Transformational Thought
Several years ago at Disney World in Florida, the world-acclaimed happiest place on Earth, I witnessed an amazing phenomenon rivaling a supernatural exorcism. I was watching a five-year-old boy. It was a typical hot and muggy Florida day, late in the afternoon, with long lines everywhere, lots of stimulation, many choices, and some probable letdowns. He was probably off schedule, hungry, and staying up late at night. This kid started having the granddaddy-of-them-all-with-a-cherry-on-top, meltdown (not my kid of course).
Then the most amazing miracle occurred. His parents said these magical words, “If you are good and can quiet down, you can have an ice cream and go swimming after dinner.”
It was like an exorcism was performed. The powerful evil forces that seemed to have such a firm grip on him dramatically retreated … after squaring off with the all-powerful ice cream sundae! Almost instantaneously, he was back to being a normal, well-behaved, and happy Magic Kingdom kid. Why? He now had hope. Hope is such a powerful emotional state. Expectation, trust, wishes, optimism, anticipation, and confident desire are potently influential dimensions of hope. You experience the same phenomena. Even when you are overwhelmed or filled with negativity and it seems like you have no control, you really do. At those times, you need to refocus on the hope you have in Christ.
The cool thing about hope is you actually believe there is a real chance of getting what you hope for. Hope can lift your perspective from weary feet to glorious views of the high road … the road to heaven. Way better than ice cream. How do you live your life? We’re talking about your daily attitude, the lenses you use to view life, your future outlook. Do your heart and daily actions display the ultimate hope that is powerfully alive in you? Or are you having a tantrum because hope is being sucked from your lenses, or seems so distant and out of reach?
Today, focus on this radiant destination, the Mind of Christ on this Earth and eternity in heaven with Confident Desire. This is real hope! When you do, whether the road ahead is rough or smooth becomes less significant. Like the boy at Disney who focused on the destination, it will be easy for you to handle the disruptions of the day. Whatever today’s obstacle is, attack it with the encompassing knowledge that you are getting double desserts … the Holy Spirit in this life, and eternity spent in the personal presence of God. Let real hope clean your lenses. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know that hope is a golden cord that connects me to heaven. I feel as if my head is slumped and my feet are shuffling. Help me, Father, help me to have this cord hold my head high … even in the midst of the storms I am experiencing. Help me, Father, to hold in my heart a dual focus: Your continual Presence and the hope of heaven. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 146:5-6
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Stepping Stones: Freedom: 100% Mental
Transformational Thought
Pro athletes have such amazing physical skills. Tremendous coordination and deep-seated muscle memory have been developed through many years of intense, and intentional training. Hours of drills, techniques, and exercises. Reviewing and repeating the same actions with on-the-spot coaching and guidance have developed them into athletic machines, permitting them to maximize their physical potential. Given all that physical preparation, when they get onto the field a very significant physical organ will determine their success. The brain!
They say sports are 90% mental, meaning, what’s between their ears … their intellectual, psychological, stress management, relational, and emotional skills … really determine if they will maximize their physical abilities. In fact, to develop physical skills at such a high level many more mental skills are vital to success: perseverance, self-discipline, hard work, maintaining the integrity of the drills without taking short cuts, dietary self-control, studying plays, observation and application, and learning from mistakes. Life works the same way.
Freedom of speech … freedom to choose the vocation we want … freedom to practice any religion. But how free are we? How many of us are actually prisoners of our own hearts and minds? How many of us are “driven” to be something we are not. How often do we sabotage the path designed specifically for us. In an odd paradox, freedom really comes from having only one Master … the only one qualified to be the Master. Most of our troubles come from trying to blend masters (self, world, others, God) for our life … thus devising and implementing our own game plan and ignoring His. You will maximize your abilities and your life, in other words, achieve your God-given potential, when you realize your life is 100% mental and you humbly let all-powerful and all-knowing God be your coach and authority. That is when my life really turned around.
Here’s the bottom line. Life all comes down to decision-making. First come decisions you make in preparation, practice, skill acquisition and development. Then come the decisions to be made when real life is going on … how you apply these skills. This is the reason we push decision-making skills so often, as they are the key to life.
Today, find freedom by seeking to please God above all else. When you are angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, or experience some other uncomfortable feeling, just stop. Don’t act yet. Think of God and His big picture of salvation and eternity, or ponder Biblical passages that calm you. Let this soothe you. Then get back to the situation that was upsetting you. Now that you are calmer, think through a better solution than the one that initially went through your mind while you were upset. This is how you can be victorious in the mental aspect of your everyday living. Concentrate on staying close to Him at all times and humbling yourself to His instructions for your conduct. To develop practical skills to strengthen your mind and put God on the throne of your heart in your decisions, click here. Your decision, choose well today!
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You with a thankful, yet penitent heart. I confess, Lord, that I have let worship of others’ and my own expectations drive me, scattering my energy and focus. My desire to “look good’ in the eyes of others is also draining my energy. Help me, Lord, to focus on You. I know that this is the only way to achieve true freedom. Help me focus on serving the one and only Master, You. Help me, Father, to develop discipline in my life, taking my thoughts captive, so I can master the mental game that goes on inside of me and be victorious in this spiritual war for my soul. I pray, Father, that today and always I will let You direct my next step so that I will be free to enjoy You and to look forward to what You have prepared for me this day. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say, – AMEN!
The Truth
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Pro athletes have such amazing physical skills. Tremendous coordination and deep-seated muscle memory have been developed through many years of intense, and intentional training. Hours of drills, techniques, and exercises. Reviewing and repeating the same actions with on-the-spot coaching and guidance have developed them into athletic machines, permitting them to maximize their physical potential. Given all that physical preparation, when they get onto the field a very significant physical organ will determine their success. The brain!
They say sports are 90% mental, meaning, what’s between their ears … their intellectual, psychological, stress management, relational, and emotional skills … really determine if they will maximize their physical abilities. In fact, to develop physical skills at such a high level many more mental skills are vital to success: perseverance, self-discipline, hard work, maintaining the integrity of the drills without taking short cuts, dietary self-control, studying plays, observation and application, and learning from mistakes. Life works the same way.
Freedom of speech … freedom to choose the vocation we want … freedom to practice any religion. But how free are we? How many of us are actually prisoners of our own hearts and minds? How many of us are “driven” to be something we are not. How often do we sabotage the path designed specifically for us. In an odd paradox, freedom really comes from having only one Master … the only one qualified to be the Master. Most of our troubles come from trying to blend masters (self, world, others, God) for our life … thus devising and implementing our own game plan and ignoring His. You will maximize your abilities and your life, in other words, achieve your God-given potential, when you realize your life is 100% mental and you humbly let all-powerful and all-knowing God be your coach and authority. That is when my life really turned around.
Here’s the bottom line. Life all comes down to decision-making. First come decisions you make in preparation, practice, skill acquisition and development. Then come the decisions to be made when real life is going on … how you apply these skills. This is the reason we push decision-making skills so often, as they are the key to life.
Today, find freedom by seeking to please God above all else. When you are angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, or experience some other uncomfortable feeling, just stop. Don’t act yet. Think of God and His big picture of salvation and eternity, or ponder Biblical passages that calm you. Let this soothe you. Then get back to the situation that was upsetting you. Now that you are calmer, think through a better solution than the one that initially went through your mind while you were upset. This is how you can be victorious in the mental aspect of your everyday living. Concentrate on staying close to Him at all times and humbling yourself to His instructions for your conduct. To develop practical skills to strengthen your mind and put God on the throne of your heart in your decisions, click here. Your decision, choose well today!
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You with a thankful, yet penitent heart. I confess, Lord, that I have let worship of others’ and my own expectations drive me, scattering my energy and focus. My desire to “look good’ in the eyes of others is also draining my energy. Help me, Lord, to focus on You. I know that this is the only way to achieve true freedom. Help me focus on serving the one and only Master, You. Help me, Father, to develop discipline in my life, taking my thoughts captive, so I can master the mental game that goes on inside of me and be victorious in this spiritual war for my soul. I pray, Father, that today and always I will let You direct my next step so that I will be free to enjoy You and to look forward to what You have prepared for me this day. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say, – AMEN!
The Truth
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Stepping Stones: See What Is Invisible
Transformational Thought
God is not like us. He’s not flesh and blood, and that can make Him seem so far away from us. Even without the problem of sin, the idea of really knowing God is impossible for our finite minds. He is spirit only; we have a spirit confined in our body. He is infinite; we are limited. He is perfect; we are flawed.
So how can we know Him? Well, God has designed us with one key purpose in mind: relationship with Him. And He builds us for relationship with Him through the use of “analogy,” that is, through making us in His “image and likeness.”
Think of it this way. When we’re trying to explain a difficult concept, we create a word picture of some sort. We might use images from nature. The classic is using ‘The Birds and Bees’ to explain where babies come from. Or we’ll refer to a common experience: “Do you remember the scene in ‘The Wizard of Oz’’ where Dorothy…”, or “Do you remember that road trip we took to California?” We use analogies all the time. The reason we do it is to communicate our ideas clearly by identifying a situation the other person has interacted with and can easily identify and process.
“That which is known about God is evident … for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen …” (Romans 1:19-20). The clear expression of God’s invisible attributes is this two-pronged analogy of His authority and holiness in our delegated authority and morality. God uses analogy for the same reason we do: so that we can understand His communication with us. Satan is always trying to distort God’s analogies so that we get lost and easily confused.
Today, remember you were designed for something far better than just “getting by.” But if you feel like that’s all you’re doing, perhaps you’re not listening to God as He seeks a close and mentoring relationship with you. Stop and ask, “Why am I not spending more time with the One who knows me best and knows what I need the most?” He is calling to you and His message is clear. WITHIN REACH will help you hear Him better and apply His teaching directly to your life.
Prayer
Dear Father, You built us for relationship with You. And You have been seeking to win us back since You called out to Adam and Eve in the garden, “Where are you?” Many times I hear you call for me, “Karl, where are you?” I confess, I hide behind some pretty transparent animal skins. I don’t even understand why I am hiding sometimes, but I want to. Thank You for Your recent working in my life to push me back into Your arms. Let me consistently desire the greatest thing of all, to be in relationship with You, O Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord, and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:23
God is not like us. He’s not flesh and blood, and that can make Him seem so far away from us. Even without the problem of sin, the idea of really knowing God is impossible for our finite minds. He is spirit only; we have a spirit confined in our body. He is infinite; we are limited. He is perfect; we are flawed.
So how can we know Him? Well, God has designed us with one key purpose in mind: relationship with Him. And He builds us for relationship with Him through the use of “analogy,” that is, through making us in His “image and likeness.”
Think of it this way. When we’re trying to explain a difficult concept, we create a word picture of some sort. We might use images from nature. The classic is using ‘The Birds and Bees’ to explain where babies come from. Or we’ll refer to a common experience: “Do you remember the scene in ‘The Wizard of Oz’’ where Dorothy…”, or “Do you remember that road trip we took to California?” We use analogies all the time. The reason we do it is to communicate our ideas clearly by identifying a situation the other person has interacted with and can easily identify and process.
“That which is known about God is evident … for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen …” (Romans 1:19-20). The clear expression of God’s invisible attributes is this two-pronged analogy of His authority and holiness in our delegated authority and morality. God uses analogy for the same reason we do: so that we can understand His communication with us. Satan is always trying to distort God’s analogies so that we get lost and easily confused.
Today, remember you were designed for something far better than just “getting by.” But if you feel like that’s all you’re doing, perhaps you’re not listening to God as He seeks a close and mentoring relationship with you. Stop and ask, “Why am I not spending more time with the One who knows me best and knows what I need the most?” He is calling to you and His message is clear. WITHIN REACH will help you hear Him better and apply His teaching directly to your life.
Prayer
Dear Father, You built us for relationship with You. And You have been seeking to win us back since You called out to Adam and Eve in the garden, “Where are you?” Many times I hear you call for me, “Karl, where are you?” I confess, I hide behind some pretty transparent animal skins. I don’t even understand why I am hiding sometimes, but I want to. Thank You for Your recent working in my life to push me back into Your arms. Let me consistently desire the greatest thing of all, to be in relationship with You, O Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord, and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:23
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Stepping Stones: Your Mutiny Is Getting Squashed
Transformational Thought
I have 3 daughters, and they are great, great kids … I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are very responsible and good with each other. When my wife and I go out, we leave them in charge to babysit … 19 year old babysits herself and the 16 year old; the 16 year old babysits herself and the 11 year old, and the 11 year old babysits herself and our dog, Duke. The determining factor when we granted them their wish to “be on their own” was, “whose rules will you use to manage yourselves and those you are in charge of ... our rules or yours?”
If they were able to be an extension of us, their parents, and be a caretaker of our rules, wishes, and authority, then we left them alone. If they were going to be their own kings (queens in this case), assume authority by overthrowing the existing regime (the parents), and rule based on their own whims, desires, and standards, then they weren’t allowed to be on their own.
Yesterday, we talked about how God created us to be His extension, the caretaker of His authority in all areas of creation, especially protecting His standards and guidelines for our lives. Our struggles, like insecurity, worry, depression, bitterness, fear, or loneliness, happen when we ignore, rebel against, or overthrow His authority, and place ourselves as the all-knowing, all-powerful Oz, the ruler of our universe.
When we use our ineffective and incomplete warped standards, rules, and guidelines for the goal of self-protection or self-promotion, we actually bring on our own self-destruction. Satan does a great job of hiding this blatant cause-and-effect principle in our lives from us. So, we persist being our own rulers and are ignorant that we are causing our daily debilitating, self-destructive consequences.
Today, as you experience some unrest, stop and ask yourself, “Whose rules am I using in this situation? In whose authority do I really trust?” God designed us to be caretakers of His authority, not kings resting in our own authority and developing our own kingdoms. WITHIN REACH is a resource that helps you become less of a king and more of a caretaker of God’s plan for your life. Your decision: who is king of your world? Choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the most powerful, sovereign king ever. You are also the most loving and sacrificial king to Your subjects. Thanks for sacrificing for me, a rebellious subject, who often overthrows Your rule in my life. I know when my flesh is on the throne; I reap the fruit of the flesh. Open my mind to Your wisdom, and the guidance You have for me to develop the Mind of Christ. In the name of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:7-9
I have 3 daughters, and they are great, great kids … I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are very responsible and good with each other. When my wife and I go out, we leave them in charge to babysit … 19 year old babysits herself and the 16 year old; the 16 year old babysits herself and the 11 year old, and the 11 year old babysits herself and our dog, Duke. The determining factor when we granted them their wish to “be on their own” was, “whose rules will you use to manage yourselves and those you are in charge of ... our rules or yours?”
If they were able to be an extension of us, their parents, and be a caretaker of our rules, wishes, and authority, then we left them alone. If they were going to be their own kings (queens in this case), assume authority by overthrowing the existing regime (the parents), and rule based on their own whims, desires, and standards, then they weren’t allowed to be on their own.
Yesterday, we talked about how God created us to be His extension, the caretaker of His authority in all areas of creation, especially protecting His standards and guidelines for our lives. Our struggles, like insecurity, worry, depression, bitterness, fear, or loneliness, happen when we ignore, rebel against, or overthrow His authority, and place ourselves as the all-knowing, all-powerful Oz, the ruler of our universe.
