April 4, 2012
Transformational Thought
We all have sensitive buttons that, when pushed, result in some pretty sorry and regrettable responses. One hot button we all have is the control button. Whether we see ourselves as leaders with controlling personalities, or at the opposite end, as followers with passive personalities, we all have a need to be in control of some situations.
Most people feel more secure when they are in control. A drive down a steep mountain road doesn’t feel so dangerous when our own hands are on the steering wheel. The passengers will always be more anxious or fearful because they are vulnerable to the driver’s skills and decisions.
Having control over our circumstances is very important to most of us … it allows us to feel more secure, competent, and confident. We usually think, “the more control I have, the better chance I have of minimizing any pain or discomfort in a situation.” But we can't always be in control. In fact, we actually have a lot less influence over external circumstances than we think. When facing situations beyond our control, we may feel helpless, vulnerable, anxious, fearful, angry, or overwhelmed. Those feelings can lead to panic, depression, life-interfering or life-threatening behaviors … even suicidal thoughts.
Nowadays, when just relying on the world, a sense of safety and security may be difficult to find. The good news is there is one way we can always be secure.
God provides a way for us to experience a sense of security at all times. He leaves it up to us. We can either depend on ourselves, panicking or losing hope when we can't control a situation … or we can depend on the Lord. If we choose Jesus and His way for our lives, we can always be secure in His love. We will still experience problems and trials on this earth, but we will begin to view them from His perspective.
When you turn control over to Jesus, you can know that no matter what challenges or trials you face, He will ultimately work them out for your good. Maybe you remember your favorite teacher who gave a tough homework assignment to expand your mind and future, or a great coach who enforced drills knowing you were getting stronger and better equipped to succeed in the big game, or the acting instructor who stretched your comfort zone pushing you to a wonderful and exhilarating performance.
Today, examine whose hands control your steering wheel. During especially stressful situations, are you still trying to control every detail of your life? If your confidence is in yourself, usually self-centered motivators like emotion and fear of pain will direct your steps, and poor decisions will be the norm. Do you experience frustration, fear, or even anger when you can't control what is happening to you? Turn everything over to God. You can trust Him. He is way more equipped to handle life than you are. Then be a good steward of the instructions He gives for your part of the plan. WITHIN REACH will show you how to powerfully submit to God and learn great decision-making from His coaching. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, it seems that every time I turn a situation over to You, I hang on to some little part of it and pull it away from You again. I want to be in control, and yet I know that doesn't always work out. Please forgive me for not trusting You with every area of my life. Help me to trust You more and to leave the control of my life in Your hands. Help me to rest securely in Your love. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to teach me how to trust, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Ephesians 1:11
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Stepping Stones: Take a Hike!
March 31 – April 1, 2012
Transformational Thought
Spring is in the air, plants are budding, we’re working in the yard, enjoying bright sunny days and evenings, outside sports and activities, and even taking an occasional jog, appreciating and enjoying God’s great creation.
My wife and I really like taking walks together. Hiking is even better than walking. Hiking is a really fun, healthy, adventurous, and growing experience, especially with a guide. Several key elements of a hike include … the intention of the guide and hiker to go on the hike together … coordinated movements modeled by the guide and repeated by the hiker … strategic planning initiated by the guide and followed by the hiker … and most important, trustworthiness of the guide and willingness of the hiker to trust the guide.
Once we come to Christ in faith we begin a walk, actually, an adventurous hike with God on an incredible daily journey. The destination for this lifetime … the Mind of Christ, the Promised Land, the Abundant Life … is described to us in The Holy Bible. Yet we’ve never been there before, nor do we know exactly how to get there. The Bible gives us very concrete instruction but the actual application is initially a challenge to understand. Numerous detours and false paths make the road really hard to follow. It is vital that we learn to trust our Guide, God and the Holy Spirit, in every area of our lives … day in and day out.
We can trust Him because we are assured that when we love God and commit our lives to Him, He works everything … the good and the bad … together for good. We can trust Him because He has demonstrated His great unconditional love for us. We can commit our wayward child to Him because we know He loves that child even more than we do. We can commit our finances to Him because we know that He will work all things for good as we follow Him and trust Him for wisdom. We can trust our loved one's health to Him because of His mercy and love. We can trust God to work His plan in our ministry … and His plan is perfect.
Is there an area of your life that you are clinging to … and worrying about … instead of trusting God? God cares about everything that concerns you. You see, Satan and the self-centered part of us are trying to brainwash us into thinking we really can’t fully trust anyone … that the only one who knows best for me is …. ME! What a detour to destruction that path is.
Today, examine your daily hike. Where are you going and who is your guide? These are the 2 most important questions you need to ask. If you are your own guide, or if you are following your own map and system, or the world’s system … you are lost! Keep your eyes on Him. Love and trust Him. He will go before you … He will guide you … He will strengthen you … and He will work all things for good. Edging Forward is designed to help you follow God as your guide, edging forward one stepping stone at a time in your everyday hike to the Promised Land. Choosing the guide is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I have been worrying about this situation and trying to fix it myself. My way hasn't worked. I commit this situation and my hike to You and trust You for the answer. I want You to be my Guide and no other. Help me to resist being my own guide, because I now know my own path leads to the wrong places. No matter how things look now, I trust You to work all things together for good and get me to the right place … the Mind of Christ. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One I strive to trust completely, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13,14
Transformational Thought
Spring is in the air, plants are budding, we’re working in the yard, enjoying bright sunny days and evenings, outside sports and activities, and even taking an occasional jog, appreciating and enjoying God’s great creation.
My wife and I really like taking walks together. Hiking is even better than walking. Hiking is a really fun, healthy, adventurous, and growing experience, especially with a guide. Several key elements of a hike include … the intention of the guide and hiker to go on the hike together … coordinated movements modeled by the guide and repeated by the hiker … strategic planning initiated by the guide and followed by the hiker … and most important, trustworthiness of the guide and willingness of the hiker to trust the guide.
Once we come to Christ in faith we begin a walk, actually, an adventurous hike with God on an incredible daily journey. The destination for this lifetime … the Mind of Christ, the Promised Land, the Abundant Life … is described to us in The Holy Bible. Yet we’ve never been there before, nor do we know exactly how to get there. The Bible gives us very concrete instruction but the actual application is initially a challenge to understand. Numerous detours and false paths make the road really hard to follow. It is vital that we learn to trust our Guide, God and the Holy Spirit, in every area of our lives … day in and day out.
We can trust Him because we are assured that when we love God and commit our lives to Him, He works everything … the good and the bad … together for good. We can trust Him because He has demonstrated His great unconditional love for us. We can commit our wayward child to Him because we know He loves that child even more than we do. We can commit our finances to Him because we know that He will work all things for good as we follow Him and trust Him for wisdom. We can trust our loved one's health to Him because of His mercy and love. We can trust God to work His plan in our ministry … and His plan is perfect.
Is there an area of your life that you are clinging to … and worrying about … instead of trusting God? God cares about everything that concerns you. You see, Satan and the self-centered part of us are trying to brainwash us into thinking we really can’t fully trust anyone … that the only one who knows best for me is …. ME! What a detour to destruction that path is.
Today, examine your daily hike. Where are you going and who is your guide? These are the 2 most important questions you need to ask. If you are your own guide, or if you are following your own map and system, or the world’s system … you are lost! Keep your eyes on Him. Love and trust Him. He will go before you … He will guide you … He will strengthen you … and He will work all things for good. Edging Forward is designed to help you follow God as your guide, edging forward one stepping stone at a time in your everyday hike to the Promised Land. Choosing the guide is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I have been worrying about this situation and trying to fix it myself. My way hasn't worked. I commit this situation and my hike to You and trust You for the answer. I want You to be my Guide and no other. Help me to resist being my own guide, because I now know my own path leads to the wrong places. No matter how things look now, I trust You to work all things together for good and get me to the right place … the Mind of Christ. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One I strive to trust completely, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13,14
Friday, March 30, 2012
Stepping Stones: Step One Through Infinity is Trust
March 30, 2012
Transformational Thought
We trust in many things to save us. The strength of a chair to save us from falling. The power of a bridge to support our weight so we don’t plummet to the river below. The ability of an oncoming driver to stay on his side of the yellow line to prevent us from crashing. Trust that our parents will protect us from many dangers.
Webster defines trust as "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something." When we trust in Jesus, we believe that He is God's Son and that His sacrifice pays the price for our sin. We are relying on and trusting God’s character … and His ability to do what He has promised. Ultimately, we are trusting His character and integrity to be who He promised, and we trust His power and strength to overcome all harms. Ultimately, we trust the truth of His love for us - that He would bring all these attributes to bear for our ultimate fulfillment.
Trusting in Christ is the foundation, the first step to a relationship with God. Faith that Christ paid the penalty that was due for all our sins. Realizing nothing else could erase the barrier of sin that stands between God’s holiness and us. Saving trust is the greatest coping mechanism we can ever use, as it restores our relationship with God forever, and assures our eternal place in Heaven with Him.
Satan is working hard to get us to believe one of two things. 1 - We really aren’t that bad, don’t need a God (even if He does exist), and can earn God’s favor or become a god through self-help or by doing lots of good deeds. 2 - We are so wretched that God doesn’t love us or can’t save us from our sins, or we have to work to re-earn His favor instead of trusting in Jesus’ death for our payment. Then, if we do trust Jesus for salvation, we get complacent and start trusting other worldly elements, like ourselves, for our daily safety.
Today's scripture is one of many that explain the gospel message. We all fall short of God's standard … we all have sinned … and so none of us can have a relationship with God on our own merit or power. The good news is that God loved us enough to send his Son Jesus to make a way for us. Jesus died on the cross and paid the price for every sin committed by man … past, present and future. That is the incomparable power of the Cross. Our responsibility is to trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior. When we do this, we are made right with God and can enjoy a personal relationship with him. We cannot, nor do we need to add to the Cross. And thankfully, nothing we do can undo the power of the Cross once we have trusted in Him.
Today, ask yourself these questions: Have I trusted in Jesus? Have I received His love and His sacrifice for my sin? If I have, do I express that in my attitudes, perceptions, and actions each day? What is the evidence I trust in God and not in my intellect, bank account, friends, looks, health, etc? If I lost any or all of these things would I still trust in God? He loves you with a love you can't even begin to comprehend. And He is trustworthy. He will never leave you. He will never disappoint you. He will always love you. In this world of uncertainty, there is no hope. But in Jesus there is every hope. That, you can trust in. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I realize that I am not worthy to be in Your presence. But I believe that Jesus paid the price for my sin and that through Him I can come to You. I receive Him now as my savior. Help me make sure this is not my last step, but just the first step of my growing trust in You … for all my daily matters in this world, not just for my life in Heaven. Please forgive my sins. I want to follow and trust in Jesus. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to set me free, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
Romans 3:22-23
Transformational Thought
We trust in many things to save us. The strength of a chair to save us from falling. The power of a bridge to support our weight so we don’t plummet to the river below. The ability of an oncoming driver to stay on his side of the yellow line to prevent us from crashing. Trust that our parents will protect us from many dangers.
