the Word that became flesh. This fake follower of Jesus may mislead other church members, but they can’t deceive the ultimate judge—Almighty God. A desperate plea after death does not change an eternal conclusion determined in life. A false faith fails.
 
Therefore, we are all wise to examine our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to validate our conversation to Christ. It is the Spirit of our Heavenly Father that drew us to Himself and it is the same Spirit of God that affirms our faith. We do not pass from death to life by just living in a household of faith—we come to Christ by taking hold of faith in Him. Our transaction of trust in Jesus seals our soul’s fate to be with Jesus. He keeps us secure.

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44
Are you a counterfeit follower of Christ or a true disciple? Are you sure of your salvation? If you are in doubt, seek out your Savior Jesus who can remove your concerns. Cry to Him in confession and repentance from your sin of unbelief and embrace your Lord in fidelity of faith. Just as marriage is a public commitment of a man and woman, so your conversation is a public commitment of your total trust in Jesus. Other sincere saints who humbly seek the Lord surround you in prayer and support, and God offers assurance.
 
So seek the Lord with an honest heart and He will keep you pure. The Holy Spirit is able to flush out false religion and replace it with genuine faith in Jesus. He is able to remove unscrupulous motives and exchange them for a motivation of love and obedience. Yes, examine your heart, but more importantly allow the Lord to do a spiritual examination. God validates your salvation on this side of death, so there are no surprises on the other side. So, confess Jesus as Lord now and there will be no doubt about your confession later.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Guiding Light

“The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out” (Proverbs 13:9).

Righteousness shines the brightest when dimming days become the darkest. We are called and compelled as Christians to glow for God during gloomy times. Are you caught up in our culture’s chaos, or do you see a chance to burn brightly for Jesus? Hard times can harden our hearts or humble them, but it is a broken heart that burns the brightest.

Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Light left unattended extinguishes, but light exposed to the air of almighty God’s love illuminates. Difficult days demand dependency on the Lord; so, in fact, your acts of service are fueled by faith. If you panic instead of praying, you will miss out on the opportunities to love others.

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

I often ask, “In my uncertainty, am I more worried about my stuff or the window of opportunity to serve others?” It may mean inviting someone to live in my home for a season, paying bill payments for a friend, volunteering at a local shelter, or increasing my gifts to the church. Righteous light longs to love liberally.

Christ in us invites others to know Him, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Perhaps you invite some neighbors over for a six-week Bible study and watch what God does.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:14–15).

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Busy?

“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:40-42

Busyness can breed a bad attitude. It creates an expectation that everyone should be involved in hyper activity for the Lord. Unfortunately, what started out as sincere service for Jesus becomes a demanding spirit cloaked in spiritual slogans. The graceless pace of a busy person is worried and upset at God that more people don’t have their same sense of urgency. Because busyness has no mental, emotional or spiritual margin it misses the Lord’s bigger priority of prayer. It’s tired.

It is not what we do for God that matters most—what matters most is what God does through us. If we lunge through life we hit and miss finding Jesus, but if we sit at His feet with patient expectations we can hear His voice. Desperation is required around our being not our doing. Christ doesn’t call us to neglect our health, our family and our friends in the name of good activities. Thus, we discover God’s best if we slow down and add excess margin to our schedule.

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130

Indeed, you will have seasons of stress, but not to the point of chronic anger. Adversity is your opportunity to engage in a deeper level of intimacy with the Lord and your loved ones. People are not the problem—problem solving begins by looking in the mirror. You may have to make the choice to modify your calendar. By faith postpone or cancel important, but unnecessary engagements. If you plan not to attend, the Spirit will direct someone else to stand in the gap.