When we use our ineffective and incomplete warped standards, rules, and guidelines for the goal of self-protection or self-promotion, we actually bring on our own self-destruction. Satan does a great job of hiding this blatant cause-and-effect principle in our lives from us. So, we persist being our own rulers and are ignorant that we are causing our daily debilitating, self-destructive consequences.
Today, as you experience some unrest, stop and ask yourself, “Whose rules am I using in this situation? In whose authority do I really trust?” God designed us to be caretakers of His authority, not kings resting in our own authority and developing our own kingdoms. WITHIN REACH is a resource that helps you become less of a king and more of a caretaker of God’s plan for your life. Your decision: who is king of your world? Choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the most powerful, sovereign king ever. You are also the most loving and sacrificial king to Your subjects. Thanks for sacrificing for me, a rebellious subject, who often overthrows Your rule in my life. I know when my flesh is on the throne; I reap the fruit of the flesh. Open my mind to Your wisdom, and the guidance You have for me to develop the Mind of Christ. In the name of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:7-9
Monday, September 26, 2011
Stepping Stones: God Promotes You, Now What?
Transformational Thought
It’s fun watching our girls get excited about babysitting opportunities. Our pride oozes when we hear our friends rave at how mature and skillful our girls are in this new role. You see, authority is being delegated to them, and then they exercise good moral judgment while ruling over the kids they have responsibility for. These are 2 key characteristics God designed in us. They represent broad analogies of His own attributes. First, He promotes us above all creation and delegates authority to us, and second, He gives us morality.
In regards to the first characteristic, He gave Adam and Eve (and therefore all humans) authority over creation. We don’t create out of nothing as God can, but we are creative. We don’t command the nature as He does, but we understand what it is to tame animals, or bring the elements under our authority in metalwork, or in cultivating crops.
As for the second characteristic, God built into us a sense of right and wrong, as well as the responsibility to choose right over wrong. Consider this … we’re the only creatures who understand the concept of shame, because we’re the only creatures who understand what it is to break rules or to do the wrong thing. Birds don’t apologize; cats don’t get embarrassed; dogs don’t have law courts.
God wants you to bring creation under His authority through the exercise of your authority. Your family, your job, and your recreation, just to name a few, are facets of the creation that He has entrusted to your care. You have free will, so these aspects are yours to do with as you decide: either for His glory (which is also to your benefit, satisfaction, and growth), or to ultimate destruction. There is no middle ground.
Every longing of your heart, every desire, or impulse to act, create, manage, control, or fix is actually a reflection of the impulse to exercise the authority He has delegated to you, and to exercise your sense of right and wrong.
Today, when you have impulses submit those regarding authority and morality to Him. That is, exercise self-control over each impulse and then ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” We are not animals that react instinctively. God gave each of us a great mind and a sense of morality to maximize our responses, thus glorifying Him and fulfilling ourselves at the same time. Your decision, so choose well … and you’ll find two things becoming increasingly true: you’ll love Him more AND suffer discomfort a lot less.
Prayer
Holy Father, Mighty God: In You we live, and move, and have our entire being. From You we receive the authority to order our lives as we please: either for our good and Your glory, or for our own glory and pain-filled living. Please have mercy on us, that we may increasingly understand that the best authority is that which is exercised according to Your word, and the best morality is that which resonates with Your will. This we ask, through the sacrifice of Christ, and all God’s children say, – AMEN!
The Truth
“Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
Genesis 2:15-17
It’s fun watching our girls get excited about babysitting opportunities. Our pride oozes when we hear our friends rave at how mature and skillful our girls are in this new role. You see, authority is being delegated to them, and then they exercise good moral judgment while ruling over the kids they have responsibility for. These are 2 key characteristics God designed in us. They represent broad analogies of His own attributes. First, He promotes us above all creation and delegates authority to us, and second, He gives us morality.
In regards to the first characteristic, He gave Adam and Eve (and therefore all humans) authority over creation. We don’t create out of nothing as God can, but we are creative. We don’t command the nature as He does, but we understand what it is to tame animals, or bring the elements under our authority in metalwork, or in cultivating crops.
As for the second characteristic, God built into us a sense of right and wrong, as well as the responsibility to choose right over wrong. Consider this … we’re the only creatures who understand the concept of shame, because we’re the only creatures who understand what it is to break rules or to do the wrong thing. Birds don’t apologize; cats don’t get embarrassed; dogs don’t have law courts.
God wants you to bring creation under His authority through the exercise of your authority. Your family, your job, and your recreation, just to name a few, are facets of the creation that He has entrusted to your care. You have free will, so these aspects are yours to do with as you decide: either for His glory (which is also to your benefit, satisfaction, and growth), or to ultimate destruction. There is no middle ground.
Every longing of your heart, every desire, or impulse to act, create, manage, control, or fix is actually a reflection of the impulse to exercise the authority He has delegated to you, and to exercise your sense of right and wrong.
Today, when you have impulses submit those regarding authority and morality to Him. That is, exercise self-control over each impulse and then ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” We are not animals that react instinctively. God gave each of us a great mind and a sense of morality to maximize our responses, thus glorifying Him and fulfilling ourselves at the same time. Your decision, so choose well … and you’ll find two things becoming increasingly true: you’ll love Him more AND suffer discomfort a lot less.
Prayer
Holy Father, Mighty God: In You we live, and move, and have our entire being. From You we receive the authority to order our lives as we please: either for our good and Your glory, or for our own glory and pain-filled living. Please have mercy on us, that we may increasingly understand that the best authority is that which is exercised according to Your word, and the best morality is that which resonates with Your will. This we ask, through the sacrifice of Christ, and all God’s children say, – AMEN!
The Truth
“Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
Genesis 2:15-17
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Stepping Stones: How Much Do You Resemble Your Father?
Transformational Thought
In every child there is evidence of the parents’ contributions to the child’s makeup. They have their father’s eyes or their mother’s nose. Whose intelligence or stubbornness they have is often up for debate! What we often forget is that we, too, bear an image, an imprint of our designer – our Father’s image and likeness.
God is not like us, yet He designed us to understand who He is, so that we can be in a wondrous relationship with Him. For this reason, He gives us a likeness or analogy of His infinite and perfect attributes and character. For example, in a limited way we understand His greatness, power, knowledge, authority, creativity, sacrifice, love, and other attributes. He gives us a sense of time and eternity. He imprints us with an ability to grasp right and wrong … good, better, and best.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are attributes and characteristics that we find in God. This means that every encouragement to obey God is not just a rule, law, or helpful hint about life. Yes, it’s those, but it is also so much more. It’s a call to be what we were ultimately made to be. Becoming holy isn’t so much about “being good” as it is about “being human”… not the human of this world, but instead, the human God created us to become, through the blood of Jesus and the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we try to do life our own way, according to our own instruction manual, we get so frustrated, because we aren’t being used for the purpose for which we were designed. It’s like using a paintbrush to change a diaper, or a hammer to eat dinner. When something is serving its designer’s intent, then effectiveness, impact, peace, and fulfillment are plentiful.
Today, whatever your situation is, look at the Scriptures to consider the Designer’s intent for your life. Know that He really is calling you to “be all that you can be.” Write down what you need to believe differently about God or yourself so you can become all that He designed you to be. Write down what stops you from actually believing it. Usually, a distortion about God or our self is what interferes with our believing. So start to unpack the lie you believe that holds you back from walking into the part God has written for you! WITHIN REACH helps you identify and overcome those obstacles.
Prayer
Dear Father, Teach us to know that You have designed us for better things. Teach us to understand that obedience to You is not burdensome, but that obedience is a return to our original glorious design. By the power of your Spirit, make us to be more and more the image of Christ, who bears Your image perfectly and fully. Help me to get out of Your way and understand better my role in Your work of growing me. These things we ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:15-18
In every child there is evidence of the parents’ contributions to the child’s makeup. They have their father’s eyes or their mother’s nose. Whose intelligence or stubbornness they have is often up for debate! What we often forget is that we, too, bear an image, an imprint of our designer – our Father’s image and likeness.
God is not like us, yet He designed us to understand who He is, so that we can be in a wondrous relationship with Him. For this reason, He gives us a likeness or analogy of His infinite and perfect attributes and character. For example, in a limited way we understand His greatness, power, knowledge, authority, creativity, sacrifice, love, and other attributes. He gives us a sense of time and eternity. He imprints us with an ability to grasp right and wrong … good, better, and best.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are attributes and characteristics that we find in God. This means that every encouragement to obey God is not just a rule, law, or helpful hint about life. Yes, it’s those, but it is also so much more. It’s a call to be what we were ultimately made to be. Becoming holy isn’t so much about “being good” as it is about “being human”… not the human of this world, but instead, the human God created us to become, through the blood of Jesus and the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we try to do life our own way, according to our own instruction manual, we get so frustrated, because we aren’t being used for the purpose for which we were designed. It’s like using a paintbrush to change a diaper, or a hammer to eat dinner. When something is serving its designer’s intent, then effectiveness, impact, peace, and fulfillment are plentiful.
Today, whatever your situation is, look at the Scriptures to consider the Designer’s intent for your life. Know that He really is calling you to “be all that you can be.” Write down what you need to believe differently about God or yourself so you can become all that He designed you to be. Write down what stops you from actually believing it. Usually, a distortion about God or our self is what interferes with our believing. So start to unpack the lie you believe that holds you back from walking into the part God has written for you! WITHIN REACH helps you identify and overcome those obstacles.
Prayer
Dear Father, Teach us to know that You have designed us for better things. Teach us to understand that obedience to You is not burdensome, but that obedience is a return to our original glorious design. By the power of your Spirit, make us to be more and more the image of Christ, who bears Your image perfectly and fully. Help me to get out of Your way and understand better my role in Your work of growing me. These things we ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say, AMEN!
The Truth
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:15-18
Friday, September 23, 2011
Stepping Stones: Posing? For Who?
Transformational Thought
When I was 26 years old, I was the greatest … in my eyes. But when I met someone I was infatuated with, I would try hard to hide the skeletons, hurts, defects, scars, and fears swirling inside of me. But of I really was great, what was I hiding and why? I feared that if she saw those things, she would surely reject me. I was posing, pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
So many activities and experiences from childhood reinforce this scary and isolating concept of conditional acceptance. I know now that my parents loved me through thick and thin. But many times when I was a kid, that wasn’t so clear to me. I would interpret, actually misinterpret, their words, facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, consequences, or sharp critique of my activities as rejection, rejection based on my performance.
You see, most Earthly systems, excluding our government, are mainly works-based systems. Perform well, and get lots of acknowledgment and rewards. Mess up, and get criticism and lose a lot. Even in church, memorize a verse … get a gold star. Do well in youth group … get asked to join the worship team. Make a mistake … people gossip. If a Pastor’s wife is shy … she is viewed as cold.
Unfortunately, this conditional acceptance is a habit or pattern of thinking and viewing the world that flooded into my spiritual world as well. For so long, I had closed off parts of my life from God. I didn’t want Him to reject me, so I tried to hide my broken areas. I believed I could only bring a “cleaned-up” version of myself to Him.
How ignorant … how futile. Wounds and sins that we try to shut away from the light of His love will only fester, get worse, and then infect other areas of our life. Like a computer virus, we usually don’t realize what happens until a lot of damage occurs. Secret sins that we try to “hide” from our Lord can split off and develop lives of their own … controlling us without our knowledge while creating and building debilitating fear in our relationships and actions.
Today, open yourself completely to God. Open yourself to His transforming and healing presence. Let his brilliant love-light search out and destroy your hidden fears. Tell Him directly about one fear you struggled with today. The sooner you let Him into all those areas, the sooner His instruction and healing can soothe your hurts, and transform your heart and mind for lasting fulfillment and joy. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You know me inside and out. I no longer want to hide things from You. I am tired of hiding my wounds from You, then having to bear them all myself. Thank You for taking my yoke, and bearing my pains. I pray that Your love-light will seep deeply into the inner recesses of my being. Help me to understand Your perfect love … and to believe that perfect love drives out all fear. I pray this in the unconditional name of Jesus, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
When I was 26 years old, I was the greatest … in my eyes. But when I met someone I was infatuated with, I would try hard to hide the skeletons, hurts, defects, scars, and fears swirling inside of me. But of I really was great, what was I hiding and why? I feared that if she saw those things, she would surely reject me. I was posing, pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
So many activities and experiences from childhood reinforce this scary and isolating concept of conditional acceptance. I know now that my parents loved me through thick and thin. But many times when I was a kid, that wasn’t so clear to me. I would interpret, actually misinterpret, their words, facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, consequences, or sharp critique of my activities as rejection, rejection based on my performance.
You see, most Earthly systems, excluding our government, are mainly works-based systems. Perform well, and get lots of acknowledgment and rewards. Mess up, and get criticism and lose a lot. Even in church, memorize a verse … get a gold star. Do well in youth group … get asked to join the worship team. Make a mistake … people gossip. If a Pastor’s wife is shy … she is viewed as cold.
Unfortunately, this conditional acceptance is a habit or pattern of thinking and viewing the world that flooded into my spiritual world as well. For so long, I had closed off parts of my life from God. I didn’t want Him to reject me, so I tried to hide my broken areas. I believed I could only bring a “cleaned-up” version of myself to Him.
How ignorant … how futile. Wounds and sins that we try to shut away from the light of His love will only fester, get worse, and then infect other areas of our life. Like a computer virus, we usually don’t realize what happens until a lot of damage occurs. Secret sins that we try to “hide” from our Lord can split off and develop lives of their own … controlling us without our knowledge while creating and building debilitating fear in our relationships and actions.
Today, open yourself completely to God. Open yourself to His transforming and healing presence. Let his brilliant love-light search out and destroy your hidden fears. Tell Him directly about one fear you struggled with today. The sooner you let Him into all those areas, the sooner His instruction and healing can soothe your hurts, and transform your heart and mind for lasting fulfillment and joy. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You know me inside and out. I no longer want to hide things from You. I am tired of hiding my wounds from You, then having to bear them all myself. Thank You for taking my yoke, and bearing my pains. I pray that Your love-light will seep deeply into the inner recesses of my being. Help me to understand Your perfect love … and to believe that perfect love drives out all fear. I pray this in the unconditional name of Jesus, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Stepping Stones: The Light Is In You, Just Flip The Switch
Transformational Thought
When I was a child, my friends and I would play this game. We would go into the basement at night and turn off all the lights … and then try and find each other. The mixed feelings were similar to watching a scary movie when you are afraid, but at the same time, excited with an interesting blend of anticipation and reluctance for the unexpected. One of my friends was almost paralyzed with the fear that one of us might grab and scare him in the total darkness. At times I would crawl along the floor for safety or to execute a surprise attack. Weird how we didn’t really like the game, but we would frequently play it. Don’t know why … peer pressure I guess. Still to this day, when it is pitch black, I remember some of those experiences.
Looking at our struggles as adults, we can find ourselves still wandering in the darkness of immaturity and insecurity. To avoid or limit danger, we start crawling on the basement floors of our lives. We get so used to that strategy that when the lights are finally turned on, we keep crawling with a blindfold in place, unable to let the light show us where danger lies and where the path to freedom and fulfillment really is.
I see so many people crawling through their lives on the basement floor, cursing the darkness … while all the time God is shining brightly. Not only is He shining brightly around you, if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit is shining in you.