Webster defines trust as "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something." When we trust in Jesus, we believe that He is God's Son and that His sacrifice pays the price for our sin. We are relying on and trusting God’s character … and His ability to do what He has promised. Ultimately, we are trusting His character and integrity to be who He promised, and we trust His power and strength to overcome all harms. Ultimately, we trust the truth of His love for us - that He would bring all these attributes to bear for our ultimate fulfillment.
Trusting in Christ is the foundation, the first step to a relationship with God. Faith that Christ paid the penalty that was due for all our sins. Realizing nothing else could erase the barrier of sin that stands between God’s holiness and us. Saving trust is the greatest coping mechanism we can ever use, as it restores our relationship with God forever, and assures our eternal place in Heaven with Him.
Satan is working hard to get us to believe one of two things. 1 - We really aren’t that bad, don’t need a God (even if He does exist), and can earn God’s favor or become a god through self-help or by doing lots of good deeds. 2 - We are so wretched that God doesn’t love us or can’t save us from our sins, or we have to work to re-earn His favor instead of trusting in Jesus’ death for our payment. Then, if we do trust Jesus for salvation, we get complacent and start trusting other worldly elements, like ourselves, for our daily safety.
Today's scripture is one of many that explain the gospel message. We all fall short of God's standard … we all have sinned … and so none of us can have a relationship with God on our own merit or power. The good news is that God loved us enough to send his Son Jesus to make a way for us. Jesus died on the cross and paid the price for every sin committed by man … past, present and future. That is the incomparable power of the Cross. Our responsibility is to trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior. When we do this, we are made right with God and can enjoy a personal relationship with him. We cannot, nor do we need to add to the Cross. And thankfully, nothing we do can undo the power of the Cross once we have trusted in Him.
Today, ask yourself these questions: Have I trusted in Jesus? Have I received His love and His sacrifice for my sin? If I have, do I express that in my attitudes, perceptions, and actions each day? What is the evidence I trust in God and not in my intellect, bank account, friends, looks, health, etc? If I lost any or all of these things would I still trust in God? He loves you with a love you can't even begin to comprehend. And He is trustworthy. He will never leave you. He will never disappoint you. He will always love you. In this world of uncertainty, there is no hope. But in Jesus there is every hope. That, you can trust in. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I realize that I am not worthy to be in Your presence. But I believe that Jesus paid the price for my sin and that through Him I can come to You. I receive Him now as my savior. Help me make sure this is not my last step, but just the first step of my growing trust in You … for all my daily matters in this world, not just for my life in Heaven. Please forgive my sins. I want to follow and trust in Jesus. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to set me free, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
Romans 3:22-23
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Stepping Stones: For What Is Seen Is Temporary…
March 7, 2012
Transformational Thought
Like most people, I love this time of year. Daylight Savings time starts this weekend! Springtime is finally right around the corner. Awesome … longer days … warmer weather … more sun … outdoor activities … more energy … more color … people in better moods … life abounding everywhere. All this is even grander when contrasted to the elements of winter. I am continually amazed at (but don’t necessarily like) the cycle and uniqueness of the seasons God designed. Actually, except for Christmas and football, I hate winter.
Human life has a natural cycle that has existed since the time of Adam and Eve. It is wise to recognize the seasons of life … including aging and death … and to gracefully accept their effects on us. During our lives, circumstances are always changing. When these changes are beyond our control, we must graciously accept what comes our way. Whether the season is pleasant or painful, it is good to remember that only one season is permanent … the one that comes after we die and leave this temporary earthly residence.
You see, our natural lenses get caught up in where we are now. We believe that this present season here on Earth is for all-the-marbles, and that nothing else really exists after we physically die. What a sad vantage point, but one that many believe. Satan has us fixated in getting our material needs met now, because that is all we think we are.
When our radar is dulled to the spiritual and tuned to the material, we gauge our progress and needs based on the wrong radar. For example, seeing our physical peak at ages 25-35, we view ourselves as declining thereafter. We can get more bummed out, or we can invest lots of time, energy, and money into milking the clock and extending our physical life. But really, our essence is psychological and especially spiritual, not physical.
The true person we are, the inner person, can grow stronger even while our physical person is wasting away. God is completing the work He started in us, and that completed, ultimate state is for eternity. The goal of all the seasons we experience is growing our spiritual radar so we can sense God and connect to Him in joyous and powerful ways.
Today, identify whether you are in a good season or a rough one. Enjoy the good one! But if you are in a rough one, ask yourself how God is growing you on the inside. Then let this season draw you closer to Him. Remember, the time we and our loved ones spend in physical, emotional, psychological, and relational discomfort in these bodies is nothing compared to the eternity we will spend in perfect wholeness in God's presence. Also, understand that discomfort is one of the necessary seasons we need to pass through to get to the final, completed, season of perfect relationship with God in eternity. Thank You, God! Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, guide me through the seasons of life and help me trust You through each one. Help all those especially those suffering physically … and me … to have an eternal perspective. Help me submit to Your perfect knowledge as You bring my present season and all the difficult seasons into my life. Help me maximize my growth in those seasons to glorify You. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to teach me about eternity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6
Transformational Thought
Like most people, I love this time of year. Daylight Savings time starts this weekend! Springtime is finally right around the corner. Awesome … longer days … warmer weather … more sun … outdoor activities … more energy … more color … people in better moods … life abounding everywhere. All this is even grander when contrasted to the elements of winter. I am continually amazed at (but don’t necessarily like) the cycle and uniqueness of the seasons God designed. Actually, except for Christmas and football, I hate winter.
Human life has a natural cycle that has existed since the time of Adam and Eve. It is wise to recognize the seasons of life … including aging and death … and to gracefully accept their effects on us. During our lives, circumstances are always changing. When these changes are beyond our control, we must graciously accept what comes our way. Whether the season is pleasant or painful, it is good to remember that only one season is permanent … the one that comes after we die and leave this temporary earthly residence.
You see, our natural lenses get caught up in where we are now. We believe that this present season here on Earth is for all-the-marbles, and that nothing else really exists after we physically die. What a sad vantage point, but one that many believe. Satan has us fixated in getting our material needs met now, because that is all we think we are.
When our radar is dulled to the spiritual and tuned to the material, we gauge our progress and needs based on the wrong radar. For example, seeing our physical peak at ages 25-35, we view ourselves as declining thereafter. We can get more bummed out, or we can invest lots of time, energy, and money into milking the clock and extending our physical life. But really, our essence is psychological and especially spiritual, not physical.
The true person we are, the inner person, can grow stronger even while our physical person is wasting away. God is completing the work He started in us, and that completed, ultimate state is for eternity. The goal of all the seasons we experience is growing our spiritual radar so we can sense God and connect to Him in joyous and powerful ways.
Today, identify whether you are in a good season or a rough one. Enjoy the good one! But if you are in a rough one, ask yourself how God is growing you on the inside. Then let this season draw you closer to Him. Remember, the time we and our loved ones spend in physical, emotional, psychological, and relational discomfort in these bodies is nothing compared to the eternity we will spend in perfect wholeness in God's presence. Also, understand that discomfort is one of the necessary seasons we need to pass through to get to the final, completed, season of perfect relationship with God in eternity. Thank You, God! Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, guide me through the seasons of life and help me trust You through each one. Help all those especially those suffering physically … and me … to have an eternal perspective. Help me submit to Your perfect knowledge as You bring my present season and all the difficult seasons into my life. Help me maximize my growth in those seasons to glorify You. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to teach me about eternity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6
Monday, January 16, 2012
Stepping Stones: Who Do You Bow To? Check Again!
January 16, 2012
Transformational Thought
How often have you wished for just a little more power at some time in your life … a little more authority or control in a situation … or relationship? Isn’t this what childhood, and especially teenagerdom, is all about? The “I can’t wait till I’m in charge” mentality. We all have great ideas and plans for a world in which we would have the final say. What we wouldn’t give for that gift, to be the ruler and final authority of our world.
Well, yesterday we looked at Jesus being tempted during His time of fasting in the desert. The second temptation He faced consisted of Satan promising Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Just what we all wish for, right? Well, to receive this kingship, Jesus would have to momentarily worship Satan.
Both Jesus and his tempter knew that Jesus would eventually gain these kingdoms anyway. So Satan was tempting Jesus to take hold of something that was rightfully His, but by the wrong means … taking it sooner … avoiding imminent pain and suffering … avoiding the cross. And in the process, Jesus would have to bow down and worship the devil … to call Satan lord of His life … blow off God’s timeline, authority, and plan in favor of Satan’s plan. Do you really believe Satan would, or even could have honored his part of the agreement anyway? Well, that’s another devotional.
Once more, Jesus refused to give in to the temptation. Again, he quoted the truth of the Scriptures, revealing the root of the temptation by showing the right form of worship. His Father has the perfect agenda and timeline, and is the only One worthy of His and our worship.
We live in a time of instant gratification. Our fast-paced world and never-ending flow of instant responses via cell phones, internet, texting, and QVC have molded us to want and expect instant gratification. We want it NOW, if not sooner.
Sometimes, we may know in our hearts that God has a plan to take care of a situation, but we don't want to wait. We want the solution now. So, instead of waiting for God's plan to unfold, we manipulate things to make our plan happen now. My will vs. Thy will. Satan tempts us with so many shortcuts. And be very clear about this: in rejecting God's plan, we are bowing down to Satan. So whom do you want to bow to?
Today, let us learn from the example Jesus has set for us. Let us choose God's way, God's timing—always the best way and the best timing. Learn patience and perseverance. They come from trusting God’s love and provision for you. That’s better than what your feeble mind can come up with or what Satan will flash to grab and distract you from God’s will. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I bow to You, Father. All glory to You, my Lord. Forgive me for the times I have not been willing to wait and do things the right way … Your way, the best way for me, but have taken a shortcut. Help me to be willing to wait. Teach me to trust You more and to choose Your way and Your timing, I know Your timing is perfect. I pray this in the name of the One who teaches us how to worship You, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, 'I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be Yours.' Jesus answered, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”
Luke 4:5-8
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
He said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!"
Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king's command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God.
Daniel 3:17,18,25,28
Transformational Thought
How often have you wished for just a little more power at some time in your life … a little more authority or control in a situation … or relationship? Isn’t this what childhood, and especially teenagerdom, is all about? The “I can’t wait till I’m in charge” mentality. We all have great ideas and plans for a world in which we would have the final say. What we wouldn’t give for that gift, to be the ruler and final authority of our world.
Well, yesterday we looked at Jesus being tempted during His time of fasting in the desert. The second temptation He faced consisted of Satan promising Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Just what we all wish for, right? Well, to receive this kingship, Jesus would have to momentarily worship Satan.
Both Jesus and his tempter knew that Jesus would eventually gain these kingdoms anyway. So Satan was tempting Jesus to take hold of something that was rightfully His, but by the wrong means … taking it sooner … avoiding imminent pain and suffering … avoiding the cross. And in the process, Jesus would have to bow down and worship the devil … to call Satan lord of His life … blow off God’s timeline, authority, and plan in favor of Satan’s plan. Do you really believe Satan would, or even could have honored his part of the agreement anyway? Well, that’s another devotional.