Therefore, abandon yourself first to Christ and He will lead you into His works of service. It is much better to go deeper with a few whom you really get to know and who really get to know you, than to spend your life not knowing anyone and being known by no one. Truly knowing God begins with being with Jesus. Once you sit at His feet, you are able to look up to His face. Be still and His Spirit will fill you with wisdom and peace. Yes, grace travels at a sustainable pace

Monday, October 29, 2012

Reliable

“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:9

Children of God have the privilege to rely on the only One who raises the dead. He raised His son Jesus from the dead and today He still brings life from death. Indeed, even a dead relationship He can bring back to life. A dead deal He can resurrect. A dead end job He can breathe life into with opportunities and new ideas. A dead marriage He can call forth like Lazarus, and by His grace remove the grave clothes of bitterness and unforgiveness. God gives life—He is reliable!

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is reliable because His track record is 100% trustworthy. It is when we rely on ourselves that our faith becomes stale and irrelevant. However, when we choose to chase after the comfort of Christ, we are comforted. When we wait and seek out His wisdom before we react, we are protected. When we bow in humble worship of the Almighty, we avoid worshipping at the altar of our ego or economics. We rely on God, because He is totally reliable!

“This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh?and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5

Self-reliance is subtle in its servitude. We can say we depend on God, but if we scramble around in a panic we act like He is out of control. Your teenager needs to see you—not just hear you—accountable to God. If you want them to be accountable in their conversations, then you must model words and behaviors that don’t flirt with sin. Perhaps you come off the road and reengage with your family, so your relational equity is built back up. God can fill in the financial gaps.

Furthermore, make sure not to place too much trust in those who cannot bring the dead to life. Mere human beings have no capacity compared to their Creator’s capacity. Excessive reliance on people leads to unhealthy expectations. Yes, you need the support of friends, but not to the same degree you need your Savior’s support. Your Heavenly Father neither sleeps nor slumbers, so seek out His intimacy in your moments of insomnia. The Spirit is your Guide to lead you into His will

Friday, October 26, 2012

Dealing with No

There are times when God says "no" to our requests and when He does say "no" He does not need to give us a reason for His negative response, He does not owe us a rebuttal, He is not required to present us with an abstract detailing why He has said no, and He is not going to submit a synopsis of why our request has been rejected. When God says "no", He means "no". Like a loving and caring parent, there are times when God hears the cry of His children and His desire is to bless them, but His answer to their request is no. The problem is when He does say no we need to learn how to act.
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:7-10, KJV).Yes, God says no, but we don't know how to act when He does. But, how should we respond when the Lord says "no?"
First of all, we should respond with gratefulness because His answer of no protects us from the sin of human pride. God is so awesome that He can make the devil bless you! Here's how it works. In this passage Satan is allowed to "buffet" the Apostle Paul. It comes from the Greek word kolafidzo, it is in the present tense, active voice and subjunctive mood. It means to punch with the fist, over and over again. In short, the Lord lets the enemy just have at you from time to time. Now here's the million dollar question, why would a good, kind, and merciful God let Satan have a season with you? Here's the secret that will bless you like crazy, God knows that wounded children stay close to their Father and He just loves having you in His arms. Pride can be poison. It is the sin of the heart that makes you think that you can do it without God. But, the Lord has a way of fixing pride. Our God makes the devil bless you by permitting an attack that brings you so close to Him that you end up in His arms. So when the Lord says no you should be grateful because what He is really saying is "I want you in my bosom!" (Matthew 11:28).
Secondly, we should respond with gratitude because His answer of no prevents us from leaning towards human provision and presses us towards divine portions. If you have ever received an answer of no from God this should make your heart glad. God said" no" to you because the human provision that you wanted was not good enough for the divine provision that was on the way. Paul prays three times and the Lord does not do it. God does not heal him. God does not fix it. In short, God says "no!" But, there's a method to what appears to be total madness given in the text. While God is saying "no" to what is temporary for you, He is saying "yes" to that which is eternal that will keep you forever. Here's the discovery that takes place in the passage and it is enough to make anyone with common sense say "thank you Jesus!" When God says "no" it is because He has a divine portion of grace for you that is not like anything you've ever encountered. Now all of us have encountered the unmerited favor of God that we call grace. But, when the Lord gives you this grace you celebrate the fact that when you couldn't, God could. You shout about the fact that when you didn't do it, God did it for you. And when you could not go any further, the Lord carried you all of the way (2 Cor. 9:8).
Lastly we should respond with a shout of glory because that's what God gets when we praise Him through the pain. There are three ways to rejoice as a believer in Jesus Christ. First, you can rejoice over what the Lord has already seen you through. If you are like most God has already done some wonderful things for you and when you think about them they make you say "praise the Lord!" Secondly, you can rejoice over things the Lord has kept you from. And, lastly you can rejoice over the fact that God has you propped up right now. That's what Paul is giving God glory for in the passage. He says "...I would rather glory in my infirmities because when I am weak then I am strong..." This portion of the passage should read like this, "You can look at me right now and see what the glory of God looks like because His strength has me propped up!" People that are propped up, but in pain give God more glory in praise while they are in public. Glory happens when ever God is most visible. And you can't help but see God in a season of your life when you know that it was nobody but Jesus Christ seeing you through. Here's a great devotional question to ask. When was the last time the Lord had to prop you up? What was your shout like then? Was your praise filled with gratitude? Glory? What about thanksgiving? When God says no it is not all bad because what comes from His no, is a yes from you that you didn't know that you had in you.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Growth Stunt?