You can allow that light to shine through you and out of you to illuminate your path by making Godly decisions. Decisions in line with God’s will keep the Holy Spirit on the throne of your heart and keep that light brightly shining. Making wrong decisions puts the flesh on the throne of your heart and puts a bushel over that light. God wants each of us to be light-bearers … to be lighthouses. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, will shine God’s light from your face into your surroundings and to those around you. But the key is the quality of the decisions you make. This is why The Holy Bible (and we at Lighthouse) stress Godly decision-making skills. It truly is the key to your life, because you will make 5,000 – 10,000 decisions … just today!
Today, when you see “darkness” around you, stop, pray, and think about the Holy Spirit shining through you. Get out of His way by confessing your wrong decisions. Then start making the decisions you know you should. Be bold, and He will shine through you. You know what He wants you to do, even though it might go against your agenda, so just do it and see the magic that happens. Blessings or curses, it all comes down to the decisions you make and whether you have a “Thy will be done” or ”My will be done” mindset and motivation. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I do not like the darkness. I want to live in Your radiant light. When I do find myself in spiritual darkness I reach for Your guiding hand. I reach for Your hand in joyful trust, knowing You will never leave my side. I pray, Father, that I may brighten the world by reflecting who You are. Help me, Lord, to spread Your light into the darkness of someone’s life. I pray this in the name of Jesus who is the light of the world; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:20
When I was a child, my friends and I would play this game. We would go into the basement at night and turn off all the lights … and then try and find each other. The mixed feelings were similar to watching a scary movie when you are afraid, but at the same time, excited with an interesting blend of anticipation and reluctance for the unexpected. One of my friends was almost paralyzed with the fear that one of us might grab and scare him in the total darkness. At times I would crawl along the floor for safety or to execute a surprise attack. Weird how we didn’t really like the game, but we would frequently play it. Don’t know why … peer pressure I guess. Still to this day, when it is pitch black, I remember some of those experiences.
Looking at our struggles as adults, we can find ourselves still wandering in the darkness of immaturity and insecurity. To avoid or limit danger, we start crawling on the basement floors of our lives. We get so used to that strategy that when the lights are finally turned on, we keep crawling with a blindfold in place, unable to let the light show us where danger lies and where the path to freedom and fulfillment really is.
I see so many people crawling through their lives on the basement floor, cursing the darkness … while all the time God is shining brightly. Not only is He shining brightly around you, if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit is shining in you.
You can allow that light to shine through you and out of you to illuminate your path by making Godly decisions. Decisions in line with God’s will keep the Holy Spirit on the throne of your heart and keep that light brightly shining. Making wrong decisions puts the flesh on the throne of your heart and puts a bushel over that light. God wants each of us to be light-bearers … to be lighthouses. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, will shine God’s light from your face into your surroundings and to those around you. But the key is the quality of the decisions you make. This is why The Holy Bible (and we at Lighthouse) stress Godly decision-making skills. It truly is the key to your life, because you will make 5,000 – 10,000 decisions … just today!
Today, when you see “darkness” around you, stop, pray, and think about the Holy Spirit shining through you. Get out of His way by confessing your wrong decisions. Then start making the decisions you know you should. Be bold, and He will shine through you. You know what He wants you to do, even though it might go against your agenda, so just do it and see the magic that happens. Blessings or curses, it all comes down to the decisions you make and whether you have a “Thy will be done” or ”My will be done” mindset and motivation. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I do not like the darkness. I want to live in Your radiant light. When I do find myself in spiritual darkness I reach for Your guiding hand. I reach for Your hand in joyful trust, knowing You will never leave my side. I pray, Father, that I may brighten the world by reflecting who You are. Help me, Lord, to spread Your light into the darkness of someone’s life. I pray this in the name of Jesus who is the light of the world; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:20
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Stepping Stones: Rely On Yourself, Or Rest In Him?
Transformational Thought
There was a big burly lumberjack who came from a long line of lumberjacks. His parents named him … Jack. He was hired to cut down 30 trees a day. For the first few days the 30 trees fell easily under his axe, since Jack was a stud. But on day 5 he only cut down 25 trees, and on day 10 only 8. On day 20, even though he was swinging that axe faster and harder than on day 1, only 3 trees fell. Jack was so confused and frustrated, not to mention very tired since he was working harder than ever.
The supervisor was worried about his best worker and came to observe why Jack’s performance had trailed off so dramatically. The supervisor saw that the lumberjack’s axe was completely dull. So he told Jack, who was huffing and puffing and on the verge of exhaustion, that he needed to sharpen his axe. Jack fearfully blurted, “I can’t. I don’t have time … I need to cut down 30 trees today and I am already behind.”
Does this describe you some days? So many of us are exhausted, worn out, and in need of true relaxation and refreshment. I don’t mean sleep … I mean real psychological and spiritual rest. We keep swinging harder and faster, but our blades, our tools, are dull and getting duller by the minute. By dull, I mean our life and decision-making skills, really our psychological and emotion management skills, just aren’t as honed as they should be or as we need them to be.
We’ve been so indoctrinated to think resting means idleness or laziness. Our insecurity and past mistakes push our need to swing furiously and often, to show that we are worthy, or to make up for our past. Jesus, who had the most to do, rested often. Resting in God has two huge benefits: first, it allows us to sharpen our axes as we clear our lenses and hone our skills; second, when we relax in His presence, we demonstrate trust in Him to take over and accomplish what we can’t. We always need to find that balance between trusting and resting in Him and being an active and good steward of what we can control.
Trust is such a rich word, filled with meaning and direction for our life. So many of us do the exact opposite of what God wants for us. We turn away from Him when we are exhausted because we associate God with duty and diligence. We wrongly believe that going to Him means we have to do more, instead of allowing Him to give us more.
Today, set aside 15 minutes to take a rest and specifically lean on, trust in, and be confident with God. Meditate on His power and His love for you. Relax in His presence. When you lean on Him for support and rest, He delights in your trusting confidence in Him. Then as you rest, listen to what He is telling you, either directly or through your circumstances. He will talk to you. Your decision, rest in Him or rely on yourself, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You depleted and worn out. I come to You, Lord, for refreshment. I know that resting in You will save me. I thank You, Father, for Your reassuring Word that You spoke through Your prophet Isaiah, telling me that coming to You in quietness and trust shall be my strength. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may lean on Your understanding, not mine. I pray this with trust and expectation, and in the name of One who rested in You perfectly, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength
Isaiah 30:15
There was a big burly lumberjack who came from a long line of lumberjacks. His parents named him … Jack. He was hired to cut down 30 trees a day. For the first few days the 30 trees fell easily under his axe, since Jack was a stud. But on day 5 he only cut down 25 trees, and on day 10 only 8. On day 20, even though he was swinging that axe faster and harder than on day 1, only 3 trees fell. Jack was so confused and frustrated, not to mention very tired since he was working harder than ever.
The supervisor was worried about his best worker and came to observe why Jack’s performance had trailed off so dramatically. The supervisor saw that the lumberjack’s axe was completely dull. So he told Jack, who was huffing and puffing and on the verge of exhaustion, that he needed to sharpen his axe. Jack fearfully blurted, “I can’t. I don’t have time … I need to cut down 30 trees today and I am already behind.”
Does this describe you some days? So many of us are exhausted, worn out, and in need of true relaxation and refreshment. I don’t mean sleep … I mean real psychological and spiritual rest. We keep swinging harder and faster, but our blades, our tools, are dull and getting duller by the minute. By dull, I mean our life and decision-making skills, really our psychological and emotion management skills, just aren’t as honed as they should be or as we need them to be.
We’ve been so indoctrinated to think resting means idleness or laziness. Our insecurity and past mistakes push our need to swing furiously and often, to show that we are worthy, or to make up for our past. Jesus, who had the most to do, rested often. Resting in God has two huge benefits: first, it allows us to sharpen our axes as we clear our lenses and hone our skills; second, when we relax in His presence, we demonstrate trust in Him to take over and accomplish what we can’t. We always need to find that balance between trusting and resting in Him and being an active and good steward of what we can control.
Trust is such a rich word, filled with meaning and direction for our life. So many of us do the exact opposite of what God wants for us. We turn away from Him when we are exhausted because we associate God with duty and diligence. We wrongly believe that going to Him means we have to do more, instead of allowing Him to give us more.
Today, set aside 15 minutes to take a rest and specifically lean on, trust in, and be confident with God. Meditate on His power and His love for you. Relax in His presence. When you lean on Him for support and rest, He delights in your trusting confidence in Him. Then as you rest, listen to what He is telling you, either directly or through your circumstances. He will talk to you. Your decision, rest in Him or rely on yourself, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You depleted and worn out. I come to You, Lord, for refreshment. I know that resting in You will save me. I thank You, Father, for Your reassuring Word that You spoke through Your prophet Isaiah, telling me that coming to You in quietness and trust shall be my strength. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may lean on Your understanding, not mine. I pray this with trust and expectation, and in the name of One who rested in You perfectly, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength
Isaiah 30:15
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Stepping Stones: FEAR: Retreat Or Attack?
Transformational Thought
Fear … of speaking in class or giving a lecture … of blowing a test or an important performance or game … of parasailing … of taking a new job … of confrontation … of setting a healthy boundary … of having someone angry or upset with me. Wow! For so long, FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) really interrupted and crippled my life. Then came the fear about having fear. I was almost paralyzed.
Through honest reflection, self-assessment, therapy, and real examination of how and why I do things, I realized I was hiding my fear … pretending it wasn’t there. When I thought the fear couldn’t get any worse, I discovered that the fear you hide in the recesses of your heart will give birth to the fear of fear … a real monster. The danger of the second fear is that it diverts your focus off the original fear. You see, the first fear was usually planted at a very young age, when we knew little, were very gullible, and weren’t well equipped to handle much stress.
Now as adults, we have the ability to clearly see the original false evidence that restricts our lives. More importantly, we can do something different and better in these same situations. At the very least, if real anxiety exists, we can handle it much better and soothe ourselves in more healthy ways.
But we are usually too lazy, too hurried, or just don’t know how to go back and deeply re-address those old painful FEARS. But when we do re-address them, we now can access and apply the freedom Christ won for us over those FEARS. Let God’s truth into those FEARS, don’t let Satan put out that light. Freedom from FEAR is available for each one of us.
Today, acknowledge that your FEARS are flaming arrows of attack from the evil one and bring your fears out into the Light of Your Lord’s presence where you can deal with them openly. The darkness just gives them more power over you. Identify one thing that upsets, alarms, scares, or threatens you. Examine how it influences your decisions. Tell someone about it and ask them to help you identify the False Evidence that Appears Real in that issue. It can be very freeing just knowing the cycle can be broken. Click here for our powerful workshop that helps you live the life that is WITHIN REACH as you learn to apply God’s teachings to overcome your FEARS.
Prayer
Dear Beloved Father, I confess that fear has a stronghold on me. I know that most fear comes from the enemy’s arrows of attack. I thank You, Father, for Your Word that teaches me to use my shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Father, so that I might build my faith. Help me understand how to dig deep and uncover those FEARS and bathe them in truth. Help me, Father, to bring all fear to You so that we may deal with them together. I pray, Father, that by concentrating on You and being a good steward of my mind, my fearfulness will lose its foothold on me. I pray in the holy name of my Deliverer, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
Proverbs 29:25
Fear … of speaking in class or giving a lecture … of blowing a test or an important performance or game … of parasailing … of taking a new job … of confrontation … of setting a healthy boundary … of having someone angry or upset with me. Wow! For so long, FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) really interrupted and crippled my life. Then came the fear about having fear. I was almost paralyzed.
Through honest reflection, self-assessment, therapy, and real examination of how and why I do things, I realized I was hiding my fear … pretending it wasn’t there. When I thought the fear couldn’t get any worse, I discovered that the fear you hide in the recesses of your heart will give birth to the fear of fear … a real monster. The danger of the second fear is that it diverts your focus off the original fear. You see, the first fear was usually planted at a very young age, when we knew little, were very gullible, and weren’t well equipped to handle much stress.
Now as adults, we have the ability to clearly see the original false evidence that restricts our lives. More importantly, we can do something different and better in these same situations. At the very least, if real anxiety exists, we can handle it much better and soothe ourselves in more healthy ways.
But we are usually too lazy, too hurried, or just don’t know how to go back and deeply re-address those old painful FEARS. But when we do re-address them, we now can access and apply the freedom Christ won for us over those FEARS. Let God’s truth into those FEARS, don’t let Satan put out that light. Freedom from FEAR is available for each one of us.
Today, acknowledge that your FEARS are flaming arrows of attack from the evil one and bring your fears out into the Light of Your Lord’s presence where you can deal with them openly. The darkness just gives them more power over you. Identify one thing that upsets, alarms, scares, or threatens you. Examine how it influences your decisions. Tell someone about it and ask them to help you identify the False Evidence that Appears Real in that issue. It can be very freeing just knowing the cycle can be broken. Click here for our powerful workshop that helps you live the life that is WITHIN REACH as you learn to apply God’s teachings to overcome your FEARS.
Prayer
Dear Beloved Father, I confess that fear has a stronghold on me. I know that most fear comes from the enemy’s arrows of attack. I thank You, Father, for Your Word that teaches me to use my shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Father, so that I might build my faith. Help me understand how to dig deep and uncover those FEARS and bathe them in truth. Help me, Father, to bring all fear to You so that we may deal with them together. I pray, Father, that by concentrating on You and being a good steward of my mind, my fearfulness will lose its foothold on me. I pray in the holy name of my Deliverer, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
Proverbs 29:25
Monday, September 19, 2011
Stepping Stones: Is Your Radar On And Tuned In?
Transformational Thought
Do you feel your heart beating right now? Do you feel billion, yea, billions of brain cells firing right now, allowing you to read this and be amazed? Honest now, are you really actually feeling the love for your kids, or parents, or spouse, or other loved one, right now, the moment before I just mentioned it? Do you feel the Earth actually spinning at amazing speeds when a much slower amusement ride gets us dizzy?
I could go on with so many more examples of physical sensations from our body, or emotional sensations from our life, but I imagine you are getting my point already. Just because you don’t feel these events or dynamics right now, doesn’t mean they aren’t happening. And some of them are happening in big ways, and you aren’t even feeling it! Remember this point.
You see, as Christians, we say that even though we’ve accepted Christ as our savior, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and are in an intimate and indescribable union with God, we don’t feel tht power or emotions at times in our lives. Especially, at times, when we need to feel loved the most. Maybe we feel alone because our union with God is invisible. Remember, you are connected to God through Love-bonds that cannot be seen and that nothing, absolutely nothing, can severe.
Fighting against ability to feel these experiences, Satan is so spiteful of God and doesn’t want us to see, feel, or know how much God constantly loves us, or how determined God is in pursuing us, so we can receive God’s love. This spiritual warfare all around us, or the craziness of society, is Satan’s strategy to numb our radar that is supposed to be tuned directly to God, 24/7. Satan can’t separate you from God’s love, but as the Great Deceiver, he will try to deceive you into thinking that God’s love is not there for you.