Once more, Jesus refused to give in to the temptation. Again, he quoted the truth of the Scriptures, revealing the root of the temptation by showing the right form of worship. His Father has the perfect agenda and timeline, and is the only One worthy of His and our worship.
We live in a time of instant gratification. Our fast-paced world and never-ending flow of instant responses via cell phones, internet, texting, and QVC have molded us to want and expect instant gratification. We want it NOW, if not sooner.
Sometimes, we may know in our hearts that God has a plan to take care of a situation, but we don't want to wait. We want the solution now. So, instead of waiting for God's plan to unfold, we manipulate things to make our plan happen now. My will vs. Thy will. Satan tempts us with so many shortcuts. And be very clear about this: in rejecting God's plan, we are bowing down to Satan. So whom do you want to bow to?
Today, let us learn from the example Jesus has set for us. Let us choose God's way, God's timing—always the best way and the best timing. Learn patience and perseverance. They come from trusting God’s love and provision for you. That’s better than what your feeble mind can come up with or what Satan will flash to grab and distract you from God’s will. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I bow to You, Father. All glory to You, my Lord. Forgive me for the times I have not been willing to wait and do things the right way … Your way, the best way for me, but have taken a shortcut. Help me to be willing to wait. Teach me to trust You more and to choose Your way and Your timing, I know Your timing is perfect. I pray this in the name of the One who teaches us how to worship You, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, 'I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be Yours.' Jesus answered, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”
Luke 4:5-8
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
He said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!"
Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king's command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God.
Daniel 3:17,18,25,28
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Stepping Stones: Do You Have a Strategy to Resist Satan’s Sweets?
January 14-15, 2012
Transformational Thought
Wow, the holiday season and my birthday are over and I’m finally at the end of the delectable, but deadly, gauntlet of tasty sweets and special holiday food. I won’t tell you how much weight I gained, but I am on my annual diet to get back to a reasonable weight.
The Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert, where he fasted for 40 days and the Bible says Satan tempted Him for the duration of that time. But towards the end, Jesus faced a significant temptation of hunger, a very realistic human physical need.
Is eating to satisfy our hunger wrong? Of course not. But Jesus had been led by the Spirit and had made a commitment to God to fast during this time period. Breaking the fast by putting His desire for food above His commitment to the Father would have been sin.
There are many desires we experience throughout each day that are normal and good: to succeed in a job, to dress nicely, to make or listen to music, to prosper financially and provide for our family, to enjoy shopping, to commit to a relationship, to participate in a ministry, to see someone we miss, to enjoy a skill or hobby we have. And the list could go on. These things are not wrong in themselves, but they are wrong if they take priority over our relationship with the Lord. God's plan and God's leading must always come first.
Jesus responded to the temptation by quoting Scripture. "Man shall not live and be sustained by bread alone, but by every word and expression of God." In other words, spiritual matters and faithfulness to God are life-sustaining and more important than physical resources could ever be, especially when it comes to meeting our basic needs.
Today, take a moment to think about your life. Is there an area that is taking priority that should not be … that takes up mind space or emotional energy and is pushing God and other important Earthly responsibilities out? Is it causing you to slide backwards in your relationship with God? Is it tempting you to make wrong choices? If so, now is the time to get back on track. As Jesus taught us, turn to God's Word. Say “no” to the temptation. That choice honors God and is the best thing for you anyway. Develop a concrete strategy to break that hold on your heart. WITHIN REACH and Edging Forward are designed to equip you to successfully resist Satan’s temptations. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I confess there are areas in my life that are causing me to slide in my relationship with You. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I seek and better understand your Holy Bible and allow it to guide me as it guided Jesus. Please help me put your word into action for practical living, and not just a part of my rarely visited spiritual-intellectual library. I pray this in the name of the One who always honored His ultimate priority, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf of bread. And Jesus replied to him, “It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God."
Luke 4:3-4
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:13,14
Transformational Thought
Wow, the holiday season and my birthday are over and I’m finally at the end of the delectable, but deadly, gauntlet of tasty sweets and special holiday food. I won’t tell you how much weight I gained, but I am on my annual diet to get back to a reasonable weight.
The Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert, where he fasted for 40 days and the Bible says Satan tempted Him for the duration of that time. But towards the end, Jesus faced a significant temptation of hunger, a very realistic human physical need.
Is eating to satisfy our hunger wrong? Of course not. But Jesus had been led by the Spirit and had made a commitment to God to fast during this time period. Breaking the fast by putting His desire for food above His commitment to the Father would have been sin.
There are many desires we experience throughout each day that are normal and good: to succeed in a job, to dress nicely, to make or listen to music, to prosper financially and provide for our family, to enjoy shopping, to commit to a relationship, to participate in a ministry, to see someone we miss, to enjoy a skill or hobby we have. And the list could go on. These things are not wrong in themselves, but they are wrong if they take priority over our relationship with the Lord. God's plan and God's leading must always come first.
Jesus responded to the temptation by quoting Scripture. "Man shall not live and be sustained by bread alone, but by every word and expression of God." In other words, spiritual matters and faithfulness to God are life-sustaining and more important than physical resources could ever be, especially when it comes to meeting our basic needs.
Today, take a moment to think about your life. Is there an area that is taking priority that should not be … that takes up mind space or emotional energy and is pushing God and other important Earthly responsibilities out? Is it causing you to slide backwards in your relationship with God? Is it tempting you to make wrong choices? If so, now is the time to get back on track. As Jesus taught us, turn to God's Word. Say “no” to the temptation. That choice honors God and is the best thing for you anyway. Develop a concrete strategy to break that hold on your heart. WITHIN REACH and Edging Forward are designed to equip you to successfully resist Satan’s temptations. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I confess there are areas in my life that are causing me to slide in my relationship with You. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I seek and better understand your Holy Bible and allow it to guide me as it guided Jesus. Please help me put your word into action for practical living, and not just a part of my rarely visited spiritual-intellectual library. I pray this in the name of the One who always honored His ultimate priority, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf of bread. And Jesus replied to him, “It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God."
Luke 4:3-4
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:13,14
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Stepping Stones: Bad News/Good News
January 12, 2012
Transformational Thought
Do you sometimes find it difficult to manage your thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, or emotions? Do you persist in a destructive habit even though you know you are hurting yourself or those you love? Do you have patterns or defects you want to correct, but find it too difficult? On New Year’s or your birthday, did you think of some areas of your life that you want to improve or remove over the next year?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are not alone. In fact, if you answered no to all of them, you are lying or in denial, as none of us are perfect in any, let alone all areas of life. Whether we know it or not, we all have operated in a self-destruct mode at some time in our lives … for some of us it’s been this way most of our adult lives. Perhaps you have tried to do right … to change. For a while, things might get better, and then you find yourself pretty close to where you started.
Well, what do you want first, the bad news orthe good news?Myself, I like the bad news first, so … The bad news: you can't make these kinds of changes by yourself. The good news: that's OK because you don't have to do it by yourself. God is standing by to help you. He is inviting you to turn your problem over to Him. He wants you to know these are not person-sized problems … they are God-sized problems. He loves you, wants to save and sanctify you. He has the power to overcome anything you are or can imagine struggling with. And he has the ultimate strategy and power to make it all happen.
Satan wants to trick us into thinking we don’t need God, that the world can do it for us. Our own natural nature, our selfish me-centered nature, leans toward trusting only myself and doing it all under my own power. Both of these strategies leave out God and only lead to a slow and tortuous inner death.
Today, take the beginning steps to overcoming any destructive pattern in your life: admit you have the problem; admit you cannot correct the problem by yourself; tell God you are sorry for what you have been doing and that you truly want to change. Then trust Him to help you. Seek guidance about how to incorporate Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Bible into your everyday decision-making. WITHIN REACH has accomplished this miracle for me, and it can for you too. You didn’t get this way overnight, so things may not change overnight. But you will be developing the skills and disciplines to start moving in the right direction. God will be with you throughout the process. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father and Ultimate Healer, Sometimes I feel so alone and helpless. Please bring Your Holy Word to my mind at those times. Help me remember that You are always with me, and that with You, all things are possible. Your instruction in the Holy Bible is so powerful … it can actually renew my mind and set me free. Help me to apply Your teachings and trust Your promises, instead of trusting my understanding and self-made instruction book. I pray this in the name of the One You sent who is the Good News, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
Psalm 16:8
With Him, all things are possible
Philippians 4:13
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5
Transformational Thought
Do you sometimes find it difficult to manage your thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, or emotions? Do you persist in a destructive habit even though you know you are hurting yourself or those you love? Do you have patterns or defects you want to correct, but find it too difficult? On New Year’s or your birthday, did you think of some areas of your life that you want to improve or remove over the next year?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are not alone. In fact, if you answered no to all of them, you are lying or in denial, as none of us are perfect in any, let alone all areas of life. Whether we know it or not, we all have operated in a self-destruct mode at some time in our lives … for some of us it’s been this way most of our adult lives. Perhaps you have tried to do right … to change. For a while, things might get better, and then you find yourself pretty close to where you started.
Well, what do you want first, the bad news orthe good news?Myself, I like the bad news first, so … The bad news: you can't make these kinds of changes by yourself. The good news: that's OK because you don't have to do it by yourself. God is standing by to help you. He is inviting you to turn your problem over to Him. He wants you to know these are not person-sized problems … they are God-sized problems. He loves you, wants to save and sanctify you. He has the power to overcome anything you are or can imagine struggling with. And he has the ultimate strategy and power to make it all happen.
Satan wants to trick us into thinking we don’t need God, that the world can do it for us. Our own natural nature, our selfish me-centered nature, leans toward trusting only myself and doing it all under my own power. Both of these strategies leave out God and only lead to a slow and tortuous inner death.
Today, take the beginning steps to overcoming any destructive pattern in your life: admit you have the problem; admit you cannot correct the problem by yourself; tell God you are sorry for what you have been doing and that you truly want to change. Then trust Him to help you. Seek guidance about how to incorporate Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Bible into your everyday decision-making. WITHIN REACH has accomplished this miracle for me, and it can for you too. You didn’t get this way overnight, so things may not change overnight. But you will be developing the skills and disciplines to start moving in the right direction. God will be with you throughout the process. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father and Ultimate Healer, Sometimes I feel so alone and helpless. Please bring Your Holy Word to my mind at those times. Help me remember that You are always with me, and that with You, all things are possible. Your instruction in the Holy Bible is so powerful … it can actually renew my mind and set me free. Help me to apply Your teachings and trust Your promises, instead of trusting my understanding and self-made instruction book. I pray this in the name of the One You sent who is the Good News, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
Psalm 16:8
With Him, all things are possible
Philippians 4:13
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Stepping Stones: From Cover-Up to Recovery
January 11, 2012
Transformational Thought
Defenses are behaviors we use to cover up or avoid uncomfortable feelings; hiding them from others, and worse yet…from ourselves. Common defenses include suppressing, blaming, rationalizing, or even just hiding behind a smile.