Why is it that so many smaller churches are not growing?
Good question. It rarely has anything to do with how much the pastor and key leaders love God. Some of the most devoted followers of Jesus I know lead smaller churches that are not growing. It also has little to do with whether or not the church is part of a denomination. There are denominational churches that are growing, and denominational churches that aren't. Location isn't a deal killer either. Location is important, obviously, but alone doesn't prevent growth. Let's say, for example, your church is located in a small rural area. That will have a definite impact on the rate of growth and overall growth potential of your congregation. But it doesn't prevent it from growing. We know this from smaller churches in little towns that are doing well. We know this even more so because of the reverse. There are smaller churches in huge cities that aren't growing at all.
So what is it?

Before I offer some thoughts about why smaller churches aren't growing I want to mention something that I have written about a few times. It's "The Big Three". They are prayer, evangelism and leadership (development). This is a given. There is and will always be a direct relationship between the emphasis on these things and the growth of your church. The intriguing thing about these three elements is that they apply to both smaller and larger churches.

The following five questions are connected to possibilities about why your church isn't growing, or could stop growing. They are meant to serve you as a tool for evaluation that can move to implementation and ultimately change that produces growth. These five ideas are not designed to be specific solutions, but a set of leadership lenses to help you see your church more clearly. I pray that as you consider these five, you may be encouraged about the potential of your church's future.

• Has friendship outpaced focus?
One of the best things about a smaller church is that the fellowship is alive and vibrant. People love and care for each other deeply. People know each others names and connections are tight. That's a good thing, a very good thing, but it can backfire when it comes to growing the church. New people visit and the church is friendly, but friendly like in a hotel where the guests are not expected to stay for a long time.
It's easy for a smaller church to turn inward and invest most of its ministry energy into itself. In time this will begin to shape how decisions are made, how money is spent, and ultimately what the church does and doesn't do in order to reach people.
In one way or another, the Great Commission has to be the focus of your church. It's why your church was started and why you keep it going. A focus on friendship and relationships in general can take your leadership eyes off the goal. So, how about your church, which is truly first? Is your focus on the Great Commission or caring for established relationships?

• Have you stopped believing its possible?
I'm certain that when your church was started there was great passion and hope for its future. That's how all churches start. Years into the journey, however, some or even all the zeal can fade. And when the road has been particularly difficult for some time, it's possible to no longer believe the church will ever grow again. You can talk the talk in the lobby and even on the platform, but deep down inside you may have given up.
This sounds bleak, but I'm compelled to say it because it's true in far too many churches. If you are the pastor or a key leader, you must believe your church can grow. You must believe it has a future. And if you can't believe that, then believe that God has imagined a future and He can grow it, but He needs you in the game. God needs you to change your mind to match His. Capturing the mind of Christ about your church is essential.