Today, try and meditate on the fact that God is nearer than you think…He is richly present in all your moments. Be aware of His presence…Put your hand on your heart and feel your heartbeat, and say “God is really in my heart…just because I don’t feel it sometimes is not the only evidence I go on. He really is always pumping in my life!” This is not an escape from reality, it is, in fact, turning to the only and ultimate reality. He is far more real than the world you can see, hear, touch and depend on. Your choice of whether you act on reality…or the deception. Your choice will determine the whether you experience peace, joy, and fulfillment in this world.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, At times You feel so far away. Help me, Father, to open my eyes so that I may find You everywhere. Increase my spiritual radar and spiritual IQ. The more aware I am of Your presence in my life, the more secure I feel. I need You, Father. Blazing missiles of fear are flying at me day and night…the attacks from the evil one come at me without rest. Build my faith, Father, so that I may be certain of what I cannot see. I pray in the name of my always constant savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
Acts 17:27-28
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
Do you feel your heart beating right now? Do you feel billion, yea, billions of brain cells firing right now, allowing you to read this and be amazed? Honest now, are you really actually feeling the love for your kids, or parents, or spouse, or other loved one, right now, the moment before I just mentioned it? Do you feel the Earth actually spinning at amazing speeds when a much slower amusement ride gets us dizzy?
I could go on with so many more examples of physical sensations from our body, or emotional sensations from our life, but I imagine you are getting my point already. Just because you don’t feel these events or dynamics right now, doesn’t mean they aren’t happening. And some of them are happening in big ways, and you aren’t even feeling it! Remember this point.
You see, as Christians, we say that even though we’ve accepted Christ as our savior, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and are in an intimate and indescribable union with God, we don’t feel tht power or emotions at times in our lives. Especially, at times, when we need to feel loved the most. Maybe we feel alone because our union with God is invisible. Remember, you are connected to God through Love-bonds that cannot be seen and that nothing, absolutely nothing, can severe.
Fighting against ability to feel these experiences, Satan is so spiteful of God and doesn’t want us to see, feel, or know how much God constantly loves us, or how determined God is in pursuing us, so we can receive God’s love. This spiritual warfare all around us, or the craziness of society, is Satan’s strategy to numb our radar that is supposed to be tuned directly to God, 24/7. Satan can’t separate you from God’s love, but as the Great Deceiver, he will try to deceive you into thinking that God’s love is not there for you.
Today, try and meditate on the fact that God is nearer than you think…He is richly present in all your moments. Be aware of His presence…Put your hand on your heart and feel your heartbeat, and say “God is really in my heart…just because I don’t feel it sometimes is not the only evidence I go on. He really is always pumping in my life!” This is not an escape from reality, it is, in fact, turning to the only and ultimate reality. He is far more real than the world you can see, hear, touch and depend on. Your choice of whether you act on reality…or the deception. Your choice will determine the whether you experience peace, joy, and fulfillment in this world.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, At times You feel so far away. Help me, Father, to open my eyes so that I may find You everywhere. Increase my spiritual radar and spiritual IQ. The more aware I am of Your presence in my life, the more secure I feel. I need You, Father. Blazing missiles of fear are flying at me day and night…the attacks from the evil one come at me without rest. Build my faith, Father, so that I may be certain of what I cannot see. I pray in the name of my always constant savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
Acts 17:27-28
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Stepping Stones: What Are You An Activist For?
Transformational Thought
We seem to be living in a me-first era, in which people exercise less restraint over their impulses, doing whatever gives immediate satisfaction without regard to the consequences of their actions. These consequences have harmful effects not only on the doer, but also on other people as well.
The positive effect of this me-first mentality is that we get to live in a time when people are activists and standing up for all sorts of causes. People stand up for the rights of dogs, dolphins, eagles, deer, elephants, and almost every animal. People stand up for trees, the ocean, deserts, the ozone, swamps, and creeks. We have people standing up for choice of religion, sexual orientation, political party, wearing clothes or going nude. We have people standing up for everything imaginable, and even willing to die for their cause.
I love my wife and kids and would fight to the death if someone were attacking them. David knew what was worth standing up for as he spent much time praying to, learning from, and trusting in God. David couldn’t stand to hear Goliath blaspheme his heavenly Father whom he loved so dearly, His true and living God. Without fear or hesitation, and with great confidence, David was ready to stand up and fight the mighty, giant warrior whom everybody, even Saul, feared. Why? Because David knew God stood up for him all the time, and later his messiah, Jesus, would make the ultimate stand for him.
Isn't it time that we, as Christians, stand up for our Creator and what He stands for? We don’t need to be belligerent or mean-spirited or put others down. Our goal is to act and speak boldly with a Christ-like heart, and to raise up God and His principles. But we can’t be worried about the consequences, even if it means our death, job loss, loss of a friendship, or even a loved one. To David, standing up for God was a no-brainer. What about you?
Today, stand up, be heard and don’t be ashamed of the truth, which is found in Christ … no matter what the consequences! Be a Lighthouse, speak the truth excitedly and boldly through your actions and attitudes. If it is a testy situation, speak calmly, revealing God’s love and compassion, but don’t be afraid to stand up clearly for our Savior and His name. Your decision, choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father God, even though I don’t express my thanks and gratitude very well by my actions, thank you so much for standing up for me when you didn’t have to. Thanks for bearing my burden for me. Draw me closer to You today, and make me more passionate for those around me. Help me to love You more than myself, so I will die to myself, take up my cross, and follow You. Help me see You clearly, and not be deceived by my fear of other’s opinions. Give me the strength and the words to stand up for You. I pray in the name of the One who lay on a cross for me, my Savior Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
Mark 8:38
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Acts 5:41
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
We seem to be living in a me-first era, in which people exercise less restraint over their impulses, doing whatever gives immediate satisfaction without regard to the consequences of their actions. These consequences have harmful effects not only on the doer, but also on other people as well.
The positive effect of this me-first mentality is that we get to live in a time when people are activists and standing up for all sorts of causes. People stand up for the rights of dogs, dolphins, eagles, deer, elephants, and almost every animal. People stand up for trees, the ocean, deserts, the ozone, swamps, and creeks. We have people standing up for choice of religion, sexual orientation, political party, wearing clothes or going nude. We have people standing up for everything imaginable, and even willing to die for their cause.
I love my wife and kids and would fight to the death if someone were attacking them. David knew what was worth standing up for as he spent much time praying to, learning from, and trusting in God. David couldn’t stand to hear Goliath blaspheme his heavenly Father whom he loved so dearly, His true and living God. Without fear or hesitation, and with great confidence, David was ready to stand up and fight the mighty, giant warrior whom everybody, even Saul, feared. Why? Because David knew God stood up for him all the time, and later his messiah, Jesus, would make the ultimate stand for him.
Isn't it time that we, as Christians, stand up for our Creator and what He stands for? We don’t need to be belligerent or mean-spirited or put others down. Our goal is to act and speak boldly with a Christ-like heart, and to raise up God and His principles. But we can’t be worried about the consequences, even if it means our death, job loss, loss of a friendship, or even a loved one. To David, standing up for God was a no-brainer. What about you?
Today, stand up, be heard and don’t be ashamed of the truth, which is found in Christ … no matter what the consequences! Be a Lighthouse, speak the truth excitedly and boldly through your actions and attitudes. If it is a testy situation, speak calmly, revealing God’s love and compassion, but don’t be afraid to stand up clearly for our Savior and His name. Your decision, choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father God, even though I don’t express my thanks and gratitude very well by my actions, thank you so much for standing up for me when you didn’t have to. Thanks for bearing my burden for me. Draw me closer to You today, and make me more passionate for those around me. Help me to love You more than myself, so I will die to myself, take up my cross, and follow You. Help me see You clearly, and not be deceived by my fear of other’s opinions. Give me the strength and the words to stand up for You. I pray in the name of the One who lay on a cross for me, my Savior Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
Mark 8:38
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Acts 5:41
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
Friday, September 16, 2011
Stepping Stones: Do You Really Want To Know God?
Transformational Thought
I have an engineering kind of mind, so I have never been much of a reader. English was a class I tried to avoid in high school and especially college. As a result, you probably notice many grammatical errors in these devotionals.
Literature classes would totally frustrate me, because when reading Romeo and Juliet or Julius Caesar, I often thought I would understand and be more impacted by the story if I really knew Shakespeare. You know, his personality, nuances, passions, issues, and especially the experiences of his life.
When watching the TV show Biography, I am so much more interested, intrigued, and impacted when I “know” or “interacted” with the subject. When the subject is Gilligan, Bob Barker, Ronald Reagan, or Robin Williams, as opposed to subjects that never touched my life, my depth of interest in the show and identification are much more profound.
If you were to read my personal journal, your understanding, interest, and enjoyment of my story would be dramatically impacted by whether you knew me personally or not. You see, my daughters love hearing stories about my past, but people who don’t know me could care less about the experiences that make me … me.
Well the Holy Bible, God’s journal, is the same way. The Bible is a great book, filled with life tips and stories that really reveal God’s heart and desires. But to maximize the treasure inside The Holy Bible, you really need to know and be in relationship with the author. Then it amazingly comes alive and can powerfully transform you. Get to know the Author, then He and His journal, the Word of God, will make more sense and have more authority in your life.
Our nature is to write our own journals, not to read or buy into another journal, especially one from an author asking to have authority over our lives. Get to know the author, because the book will come alive and you will find it much easier to transfer lordship of your life from self to God.
Today, ask yourself, “Does the Bible make sense to me?“, “Do I easily practice what it says?”. If you aren’t confident in your answers, ask “How much time a day do I spend relating to and getting to know the author, God?” Read a couple Psalms, or one of Paul’s letters to know God better. But more importantly, spend time in prayer and discussion.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I praise You as the Author of the big story. Thank You for making things so clear in Your word. I confess, I want to take shortcuts at times … not spend time getting to know You or spend time reading Your great storybook, journal, instruction manual. Then I wonder why I am frustrated, insecure, and lost. Thanks for Your Holy Spirit in me helping me digest Your Word and apply it to my life. Help me get out of the way and then follow the Holy Spirit’s direction for my life. I pray in the name of the Author of my salvation, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16
I have an engineering kind of mind, so I have never been much of a reader. English was a class I tried to avoid in high school and especially college. As a result, you probably notice many grammatical errors in these devotionals.
Literature classes would totally frustrate me, because when reading Romeo and Juliet or Julius Caesar, I often thought I would understand and be more impacted by the story if I really knew Shakespeare. You know, his personality, nuances, passions, issues, and especially the experiences of his life.
When watching the TV show Biography, I am so much more interested, intrigued, and impacted when I “know” or “interacted” with the subject. When the subject is Gilligan, Bob Barker, Ronald Reagan, or Robin Williams, as opposed to subjects that never touched my life, my depth of interest in the show and identification are much more profound.
If you were to read my personal journal, your understanding, interest, and enjoyment of my story would be dramatically impacted by whether you knew me personally or not. You see, my daughters love hearing stories about my past, but people who don’t know me could care less about the experiences that make me … me.
Well the Holy Bible, God’s journal, is the same way. The Bible is a great book, filled with life tips and stories that really reveal God’s heart and desires. But to maximize the treasure inside The Holy Bible, you really need to know and be in relationship with the author. Then it amazingly comes alive and can powerfully transform you. Get to know the Author, then He and His journal, the Word of God, will make more sense and have more authority in your life.
Our nature is to write our own journals, not to read or buy into another journal, especially one from an author asking to have authority over our lives. Get to know the author, because the book will come alive and you will find it much easier to transfer lordship of your life from self to God.
Today, ask yourself, “Does the Bible make sense to me?“, “Do I easily practice what it says?”. If you aren’t confident in your answers, ask “How much time a day do I spend relating to and getting to know the author, God?” Read a couple Psalms, or one of Paul’s letters to know God better. But more importantly, spend time in prayer and discussion.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I praise You as the Author of the big story. Thank You for making things so clear in Your word. I confess, I want to take shortcuts at times … not spend time getting to know You or spend time reading Your great storybook, journal, instruction manual. Then I wonder why I am frustrated, insecure, and lost. Thanks for Your Holy Spirit in me helping me digest Your Word and apply it to my life. Help me get out of the way and then follow the Holy Spirit’s direction for my life. I pray in the name of the Author of my salvation, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Stepping Stones: Are Your Keys Lost, Or Are You?
Transformational Thought
As I get older, my memory just isn’t the same. I tell myself I have so much more to remember, that it takes a couple seconds longer to look through all those file cabinets in my head. But simple things seem to fall through the cracks of my mind. One of my solutions is to put small items in a special place that I would definitely be able to remember. Well, you guessed it … I forget where or what that special place is.
When I am searching for my keys, it is because my keys are not in the right place. They are lost. You see, when my family is sightseeing in Washington, DC, and we’re searching for the Washington Monument, the monument isn’t lost. We are the ones who are lost!
We search for the Truth not because it is lost. We search for the Truth because we are lost. We were designed by God to search and find Him. Our search is usually for comfort, peace, love, happiness, being valued … all things God is able to give us and wants to give us. Unfortunately, instead of one-stop shopping, going to God for everything, we search in many other places and activities for the desires of our heart.
We try to find relief in work, computers, food, relationships, kids, grown-up toys, getting ahead, sex, alcohol, sleep, isolation, drugs. But we are looking in the wrong places … we search because we are lost. God isn’t lost. He is in the same place all the time. You’ll find Him in His word, through prayer, and as He orchestrates your circumstances to direct you back on track to find Him. Where is your own search leading you? Let the word of God immerse your mind and spirit: “Seek and you will find”; “I am the way, the truth and the life”.
Today, if you are searching for anything other than His Truth, it’s time for a route correction. Identify what you are searching for today. Write down the activities of your day. Are you pursuing these activities instead of God to meet your needs? Are these activities the ones God would prescribe for your treatment plan? Be honest and examine why you don’t look first to God to get unlost … you know, found … to fill some of your desires today. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I have been searching my entire life, but I have been searching in the wrong places. My searching has led me to some very bad decisions, which caused pain and suffering for me and for those I love. I thank You, Father, for the lighthouses you have brought into my life, those who have helped guide me, step by step, to You. I thank You for the new focus of my search. I search for You, Lord, for a deeper and deeper relationship with You. I pray, Father, for the Stepping Stones community that they too may focus their search toward the Truth … toward You, Father. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ whose Truth became flesh; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.”
1 Kings 17:24
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
As I get older, my memory just isn’t the same. I tell myself I have so much more to remember, that it takes a couple seconds longer to look through all those file cabinets in my head. But simple things seem to fall through the cracks of my mind. One of my solutions is to put small items in a special place that I would definitely be able to remember. Well, you guessed it … I forget where or what that special place is.
When I am searching for my keys, it is because my keys are not in the right place. They are lost. You see, when my family is sightseeing in Washington, DC, and we’re searching for the Washington Monument, the monument isn’t lost. We are the ones who are lost!
We search for the Truth not because it is lost. We search for the Truth because we are lost. We were designed by God to search and find Him. Our search is usually for comfort, peace, love, happiness, being valued … all things God is able to give us and wants to give us. Unfortunately, instead of one-stop shopping, going to God for everything, we search in many other places and activities for the desires of our heart.
We try to find relief in work, computers, food, relationships, kids, grown-up toys, getting ahead, sex, alcohol, sleep, isolation, drugs. But we are looking in the wrong places … we search because we are lost. God isn’t lost. He is in the same place all the time. You’ll find Him in His word, through prayer, and as He orchestrates your circumstances to direct you back on track to find Him. Where is your own search leading you? Let the word of God immerse your mind and spirit: “Seek and you will find”; “I am the way, the truth and the life”.
