God-sized goals

Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’ Luke 18:27

 

God-sized goals are meant to challenge our thinking and further our faith. These Holy Spirit inspired ideas are crafted by our Lord to spur us on to good works and transformational living. God-sized goals make us uncomfortable at times, because they always go beyond what we see in our own resources. They are not guaranteed to happen, but they position us to pray more and believe in God better.

 

It is through prayerful planning and implementation that gigantic goals move from mere possibility to a more certain probability. Huge objectives are a hedge against mediocrity and a prod toward perfection. God-sized goals are given to govern our thinking and determine our time, so we are intentional and focused on His big picture. Otherwise we drift around without a rudder of reality, destined for disappointment.

 

Best of all God-size goals get us to God. It is prayer and planning with significant progress that moves us from the realm of possibility to the place of probability. In most cases it is one individual’s passion and focus that proves catalytic to the creation and execution of the goals. The leader looks failure in the eye and extinguishes it by faith, wisdom, hard work, and the power of the Spirit which are all wrapped around a skilled and unified team.

 

Christ-centered possibilities far outweigh man-centered probabilities. Perhaps you need to get away in solitude for several days to ask the Lord to sear your soul with His goals. Think outside the box of small belief, for the Lord is unlimited in His abilities and resources. God-size goals arrest your attention, adjust your attitude and accelerate your actions.

 

So prayerfully set great goals and He will grow your character in the process while influencing others for His glory. Trust Him to teach you the way; to show you with eyes of faith way beyond the bounds of your experience, for His plan will prevail. The Bible says, “I know you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

Our Prayer:  Father help us to see each day the limitless possibilities we have in you and what you have called us to do.  Allow our faith to grow to the size of the vision that you have for our lives and the purpose of service you have called us to Amen.
--

 

Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Mission: Exalting, Evangelizing, Equipping, and Encouraging every soul in Christ

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.comwww.fbcc-va.org

www.wbgronline.com

Love strong

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30

 

Love is the most powerful weapon in of our faith. Like the tip of an arrow love points us to God.  Love commandeers all other graces to engage the Lord’s affection and His eternal concerns. When Jesus defined love as the greatest command, He gave us a glimpse into what He wants for the world and His disciples. A life motivated by love is only limited by its capacity to love the Lord. Love is a muscle we exercise so it grows in stamina and strength. Here are four ways we can develop our love for God:

 

Love God with Your Emotions

Jesus starts at the heart of the matter, our heart. What captures our passions? Our heart is the seat of our feelings and affections. We are drawn to what we desire, what we value. The heart follows what it treasures above all else. In the same way an engaged couple each aggressively seeks to engage the heart of their lover, so as the bride of Christ we passionately pursue His heart. As our heart loves Jesus, He simultaneously settles and stirs our emotions.

 

Love God with Your Soul

In the beginning God breathed life into the soul of man (see Genesis 2:7). So our soul is our entire being brought into being by the Spirit of the Lord. It is here, deep within the recesses of our spirit, that we commune with Christ. Our marriage to Jesus was consummated when, He saved our soul. Prayer is our bedchamber of intimacy for us to love our Lord with all our soul. Christ is our companion and confidant. A soul in love with God seeks God by faith.

 

Love God with Your Mind

A mind in love with the Lord wants to do the Lord’s will. In the same way a noble idea captures our imagination so much that it drastically influences our actions, so to know and do God’s will is the goal of those in love with Jesus. Mental romancing with the mind of Christ marks the thoughts of those who trust and obey. Knowledge of God acquired out of love starves our pride and feeds our humility. 

 

Love God with Your Strength

Energy in eternal matters is what matters most. When our focused attention is on the important (like giving) and not the trivial (like worry) we thrive in our love for the Lord. What activity may be competing with your time with Christ? Avoid activities that create sideways energy. Our strength increases as we engage with other disciples. Like a bonfire ignited by gasoline, so the prayers and encouragement of God’s people flame our fire of faith and love for God. Being around people in love with Jesus grows our love for Jesus. So love strong.

Father I pray that each day my love for you grows stronger and stronger, as I deepen my devotion to you amen.

--

 

Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Mission: Exalting, Evangelizing, Equipping, and Encouraging every soul in Christ

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.fbcc-va.org

www.wbgronline.com

Spiritual graduation

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it--not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it--they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25

 

I feel that the Lord is inviting us to graduate from spiritual kindergarten, when we thought we had already received our diploma of faith and spirituality. For too long, as we have walked with Christ, our understanding has often been like that of many believers who have been told, “Just ask Jesus into your heart and you’ll go to heaven.”

 

Certainly Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”.  Truth is that confession is the beginning of belief and the salvivic journey. After this confession comes discipleship, which means following Christ.  Perhaps this is why Matthew 7:21 says “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

 

In this scripture, we are reminded that Christ isn’t here to serve us; we are here to serve Him. We are here to do His will. And it’s not just about saying we believe while we live our own lives. It’s sobering to think that Jesus asks those who know Him to live for Him, and nothing less. So it’s not about God making all my dreams come true and making me happy, healthy, and wealthy. It’s not about just saying I believe but not backing up my words with action that proves my love. It’s about Jesus being Lord.