• Have you embraced a shotgun ministry style?
Over-simplified and exaggerated for affect, there are two approaches to ministry design in your church.
1.) "If you have an idea for a new ministry that might help somebody, do it."
2.) "No new ministries are started here for the next two years." The general vibe of the first one is "Yes." And the general vibe of the second is "No." The second is the wiser of the two.
If you and your church team employ a nearly random freedom to start ministries, even though they may be good, you create a busy mess of activity. You inadvertently experience a lack of focus that drains the best ministries, and exhausts volunteers and staff. In the big picture, you are doing more and accomplishing less.
It's important that you offer fewer ministries in order to accomplish more life-changing ministry impact. To do this, you need to be very intentional in your choice of ministries. No one church can do every ministry, that's an obvious fact. So what you choose to do needs to be selected wisely and prayerfully. Saying no to all other ministry options is not squelching the Holy Spirit, its common sense granted from God. Doing less allows you to do it better and with deeper impact.

• Is there a lack of courageous teaching?
Loud doesn't indicate truth and thundering away doesn't guarantee courage. Courage comes from the inside. This kind of godly boldness overcomes personal fear. When you know God is speaking to you, there is a quiet confidence that allows you to stand before the people and speak the truth, letting the chips fall where they may.
Don't skip saying the hard stuff. I'm not referring only to difficult biblical passages. In fact, I'm really talking about the spiritual leadership contained in your teaching.
If you are the pastor, let me shoot straight. Ask God what He wants to say to your people and say it. Don't back down. Say it in love, but say it. People respond to truth, they don't always like it on the first round, but they instinctively know its right. People respond better, over the long haul, to robust vision over nicely crafted scholarly sermons! Don't expect one Sunday to accomplish the big picture. This is a 52 week a year process.

• Does popularity override good decision-making?
Pressure is part of every leader's life. How you handle it internally and what you do with it externally matters. Pastors have to deal with their issues just like anyone else. Pastors love people. That's a good thing. The bad thing that often accompanies that reality is that pastors want to please people. In a smaller church that can turn into an issue of popularity. If the pastor's desire to be liked becomes unhealthy, that can have a huge impact on decision-making in the church. This does not reflect integrity or morals, just human nature.
I'm a pastor and I love people. I prefer that people love me back. But that doesn't always happen. Especially if I have to deliver an answer that goes against what someone wants. But I must choose the right leadership decision over being liked. Candidly, those moments aren't much fun, but they are necessary. And they can make the difference about whether or not a smaller church stays small or grows larger.

Peace like a river

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. Psalm 37:11

Meekness is a bridge to blessing. It is an attitude God honors with the enjoyment of His great peace. Meekness meanders, moving in and out of the halls of heaven. It sets us up to be served by our Savior. Meekness is the manner by which our Master can move us forward in His will. Our meekness transports us toward absolute surrender and obedience to God. It is the meek who tend to trust God. It is the meek who most want to faithfully follow Jesus. Indeed, meekness is most like Jesus. Jesus said of Himself, “I am meek…” (Matthew 11:29, KJV). It is here, with meek Jesus, that we find rest for our souls. However, meek does not mean we are weak; on the contrary, we are strong in our Savior.
  
Meekness is a conduit for what Christ has for us. He has an inheritance for His children. What is His is ours. He owns the land and all that is within its expanse. We see His quiet white clouds cover the mountaintops like soft sheets. As the sun rises, its warmth pulls back the submissive sheets of cloud cover and introduces us to the day. He has given us His earth for our great enjoyment. It is on the side of the green mountain of His creation that we sit quietly and contemplate Christ. His peace prods our pride to be still and know Him. He hushes our hurried spirit to be silent before Providence. A silent tongue often exhibits a wise head and a holy heart. We have His earth to enjoy now and to inherit in eternity. The meek understand this priceless privilege. They enjoy great peace.
Even as we suffer, we topple tribulations with trust in Jesus while we rest in His great peace. Christ’s consolations carry us along the way. His peace is a platform for His faithfulness to perform. As if watching an engaging drama on stage or in film, we wait until the end for the plot to fully unfold. If we jump to conclusions or draw premature assumptions, we may get caught up in bad beliefs or false fears. So life is a stage where God’s great drama plays out. We are not to fret over what seems to be fearful or a forgone conclusion. God’s plot is still unfolding by faith. His will is being revealed. His cast of characters is still in development. While His plot thickens, we trust. Until the end, enjoy His great peace.