Today, if you are searching for anything other than His Truth, it’s time for a route correction. Identify what you are searching for today. Write down the activities of your day. Are you pursuing these activities instead of God to meet your needs? Are these activities the ones God would prescribe for your treatment plan? Be honest and examine why you don’t look first to God to get unlost … you know, found … to fill some of your desires today. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I have been searching my entire life, but I have been searching in the wrong places. My searching has led me to some very bad decisions, which caused pain and suffering for me and for those I love. I thank You, Father, for the lighthouses you have brought into my life, those who have helped guide me, step by step, to You. I thank You for the new focus of my search. I search for You, Lord, for a deeper and deeper relationship with You. I pray, Father, for the Stepping Stones community that they too may focus their search toward the Truth … toward You, Father. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ whose Truth became flesh; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.”
1 Kings 17:24
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Stepping Stones: Don’t Look Down!
Transformational Thought
We have seen many famous people fall from high places. Tiger Woods, Charlie Sheen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lindsay Lohan, John and Kate plus 8, Paris Hilton, Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick, and politicians with extramarital or unethical wrongdoing. It’s so tempting, so easy … at times it even feels like harmless fun to look down on and judge these once mighty people. Kick them while they’re down and rub salt in their wounds.
I’ve been guilty of falling into this trap myself, making callous comments and assuming I am better than some fallen person because I am in a better place at that moment. We all have skeletons in our closets, insecurities and shameful mistakes we’ve made. To make ourselves feel better we look down on others instead of raising our level of play.
I have also felt the pain of being looked down upon … being judged by others, and as you know, there’s no fun in that. We often think that the person looking down on us is so mean for not taking time to understand the reasons we struggle. We also pledge, “I would never look down on someone like that.”
Looking down on others is drastically different than the more caring act of noticing someone’s difficulties and wanting to help them. Looking down on others really exhibits a survival of the fittest mentality … taking from someone for my advancement. This is the opposite of God’s system, which is based on love. Love means that those who are fit actually give, sacrifice, look out for others, and help people. Condemning is about pushing down, taking something from somebody, and isn’t consistent with God’s methods and plan for us.
Today, be mindful that we are called by God to be disciples, not judges. Be aware of looking down on others … for our Lord is the only one who could have looked down on you, but instead, loved you and gave His life. If you find yourself tempted to look down on someone, remember it is harmful to you and the other person, and it’s disrespectful to God. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I confess, Lord, that I have been guilty of judging others. I know I have fallen into this sinful pattern because it gives me the false perception that I am better than those I judge. I wrongly believe it takes the heat off me. Help me, Father, to live by your word to “judge not.”, Let me have compassion and love for those in my life who have done wrong. Instead of judging others, help me be a lighthouse to them in their time of need. Help me minister Your word so that I may comfort and guide them. Also Father, help me forgive those who judge me … and not give them authority over me by accepting their condemnation. In the name of the One who never looked down on anyone, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
Matthew 7:1-3
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:1-3
We have seen many famous people fall from high places. Tiger Woods, Charlie Sheen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lindsay Lohan, John and Kate plus 8, Paris Hilton, Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick, and politicians with extramarital or unethical wrongdoing. It’s so tempting, so easy … at times it even feels like harmless fun to look down on and judge these once mighty people. Kick them while they’re down and rub salt in their wounds.
I’ve been guilty of falling into this trap myself, making callous comments and assuming I am better than some fallen person because I am in a better place at that moment. We all have skeletons in our closets, insecurities and shameful mistakes we’ve made. To make ourselves feel better we look down on others instead of raising our level of play.
I have also felt the pain of being looked down upon … being judged by others, and as you know, there’s no fun in that. We often think that the person looking down on us is so mean for not taking time to understand the reasons we struggle. We also pledge, “I would never look down on someone like that.”
Looking down on others is drastically different than the more caring act of noticing someone’s difficulties and wanting to help them. Looking down on others really exhibits a survival of the fittest mentality … taking from someone for my advancement. This is the opposite of God’s system, which is based on love. Love means that those who are fit actually give, sacrifice, look out for others, and help people. Condemning is about pushing down, taking something from somebody, and isn’t consistent with God’s methods and plan for us.
Today, be mindful that we are called by God to be disciples, not judges. Be aware of looking down on others … for our Lord is the only one who could have looked down on you, but instead, loved you and gave His life. If you find yourself tempted to look down on someone, remember it is harmful to you and the other person, and it’s disrespectful to God. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I confess, Lord, that I have been guilty of judging others. I know I have fallen into this sinful pattern because it gives me the false perception that I am better than those I judge. I wrongly believe it takes the heat off me. Help me, Father, to live by your word to “judge not.”, Let me have compassion and love for those in my life who have done wrong. Instead of judging others, help me be a lighthouse to them in their time of need. Help me minister Your word so that I may comfort and guide them. Also Father, help me forgive those who judge me … and not give them authority over me by accepting their condemnation. In the name of the One who never looked down on anyone, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
Matthew 7:1-3
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:1-3
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Stepping Stones: Are You An Oreo Believer?
Transformational Thought
I remember life as a teenager when everything seemed so simple. Authority was always corrupt or out of touch. Parents were always an obstacle to my pursuit of the good life. Money was the answer to having a successful life. Pink was a girl color I would never wear. Rock-n-Roll was the only music worth listening to. The popular girl would never go out with you because you weren’t cool.
With political elections on the horizon, the same black and white thinking is everywhere today. Both sides will use those “always” and “never” words making everything so extreme. One developmental milestone we all need to master is the ability to integrate good and bad in the same entity. Like an Oreo, black and white need to be seen together to “get” the whole picture, because other than God, nothing exists that doesn’t have an upside and a downside to it.
There are two sides to being a believer, one of light and one of darkness. As a believer myself, I spend most of my spiritual energy on the “light” side of things: the promise of salvation, the grace and mercy of our Father, and the power of forgiveness are just a few of the “light” elements. But to be a “whole” believer we need to accept the dark side as well. We must believe that Satan, the Prince of Darkness, is as real as Jesus. It’s an ugly, scary fact. I bristle at even having to write about him. However, we need to know and believe that Satan’s primary mission is to thwart God’s plan by separating us from Christ.
Be clear. Each day, especially for believers and followers of Christ, you are embroiled in diabolical spiritual warfare. Satan not only wants your attention, your family, your job, your relationships, but he also wants your soul - more than anything. His strategy is to create constant confusion and distraction in your mind. This confusion attacks every sphere … your brain chemistry, your emotions and personality, your relationships with others. Satan’s primary goal is disrupting your relationship with God. God calls you to renew your mind, not destroy it. But your mind is where the battle is fought.
Today, become a “Whole” believer. Integrate the light and the dark by accepting and being aware that there is a never-ending war between God and Satan, and the trophy is your soul. Identify a negative thought pattern that smudges your lenses, and instead, look at Christ’s teachings for the truth. When you are stressed remember the enemy isn’t your spouse, boss, money, job, or anything else … it is always Satan. Use God’s armor to be victorious.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My focus is on You. I believe and accept Your promise. I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, so that my sins may be forgiven. And I believe there is this diabolical creature, Satan. Your word tells us of his desire for death and destruction. I reject Satan and all his works. Help me, Father, to be aware, minute-by-minute, of this spiritual battle that wages around me. Help me remember that Satan tries to push my fleshly buttons, trying to tempt me to believe his lies about You. Thank You for the process that renews my mind, biologically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually: sending Jesus and giving us your instruction book, the Bible. I pray in the name of Your Son, the True Light of world, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
1 John 3:8-9
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11-12
I remember life as a teenager when everything seemed so simple. Authority was always corrupt or out of touch. Parents were always an obstacle to my pursuit of the good life. Money was the answer to having a successful life. Pink was a girl color I would never wear. Rock-n-Roll was the only music worth listening to. The popular girl would never go out with you because you weren’t cool.
With political elections on the horizon, the same black and white thinking is everywhere today. Both sides will use those “always” and “never” words making everything so extreme. One developmental milestone we all need to master is the ability to integrate good and bad in the same entity. Like an Oreo, black and white need to be seen together to “get” the whole picture, because other than God, nothing exists that doesn’t have an upside and a downside to it.
There are two sides to being a believer, one of light and one of darkness. As a believer myself, I spend most of my spiritual energy on the “light” side of things: the promise of salvation, the grace and mercy of our Father, and the power of forgiveness are just a few of the “light” elements. But to be a “whole” believer we need to accept the dark side as well. We must believe that Satan, the Prince of Darkness, is as real as Jesus. It’s an ugly, scary fact. I bristle at even having to write about him. However, we need to know and believe that Satan’s primary mission is to thwart God’s plan by separating us from Christ.
Be clear. Each day, especially for believers and followers of Christ, you are embroiled in diabolical spiritual warfare. Satan not only wants your attention, your family, your job, your relationships, but he also wants your soul - more than anything. His strategy is to create constant confusion and distraction in your mind. This confusion attacks every sphere … your brain chemistry, your emotions and personality, your relationships with others. Satan’s primary goal is disrupting your relationship with God. God calls you to renew your mind, not destroy it. But your mind is where the battle is fought.
Today, become a “Whole” believer. Integrate the light and the dark by accepting and being aware that there is a never-ending war between God and Satan, and the trophy is your soul. Identify a negative thought pattern that smudges your lenses, and instead, look at Christ’s teachings for the truth. When you are stressed remember the enemy isn’t your spouse, boss, money, job, or anything else … it is always Satan. Use God’s armor to be victorious.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My focus is on You. I believe and accept Your promise. I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, so that my sins may be forgiven. And I believe there is this diabolical creature, Satan. Your word tells us of his desire for death and destruction. I reject Satan and all his works. Help me, Father, to be aware, minute-by-minute, of this spiritual battle that wages around me. Help me remember that Satan tries to push my fleshly buttons, trying to tempt me to believe his lies about You. Thank You for the process that renews my mind, biologically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually: sending Jesus and giving us your instruction book, the Bible. I pray in the name of Your Son, the True Light of world, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
1 John 3:8-9
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:11-12
Monday, September 12, 2011
Stepping Stones: Striving For Perfection Makes Me More Imperfect
Transformational Thought
Writing these devotionals is so enjoyable and such a blessing to me in so many ways. One aspect is the comments and feedback we get from you, which are so powerfully encouraging and exciting. Why? Because we get to see, daily, what God is doing through us in your lives. That God would choose to partner with us is so exhilarating and purpose-giving. I am still amazed He would want to use us when He is so powerfully able to do it all, perfectly, on His own. Stepping Stones has also been incredibly enriching to me because it pushes me to dig deeply into God’s word regularly so I can articulate His truth to someone else.
Unfortunately, like all gifts and provisions from God in this world, there is a down side. Because of Satan’s schemes and my flesh (or me-centered nature), what God meant for good can easily get corrupted.
You see, I want to say so much in each Transformational Thought, so it’s more than a feel-good message, one that inspires you to change what you need to change to Iive the life God wants for you, that very day. Being a psychiatrist, I want to equip you with very practical tips to actually do something that day to change the faulty life patterns we all fall into and improve the strategies you use to fight against Satan’s strategies. Then I need to re-package 4 to 5 pages of content into a couple paragraphs, because people don’t read it when it gets too long!
Well, being an engineer, I am a perfectionist, and Satan uses that character flaw to try and suck the joy and excitement out of the blessing of being used by God to impact others. I’ve already written this one a couple times, wanting to be precise, impact, catchy, brief, and practical. Why? Unfortunately, at times, it’s about my issues, and not about seeking God and serving Him well. I really have to be intentional to not fall into that trap. It’s important to remember that we live in a fallen world, a world that is far from normal because it is tainted by sin. So much failure and frustration result from needing or seeking perfection in this life.
Today, remember that yearning for perfection is not a bad thing in and of itself. Know that God placed that yearning in your heart so you would search for Him. When you push for perfection, is it for your image and driven by the opinions of others, or is it really for God? Most of the time, God would be fine if you gave just 20% of your efforts to most areas of life and spent the other 80% of your time with Him. Remember Mary and Martha … which one are you? Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know, Father, that my heart and soul contains many ill effects of the fall. As a result of this, I often try and achieve perfection apart from You. This sets me down a path of frustration, insecurity, inadequacy, and failure. I sadly admit, Father, that this wrong path also includes some form of idolatry in worshipping myself, other’s opinions, or even the task itself. I want to return to You Lord … to the path that leads me to You. I will do this, Lord, by seeking You first and foremost. As I seek You, Father, I know You will set my feet on the right Stepping Stone … that You will give me a firm place to stand and the guidance to take the right next step. Help my search for perfection by pointing me to You. I pray in Jesus’ perfect name; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:2-3
that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Philippians 3:11-13
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
Writing these devotionals is so enjoyable and such a blessing to me in so many ways. One aspect is the comments and feedback we get from you, which are so powerfully encouraging and exciting. Why? Because we get to see, daily, what God is doing through us in your lives. That God would choose to partner with us is so exhilarating and purpose-giving. I am still amazed He would want to use us when He is so powerfully able to do it all, perfectly, on His own. Stepping Stones has also been incredibly enriching to me because it pushes me to dig deeply into God’s word regularly so I can articulate His truth to someone else.
Unfortunately, like all gifts and provisions from God in this world, there is a down side. Because of Satan’s schemes and my flesh (or me-centered nature), what God meant for good can easily get corrupted.
You see, I want to say so much in each Transformational Thought, so it’s more than a feel-good message, one that inspires you to change what you need to change to Iive the life God wants for you, that very day. Being a psychiatrist, I want to equip you with very practical tips to actually do something that day to change the faulty life patterns we all fall into and improve the strategies you use to fight against Satan’s strategies. Then I need to re-package 4 to 5 pages of content into a couple paragraphs, because people don’t read it when it gets too long!
Well, being an engineer, I am a perfectionist, and Satan uses that character flaw to try and suck the joy and excitement out of the blessing of being used by God to impact others. I’ve already written this one a couple times, wanting to be precise, impact, catchy, brief, and practical. Why? Unfortunately, at times, it’s about my issues, and not about seeking God and serving Him well. I really have to be intentional to not fall into that trap. It’s important to remember that we live in a fallen world, a world that is far from normal because it is tainted by sin. So much failure and frustration result from needing or seeking perfection in this life.
Today, remember that yearning for perfection is not a bad thing in and of itself. Know that God placed that yearning in your heart so you would search for Him. When you push for perfection, is it for your image and driven by the opinions of others, or is it really for God? Most of the time, God would be fine if you gave just 20% of your efforts to most areas of life and spent the other 80% of your time with Him. Remember Mary and Martha … which one are you? Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know, Father, that my heart and soul contains many ill effects of the fall. As a result of this, I often try and achieve perfection apart from You. This sets me down a path of frustration, insecurity, inadequacy, and failure. I sadly admit, Father, that this wrong path also includes some form of idolatry in worshipping myself, other’s opinions, or even the task itself. I want to return to You Lord … to the path that leads me to You. I will do this, Lord, by seeking You first and foremost. As I seek You, Father, I know You will set my feet on the right Stepping Stone … that You will give me a firm place to stand and the guidance to take the right next step. Help my search for perfection by pointing me to You. I pray in Jesus’ perfect name; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:2-3
that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Philippians 3:11-13
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Stepping Stones: Are You in Denial?