Denial is one of our most common defenses. In the case of a loved one struggling with a life controlling addiction problem, we demonstrate denial when we feel the need to protect or cover up their behavior. Sometimes we struggle with our own problems but deny them even to ourselves…or we underestimate their gravity and the damage they cause to others and ourselves. A big cause for denial is the belief that our denial will keep our loved ones or ourselves “safe.” In reality, denial shuts down problem-recognition, assessment, and the identification and implementation of the necessary solutions. You see, denial only leads to more problems because it is distorted thinking that leads only to destruction and helplessness.
One of the main reasons we develop dysfunctional defenses is our lack of confidence in, and our inability to handle discomfort. Some of the most common negative feelings you may experience include anger, anxiety, jealousy, sadness, fear, guilt, feeling overwhelmed, lonely, and shame. Are you struggling with any of these feelings or similar ones? Are you smiling your way through each day while the struggle inside you rages? These negative feelings aren’t sins, but they are uncomfortable. Even God and Jesus experienced many of these feelings.
Amazingly, The Holy Bible is THE book about why we are in pain and what God has provided to ease and melt away our pain. Ever since Genesis 3 and Eve biting the apple, man has suffered the ultimate pain of spiritual separation from God. Add to that the physical pain of working the land and childbirth, then the trials and tribulations of this world. God’s Word frequently promises and instructs that He and His peace are always available as shown in the many biographies revealed to us in scripture.
Today, return to the place of honestly acknowledging your true feelings and dealing with them like an adult should. Your first step out of the struggle is to admit the feelings to yourself, to God, and to others you know you can trust. No Pain, No Gain. God will provide and equip. Act as if these 2 statements are true…and see miraculous growth happen for you…and for your relationship with God. Only then can you begin the road out of the cover-up and into recovery. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I have tried to convince myself that if I don't admit to these problems, that if I deny them, then I'll be safe from them. I realize now I've been deceiving myself. I am struggling and I need your help. Help me, Father, to move from cover-up to recovery. I know You’ll provide peace and comfort. Help me stop looking in the wrong places and show me the right places to look for Your abundant peace and grace. I pray this in the name of the One You sent to remove the cover-up by covering me with His blood, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
You boast, "We have entered into a covenant with death, with the grave we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place."
Isaiah 28:15
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
Transformational Thought
Defenses are behaviors we use to cover up or avoid uncomfortable feelings; hiding them from others, and worse yet…from ourselves. Common defenses include suppressing, blaming, rationalizing, or even just hiding behind a smile.
Denial is one of our most common defenses. In the case of a loved one struggling with a life controlling addiction problem, we demonstrate denial when we feel the need to protect or cover up their behavior. Sometimes we struggle with our own problems but deny them even to ourselves…or we underestimate their gravity and the damage they cause to others and ourselves. A big cause for denial is the belief that our denial will keep our loved ones or ourselves “safe.” In reality, denial shuts down problem-recognition, assessment, and the identification and implementation of the necessary solutions. You see, denial only leads to more problems because it is distorted thinking that leads only to destruction and helplessness.
One of the main reasons we develop dysfunctional defenses is our lack of confidence in, and our inability to handle discomfort. Some of the most common negative feelings you may experience include anger, anxiety, jealousy, sadness, fear, guilt, feeling overwhelmed, lonely, and shame. Are you struggling with any of these feelings or similar ones? Are you smiling your way through each day while the struggle inside you rages? These negative feelings aren’t sins, but they are uncomfortable. Even God and Jesus experienced many of these feelings.
Amazingly, The Holy Bible is THE book about why we are in pain and what God has provided to ease and melt away our pain. Ever since Genesis 3 and Eve biting the apple, man has suffered the ultimate pain of spiritual separation from God. Add to that the physical pain of working the land and childbirth, then the trials and tribulations of this world. God’s Word frequently promises and instructs that He and His peace are always available as shown in the many biographies revealed to us in scripture.
Today, return to the place of honestly acknowledging your true feelings and dealing with them like an adult should. Your first step out of the struggle is to admit the feelings to yourself, to God, and to others you know you can trust. No Pain, No Gain. God will provide and equip. Act as if these 2 statements are true…and see miraculous growth happen for you…and for your relationship with God. Only then can you begin the road out of the cover-up and into recovery. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I have tried to convince myself that if I don't admit to these problems, that if I deny them, then I'll be safe from them. I realize now I've been deceiving myself. I am struggling and I need your help. Help me, Father, to move from cover-up to recovery. I know You’ll provide peace and comfort. Help me stop looking in the wrong places and show me the right places to look for Your abundant peace and grace. I pray this in the name of the One You sent to remove the cover-up by covering me with His blood, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
You boast, "We have entered into a covenant with death, with the grave we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place."
Isaiah 28:15
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Stepping Stones: Does Controlling My Life Really Protect Me?
January 10, 2012
Transformational Thought
The Great American Way…Capitalism…the Land of Independence...Self-Sufficiency…Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. We are raised and taught, “take care of yourself, don’t be a burden on others,” “It’s the weak who are dependent on something or somebody else,” and “I want to do life on my own terms in my own way!”
If you were ever a victim of abuse of any kind, you certainly felt you had no control in the situation…whether it was mild, like ridicule or harshness from your parents, or ranged to any other form of mistreatment like neglect in a dating relationship, or misuse of power by someone in authority. Unfortunately, for some, the abuse might have been extreme or even violent…bullying, sexual coercion while dating, mugging or physical assault, sexual molestation, or even rape. Unfortunately, none of us escape all mistreatment.
We associate the abuse with losing control, so we make a subliminal promise to ourselves never to be in that dependent position again. We then try to control most situations…including every relationship in our lives...to make sure our vulnerability never answers the door when potential abuse knocks. An important downside of this self-protective strategy is we now have a hard time being vulnerable to, and dependent on God and His loving but controlling hand in our lives.
So, we rebel against His instruction and control. I know. I was hardheaded about turning control of my life over to Him, letting myself be vulnerable to someone…and although I am much better, I still struggle with it. But in the past, I tried being independent, controlling all areas of my life. It landed me in jail, with alcohol and a fear of other’s opinions and feelings as my masters.
None of us can be free to become all we were meant to be until we recognize that God is in control…that He loves us and wants to care for us. We are fooling ourselves when we think we can successfully make it through this life on our own. In reality, we need to lean on Him…on His wisdom, strength, love, character, promises…and especially, on His son, Jesus Christ.
Today, assess whether you are in control of your life, or whether God is. Remember, this man you read about, Jesus, loves you. He is inviting you to put your hands in His and let Him guide you and help you through all circumstances of life…regardless of what ever has happened in the past. Stop trying to figure out everything on your own. Stop trying to forge through life depending upon your own strength and understanding. Let Jesus love you. Let Him help you reach your full potential and accomplish all the good things He has called you to do. He actually died for you…for the simple reason that He loved His Father…AND YOU! Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, forgive me for thinking I could make it through life on my own. I need Your help and Your guidance in everything I do. Help me to stop trying to control everything…help me to listen to Your voice…to obey You…to trust You. I have been leaning on myself and what the world offers, and my hole only gets deeper. Thanks for loving me more than I love me, and for showing me how much You really love me by taking my penalty and place on the cross. I pray this in the name of the One who was sent to take my place, and who teaches and guides me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17
Transformational Thought
The Great American Way…Capitalism…the Land of Independence...Self-Sufficiency…Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. We are raised and taught, “take care of yourself, don’t be a burden on others,” “It’s the weak who are dependent on something or somebody else,” and “I want to do life on my own terms in my own way!”
If you were ever a victim of abuse of any kind, you certainly felt you had no control in the situation…whether it was mild, like ridicule or harshness from your parents, or ranged to any other form of mistreatment like neglect in a dating relationship, or misuse of power by someone in authority. Unfortunately, for some, the abuse might have been extreme or even violent…bullying, sexual coercion while dating, mugging or physical assault, sexual molestation, or even rape. Unfortunately, none of us escape all mistreatment.
We associate the abuse with losing control, so we make a subliminal promise to ourselves never to be in that dependent position again. We then try to control most situations…including every relationship in our lives...to make sure our vulnerability never answers the door when potential abuse knocks. An important downside of this self-protective strategy is we now have a hard time being vulnerable to, and dependent on God and His loving but controlling hand in our lives.
So, we rebel against His instruction and control. I know. I was hardheaded about turning control of my life over to Him, letting myself be vulnerable to someone…and although I am much better, I still struggle with it. But in the past, I tried being independent, controlling all areas of my life. It landed me in jail, with alcohol and a fear of other’s opinions and feelings as my masters.
None of us can be free to become all we were meant to be until we recognize that God is in control…that He loves us and wants to care for us. We are fooling ourselves when we think we can successfully make it through this life on our own. In reality, we need to lean on Him…on His wisdom, strength, love, character, promises…and especially, on His son, Jesus Christ.
Today, assess whether you are in control of your life, or whether God is. Remember, this man you read about, Jesus, loves you. He is inviting you to put your hands in His and let Him guide you and help you through all circumstances of life…regardless of what ever has happened in the past. Stop trying to figure out everything on your own. Stop trying to forge through life depending upon your own strength and understanding. Let Jesus love you. Let Him help you reach your full potential and accomplish all the good things He has called you to do. He actually died for you…for the simple reason that He loved His Father…AND YOU! Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, forgive me for thinking I could make it through life on my own. I need Your help and Your guidance in everything I do. Help me to stop trying to control everything…help me to listen to Your voice…to obey You…to trust You. I have been leaning on myself and what the world offers, and my hole only gets deeper. Thanks for loving me more than I love me, and for showing me how much You really love me by taking my penalty and place on the cross. I pray this in the name of the One who was sent to take my place, and who teaches and guides me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Stepping Stones: Guarantee: Time Passes –So What Will You Do?
January 1, 2012
Transformational Thought
Happy New Year! Seems like Y2K was just a couple years ago with all the commotion about streetlights going crazy…retirement funds being depleted…financial chaos emerging from Wall Street…water and food being unavailable…people reserving generators over one year in advance. Then came 9/11 and the crash of the economy. Wow! The first years of the new century have blown by so fast.
I’ve never met anyone who thinks time has passed slowly. Really, the only thing we are guaranteed in this world (assuming the Rapture doesn’t happen yet) is this…Time Passes! Unless you die, time methodically marches on. And as we’ve noted…time moves very quickly, stopping for no one.
So here’s my point…putting together the above observations: we are guaranteed that Jan. 1, 2013 will come, and actually be here very quickly. I’m just preparing you for the inevitable truth. Now comes the question you need to ask yourself, “Do I want to be in the same position, shoes, state of mind, level of psychological and spiritual maturity on Jan. 1, 2013 that I am in now? Do I want to have the same degree of impact on family, friends and society? Or do I want more from myself and life?” We all want to grow. In fact, God commands us to mature…to go from milk to solid food. Staying the same isn’t an option. If you aren’t going forward and growing, then you are going backward. Life is much easier and way more fulfilling when we are growing in God and life.