We may not have an abundance of stuff, but we have great peace. It is better to do stuff with our Savior than to have stuff without Him. He is our wisdom when we face complex circumstances. He is the one to whom we cling during a crisis. We silence our murmuring so that we can be silent before Him. It is in silence before our Savior that His great peace saturates our soul. It engulfs our edginess with eternal assurance. On earth we may seem deprived of some things from an  enjoyment aspect. But, there is coming a day where this accursed earth will be no more, and we will enjoy the benefits of His new earth without sin, sickness, or sorrow. We will inherit the land of our Lord. In the meantime, go to God for His great peace. Like a river of love, it attends to our soul with soothing security and peace. Enjoy God’s great peace in Christ. Fret not, but have faith in Him. He seeks the meek.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Gift of Leadership

“If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:8

Gifted leaders are first and foremost good followers of God. They recognize the Gift Giver as their authority, so they do not lord over others—rather they submit themselves to the Lord. Because the leader respects Christ, he or she respects those they lead. Because they love the Lord, they love their team. Because they serve Jesus, they serve those who serve with them. Yes, a gifted leader is able to influence and educate a group toward an agreed upon goal. Leaders have followers.

Are you called to lead but feel inferior? If so, seek your confidence in Christ. Go to the Resourceful One for reassurance. Resistance does not mean you are a bad leader; on the contrary it may be a validation that you are moving in the right direction. Indeed, some struggle in getting on the bandwagon of change—it threatens their security. So stay the course and lead prayerfully, patiently and lovingly. Trust the Spirit’s small voice that affirms your actions—God is with you.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:9-12
You know you have the gift of leadership if you can see the big picture and inspire others toward that God-given vision. You understand the sequence of steps required to reach the objectives. You perceive potential problems and are courageous and wise to make adjustments. You motivate the team to embrace transitions as necessary to stay relevant. You create a culture of accountability with real-time updates. No one wants to let anyone down in the execution process.
 
Your gift of leadership is a weighty responsibility, but you are not alone. Almighty God is your “go to” for humility, holiness and wisdom. God gives you what you need to accomplish what He wants. Furthermore, use your leadership role to invest in other emerging leaders. It is harder to grow leaders than it is to lead. Therefore, be intentional and prayerful to train up faithful men and women who will train others. You steward your leadership best by birthing other leaders

Friday, October 19, 2012

Gift of prophecy

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith.” Romans 12:6-7

The gift of prophesy is compelled by the Spirit to tell the truth. It is not shy to confront sin and call out injustice. The prophetic calling has the courage to speak the claims of Christ with humble boldness. They have a vision of God’s holiness and are constrained to communicate His high standards of behavior. Moreover, some serve prophetically by praying over other believers with affirmation and instruction. They perceive where the Spirit is leading His servant to go next.

We are blessed when those in our lives warn us of unwise opportunities and unscrupulous individuals. We are wise to embrace those who speak the truth in love and not marginalize their message. Wisdom flows from friends who clearly discern situations as detrimental. We win when they lovingly point out that our schedule is not sustainable. When we adjust our attitude of fear to faith, based on prophetic preaching, we feel protected. Wisdom honors the prophetic gift.

“I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.” 1 Corinthians 7:7

Perhaps your perceptive spouse sees things you have not considered. Instead of dismissing their discernment, see them as a gift from God for your protection. Furthermore, if you have the gift of prophecy, be careful not to ignore the individual. Soften the relationship with the oil of love before you deliver the hard truth. Comfort is an affectionate appetizer that needs to precede the prophetic entrée of admonishment. A discerning heart gets to the heart of the matter with truth.