Transformational Thought
Early in my psychiatric career, I was caught by surprise, but learned something very important, so let me share it with you. I was called into a very difficult situation in the ER. An angry patient had a knife and threatened to hurt one of the nurses. Hospital security was there, but the situation was volatile. I was asked if I might be able to calm him down. Thankfully, we were able to have a discussion. He released the nurse and gave me his knife. We were able to treat and help his struggle.
The nurse thanked me afterward and asked, “How were you able to be so calm and clear and talk him down?” Previously I had many interactions with this nurse, but now she had a serious question. I didn’t want to seem arrogant, and replied, “This is what I was trained to do and any psychiatrist or ER doc could have done the same thing.”
I knew exactly where I get my source of happiness and joy, but I was caught off guard. So I gave her a lame answer. She didn’t push me for more and I think she sensed my uneasiness with her question, but I could tell she was disappointed in my answer. Wow, so was I. Did that really just pop out of my mouth? It was as if someone was asking me if I know Jesus, and I was denying my association with Jesus. I can’t believe I was being like Peter and denying my Lord so blatantly.
A few days following that encounter I was reading 1 Peter and came across 3:15 where we are instructed to always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. I vowed I would never again deny my Lord when asked if I know Him. Thankfully, God brought many odd and sometimes dangerous, complex life-and-death situations in which I could utilize the equipping He blessed me with.
Almost always, I was asked by staff how I was able to handle and achieve favorable outcomes. I was able, in every one of those situations, give testimony to God empowering me, giving me a peace, wisdom, and discernment, as well as the blessing of special training. The most enlightening information I tell them is that it is not my job to save or change the other person. I am just the vehicle, so I don’t feel any pressure. The pressure is on God, so I can be at rest and get a front seat to His great performance.
It’s rare for someone to ask such a direct question of us, but when they do, scripture tells us to be ready. We are more ready when we see God in all things. You see, I am trying to grow my awareness, my spiritual radar, to see God in all aspects of my life, 24/7. When we only connect with Him on Sunday, or before meals, or when we really need His help during stormy times, then we will only see Him as a small accessory in our life. In reality, He is our life and is in all facets of our life. We can’t escape Him, nor would we ever want to.
Today, think how you might respond when someone asks you the reason for the hope within you. Can you articulate to yourself the impact your faith and God’s actions have in your daily, moment-to-moment living. This is what we need to show and tell others. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You with a thankful heart. I recognize Your Son, Jesus Christ, as my Lord and I trust Him for the strength I so desperately need to lead a God-pleasing life. Help me, Lord, to speak when called upon to defend my faith and to spread Your message of forgiveness, faith, love and hope. Help me do so with gentleness and respect. Help me, Lord, to be a lighthouse for those in need. I pray with the authority granted to me through Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
1 Peter 3:15
Early in my psychiatric career, I was caught by surprise, but learned something very important, so let me share it with you. I was called into a very difficult situation in the ER. An angry patient had a knife and threatened to hurt one of the nurses. Hospital security was there, but the situation was volatile. I was asked if I might be able to calm him down. Thankfully, we were able to have a discussion. He released the nurse and gave me his knife. We were able to treat and help his struggle.
The nurse thanked me afterward and asked, “How were you able to be so calm and clear and talk him down?” Previously I had many interactions with this nurse, but now she had a serious question. I didn’t want to seem arrogant, and replied, “This is what I was trained to do and any psychiatrist or ER doc could have done the same thing.”
I knew exactly where I get my source of happiness and joy, but I was caught off guard. So I gave her a lame answer. She didn’t push me for more and I think she sensed my uneasiness with her question, but I could tell she was disappointed in my answer. Wow, so was I. Did that really just pop out of my mouth? It was as if someone was asking me if I know Jesus, and I was denying my association with Jesus. I can’t believe I was being like Peter and denying my Lord so blatantly.
A few days following that encounter I was reading 1 Peter and came across 3:15 where we are instructed to always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. I vowed I would never again deny my Lord when asked if I know Him. Thankfully, God brought many odd and sometimes dangerous, complex life-and-death situations in which I could utilize the equipping He blessed me with.
Almost always, I was asked by staff how I was able to handle and achieve favorable outcomes. I was able, in every one of those situations, give testimony to God empowering me, giving me a peace, wisdom, and discernment, as well as the blessing of special training. The most enlightening information I tell them is that it is not my job to save or change the other person. I am just the vehicle, so I don’t feel any pressure. The pressure is on God, so I can be at rest and get a front seat to His great performance.
It’s rare for someone to ask such a direct question of us, but when they do, scripture tells us to be ready. We are more ready when we see God in all things. You see, I am trying to grow my awareness, my spiritual radar, to see God in all aspects of my life, 24/7. When we only connect with Him on Sunday, or before meals, or when we really need His help during stormy times, then we will only see Him as a small accessory in our life. In reality, He is our life and is in all facets of our life. We can’t escape Him, nor would we ever want to.
Today, think how you might respond when someone asks you the reason for the hope within you. Can you articulate to yourself the impact your faith and God’s actions have in your daily, moment-to-moment living. This is what we need to show and tell others. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You with a thankful heart. I recognize Your Son, Jesus Christ, as my Lord and I trust Him for the strength I so desperately need to lead a God-pleasing life. Help me, Lord, to speak when called upon to defend my faith and to spread Your message of forgiveness, faith, love and hope. Help me do so with gentleness and respect. Help me, Lord, to be a lighthouse for those in need. I pray with the authority granted to me through Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – AMEN!
The Truth
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
1 Peter 3:15
Friday, September 9, 2011
Stepping Stones: What Is Your Return On Investment?
Transformational Thought
Few things give me goose bumps like when my kids are involved in plays, recitals or sports, and I am privileged to see all their effort pay off in an amazing performance. Seeing the joy, pride, and self-confidence oozing from their faces and bodies, I will often even cry. I am always amazed at how well these youngsters perform out there in front of the big crowd with all the pressure. And they do it mostly on their own, often with minimal or no adult involvement in the final performance. How is this possible?
The answer: They are instructed in the fundamentals of the task, then practice them over and over, in safe, non-threatening situations, ‘til the task becomes second nature. Then, after all those investments … time, effort, embarrassment, humility, trust in the coach, self-discipline, delayed gratification, dealing with mistakes, perseverance … the big night comes with pressure, potential adversity, judgment, and a lot on the line. The more deposits that were made during the preparation phase, the grander the reward when it’s showtime. That is success, with interest. In these difficult economic times, there’s no safe place to put your savings that also pays interest.
You see, you can prepare for tough days by practicing some skills during the quiet days. In the mundane, everyday situations, practice seeing God at work in your life. Practice reflecting on and trusting in His character and promises. Memorize verses or stories from the Bible that reinforce these truths. See how He is meeting your needs and caring for you every day.
Communicate with Him regularly each day. Remember, communication is praying and also listening. Then when your storms come (and they will), your trust-balance will be sufficient to see you through. In fact, you will shine brightly, like the star in a play. You will also go to Him more easily in time of need, because you’ve been regularly practicing going to Him.
Today, try making a deposit in His treasury. Pray. Listen to God. Look for Him in your daily activities. Spend time in His instruction manual, thanking Him for what you have, or describing the effects of His character on how you see and navigate your day. The list can be endless. Each time you affirm your trust in Him, it is like putting a coin into His treasury. In doing so, you build up equity you can draw against it during stormy days. He will keep safely in His heart all investments in Him … with interest compounded continually. The more you trust God, the more He will enable you to do so, and the easier it will be to trust Him during the storms. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know that the only safe investment is in You. I have tried saving money in my own bank for my security but have lost it all. Help me, Father, turn to trusting You. I see now how my faith and trust in You can grow exponentially. I have seen firsthand that the more I trust You, the more You enable me to trust You even more. Thank You for this Upward-Spiral. You have given us so much revelation of who You are. Help me dig into it during the calm days, so this ‘practice’ will pay off during the stormy days. I pray with trust and confidence through my savior Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – Amen!
The Truth
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:20
Few things give me goose bumps like when my kids are involved in plays, recitals or sports, and I am privileged to see all their effort pay off in an amazing performance. Seeing the joy, pride, and self-confidence oozing from their faces and bodies, I will often even cry. I am always amazed at how well these youngsters perform out there in front of the big crowd with all the pressure. And they do it mostly on their own, often with minimal or no adult involvement in the final performance. How is this possible?
The answer: They are instructed in the fundamentals of the task, then practice them over and over, in safe, non-threatening situations, ‘til the task becomes second nature. Then, after all those investments … time, effort, embarrassment, humility, trust in the coach, self-discipline, delayed gratification, dealing with mistakes, perseverance … the big night comes with pressure, potential adversity, judgment, and a lot on the line. The more deposits that were made during the preparation phase, the grander the reward when it’s showtime. That is success, with interest. In these difficult economic times, there’s no safe place to put your savings that also pays interest.
You see, you can prepare for tough days by practicing some skills during the quiet days. In the mundane, everyday situations, practice seeing God at work in your life. Practice reflecting on and trusting in His character and promises. Memorize verses or stories from the Bible that reinforce these truths. See how He is meeting your needs and caring for you every day.
Communicate with Him regularly each day. Remember, communication is praying and also listening. Then when your storms come (and they will), your trust-balance will be sufficient to see you through. In fact, you will shine brightly, like the star in a play. You will also go to Him more easily in time of need, because you’ve been regularly practicing going to Him.
Today, try making a deposit in His treasury. Pray. Listen to God. Look for Him in your daily activities. Spend time in His instruction manual, thanking Him for what you have, or describing the effects of His character on how you see and navigate your day. The list can be endless. Each time you affirm your trust in Him, it is like putting a coin into His treasury. In doing so, you build up equity you can draw against it during stormy days. He will keep safely in His heart all investments in Him … with interest compounded continually. The more you trust God, the more He will enable you to do so, and the easier it will be to trust Him during the storms. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know that the only safe investment is in You. I have tried saving money in my own bank for my security but have lost it all. Help me, Father, turn to trusting You. I see now how my faith and trust in You can grow exponentially. I have seen firsthand that the more I trust You, the more You enable me to trust You even more. Thank You for this Upward-Spiral. You have given us so much revelation of who You are. Help me dig into it during the calm days, so this ‘practice’ will pay off during the stormy days. I pray with trust and confidence through my savior Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say – Amen!
The Truth
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:20
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Stepping Stones: Is Your Body Coordinated
Transformational Thought
Try this little exercise … close your eyes (after you are done reading this), then put your arms straight out in front of you (just like a zombie pose). What saves you from falling on your face? Your ugly, smelly BIG TOE! We all need a big toe or we would fall on our faces.
But if our body were only big toes and we had no eyes, we wouldn’t see the couch and would stub our big toe constantly. Without a stomach or heart, our foot muscles get no nutrition to use the big toe. We need all our body parts working together in the amazing way God created. Well, God also described another body, the church, and we the believers are the body parts. Like the human body, to maximize our function, which is to glorify God, the body parts need to work together, communicating with and supporting each other. Just like physical coordination leads to athletic success, we need to have some spiritual body coordination to have spiritual impact and success.
When Stepping Stones started on Feb. 19, 2009 we sent out 925 devotionals. 31 months later, we send 1,100,000 devotionals. This morning, 3400 people will get Stepping Stones from us directly and another 7000 (possibly more) get it from emails you forward, copies you print, or use in prison ministry, small groups, rehabs units, or with patients you counsel. We then have thousands more who get it from church websites and other organizational websites, plus Facebook postings your friends see. Thank you for spreading the Word.
You send us amazing comments, which greatly encourage and enrich us, and we are so blessed to play a part in your growing relationship with God. This is how the body of believers can work more synergistically together as we help each other spiritually mature.
Today, to facilitate this community growth both in depth and numbers, we ask you to consider a couple options: 1. Click the “Stepping Stones Blog Community” link in the left margin (www.SteppingStones-LN.blogspot.com) and post a comment (anonymously if you want), read each other’s comments, and we can all benefit from collective wisdom, experiences, and perspectives, 2. Periodically forward Stepping Stones to 10 people in your life with a note about how you care for them and how Stepping Stones has impacted you. 3. Hit the Facebook icon on the top of Stepping Stones and share it on Facebook so you can bless others. Don’t be shy … we are here to build each other up as Jesus modeled and God desires. We are built for relationship and need each other to help us grow, and to spread the gospel message by working together. These are free and easy steps to be a Lighthouse to those God has strategically put in your life. Then share the cool stories that God writes in your life! Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, You are amazing and an awesome creator … the way You made my body with all the intricacies of my eyeball and brain … and the simplicity of my big toe. Thank You also for the body of believers You have created, with Christ as our head. I am sorry that all the Christian churches don’t work together as one united body … it must grieve You so to see this body fractured. I thank You for this part of the church body, the Stepping Stones Community, and pray You strengthen it as we encourage, teach, and care for each other, becoming Lighthouses shining Your glory, love, and grace to all who need it, and helping each other stand firm in the waves and storms of this world. Give us courage to reach out and be open about our love for You and thankfulness for your presence in our lives. We pray for open hearts for those who will receive Stepping Stones for the first time as our community shares. In Jesus’ name as the head of our body; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:4,5
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
Try this little exercise … close your eyes (after you are done reading this), then put your arms straight out in front of you (just like a zombie pose). What saves you from falling on your face? Your ugly, smelly BIG TOE! We all need a big toe or we would fall on our faces.
But if our body were only big toes and we had no eyes, we wouldn’t see the couch and would stub our big toe constantly. Without a stomach or heart, our foot muscles get no nutrition to use the big toe. We need all our body parts working together in the amazing way God created. Well, God also described another body, the church, and we the believers are the body parts. Like the human body, to maximize our function, which is to glorify God, the body parts need to work together, communicating with and supporting each other. Just like physical coordination leads to athletic success, we need to have some spiritual body coordination to have spiritual impact and success.
When Stepping Stones started on Feb. 19, 2009 we sent out 925 devotionals. 31 months later, we send 1,100,000 devotionals. This morning, 3400 people will get Stepping Stones from us directly and another 7000 (possibly more) get it from emails you forward, copies you print, or use in prison ministry, small groups, rehabs units, or with patients you counsel. We then have thousands more who get it from church websites and other organizational websites, plus Facebook postings your friends see. Thank you for spreading the Word.
You send us amazing comments, which greatly encourage and enrich us, and we are so blessed to play a part in your growing relationship with God. This is how the body of believers can work more synergistically together as we help each other spiritually mature.