First, growth starts when you set a goal. Second, to get to your destination, you have to realize where you are starting from. And third, you need to develop a strategy that takes you from where you are now to your goal. To make growth happen, self-reflection and assessment are essential keys. New Year’s Eve is the time most of us look back and evaluate, but it really is hard to appraise one whole year in a just a few hours. That’s just a lazy and shortsighted shortcut. Think about it, you didn’t get this way overnight, so you can’t assess it and adequately troubleshoot it in just a few hours.
Today, most of you have a day off, so take time to invest in yourself. Write down who you want to be on 1/1/13. Be very descriptive about your spiritual, emotional, relational and thinking world. Then commit to 15-30 minutes per day for the next month for serious self-reflection/assessment and some concrete journaling. Your return on this small investment will be truly life changing. You see, this was one of the first steps of my life transformation. WITHIN REACH will give you a unique and powerful strategy to quickly, efficiently, and deeply assess yourself and bring dramatic, powerful growth to all areas of your life. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are so Holy and amazing, and I am in awe. Thank You for not giving up on me, a sinner, and then actually coming alongside me, to bear my yoke, be my Counselor, and grow me to be more Christ-like. I know You want to finish the work You started and have promised You will. Show me how to use your Holy Spirit, your instruction, and the understanding of who You are to transform my mind and life. I pray in the name of the One who started this transformational revolution, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Ephesians 4:1
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1:23-25
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 3:16,17
Transformational Thought
Happy New Year! Seems like Y2K was just a couple years ago with all the commotion about streetlights going crazy…retirement funds being depleted…financial chaos emerging from Wall Street…water and food being unavailable…people reserving generators over one year in advance. Then came 9/11 and the crash of the economy. Wow! The first years of the new century have blown by so fast.
I’ve never met anyone who thinks time has passed slowly. Really, the only thing we are guaranteed in this world (assuming the Rapture doesn’t happen yet) is this…Time Passes! Unless you die, time methodically marches on. And as we’ve noted…time moves very quickly, stopping for no one.
So here’s my point…putting together the above observations: we are guaranteed that Jan. 1, 2013 will come, and actually be here very quickly. I’m just preparing you for the inevitable truth. Now comes the question you need to ask yourself, “Do I want to be in the same position, shoes, state of mind, level of psychological and spiritual maturity on Jan. 1, 2013 that I am in now? Do I want to have the same degree of impact on family, friends and society? Or do I want more from myself and life?” We all want to grow. In fact, God commands us to mature…to go from milk to solid food. Staying the same isn’t an option. If you aren’t going forward and growing, then you are going backward. Life is much easier and way more fulfilling when we are growing in God and life.
First, growth starts when you set a goal. Second, to get to your destination, you have to realize where you are starting from. And third, you need to develop a strategy that takes you from where you are now to your goal. To make growth happen, self-reflection and assessment are essential keys. New Year’s Eve is the time most of us look back and evaluate, but it really is hard to appraise one whole year in a just a few hours. That’s just a lazy and shortsighted shortcut. Think about it, you didn’t get this way overnight, so you can’t assess it and adequately troubleshoot it in just a few hours.
Today, most of you have a day off, so take time to invest in yourself. Write down who you want to be on 1/1/13. Be very descriptive about your spiritual, emotional, relational and thinking world. Then commit to 15-30 minutes per day for the next month for serious self-reflection/assessment and some concrete journaling. Your return on this small investment will be truly life changing. You see, this was one of the first steps of my life transformation. WITHIN REACH will give you a unique and powerful strategy to quickly, efficiently, and deeply assess yourself and bring dramatic, powerful growth to all areas of your life. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are so Holy and amazing, and I am in awe. Thank You for not giving up on me, a sinner, and then actually coming alongside me, to bear my yoke, be my Counselor, and grow me to be more Christ-like. I know You want to finish the work You started and have promised You will. Show me how to use your Holy Spirit, your instruction, and the understanding of who You are to transform my mind and life. I pray in the name of the One who started this transformational revolution, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Ephesians 4:1
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1:23-25
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 3:16,17
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Stepping Stones: Only One Resolution Needed
December 31, 2011
Transformational Thought
So many of us use New Year’s Eve and Day to make resolutions … to try and “fix” our shortcomings … to focus on our failures. So many resolutions are made … and within a few days or weeks, they are broken. To keep a resolution for a whole month is virtually unheard of in our society.
Remember, the world we live in is fallen and we are part of that brokenness. In this fallen world, all our default settings are tainted by sin. Trying to “fix” yourself, by yourself, is futile. It’s like trying to put all the pieces of a broken mirror back together to get a true reflection. Only one New Year’s resolution is needed … to develop the Mind of Christ. Growing closer to God, yearning for Him, then glorifying Him with your internal heart and external behavior.
Developing the Mind of Christ can’t happen without the Holy Spirit. If you aren’t saved, (often called born again), and haven’t received God’s gift of Jesus as your personal Savior to save you from the penalty for your sins, then click here to learn how to be saved to go to heaven for eternity. If you are saved, then learning how to access the power of the Holy Spirit is the way to achieve your resolution and grow the Mind of Christ – to glorify God, achieve your God-given potential and enjoy the peace and fulfillment only Jesus brings. WITHIN REACH: Disciplines for Real Life Changeis our decision-making and growth workshop that covers confession, the armor of God, biblical truths, and a strategy to understand and apply the Holy Spirit’s work in the everyday decisions of life.
To make a resolution is to make a decision with intention and determination … a decision with firmness of mind and purpose. When the Spirit is in you, and you are obeying and following Him, you will be transformed and renewed. The Holy Spirit will give you incredible motivation to follow through with your resolution.
Today, if you have not yet believed in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, that is the major way to transform your life right now. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, the next step is to make the only resolution that can truly make a difference in your life. Decide to move closer to God and access the Holy Spirit to transform your mind and life ... now and for eternity. Tomorrow, we will look closer at transformation. But you need to be intentional now. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, on this New Year’s Eve, I make the only resolution that counts … to move closer to You by achieving the “Mind of Christ.” In New Year’s Eves of the past, I have defaulted to try and problem solve through resolutions, always trying to find out what was wrong … and then trying to “fix” things my way. I come to You, Father, and ask for Your grace and collaboration to set me free from all my hurtful, sinful ways. I will view each moment in this New Year and all the years to come as a fresh opportunity to draw ever closer to You. I pray in the name of the One you sent to transform me and give me new life, Jesus Christ; and all the children of the world say - AMEN!
Truth
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Transformational Thought
So many of us use New Year’s Eve and Day to make resolutions … to try and “fix” our shortcomings … to focus on our failures. So many resolutions are made … and within a few days or weeks, they are broken. To keep a resolution for a whole month is virtually unheard of in our society.
Remember, the world we live in is fallen and we are part of that brokenness. In this fallen world, all our default settings are tainted by sin. Trying to “fix” yourself, by yourself, is futile. It’s like trying to put all the pieces of a broken mirror back together to get a true reflection. Only one New Year’s resolution is needed … to develop the Mind of Christ. Growing closer to God, yearning for Him, then glorifying Him with your internal heart and external behavior.
Developing the Mind of Christ can’t happen without the Holy Spirit. If you aren’t saved, (often called born again), and haven’t received God’s gift of Jesus as your personal Savior to save you from the penalty for your sins, then click here to learn how to be saved to go to heaven for eternity. If you are saved, then learning how to access the power of the Holy Spirit is the way to achieve your resolution and grow the Mind of Christ – to glorify God, achieve your God-given potential and enjoy the peace and fulfillment only Jesus brings. WITHIN REACH: Disciplines for Real Life Changeis our decision-making and growth workshop that covers confession, the armor of God, biblical truths, and a strategy to understand and apply the Holy Spirit’s work in the everyday decisions of life.
To make a resolution is to make a decision with intention and determination … a decision with firmness of mind and purpose. When the Spirit is in you, and you are obeying and following Him, you will be transformed and renewed. The Holy Spirit will give you incredible motivation to follow through with your resolution.
Today, if you have not yet believed in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, that is the major way to transform your life right now. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, the next step is to make the only resolution that can truly make a difference in your life. Decide to move closer to God and access the Holy Spirit to transform your mind and life ... now and for eternity. Tomorrow, we will look closer at transformation. But you need to be intentional now. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, on this New Year’s Eve, I make the only resolution that counts … to move closer to You by achieving the “Mind of Christ.” In New Year’s Eves of the past, I have defaulted to try and problem solve through resolutions, always trying to find out what was wrong … and then trying to “fix” things my way. I come to You, Father, and ask for Your grace and collaboration to set me free from all my hurtful, sinful ways. I will view each moment in this New Year and all the years to come as a fresh opportunity to draw ever closer to You. I pray in the name of the One you sent to transform me and give me new life, Jesus Christ; and all the children of the world say - AMEN!
Truth
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Stepping Stones: Go Ahead, Drop Into the Doctor’s Office
Transformational Thought
My main job is directing Lighthouse Network and consulting with some rehab facilities. I still have a psychiatry practice. Due to God’s blessing and my specialty as a Christian psychiatrist, my appointment schedule is packed and has a 2-3 month wait for an evaluation. Periodically, someone wanders into the office and wants a “drop-in” appointment. Big mistake. They usually understand, but some are amazed and say, if I went to my family doc, they would see me! You would have thought I committed some federal offense. Unfortunately, no appointment … no meeting.
Amazingly, you can “drop in” on Someone far more important and much busier than a psychiatrist during the high stress holiday … and you can be 100% confident that He will push all other business aside and focus completely on you. His undivided attention will be yours. Just imagine the Creator of heaven and earth yearning to have a personal appointment and relationship with you.
You see, when I was a kid, I believed God loved me. But by the time I experienced more of the world, I believed God was very busy with the Middle East, extreme diseases like cancer and HIV, and devastating abuses around the globe. I still knew He loved me, but somewhere deep, I thought my life was too trivial or not extreme enough for Him to allow me to drop into His office. Learning I had 24/7 access was incredibly empowering, affirming, and freeing for me.
Not only are you able to “drop in,” He actually knocks on the door of your heart … all the time. His Holy Spirit is talking to you in your spirit, and God the Father is talking to you in as He orchestrates and works on you through your circumstances. Because of His love for you, He wants to guide and protect you from life’s garbage and heartache. Unfortunately, we don’t listen to the doctor’s orders, and then wonder why the disease still impacts and hurts us.
Today, drop in to the Ultimate Healer … pray 3 extra times today. Have a conversation, not just a standard prayer you say out of habit. Actually talk to Him. Then really listen. It takes practice , so give it some time. He rejoices every time you “drop in” for a visit. The more you drop in, the better you will hear Him knocking on the door of your heart. But it’s up to you. If you don’t listen to the Great Doctor’s treatment plan, the disease will destroy you. Remember, no matter what, THE DOCTOR always has a special appointment time for you. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You, Father, that I can talk with You. I thank You for listening to my words, thoughts, and fears. I thank You, Father, for receiving even the longings in my heart, which at times I cannot put into words. Help me develop ears that hear and eyes that see the treatment plan You have prescribed for me. Give me the courage to follow Your treatment plan, which brings peace and fulfillment, and to turn away from my treatment plan, which leads to destruction. I pray in the name of the One who will always see me without an appointment, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.