Godly people who communicate a prophetic word in love deserve a listening ear. If you heed their concerns, your ultimate decision will benefit from weighing the worst-case scenario. Doom and destruction can be avoided by taking seriously the words of Christ’s warriors. Fools plow ahead with deaf ears, while the wise take a time-out and assess a variety of outcomes. So, slow down and listen to the discerning. A prophetic voice is God’s gift to walk wisely and patiently.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Service anyone?

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve.” Romans 12:6-7

The gift of service sees a need and seeks to meet that need. It is the Spirit inspired ability to see beyond the surface to what really requires attention. Service motivated servants of Jesus get joy from rallying resources to raw realities. They are not shy about challenging the abundantly resourced to resource the woefully under resourced. The gift of service convenes other gifted people to collaborate for a cause. They are called by Christ to facilitate action and results.

We all can serve the Lord and people, but for those gifted to do so it comes more naturally and easily. Indeed, self and Satan compete for our service to God and others. The flesh longs to be served rather than serve, and Satan seeks to divide our loyalties with the Lord. So purity in service flows from a heart harnessed by the Holy Spirit. When we first see ourselves as bondservants to our Savior Jesus we are compelled to serve for Him. Servants of Christ serve.

“Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” Matthew 4:10
Moreover, steward well your service gift, so you are not overwhelmed with the avalanche of needs that surround you. If you try to meet everyone’s needs you may meet no one’s needs. Even Jesus chose to give attention to some but not others. Your gift requires prayerful stewardship so it is not prostituted by pride. Approval may or may not come from those you serve unselfishly, so make sure you serve as unto the Lord. Serve Christ alone and you will not be alone in Him.
  
Furthermore, lavish love on those whose service is exemplary and enthusiastic for Jesus. When you recognize and reward servants of the Lord, you place value on what God values. Those who consistently serve well need double doses of encouragement. If servants are not served they grow weary and weak in the Lord’s work. Yes, stay true to serve during trying times but also receive the service of others. Sometimes those who serve the most are served the least—so allow yourself to be served!

“Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.” Ephesians 6:6-8

Friday, October 12, 2012

Gift of Administration

“And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:28 NASB

The gift of administration likes for people, projects and processes to be properly organized. Efficiency and effectiveness energize their efforts. They keep chaos at bay by bringing consistency and calm to a work or home culture. This supportive gift takes time to plan and then they implement the plan. Gifted administrators understand the long-term needs and define the short-term steps needed to accomplish future goals. They are intentional with strategic initiatives.

Those who keep us in line logistically bless us with sustainable systems. It may be a financial manager who is tedious in stewarding well the income and expenses at work or home. The budget is their accountability partner. They give daily oversight to the proper allocation of resources and are able to discern positive and negative trends. They are worth their weight in gold. A gifted scribe who captures critical items in the minutes of a meeting makes follow up more feasible.

“Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven.” Job 25:2

Do you have the gift of administration? If so, perhaps you partner with a visionary leader who needs organizational legs to see God’s game plan come to fruition. Your support of a senior manager may make the difference between success and failure or excellence and mediocrity. Your organizational efforts at home are a blessing to your family. Don’t obsess over perfection; rather rejoice in doing what you can with the time you have. Yes, value relationships over results.

Almighty God is the ultimate administrator. He placed the stars and planets in the sky in meticulous order and He organized an intricate human body. The wisest administrators get their marching orders from their Master, Jesus. So, seek favor from the Lord first, so that you serve, not lord over others. Be patient when people do not live up to your standards or execute precisely your expectations. Your administrative gift will place you in a seat of great influence!

“Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.” Proverbs 22:29

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Strength

“And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 1 Samuel 23:16

Strength in God is significant, as it is our stronghold when we are in serious trouble. It is our source of encouragement and motivation to persevere. Strength in God is easily accessible and always available. His strength is an unlimited reservoir of resolve. It may see us through the dying and death of a loved one. It lubricates the grinding grief of our heart and keeps us from total despair. The Lord’s strength is what gives us hope when our financial fortunes are tentative at best or have been swept away altogether. But His strength will see us through a maze of money mishaps.

The sovereign strength of God is strong, unbending, and unyielding. Our confidence may be crumbling, our health may be hemorrhaging, or our relationships may be a complexity of confusion. Perhaps you discovered someone is not who he claimed to be. He lives two lives. Now the truth is unfolding and it is not pretty. In fact, he is coming after you because you are a threat to his secret life. So lean on the Lord, drawing your strength from your Savior. Prayer to the Almighty positions you to receive His power, so punctuate the power of God in your life with faith-filled prayer.

Moreover, God’s instruments for infusion of His strength are His people. Invite the encouragement of the Lord’s angelic agents. They are His ambassadors of goodwill and their righteous aura reflects His strength. These are special friends who remain true when challenging things happen to you. Stick with the ones who stick with you and do not be embarrassed to lean on others during these lean times. Like a transfusion of blood, you may need a transfusion of faith. Your prayer platelets have fallen below what’s normal to a level of dangerous discouragement. Ask for prayer so that God will strengthen you and keep you focused in the middle of your own gnawing needs. Ask in prayer to be an encouragement to those who have encouraged you. Do not deny others the opportunity to strengthen you with their presence and prayers.

Lastly, be quick to strengthen others in the name of the Lord. Write a note of encouragement to a friend or leave an encouraging prayer on a coworker’s voicemail. In some creative way, let those who are struggling know you are thinking of them. Prayer retains employees and engages friends. They will never forget those who reached out to them in their time of need. Each day, seek someone you can strengthen in your Savior’s name. In a sense, you are strength coaches for those you come in contact with on behalf of Christ. Your goal is to get them to God. His strength will stretch their faith way beyond your initial encouragement. Strengthen your family in the Lord and you will be strong. Strengthen your peers in the Lord and you will find eternal energy. Unselfishly strengthen others in the Lord and you will find strength for your soul.

The Bible says, “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all” (1 Chronicles 29:12).

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Wait I say on the Lord

“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David… “David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.” 1 Samuel 16:13, 21

The calling of God includes seasons of waiting in faithful service. David was anointed and experienced the power of God, but it was over twenty years before he became King. Public responsibilities require private experience and success. The Lord’s calling starts with a thorny crown of commitment and grows into a shiny crown of respect. The flesh wants to influence the masses prematurely, but the Spirit is patient to pay the price of wise waiting, before proceeding.

We have the opportunity to be faithful where the Lord has us. His power is prevalent through our humble prayers and our quiet acts of random kindness. Jesus doesn’t discount small deeds done in His name. Thus, whatever we do, we do all for the glory of God. We visit the elderly, we care for the dying, we rescue the unrighteous, we carry one another’s burdens and we shepherd the flock of God—all for Him. We win while we wait, because Christ is positioning us for influence.

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45

Do you face a giant obstacle that threatens to derail you from God’s best? Have you forgotten why the Lord has taken you through this trial? His call for you to wait is an opportunity to understand where to go next. In this parenthesis of time, He has prepared or repaired your integrity, so you can engage intense encounters with the enemy, without compromise. Jesus works out His will while you wait. He grows you to grow bold in your belief in Him.

Furthermore, heed His call to wait, so you can create a sustainable schedule of activity. Jesus has not called you to be everyone’s friend. Everyone’s friend is nobody’s friend. Relationships that are an inch deep and a mile wide die a shallow and slow death. But when you go deep with a few, you grow loyal and lifetime friendships. Create significant space in your calendar, so you can respond to Christ’s call. Budget your time, as you budget your money. God’s call to wait is your opportunity to become humble and wiser. Work faithfully while you wait and watch Him work!

“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20