Today, to facilitate this community growth both in depth and numbers, we ask you to consider a couple options: 1. Click the “Stepping Stones Blog Community” link in the left margin (www.SteppingStones-LN.blogspot.com) and post a comment (anonymously if you want), read each other’s comments, and we can all benefit from collective wisdom, experiences, and perspectives, 2. Periodically forward Stepping Stones to 10 people in your life with a note about how you care for them and how Stepping Stones has impacted you. 3. Hit the Facebook icon on the top of Stepping Stones and share it on Facebook so you can bless others. Don’t be shy … we are here to build each other up as Jesus modeled and God desires. We are built for relationship and need each other to help us grow, and to spread the gospel message by working together. These are free and easy steps to be a Lighthouse to those God has strategically put in your life. Then share the cool stories that God writes in your life! Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, You are amazing and an awesome creator … the way You made my body with all the intricacies of my eyeball and brain … and the simplicity of my big toe. Thank You also for the body of believers You have created, with Christ as our head. I am sorry that all the Christian churches don’t work together as one united body … it must grieve You so to see this body fractured. I thank You for this part of the church body, the Stepping Stones Community, and pray You strengthen it as we encourage, teach, and care for each other, becoming Lighthouses shining Your glory, love, and grace to all who need it, and helping each other stand firm in the waves and storms of this world. Give us courage to reach out and be open about our love for You and thankfulness for your presence in our lives. We pray for open hearts for those who will receive Stepping Stones for the first time as our community shares. In Jesus’ name as the head of our body; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:4,5
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Stepping Stones: The Big Lie Behind Envy
Transformational Thought
We’ve spent the last 3 days examining, dissecting, or as I like to call it, “deconstructing” envy. And we pray it has been helpful and eye-opening for you. Most importantly though, we really hope this series has helped you grow in your understanding of God and yourself, and moved you some stepping stones closer to your goal of Christ-likeness. Not just Christ-like in theory, but actually in the everyday workings of your heart and evidenced by your works.
Today, in our last look at envy, we reveal the destructive belief, distortion, (actually a lie) that both fuels envy and is magnified by envy. You see, when you envy someone’s possessions (we aren’t talking about envying the Godly traits or living that you see in someone else), what you’re really saying is “I am not content with what I have, I deserve more, that “fill in the blank” should be mine, not my neighbor’s.”
If God makes the decisions regarding who has what, then the core belief of envy is, drum roll please, God made a mistake! He didn’t give me what I deserve … in fact, He gave it to someone else who doesn’t deserve it as much as I do.” If God really knows me, and loves me, He would give me what I want or “need”.
These distortions and lies are all part of Satan’s plot to make it seem like God isn’t interested in us, doesn’t love us, doesn’t want to help us, or is impotent and can’t help us. The lie draws us away from God, sabotages the relationship God desires with and from us, and pushes us to rely on ourselves.
When you believe you know what you need and God doesn’t, then it’s hard to correctly make the 2nd biggest decision of your life. Is Jesus the Lord of your life, or are you lord of your own life?
Today, examine your beliefs about God. Ask yourself, “Am I envious about what others have?” “At times, do I get dissatisfied with what I have?” “Do I get mad at God for my circumstances?” “How often do I look to His instruction manual for answers to grow me so God can give me different circumstances?” Then look deeper and examine whether you truly believe God made a mistake. If you have some dissatisfaction or envy, then you believe that God made a mistake. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, Your love and grace for me are magnificent. Thank You so much for being perfect in all ways. I confess at times that I see something another person has and wonder why I don’t have that … and at times I strongly resent that I don’t have it and believe I deserve one, or even his. I regret that I sadden You as You have given me so much to be grateful for. I am blowing all those gifts off and wishing for the one I don’t have but think I need. I realize You know it isn’t yet right for me at this stage of my development. I yearn for a heart that seeks to grow, wants to change, and is willing to have the pain in order to get the gain. God, I know You will share in that pain and provide peace and comfort, so help me be brave to step one Stepping Stone closer to the life that is within reach. In Jesus’ name I find true contentment and absolution; and all God’s children say Amen – AMEN!
The Truth
O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
Psalm 139:1-4
We’ve spent the last 3 days examining, dissecting, or as I like to call it, “deconstructing” envy. And we pray it has been helpful and eye-opening for you. Most importantly though, we really hope this series has helped you grow in your understanding of God and yourself, and moved you some stepping stones closer to your goal of Christ-likeness. Not just Christ-like in theory, but actually in the everyday workings of your heart and evidenced by your works.
Today, in our last look at envy, we reveal the destructive belief, distortion, (actually a lie) that both fuels envy and is magnified by envy. You see, when you envy someone’s possessions (we aren’t talking about envying the Godly traits or living that you see in someone else), what you’re really saying is “I am not content with what I have, I deserve more, that “fill in the blank” should be mine, not my neighbor’s.”
If God makes the decisions regarding who has what, then the core belief of envy is, drum roll please, God made a mistake! He didn’t give me what I deserve … in fact, He gave it to someone else who doesn’t deserve it as much as I do.” If God really knows me, and loves me, He would give me what I want or “need”.
These distortions and lies are all part of Satan’s plot to make it seem like God isn’t interested in us, doesn’t love us, doesn’t want to help us, or is impotent and can’t help us. The lie draws us away from God, sabotages the relationship God desires with and from us, and pushes us to rely on ourselves.
When you believe you know what you need and God doesn’t, then it’s hard to correctly make the 2nd biggest decision of your life. Is Jesus the Lord of your life, or are you lord of your own life?
Today, examine your beliefs about God. Ask yourself, “Am I envious about what others have?” “At times, do I get dissatisfied with what I have?” “Do I get mad at God for my circumstances?” “How often do I look to His instruction manual for answers to grow me so God can give me different circumstances?” Then look deeper and examine whether you truly believe God made a mistake. If you have some dissatisfaction or envy, then you believe that God made a mistake. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, Your love and grace for me are magnificent. Thank You so much for being perfect in all ways. I confess at times that I see something another person has and wonder why I don’t have that … and at times I strongly resent that I don’t have it and believe I deserve one, or even his. I regret that I sadden You as You have given me so much to be grateful for. I am blowing all those gifts off and wishing for the one I don’t have but think I need. I realize You know it isn’t yet right for me at this stage of my development. I yearn for a heart that seeks to grow, wants to change, and is willing to have the pain in order to get the gain. God, I know You will share in that pain and provide peace and comfort, so help me be brave to step one Stepping Stone closer to the life that is within reach. In Jesus’ name I find true contentment and absolution; and all God’s children say Amen – AMEN!
The Truth
O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
Psalm 139:1-4
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Stepping Stones: Why More Isn’t Enough
Transformational Thought
Yesterday, we looked at the envy trap Satan sets to pull us away from God, derailing us off the track to Christ-likeness. We hope you have been learning to be more content with God and what He gives you each day. Today, let’s look at why we are so susceptible, over and over, to this envy trap.
I remember my first paycheck helping a roofer in middle school. It seemed like so much money … $5.00/hr. in high school, then $7.00/hr. in college. During med school I had many bills and made $16,000/yr. parking cars to pay for rent and food … and that seemed like so much. In the third and fourth years of med school, I would work 80-100 hrs/wk for NO pay. So when I started residency, I was $108,000 in debt, hadn’t had a paycheck in 2 years, moved to California with 2 suitcases of clothes to my name, and was flat broke.
That first month, I made $3000. It seemed like a zillion. I felt so rich, thought it would last forever. I believed I was in financial heaven. I was able to buy a TV and bed, and eat out occasionally. Six months later I was amazed at how little I had at the end of the month. It wasn’t enough. Residency year 2, I got a raise to $39,000/yr. Wow, I was rich again. But in 8 months, I started to get the feeling it wasn’t enough. In year 4, I was making $45,000 and moonlighting to almost double that. Again, I felt rich. But in about 10 months I needed more. How could $36,000 seem so great, yet $90,000 for the same lifestyle not be enough? Our flesh is never satisfied.
You see, once we hit our goal, our nature is to reset or recalibrate to a higher setting. We need more to get the same satisfaction. In addictions, we call it developing a tolerance, needing more of the drug to get the same effect. Needing more as time goes on happens in many areas … money… space in a kitchen or yard … alcohol or caffeine … asking for more out of marriage now than when we got engaged … job satisfaction … needing 2, 3, or 4 cars. Our amnesia regarding realistic settings and the recalibration phenomena dangerously dangle us right over the envy trap. What we really deserve … is nothing. That’s why God’s grace is so amazing.
Today, examine your needs meter. Have your settings been calibrated much higher than really necessary? Have your wants turned into needs? That is the flesh and Satan working in concert. Evaluate where God would set your needs meter, or how Jesus set His. Examine and make a plan to back off one of your wants a bit today. Replace that with some time in God’s word or prayer time talking and listening to Him. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, Thanks for meeting my needs. Help me understand the difference between real needs and desires. Teach me to be satisfied and thankful for how You provide for my needs, instead of saying “thanks, but I need more.” Help me focus on what I have and not on what I don’t have. God, You are so awesome and Your design is perfect, help me be transformed through Godly decision-making, not conformed to this world and mentality by my fleshly decisions. In Christ’s perfectly calibrated offering and name; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Luke 4:3-12
But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Genesis 3:4-7
Yesterday, we looked at the envy trap Satan sets to pull us away from God, derailing us off the track to Christ-likeness. We hope you have been learning to be more content with God and what He gives you each day. Today, let’s look at why we are so susceptible, over and over, to this envy trap.
I remember my first paycheck helping a roofer in middle school. It seemed like so much money … $5.00/hr. in high school, then $7.00/hr. in college. During med school I had many bills and made $16,000/yr. parking cars to pay for rent and food … and that seemed like so much. In the third and fourth years of med school, I would work 80-100 hrs/wk for NO pay. So when I started residency, I was $108,000 in debt, hadn’t had a paycheck in 2 years, moved to California with 2 suitcases of clothes to my name, and was flat broke.
That first month, I made $3000. It seemed like a zillion. I felt so rich, thought it would last forever. I believed I was in financial heaven. I was able to buy a TV and bed, and eat out occasionally. Six months later I was amazed at how little I had at the end of the month. It wasn’t enough. Residency year 2, I got a raise to $39,000/yr. Wow, I was rich again. But in 8 months, I started to get the feeling it wasn’t enough. In year 4, I was making $45,000 and moonlighting to almost double that. Again, I felt rich. But in about 10 months I needed more. How could $36,000 seem so great, yet $90,000 for the same lifestyle not be enough? Our flesh is never satisfied.
You see, once we hit our goal, our nature is to reset or recalibrate to a higher setting. We need more to get the same satisfaction. In addictions, we call it developing a tolerance, needing more of the drug to get the same effect. Needing more as time goes on happens in many areas … money… space in a kitchen or yard … alcohol or caffeine … asking for more out of marriage now than when we got engaged … job satisfaction … needing 2, 3, or 4 cars. Our amnesia regarding realistic settings and the recalibration phenomena dangerously dangle us right over the envy trap. What we really deserve … is nothing. That’s why God’s grace is so amazing.
Today, examine your needs meter. Have your settings been calibrated much higher than really necessary? Have your wants turned into needs? That is the flesh and Satan working in concert. Evaluate where God would set your needs meter, or how Jesus set His. Examine and make a plan to back off one of your wants a bit today. Replace that with some time in God’s word or prayer time talking and listening to Him. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, Thanks for meeting my needs. Help me understand the difference between real needs and desires. Teach me to be satisfied and thankful for how You provide for my needs, instead of saying “thanks, but I need more.” Help me focus on what I have and not on what I don’t have. God, You are so awesome and Your design is perfect, help me be transformed through Godly decision-making, not conformed to this world and mentality by my fleshly decisions. In Christ’s perfectly calibrated offering and name; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Luke 4:3-12
But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Genesis 3:4-7
Monday, September 5, 2011
Stepping Stones: What’s the Apple of Your Eye?
Transformational Thought
Yesterday, we introduced envy, which is wanting or craving what others have instead of getting our joy from being with God and what He provides for us. Well that is easy, but let’s dig a little deeper.
Envy is one of the traps Satan sets for us, using our pride, flesh, and our ‘satisfy-me-now’ mentality against us. Satan deceives us, actually distorts our lenses, so we believe that our fulfillment and joy in this life come from emotional, psychological, physical, or material answers. His goal is getting us to shut down our spiritual radar, turn off our spiritual antennae, and ignore spiritual or divine answers for our needs
You see, the way it’s supposed to be was in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve had this fantastic set up, enjoying direct relationship with the perfect God in the perfect setting with no adversity. But they weren’t omniscient so they were gullible (like us). Satan tricked them into believing they needed something more than utopia. He duped them into thinking they needed more power and more knowledge, and could get all that through an apple (not as appealing to me as ice cream). Instead of staying in relationship with God, relying on Him and following His instructions to not eat, they were swindled by Satan, trading eternal life with God for life on their own and separation from God. Thankfully, God provided a way back into relationship with Him through Jesus.
The trap is, if you believe your happiness and contentment are dependent on your external circumstances, or from someplace or someone else other than God, then you will always be lost, unhappy, and discontent. Those things weren’t meant to bring you what you desire, nor can they. God designed us specifically to be immune to those external things. So regardless of our circumstances, or the mistakes we make with finances, marriage, parenting, sin, etc., we still have access to a peace, comfort, and joy that is independent of who we are and what is around us.
Today, look inside and identify some of your traps … apples … that you believe will satisfy your real needs. How did you get tricked into believing they could deliver what you really desire in the deepest places of your heart? Don’t mistake momentary relief for true fulfillment. That’s Satan’s trick and trap! Your decision, choose well. More on why envy seems endless tomorrow.
Prayer
Dear God, You and only You are the source of my joy, peace, and comfort. I confess that my need to control life is often the apple I grab. Help me trust Your control in my life and not have the need to trust my inadequate abilities. Please help me. Grow in me eyes that see and ears that hear the traps Satan places in my path. Help me choose the Stepping Stone You have for my forward movement towards Christ-likeness. Through Your Spirit strengthen me to resist the temptations and impulses of my flesh. Teach me to always ask for Your forgiveness for my me-centered mistakes. And thanks for Your endless grace and forgiveness when I do fall. In Jesus’ all- providing death and resurrection I pray; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Genesis 3:4-7
Yesterday, we introduced envy, which is wanting or craving what others have instead of getting our joy from being with God and what He provides for us. Well that is easy, but let’s dig a little deeper.
Envy is one of the traps Satan sets for us, using our pride, flesh, and our ‘satisfy-me-now’ mentality against us. Satan deceives us, actually distorts our lenses, so we believe that our fulfillment and joy in this life come from emotional, psychological, physical, or material answers. His goal is getting us to shut down our spiritual radar, turn off our spiritual antennae, and ignore spiritual or divine answers for our needs
You see, the way it’s supposed to be was in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve had this fantastic set up, enjoying direct relationship with the perfect God in the perfect setting with no adversity. But they weren’t omniscient so they were gullible (like us). Satan tricked them into believing they needed something more than utopia. He duped them into thinking they needed more power and more knowledge, and could get all that through an apple (not as appealing to me as ice cream). Instead of staying in relationship with God, relying on Him and following His instructions to not eat, they were swindled by Satan, trading eternal life with God for life on their own and separation from God. Thankfully, God provided a way back into relationship with Him through Jesus.
The trap is, if you believe your happiness and contentment are dependent on your external circumstances, or from someplace or someone else other than God, then you will always be lost, unhappy, and discontent. Those things weren’t meant to bring you what you desire, nor can they. God designed us specifically to be immune to those external things. So regardless of our circumstances, or the mistakes we make with finances, marriage, parenting, sin, etc., we still have access to a peace, comfort, and joy that is independent of who we are and what is around us.
Today, look inside and identify some of your traps … apples … that you believe will satisfy your real needs. How did you get tricked into believing they could deliver what you really desire in the deepest places of your heart? Don’t mistake momentary relief for true fulfillment. That’s Satan’s trick and trap! Your decision, choose well. More on why envy seems endless tomorrow.