Psalm 55:17
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water."
John 4:7-15
My main job is directing Lighthouse Network and consulting with some rehab facilities. I still have a psychiatry practice. Due to God’s blessing and my specialty as a Christian psychiatrist, my appointment schedule is packed and has a 2-3 month wait for an evaluation. Periodically, someone wanders into the office and wants a “drop-in” appointment. Big mistake. They usually understand, but some are amazed and say, if I went to my family doc, they would see me! You would have thought I committed some federal offense. Unfortunately, no appointment … no meeting.
Amazingly, you can “drop in” on Someone far more important and much busier than a psychiatrist during the high stress holiday … and you can be 100% confident that He will push all other business aside and focus completely on you. His undivided attention will be yours. Just imagine the Creator of heaven and earth yearning to have a personal appointment and relationship with you.
You see, when I was a kid, I believed God loved me. But by the time I experienced more of the world, I believed God was very busy with the Middle East, extreme diseases like cancer and HIV, and devastating abuses around the globe. I still knew He loved me, but somewhere deep, I thought my life was too trivial or not extreme enough for Him to allow me to drop into His office. Learning I had 24/7 access was incredibly empowering, affirming, and freeing for me.
Not only are you able to “drop in,” He actually knocks on the door of your heart … all the time. His Holy Spirit is talking to you in your spirit, and God the Father is talking to you in as He orchestrates and works on you through your circumstances. Because of His love for you, He wants to guide and protect you from life’s garbage and heartache. Unfortunately, we don’t listen to the doctor’s orders, and then wonder why the disease still impacts and hurts us.
Today, drop in to the Ultimate Healer … pray 3 extra times today. Have a conversation, not just a standard prayer you say out of habit. Actually talk to Him. Then really listen. It takes practice , so give it some time. He rejoices every time you “drop in” for a visit. The more you drop in, the better you will hear Him knocking on the door of your heart. But it’s up to you. If you don’t listen to the Great Doctor’s treatment plan, the disease will destroy you. Remember, no matter what, THE DOCTOR always has a special appointment time for you. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You, Father, that I can talk with You. I thank You for listening to my words, thoughts, and fears. I thank You, Father, for receiving even the longings in my heart, which at times I cannot put into words. Help me develop ears that hear and eyes that see the treatment plan You have prescribed for me. Give me the courage to follow Your treatment plan, which brings peace and fulfillment, and to turn away from my treatment plan, which leads to destruction. I pray in the name of the One who will always see me without an appointment, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.
Psalm 55:17
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water."
John 4:7-15
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Stepping Stones: Go For Third Place!
Transformational Thought
As a kid, reading was not a favorite pasttime, in fact, I avoided it at all costs. But being obsessed with all things sports, when the famous football player Gale Sayers wrote I Am Third … I couldn’t wait to read it. I was both disappointed and surprised … disappointed it hardly mentioned football, but surprised that it was still incredibly attention grabbing. Brian’s Song, the film made from the book, was the first movie that moved me to tears. Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, often writes about the “I am Third” approach to life as well: God first, others second, myself third.
We live in a world where the “I Am Third” approach to life is in total misalignment with the flood of messages we hear in the media, in the news from Wall Street to government to the local nightly news, and through advertising. “Have it your way” … “Because I’m worth it” … ”You deserve a break today” … “I need it” … ”Me first” … ”My way or the highway” … ”It’s all about you”. In fact, the “Me Generation” describes anyone born in the 1970s through the 1990s.
The messages are endless. We are bombarded from every direction, and most of all, from inside ourselves. Our flesh constantly demands “ME FIRST!” from the time we are babes crying for milk, to this morning when we whined in traffic. We want our agenda and needs met NOW! In today’s Scripture, Jesus clearly tells us what our first obligation is … to follow Him. And to do so we must deny ourselves.
Satan gets us to believe we will suffer when we follow Jesus. But I know from my past that my worst suffering occurred when I followed me and placed myself on top of the totem pole of worship. Insecurity, anxiety, neediness, impulsivity, procrastination, irritability, shortsightedness, rejection … the list of sufferings I endured when I was looking out for self first was endless. When we follow Christ, the fruit of the Spirit is our reward, and all suffering is healed and fades away.
Today, observe how many times you make yourself first instead of second or ideally third. Try to put into practice the concept of God first, others second, you third. When we talk about third, it’s a healthy third in which you care for yourself in a positive way, not as a “martyr.“ You will find much more satisfaction living this way instead of defaulting to your natural instincts to worship yourself and your own agenda. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
O Father, I hear You inviting me to follow You and live a life of self-denial. I want to make You the Lord of my life. Some days I get tired and lazy and just look out for my own comfort. Strengthen me to make better decisions, and to be a better steward of my activities so I can see Your will more clearly. I pray, Father, that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit to help me live in obedience to You and in loving service to others. I pray in the name of the one who denied Himself for me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. "
Matthew 16:24-27
And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Mark 10:21
One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Proverbs 29:23
As a kid, reading was not a favorite pasttime, in fact, I avoided it at all costs. But being obsessed with all things sports, when the famous football player Gale Sayers wrote I Am Third … I couldn’t wait to read it. I was both disappointed and surprised … disappointed it hardly mentioned football, but surprised that it was still incredibly attention grabbing. Brian’s Song, the film made from the book, was the first movie that moved me to tears. Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, often writes about the “I am Third” approach to life as well: God first, others second, myself third.
We live in a world where the “I Am Third” approach to life is in total misalignment with the flood of messages we hear in the media, in the news from Wall Street to government to the local nightly news, and through advertising. “Have it your way” … “Because I’m worth it” … ”You deserve a break today” … “I need it” … ”Me first” … ”My way or the highway” … ”It’s all about you”. In fact, the “Me Generation” describes anyone born in the 1970s through the 1990s.
The messages are endless. We are bombarded from every direction, and most of all, from inside ourselves. Our flesh constantly demands “ME FIRST!” from the time we are babes crying for milk, to this morning when we whined in traffic. We want our agenda and needs met NOW! In today’s Scripture, Jesus clearly tells us what our first obligation is … to follow Him. And to do so we must deny ourselves.
Satan gets us to believe we will suffer when we follow Jesus. But I know from my past that my worst suffering occurred when I followed me and placed myself on top of the totem pole of worship. Insecurity, anxiety, neediness, impulsivity, procrastination, irritability, shortsightedness, rejection … the list of sufferings I endured when I was looking out for self first was endless. When we follow Christ, the fruit of the Spirit is our reward, and all suffering is healed and fades away.
Today, observe how many times you make yourself first instead of second or ideally third. Try to put into practice the concept of God first, others second, you third. When we talk about third, it’s a healthy third in which you care for yourself in a positive way, not as a “martyr.“ You will find much more satisfaction living this way instead of defaulting to your natural instincts to worship yourself and your own agenda. Your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
O Father, I hear You inviting me to follow You and live a life of self-denial. I want to make You the Lord of my life. Some days I get tired and lazy and just look out for my own comfort. Strengthen me to make better decisions, and to be a better steward of my activities so I can see Your will more clearly. I pray, Father, that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit to help me live in obedience to You and in loving service to others. I pray in the name of the one who denied Himself for me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. "
Matthew 16:24-27
And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Mark 10:21
One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Proverbs 29:23
Monday, November 28, 2011
Stepping Stones: Trusting Moment to Moment
Transformational Thought
A church bell in my neighborhood rings throughout the day, and if you’re attentive, you realize it rings not just on the hour, but every 15 minutes. Often, I’m not aware of the bells because they’ve become part of the on-going background noise of my life … a symphony of birds, jet engines, lawn equipment, road traffic, cell phone, television, and chatter in my head. It’s usually early morning or late evening, when my distractions are at their lowest, that I am able to tune in and hear those bells. This particular church tower crisply and beautifully sounds the Westminster chime, made famous by the Big Ben Tower in London. Words to accompany the melody were written by Handel: "Lord through this hour, be Thou our guide. So, by Thy power no foot shall slide."
When I was in parochial elementary school, we students were allowed to interrupt the teacher every hour, on the hour, in order to pray and “bless the hour”. To be totally frank, at the time, I didn’t “get it”. I didn’t see any value in asking God to be part of my day, let alone each hour. Instead, I welcomed it as a longed-for distraction from the daily grind. My spiritual default status was to operate like a solo pilot, relying on my own self-sufficiency and my can-do attitude. But, looking back at some of my choices, I can say there wasn’t much to be proud of.
So what has changed? As I said, I really had no sense of my need for God. But I also had no idea He actually and deeply cared about the details of my life. At a particularly low point, I cried out to God asking Him to show me who He is. When I finally understood He was always showing me who He is and I paid attention to how and what He was showing, my life changed and has never been the same. So now those chimes and that melody are a beautiful reminder of how much I need God throughout every day, and how faithfully God helps me.
How about you? Are you in tune with your need for God? Do you allow His Holy Spirit to direct your words as you interact with family, coworkers, cellmates, drivers, sales clerks, and pedestrians? Do you realize his holy word, the Bible, offers you great advice as you make decisions about your job, finances, relationships, emotions, and other details of daily life? Have you read any of His messages today? Have you shared your concerns about today’s problems with Him?
Today, in fact, right now, ask Him to be your guide for the next 60 minutes. You have a choice: You could go with the flow and not acknowledge His right to be sovereign in your life. Or you could admit that your own decisions leave something to be desired. Let the Lord of the universe take control for even a fraction of your day and see if He doesn’t prove Himself worthy of your trust. As you see God answering your prayer, your trust in Him and your relationship with Him will grow exponentially. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
O Loving God, For so long I have relied on my own thoughts and judgments, but life did not go as I planned and didn’t get any easier. I want so much to have joy and peace throughout every day. I’ve forgotten about You but I have a desire to turn that around. For these next 60 minutes, I am asking You to be my guide, to show me the way to handle the people and situations You put around me. This is a big step but I’m trusting You to guide me each step of the way. I trust You so much that I’m saying “Thank You” right now for what You are about to do for, through, and in me. I pray in the name of the One who trusted You to the very end, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5
"Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."
Luke 22:42
A church bell in my neighborhood rings throughout the day, and if you’re attentive, you realize it rings not just on the hour, but every 15 minutes. Often, I’m not aware of the bells because they’ve become part of the on-going background noise of my life … a symphony of birds, jet engines, lawn equipment, road traffic, cell phone, television, and chatter in my head. It’s usually early morning or late evening, when my distractions are at their lowest, that I am able to tune in and hear those bells. This particular church tower crisply and beautifully sounds the Westminster chime, made famous by the Big Ben Tower in London. Words to accompany the melody were written by Handel: "Lord through this hour, be Thou our guide. So, by Thy power no foot shall slide."