 

I wonder if in our attempt to emphasize grace, which of course, is critical, we have missed the seriousness of “working out our salvation with fear and trembling” ( see Philippians 2:12). We must remember that yes, we are saved by grace. We can’t do anything to earn our way into heaven ( see Ephesians 2:9). It’s only Christ’s gift on the cross that has justified us by washing away our sin so that we experience eternal life.

 

Beloved we must also remember that faith without works is dead ( see James 2:20). In any relationship, including the one with Christ, action doesn’t prove love, but true love is always proven by action. That said, all genuine works for Christ begin with the motivation of the heart, in relationship with Jesus. Or, they are just dead works. The condition of our heart is central, and the beginning of, true discipleship. Knowing these things, is God asking you to graduate from spiritual kindergarten?

Our Prayer:  Father continue through the power of your Spirit to make your will known to us, and as we know your will Father help us to yield to it, and join you in the working of your will through humble acts of service and love Amen.

--

 

Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Mission: Exalting, Evangelizing, Equipping, and Encouraging every soul in Christ

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.fbcc-va.org

www.wbgronline.com

Grace and Peace

Grace and peace to you…from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Revelation 1:4-5

 

Grace and peace are gifts from God that every heart craves. Grace for sustaining strength during sickness and peace in the process. Grace for repeatable forgiveness in a challenging relationship and peace that produces patience. Grace for ongoing gratitude and peace when things don’t go our way. Grace for generous giving and peace in God’s faithful provision. A heart governed by grace and peace is a heart loved by the Lord. Grace and peace come from Jesus.

 

John, secluded in exile, saw His Lord more clearly once departed than when he was with Him. Jesus Christ the faithful witness gives His children grace and peace. How? Because we know He is the faithful witness of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus offered testimony to the reality of who God is.  Jesus’ sonship gave His story veracity, so He stated the facts with humble authority. Jesus testifies to truth. His reassuring words extend grace and peace.

 

Moreover, grace and peace come to those who believe Jesus is the firstfruits of those risen from the dead. Others, like Lazarus, rose from the dead, but they died again. Jesus Christ was the first to rise, and never to die. Faith in the resurrection is essential for the Lord’s grace and peace. We cannot remove the supernatural from Jesus and just keep the natural. Trust in Christ’s resurrection is the key that unlocks the treasure chest of riches found in His grace and peace. Those who embrace miracles embrace Jesus. These hugs from heaven warm our hearts by His loving care.

 

Furthermore, we serve a benevolent King who freely gives His grace and peace. Tranquility only comes to a heart that trusts in Christ as their Lord. Crown Him conqueror over death, and enjoy His grace and peace. Crown Him Lord over fear, and receive His grace and peace. Crown Him all wise King, and learn how to make the best decisions. Crown Him Lord over sin, and apply His grace and peace when in need of forgiveness. Whatever we face, Christ has faced, and has overcome. Thus, we come to the One who is full of grace and peace that His grace and peace might rest on us.

Our prayer:  Father supply us with your grace and peace for this day that we might be strengthened to be the great witnesses and disciples you have called us to be Amen.

--

 

Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Mission: Exalting, Evangelizing, Equipping, and Encouraging every soul in Christ

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.fbcc-va.org

www.wbgronline.com

Mature disciples

Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 1 Corinthians 14:20 

 

By historic standards, we are one of the most literate and educated societies to ever exist. What began with the printing press has now in many ways reached its culmination with the Internet. Knowledge and information is freely shared, easily accessible, and instantly distributed across the world to rich, poor, young and old alike. This shift has affected virtually every area of society, and Christianity is certainly not immune. Not only do most of us have hardbound copies of the Bible in our homes, we now carry in our pockets dozens of translations, commentaries, and devotional books, all a few simple clicks or swipes away on our smart phones with whatever bible app version one prefers.

 

Yet, has this increase in access and availability to Kingdom knowledge and Christian principles translated into genuine maturation in Christ and in faith?

 

If we limit our understanding of the faith to head knowledge about God and divorce it from Kingdom living, we will trick ourselves into thinking that we are spiritually mature while in reality we remain spiritual infants. It is entirely possible to know a great deal about God and yet be entirely unsure of how to live as a disciple of Christ. Put another way, it is one thing to know about Jesus, but it is something altogether different to be transformed by his love through relationship with Him. As one of the great authors and champions of the faith C.S. Lewis once said, “it is fatally easy to confuse an appreciation of the spiritual life with the life itself.”

 

Maturation in Christ is not instantaneous but a lifelong process of dying to self and being remade in the image of Christ. If you struggle in your walk with Christ, let these words be an encouragement to you. You aren’t expected to “get it right” overnight. Genuine maturity in Christ isn’t a one-week workout class but is more like months and months of training for a marathon.

 

When you go out of your way to love and serve your spouse, when you express genuine interest in the things your kids are passionate about, when you are transparent and vulnerable with a close group of trusted friends about your struggles and challenges in life, you are embracing daily practices that over time become life-long habits of virtuous living. It is here in the lived experience of our Christian faith that we move from mere knowledge about God to a genuine encounter of the living God, from spiritual infancy to maturity in Christ.

 

Our prayer:  Father help us each day to work towards becoming more mature in you, as we deepen our relationship with you Amen. 

 

Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101

Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"

Mission: Exalting, Evangelizing, Equipping, and Encouraging every soul in Christ

Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown

Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.comwww.fbcc-va.org

www.wbgronline.com