Prayer
Dear God, You and only You are the source of my joy, peace, and comfort. I confess that my need to control life is often the apple I grab. Help me trust Your control in my life and not have the need to trust my inadequate abilities. Please help me. Grow in me eyes that see and ears that hear the traps Satan places in my path. Help me choose the Stepping Stone You have for my forward movement towards Christ-likeness. Through Your Spirit strengthen me to resist the temptations and impulses of my flesh. Teach me to always ask for Your forgiveness for my me-centered mistakes. And thanks for Your endless grace and forgiveness when I do fall. In Jesus’ all- providing death and resurrection I pray; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Genesis 3:4-7
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Stepping Stones: If I Could Win A Million Dollars…
Transformational Thought
I am amazed by all the “Hollywood Reports” news shows on TV. All the stories are about rich celebrities, with so much going for them, but who are in some kind of trouble. Tiger Woods’ affairs, Lindsay Lohan’s arrests, Charlie Sheen’s addictions, Amy Winehouse’s overdose, Heath Ledger’s suicide and those of so many pro and prominent athletes.
Some of the world’s most miserable people are those whose external and material situations should buy them the most happiness. So as we watch people, whether world-famous or even people in our communities, we have to wonder and think about what do joy and peace have to do with our circumstances. A better job, house, status, portfolio, or spouse is all we need to “find” happiness, or so we’ve been brainwashed to think.
Time and again we see people who reach the top of the ladder by society’s standards, only to find emptiness, stress, doubt, insecurity, fear, addictions, or chaotic behavior awaiting them. How often do people say, “If I just won a million dollars, my life would be perfect”? Did you know that thirty percent of lottery winners who win more than one million dollars are dealing with divorce, financial struggle, significant health issues, legal or addiction problems, estrangement from family or kids, depression, or suicide within three year? Our flesh always wants MORE! What we want the most, happiness, security, and unconditional love can’t be bought.
God’s Holy Word tells us that we are not to set our desires on anything that belongs to others. Not only can these cravings make us miserable, they can lead us to other sins such as adultery, addiction, gossip, or theft.
True joy will never come by envying others. True joy is a byproduct of living in the presence of God. Realize He gives you exactly what you need, so focus on stewarding that well. Then you can experience true joy anywhere and in any circumstance, from palaces to prisons. Once He sees you can handle what you have, He will bless you with so much more (defined by God specifically for you) because He is a generous and loving God.
Today, be mindful of envious thoughts and desires. When you start to eye up what you don’t have, STOP! Look inside and explore why God isn’t giving it to you yet. Then look at what He has given you, and be thankful. Concentrate on staying in communication with God to understand the “whys”. No need to be envious of anyone … after all, the most precious and valuable possession is free and available to everyone: eternal life through Christ. Tune in tomorrow for more on envy’s trap.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You for all the blessings and gifts You have given me. I know that You will provide everything I need. But Father, I confess being envious of others and their possessions and circumstances. Grow in me a heart and mind for the eternal kingdom and awareness of my spiritual needs … a heart less focused on my material and psychological answers that are short-sighted, quick fix solutions. Thank You for being patient with me all these years, as I am a slow learner, but excited about what You are showing me in my life these last few years. In Jesus’ all-satisfying name we pray; and all God’s children say –AMEN!
The Truth
"You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Deuteronomy 5:21
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed
2 Corinthians 9:8
I am amazed by all the “Hollywood Reports” news shows on TV. All the stories are about rich celebrities, with so much going for them, but who are in some kind of trouble. Tiger Woods’ affairs, Lindsay Lohan’s arrests, Charlie Sheen’s addictions, Amy Winehouse’s overdose, Heath Ledger’s suicide and those of so many pro and prominent athletes.
Some of the world’s most miserable people are those whose external and material situations should buy them the most happiness. So as we watch people, whether world-famous or even people in our communities, we have to wonder and think about what do joy and peace have to do with our circumstances. A better job, house, status, portfolio, or spouse is all we need to “find” happiness, or so we’ve been brainwashed to think.
Time and again we see people who reach the top of the ladder by society’s standards, only to find emptiness, stress, doubt, insecurity, fear, addictions, or chaotic behavior awaiting them. How often do people say, “If I just won a million dollars, my life would be perfect”? Did you know that thirty percent of lottery winners who win more than one million dollars are dealing with divorce, financial struggle, significant health issues, legal or addiction problems, estrangement from family or kids, depression, or suicide within three year? Our flesh always wants MORE! What we want the most, happiness, security, and unconditional love can’t be bought.
God’s Holy Word tells us that we are not to set our desires on anything that belongs to others. Not only can these cravings make us miserable, they can lead us to other sins such as adultery, addiction, gossip, or theft.
True joy will never come by envying others. True joy is a byproduct of living in the presence of God. Realize He gives you exactly what you need, so focus on stewarding that well. Then you can experience true joy anywhere and in any circumstance, from palaces to prisons. Once He sees you can handle what you have, He will bless you with so much more (defined by God specifically for you) because He is a generous and loving God.
Today, be mindful of envious thoughts and desires. When you start to eye up what you don’t have, STOP! Look inside and explore why God isn’t giving it to you yet. Then look at what He has given you, and be thankful. Concentrate on staying in communication with God to understand the “whys”. No need to be envious of anyone … after all, the most precious and valuable possession is free and available to everyone: eternal life through Christ. Tune in tomorrow for more on envy’s trap.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You for all the blessings and gifts You have given me. I know that You will provide everything I need. But Father, I confess being envious of others and their possessions and circumstances. Grow in me a heart and mind for the eternal kingdom and awareness of my spiritual needs … a heart less focused on my material and psychological answers that are short-sighted, quick fix solutions. Thank You for being patient with me all these years, as I am a slow learner, but excited about what You are showing me in my life these last few years. In Jesus’ all-satisfying name we pray; and all God’s children say –AMEN!
The Truth
"You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Deuteronomy 5:21
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed
2 Corinthians 9:8
Friday, September 2, 2011
Stepping Stones: Stop Reading, Start Applying
Transformational Thought
As Christians we should constantly be striving to grow in Christ … to grow in our spiritual maturity. But how do you grow spiritually? We hear great sermons, read some good books, read the Word, but then what? What kind of strategy or disciplines can be practiced daily so you will actually grow and mature in your functioning, and not just build a great spiritual library in your head?
Unfortunately, many Christians believe the answer to growth is accumulating more spiritual knowledge. But real growth comes with the application of just a little knowledge. The first area of application needs to be getting to know and experience God. We should not confuse knowledge about Him with experientially knowing Him.
My wife is an outgoing, fun, generous, and caring person to hang out with and talk to. No matter how much I increase your knowledge of her by accurately describing her, even showing you home movies of her, you still wouldn’t experientially know her. Not until you actually spend time interacting with her in person, a number of times, actually sharing experiences with her, do you really start to get to know her.
Knowing Him is so much more than storing facts and commentaries about Him in your memory bank. You must to spend time with Him to know Him. That is the bottom line. It doesn’t happen any other way. Just ask a kid separated from a parent at a young age. They might have heard stories about that parent, but really knowing that parent only comes through direct interaction.
Today, begin the process of knowing your Lord by first trusting Him. When you are uncomfortable, alone, anxious, sad, overwhelmed, frustrated … trust His promises to you. Then you will experience Him acting in your life and will really get to know Him. You have to put yourself out there a bit, just as you do in a real human relationships, when you are really trying to experience someone. Rely on your trust in Him, His promises, His character, His teachings. You’ve accumulated that knowledge of Him, now apply and act on it. Continue to live and communicate as if He is in your life, because He is! No matter what is happening, trusting Him then drawing close to Him are excellent ways to experience Him. Your decision, choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are such an awesome God. Who but You could be everywhere at all times? I am humbled and amazed that someone as great as You cares about every detail of my life. Help me, Lord, to keep You always before me. Help me not just know facts about You, but to let me experience You intimately. When I feel needy, Lord, help me run to You and not to other gods and things that I have used to replace You, other things that only give me temporary relief … and many times makes things oh so much worse. I pray this in the name of the One who knew me long ago, and still died for me, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31
As Christians we should constantly be striving to grow in Christ … to grow in our spiritual maturity. But how do you grow spiritually? We hear great sermons, read some good books, read the Word, but then what? What kind of strategy or disciplines can be practiced daily so you will actually grow and mature in your functioning, and not just build a great spiritual library in your head?
Unfortunately, many Christians believe the answer to growth is accumulating more spiritual knowledge. But real growth comes with the application of just a little knowledge. The first area of application needs to be getting to know and experience God. We should not confuse knowledge about Him with experientially knowing Him.
My wife is an outgoing, fun, generous, and caring person to hang out with and talk to. No matter how much I increase your knowledge of her by accurately describing her, even showing you home movies of her, you still wouldn’t experientially know her. Not until you actually spend time interacting with her in person, a number of times, actually sharing experiences with her, do you really start to get to know her.
Knowing Him is so much more than storing facts and commentaries about Him in your memory bank. You must to spend time with Him to know Him. That is the bottom line. It doesn’t happen any other way. Just ask a kid separated from a parent at a young age. They might have heard stories about that parent, but really knowing that parent only comes through direct interaction.
Today, begin the process of knowing your Lord by first trusting Him. When you are uncomfortable, alone, anxious, sad, overwhelmed, frustrated … trust His promises to you. Then you will experience Him acting in your life and will really get to know Him. You have to put yourself out there a bit, just as you do in a real human relationships, when you are really trying to experience someone. Rely on your trust in Him, His promises, His character, His teachings. You’ve accumulated that knowledge of Him, now apply and act on it. Continue to live and communicate as if He is in your life, because He is! No matter what is happening, trusting Him then drawing close to Him are excellent ways to experience Him. Your decision, choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are such an awesome God. Who but You could be everywhere at all times? I am humbled and amazed that someone as great as You cares about every detail of my life. Help me, Lord, to keep You always before me. Help me not just know facts about You, but to let me experience You intimately. When I feel needy, Lord, help me run to You and not to other gods and things that I have used to replace You, other things that only give me temporary relief … and many times makes things oh so much worse. I pray this in the name of the One who knew me long ago, and still died for me, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Stepping Stones: Forever: Where Will You Live?
Transformational Thought
Lately, many people seem to be dying prematurely. Whether from suicide, accidental overdose drug addiction, car accidents, or the all-too-frequent cancer victim. So many funerals … almost daily. If you believe what people say at funerals, no one ever goes to Hell. I’ve never heard anyone give a eulogy and say, “My father did many nice things, but was a handful to deal with and he will spend eternity in Hell. Where will you go? Will you live forever in Hell with my dad, or go to heaven when you die? ”
Really, that is the “for all the marbles” question. Have you ever really thought about eternity? I’ve been thinking about it ever since I was a kid and realized people actually die and leave this earth.
Many times we hear Christians talk about life on earth compared to eternity. They’ll say “it’s as quick as the blink of an eye.” While our time on earth is certainly short and fast compared to eternity, how we spend that time determines how we will spend our eternity. Yes, our time on earth is very important and is just a small stepping-stone on the path to our final intended destination, eternity.
When we don’t know Jesus, we make choices as if this life is all we have. In reality, this life is just the introduction to the biggest part of life, eternity. And how we live this brief span will actually determine our eternal state and destination. What we accumulate in this life (material things) has no value in purchasing eternal life.
Try viewing all that happens from an eternal perspective. You should find both your values and your decisions changing. If you aren’t a believer in Jesus as your Savior, you got the biggest, most life altering decision to make, the one that affects where and how you spend eternity. If you do believe in Christ as your Savior, you will be in heaven for eternity. How amazingly awesome, yet sometimes impossible for me to fathom.
However, is how you live life now helping others realize the ultimate eternity-determining decision they need to make? Sure, you might be a good person. But are your daily activities simply making this earthly life more comfortable for you … or are you out there in action and word, sharing the good news with others to affect their eternal destinations?
Today, don’t just accept Jesus as your personal Savior, but make Him the Lord of your life, of all you do and every decision you make. This is what we are called to do. God has put people in your life, today, for you to build deeper relationships, and see changes in your life when you make Jesus the Lord of your life. Be a Lighthouse! Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You to praise and give You glory. I come to You confessing that I do not have the eternal perspective that I want to have or should have. I thank You for my salvation and for those You brought into my life who spoke to me about eternal things. I know Your Holy Spirit changes hearts and opens eyes. And I also know You want to use me … that I have a role to play in securing eternity in Your presence for others. Lord, please help me let go of all the things I cling to in this temporal world. As I release my grasp on those “things”, it frees my hand to reach out and take hold of Your hand as You guide me to help others understand the eternal home You have promised me and all believers. I pray, Father, that as I experience suffering and the storms of this temporal world, that You help me shift my focus to eternity … my ultimate destination. I pray this in the name of my ticket into eternity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 16:26
“Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:15-16
“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light."
Luke 11:34-36
Lately, many people seem to be dying prematurely. Whether from suicide, accidental overdose drug addiction, car accidents, or the all-too-frequent cancer victim. So many funerals … almost daily. If you believe what people say at funerals, no one ever goes to Hell. I’ve never heard anyone give a eulogy and say, “My father did many nice things, but was a handful to deal with and he will spend eternity in Hell. Where will you go? Will you live forever in Hell with my dad, or go to heaven when you die? ”
Really, that is the “for all the marbles” question. Have you ever really thought about eternity? I’ve been thinking about it ever since I was a kid and realized people actually die and leave this earth.
Many times we hear Christians talk about life on earth compared to eternity. They’ll say “it’s as quick as the blink of an eye.” While our time on earth is certainly short and fast compared to eternity, how we spend that time determines how we will spend our eternity. Yes, our time on earth is very important and is just a small stepping-stone on the path to our final intended destination, eternity.
When we don’t know Jesus, we make choices as if this life is all we have. In reality, this life is just the introduction to the biggest part of life, eternity. And how we live this brief span will actually determine our eternal state and destination. What we accumulate in this life (material things) has no value in purchasing eternal life.
Try viewing all that happens from an eternal perspective. You should find both your values and your decisions changing. If you aren’t a believer in Jesus as your Savior, you got the biggest, most life altering decision to make, the one that affects where and how you spend eternity. If you do believe in Christ as your Savior, you will be in heaven for eternity. How amazingly awesome, yet sometimes impossible for me to fathom.
However, is how you live life now helping others realize the ultimate eternity-determining decision they need to make? Sure, you might be a good person. But are your daily activities simply making this earthly life more comfortable for you … or are you out there in action and word, sharing the good news with others to affect their eternal destinations?
Today, don’t just accept Jesus as your personal Savior, but make Him the Lord of your life, of all you do and every decision you make. This is what we are called to do. God has put people in your life, today, for you to build deeper relationships, and see changes in your life when you make Jesus the Lord of your life. Be a Lighthouse! Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You to praise and give You glory. I come to You confessing that I do not have the eternal perspective that I want to have or should have. I thank You for my salvation and for those You brought into my life who spoke to me about eternal things. I know Your Holy Spirit changes hearts and opens eyes. And I also know You want to use me … that I have a role to play in securing eternity in Your presence for others. Lord, please help me let go of all the things I cling to in this temporal world. As I release my grasp on those “things”, it frees my hand to reach out and take hold of Your hand as You guide me to help others understand the eternal home You have promised me and all believers. I pray, Father, that as I experience suffering and the storms of this temporal world, that You help me shift my focus to eternity … my ultimate destination. I pray this in the name of my ticket into eternity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 16:26
“Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:15-16
“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light."
Luke 11:34-36
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