When I was in parochial elementary school, we students were allowed to interrupt the teacher every hour, on the hour, in order to pray and “bless the hour”. To be totally frank, at the time, I didn’t “get it”. I didn’t see any value in asking God to be part of my day, let alone each hour. Instead, I welcomed it as a longed-for distraction from the daily grind. My spiritual default status was to operate like a solo pilot, relying on my own self-sufficiency and my can-do attitude. But, looking back at some of my choices, I can say there wasn’t much to be proud of.
So what has changed? As I said, I really had no sense of my need for God. But I also had no idea He actually and deeply cared about the details of my life. At a particularly low point, I cried out to God asking Him to show me who He is. When I finally understood He was always showing me who He is and I paid attention to how and what He was showing, my life changed and has never been the same. So now those chimes and that melody are a beautiful reminder of how much I need God throughout every day, and how faithfully God helps me.
How about you? Are you in tune with your need for God? Do you allow His Holy Spirit to direct your words as you interact with family, coworkers, cellmates, drivers, sales clerks, and pedestrians? Do you realize his holy word, the Bible, offers you great advice as you make decisions about your job, finances, relationships, emotions, and other details of daily life? Have you read any of His messages today? Have you shared your concerns about today’s problems with Him?
Today, in fact, right now, ask Him to be your guide for the next 60 minutes. You have a choice: You could go with the flow and not acknowledge His right to be sovereign in your life. Or you could admit that your own decisions leave something to be desired. Let the Lord of the universe take control for even a fraction of your day and see if He doesn’t prove Himself worthy of your trust. As you see God answering your prayer, your trust in Him and your relationship with Him will grow exponentially. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
O Loving God, For so long I have relied on my own thoughts and judgments, but life did not go as I planned and didn’t get any easier. I want so much to have joy and peace throughout every day. I’ve forgotten about You but I have a desire to turn that around. For these next 60 minutes, I am asking You to be my guide, to show me the way to handle the people and situations You put around me. This is a big step but I’m trusting You to guide me each step of the way. I trust You so much that I’m saying “Thank You” right now for what You are about to do for, through, and in me. I pray in the name of the One who trusted You to the very end, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5
"Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."
Luke 22:42
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Stepping Stones: Don’t Leave At Intermission!
Transformational Thought
Some children take off sooner and faster than others. My little (6’ 6”) brother is 13 years younger than me. One of the bigger regrets I have is not playing a larger role during his young years. I was a teenager, totally focused on my own struggles, issues, and needs, and saw him as a toy or a mascot to use as needed. My brother had many ups and downs, almost from the get-go as he got kicked out of Catholic school in kindergarten on Ash Wednesday because he didn’t want dirt on his head. My parents tried to raise him to greater heights, but nothing seemed to work. If the race had ended in his mid twenties, in jail and on his way to rehab, he would have been judged a loser … a failure.
Are you a parent of a low-flying child? Let me pass on a word of encouragement. That brother made a shift in his late twenties and is now, by anyone’s standards, a high-flying success. Husband in a healthy marriage, father of a great family, master’s degree, teacher and mentor to disadvantaged teens, successful high school football coach, and get this, an inner-city high school disciplinarian. Yes, God has a great sense of humor. Most importantly, he is a man of deep faith who always finds time to let the Lord’s light shine onto those around him. At 36 years of age, he holds the admiration and praise of all those who know him.
Too often, we put premature finish lines on situations … judging them before all the data is in. God isn’t bound by time; He is incredibly patient and all-powerful, and has a flair for the dramatic, especially where timing is concerned. Our nature is one of impatience, impulsivity, and I need to know now. We don’t tolerate the uncomfortable feelings and want solutions and pain-free living now. We reach for quick but destructive solutions. Don’t fall into Satan’s trap of judging yourself, others, circumstances, or especially God, prematurely. You will be disappointed and lose out on many “miracles” of life.
Today, if you feel like a failure, or are disappointed, anxious, sad or fearful, examine whether you are imposing a premature finish line on a situation. This puts God in a box and closes the curtain on the play at intermission. Realize there is more of the show, game, path, or race left and seek God’s guidance for the next phase of the situation. If you follow Him, trust Him, and practice patience, He will reveal a glorious second act in the drama you were ready to leave prematurely. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I pray that all parents reading this devotional receive from You wisdom and patience as they raise their children. Help them to trust Your providence and grace, and to let go of their timelines for their children’s lives. Help us all use Your Son as an example as You patiently waited for His time to come. Father, help us listen to You and obey You in this great calling of being a parent. Then in all areas, help us grow in patience. Help us to see Your big picture, not to prematurely judge the small picture of our life and bail on You and Your plan for us. I pray in the name of the most patient One, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
“My time has not yet come."
John 2:4
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
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 40:30,31
Some children take off sooner and faster than others. My little (6’ 6”) brother is 13 years younger than me. One of the bigger regrets I have is not playing a larger role during his young years. I was a teenager, totally focused on my own struggles, issues, and needs, and saw him as a toy or a mascot to use as needed. My brother had many ups and downs, almost from the get-go as he got kicked out of Catholic school in kindergarten on Ash Wednesday because he didn’t want dirt on his head. My parents tried to raise him to greater heights, but nothing seemed to work. If the race had ended in his mid twenties, in jail and on his way to rehab, he would have been judged a loser … a failure.
Are you a parent of a low-flying child? Let me pass on a word of encouragement. That brother made a shift in his late twenties and is now, by anyone’s standards, a high-flying success. Husband in a healthy marriage, father of a great family, master’s degree, teacher and mentor to disadvantaged teens, successful high school football coach, and get this, an inner-city high school disciplinarian. Yes, God has a great sense of humor. Most importantly, he is a man of deep faith who always finds time to let the Lord’s light shine onto those around him. At 36 years of age, he holds the admiration and praise of all those who know him.
Too often, we put premature finish lines on situations … judging them before all the data is in. God isn’t bound by time; He is incredibly patient and all-powerful, and has a flair for the dramatic, especially where timing is concerned. Our nature is one of impatience, impulsivity, and I need to know now. We don’t tolerate the uncomfortable feelings and want solutions and pain-free living now. We reach for quick but destructive solutions. Don’t fall into Satan’s trap of judging yourself, others, circumstances, or especially God, prematurely. You will be disappointed and lose out on many “miracles” of life.
Today, if you feel like a failure, or are disappointed, anxious, sad or fearful, examine whether you are imposing a premature finish line on a situation. This puts God in a box and closes the curtain on the play at intermission. Realize there is more of the show, game, path, or race left and seek God’s guidance for the next phase of the situation. If you follow Him, trust Him, and practice patience, He will reveal a glorious second act in the drama you were ready to leave prematurely. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I pray that all parents reading this devotional receive from You wisdom and patience as they raise their children. Help them to trust Your providence and grace, and to let go of their timelines for their children’s lives. Help us all use Your Son as an example as You patiently waited for His time to come. Father, help us listen to You and obey You in this great calling of being a parent. Then in all areas, help us grow in patience. Help us to see Your big picture, not to prematurely judge the small picture of our life and bail on You and Your plan for us. I pray in the name of the most patient One, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
“My time has not yet come."
John 2:4
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
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 40:30,31
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Stepping Stones: Think You Don’t Need A Counselor? Think Again!
Transformational Thought
The other day, I got into an argument with my wife. As usual, it was a pretty trivial spark that started a much bigger fire. If someone had run that same situation by me in the morning, I could have easily described the ideal solution to manage the situation. My theoretical solution would have been beneficial to my wife and me, and God-honoring. But in the moment, I was governed by my insecurities, so I blew it.
We all have so many unanswered questions about ourselves. Am I really a good person? Am I truly lovable? Why do I do the things I do? Why do I feel the way I feel? Why do I make the same mistakes as I used to? Can I ever change? Will I ever be fully in control of all areas of my life? We struggle to answer these questions for and by ourselves, and it’s difficult to get to the core answers without a true counselor.
The combination of our arrogance and pride—I don’t need any therapy, thank you very much—and the fact that it’s become a profession with a stigma attached—mental illness, Freud, Prozac and all that—has kept most of us from realizing that we do need counseling. All of us. What athlete thinks they don’t need a coach anymore? What student ever really knows it all? Your doctor continues to study and get more education ‘till he retires. In the most complicated activity, life, we never know it all. As Christians, thankfully, we have the best counselor living right inside us.
The Bible tells us Jesus sends us his Spirit as a Counselor … that ought to make it clear. And apparently, we need quite a lot of counsel—the Spirit isn’t just stopping in to give us a tune-up; not even an annual checkup. He has come to stay and give us a complete makeover … from the inside out. Now we just need to figure out how to “hear” His counsel and quit sabotaging His efforts in our lives. This might sound blasphemous, but unfortunately, we need more than the Holy Spirit, which is why we listen to sermons and need to study the Bible.
Today, confess your sins, then talk to God about a struggle in your life. Open His word, read the Christmas and Easter story, and then listen for His counsel. If you have trouble following the counsel, or continue to sabotage His efforts, consider getting someone to help show you how to listen and follow His counsel. WITHIN REACH is a great resource we developed for the purpose of helping you hear God, follow His direction in your every day life situations, and be a Godly decision-maker in all you do. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank You for sending me the ultimate Counselor, Your Holy Spirit. Help me recognize the daily need for guiding advice and for the Spirit of truth. Help me listen and heed Your advice. Help me gain wisdom and courage to follow Your guidance, and humility to set aside my agenda. Thy kingdom, not my kingdom come. Give me humility to seek out and listen to Godly advisors so I can overcome my areas of struggle. I pray in the name of the One who asked You to send another Counselor, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth”
John 14:16–17
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. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 4:12-14
Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."
Proverbs 1:29-33
The other day, I got into an argument with my wife. As usual, it was a pretty trivial spark that started a much bigger fire. If someone had run that same situation by me in the morning, I could have easily described the ideal solution to manage the situation. My theoretical solution would have been beneficial to my wife and me, and God-honoring. But in the moment, I was governed by my insecurities, so I blew it.
We all have so many unanswered questions about ourselves. Am I really a good person? Am I truly lovable? Why do I do the things I do? Why do I feel the way I feel? Why do I make the same mistakes as I used to? Can I ever change? Will I ever be fully in control of all areas of my life? We struggle to answer these questions for and by ourselves, and it’s difficult to get to the core answers without a true counselor.
The combination of our arrogance and pride—I don’t need any therapy, thank you very much—and the fact that it’s become a profession with a stigma attached—mental illness, Freud, Prozac and all that—has kept most of us from realizing that we do need counseling. All of us. What athlete thinks they don’t need a coach anymore? What student ever really knows it all? Your doctor continues to study and get more education ‘till he retires. In the most complicated activity, life, we never know it all. As Christians, thankfully, we have the best counselor living right inside us.
The Bible tells us Jesus sends us his Spirit as a Counselor … that ought to make it clear. And apparently, we need quite a lot of counsel—the Spirit isn’t just stopping in to give us a tune-up; not even an annual checkup. He has come to stay and give us a complete makeover … from the inside out. Now we just need to figure out how to “hear” His counsel and quit sabotaging His efforts in our lives. This might sound blasphemous, but unfortunately, we need more than the Holy Spirit, which is why we listen to sermons and need to study the Bible.
Today, confess your sins, then talk to God about a struggle in your life. Open His word, read the Christmas and Easter story, and then listen for His counsel. If you have trouble following the counsel, or continue to sabotage His efforts, consider getting someone to help show you how to listen and follow His counsel. WITHIN REACH is a great resource we developed for the purpose of helping you hear God, follow His direction in your every day life situations, and be a Godly decision-maker in all you do. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank You for sending me the ultimate Counselor, Your Holy Spirit. Help me recognize the daily need for guiding advice and for the Spirit of truth. Help me listen and heed Your advice. Help me gain wisdom and courage to follow Your guidance, and humility to set aside my agenda. Thy kingdom, not my kingdom come. Give me humility to seek out and listen to Godly advisors so I can overcome my areas of struggle. I pray in the name of the One who asked You to send another Counselor, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth”
John 14:16–17
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. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 4:12-14
Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."
Proverbs 1:29-33
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Stepping Stones: Out On A Limb With God
Transformational Thought
As a young boy, I always had a fascination with climbing trees, especially apple trees. I’d climb up, pick the apples, eat a few, and then throw some down to my friends. However, I couldn’t get the really good apples, for they always seemed to be hanging out on a limb. I was a big kid, and when you hear the slight crack of a limb, you retreat to the trunk. I would never go very far out on a limb … but always played it safe. Fear of falling stole my chance to grab the really choice apples out on the edge of the limb.
Just like the apple tree, the juiciest rewards in life are on the end of the limb. I think sometimes God asks us to go out on that limb. Playing it “safe,” not going out on a limb, is sometimes how Satan wants you to engage with life. The cracking sound you hear as God calls you to the edge of the limb ... that’s Satan calling out to you, trying to trick you into thinking that moving closer to God is dangerous and will bring pain. So keep your eyes on your Lord as you step out in faith. Grab His hand tightly as you edge your way, following Him out onto that limb.
Since He goes before you, you can keep your eyes on Him as you step out in faith. Soon you will arrive at a resting place. While gripping His hand, look toward the horizon. Enjoy the view from this tree-top perspective. You are actually safer here … out on this limb with your Lord … than you would be hugging the trunk, or even standing on the ground.
Overly familiar surroundings feel safer, but they may also lull you into a kind of sleepy self-reliance; and that’s when we tend to forget about the need for our Father.
Just remember the story of Abraham, waiting over 20 years for God to give him a son. Then God asks Abraham to go out on a limb and sacrifice his son, to actually kill Isaac. The juicy living Abraham was rewarded with … truly amazing, and would never have happened if Abraham had not followed God out to the very edge of the limb.
Today, when doing the right thing feels risky or uncomfortable, envision yourself climbing out on the limb, hearing the crackling of Satan’s call, but seeing God leading and holding your hand. Enjoy the activity and view it in a new way. In this new and challenging situation (out on a limb), you will be more alert and not so quick to let go of His hand. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are the author and finisher of my faith. I want to follow You wherever You lead me … even if it’s out on a limb. I pray, Father, that You will help me follow You with confidence rather than with fear. For I know, Father, that wherever You lead me is the safest place I could be. I bring all my fears to You, Father, for I now know that fears not dealt with tend to grow and magnify themselves. I pray in the name of my Ultimate Life Guide and Protector, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Psalm 31:20
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
As a young boy, I always had a fascination with climbing trees, especially apple trees. I’d climb up, pick the apples, eat a few, and then throw some down to my friends. However, I couldn’t get the really good apples, for they always seemed to be hanging out on a limb. I was a big kid, and when you hear the slight crack of a limb, you retreat to the trunk. I would never go very far out on a limb … but always played it safe. Fear of falling stole my chance to grab the really choice apples out on the edge of the limb.
Just like the apple tree, the juiciest rewards in life are on the end of the limb. I think sometimes God asks us to go out on that limb. Playing it “safe,” not going out on a limb, is sometimes how Satan wants you to engage with life. The cracking sound you hear as God calls you to the edge of the limb ... that’s Satan calling out to you, trying to trick you into thinking that moving closer to God is dangerous and will bring pain. So keep your eyes on your Lord as you step out in faith. Grab His hand tightly as you edge your way, following Him out onto that limb.
Since He goes before you, you can keep your eyes on Him as you step out in faith. Soon you will arrive at a resting place. While gripping His hand, look toward the horizon. Enjoy the view from this tree-top perspective. You are actually safer here … out on this limb with your Lord … than you would be hugging the trunk, or even standing on the ground.
Overly familiar surroundings feel safer, but they may also lull you into a kind of sleepy self-reliance; and that’s when we tend to forget about the need for our Father.
Just remember the story of Abraham, waiting over 20 years for God to give him a son. Then God asks Abraham to go out on a limb and sacrifice his son, to actually kill Isaac. The juicy living Abraham was rewarded with … truly amazing, and would never have happened if Abraham had not followed God out to the very edge of the limb.
Today, when doing the right thing feels risky or uncomfortable, envision yourself climbing out on the limb, hearing the crackling of Satan’s call, but seeing God leading and holding your hand. Enjoy the activity and view it in a new way. In this new and challenging situation (out on a limb), you will be more alert and not so quick to let go of His hand. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are the author and finisher of my faith. I want to follow You wherever You lead me … even if it’s out on a limb. I pray, Father, that You will help me follow You with confidence rather than with fear. For I know, Father, that wherever You lead me is the safest place I could be. I bring all my fears to You, Father, for I now know that fears not dealt with tend to grow and magnify themselves. I pray in the name of my Ultimate Life Guide and Protector, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Psalm 31:20
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Stepping Stones: Do You Have Childlike Trust?
Transformational Thought
When my girls were really small, I used to throw them way up in the air. Oh, how they loved it. They got really excited when we were in a house with a 2-story entrance so I could throw them really high. I delighted in the trust they unquestioningly had in me, even though I really didn’t have to do much other than be a decent father. I certainly wasn’t perfect. Our kids show us their unconditional trust, and at times, extreme gullibility, in many ways…running to our room when they have a nightmare, believing when we tell them about Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, or thinking we can make all their boo-boos magically go away.
God created us to trust easily, so we would trust Him, just like a child trusts their parents. HE knows trust and faith are two essential components of our walk with Him. But Satan realizes this and has devised a system to lead us away from God by taking advantage of our desire to trust.
Satan gets in our head, he magnifies both the natural inadequacies that we have as parents as well as the times we really do let our kids down, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Due to these hurts we experience as kids, we become jaded and cautious about trusting others. Trusting anything other than ourselves becomes hard for us, even under normal circumstances, let alone more potentially hurtful situations.
But you see, mistrust breeds loneliness, isolation, and a feeling that no one truly understands me and my path. I feel no one else is on my team, then self-reliance becomes my main coping strategy. Self-reliance is the opposite of what God wants in His relationship with us. The Holy Spirit within us can be our resident tutor, helping us untwist those past hurts so we can start to trust again. I’m talking about real 100% unconditional trust and wide-eyed belief, just like a small child, ready to trust all God’s promises and instructions and fall into His open arms.
Today, when no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Your Lord and God. Rejoice in Him, the One who understands you and loves you perfectly. Trust His promises and instruction for living life. Apply His principles to a trouble area today and continue to apply it regularly to that area. Give the principle a chance to affect your life and don’t judge the results to prematurely. You’ve given your plan time to implode, give His plan time to succeed. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You for understanding because You know me far better than I know myself. I know, Father, that You comprehend me in all my complexity…no detail of my life is hidden from You. Help me understand my hurts more, forgive those who hurt me, and learn to trust You and Your promises. Give me the trust of a child when it comes to all that has to do with You. I pray in the name of the rock of my trust, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:1,2
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6
When my girls were really small, I used to throw them way up in the air. Oh, how they loved it. They got really excited when we were in a house with a 2-story entrance so I could throw them really high. I delighted in the trust they unquestioningly had in me, even though I really didn’t have to do much other than be a decent father. I certainly wasn’t perfect. Our kids show us their unconditional trust, and at times, extreme gullibility, in many ways…running to our room when they have a nightmare, believing when we tell them about Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, or thinking we can make all their boo-boos magically go away.
God created us to trust easily, so we would trust Him, just like a child trusts their parents. HE knows trust and faith are two essential components of our walk with Him. But Satan realizes this and has devised a system to lead us away from God by taking advantage of our desire to trust.
Satan gets in our head, he magnifies both the natural inadequacies that we have as parents as well as the times we really do let our kids down, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Due to these hurts we experience as kids, we become jaded and cautious about trusting others. Trusting anything other than ourselves becomes hard for us, even under normal circumstances, let alone more potentially hurtful situations.
But you see, mistrust breeds loneliness, isolation, and a feeling that no one truly understands me and my path. I feel no one else is on my team, then self-reliance becomes my main coping strategy. Self-reliance is the opposite of what God wants in His relationship with us. The Holy Spirit within us can be our resident tutor, helping us untwist those past hurts so we can start to trust again. I’m talking about real 100% unconditional trust and wide-eyed belief, just like a small child, ready to trust all God’s promises and instructions and fall into His open arms.
Today, when no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Your Lord and God. Rejoice in Him, the One who understands you and loves you perfectly. Trust His promises and instruction for living life. Apply His principles to a trouble area today and continue to apply it regularly to that area. Give the principle a chance to affect your life and don’t judge the results to prematurely. You’ve given your plan time to implode, give His plan time to succeed. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You for understanding because You know me far better than I know myself. I know, Father, that You comprehend me in all my complexity…no detail of my life is hidden from You. Help me understand my hurts more, forgive those who hurt me, and learn to trust You and Your promises. Give me the trust of a child when it comes to all that has to do with You. I pray in the name of the rock of my trust, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:1,2
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Stepping Stones: Wanted: Supporting Actor in a Glorious Drama!
Transformational Thought
My mother is a great piano player, and she taught many others and me while I was growing up. She also loved musicals, so I reluctantly got a fair dose of those as a kid as well. My oldest daughter, who’s now in college, was always interested in music and drama too, so I have seen many plays and musicals. Seems like more of the same from childhood, but actually, watching the shows now is quite different than when I was a kid.
You see, as a kid watching the shows, I fell into the trap of thinking the actors were just being themselves and not really playing parts. Watching my daughter up on stage with her friends, I was now able to appreciate they were not being themselves. They were actually acting out something totally different, something the writer and the director envisioned for and coached out of them.
As Christians, whether we like it or not, our lives are all individual stages on which others might observe the performance of Christ. Despite our imperfections, we have been chosen to act out and reflect His Glory for others to see so they can become aware of His presence and power. Don’t worry about your stage being unworthy of Him. No matter how much you fix it up, no matter how polished you may become…you will never be good enough for the display of His radiant holiness.
However, our weakness is the ideal stage for the exhibition of His power. And for this glorious process to happen, we must submit to Him as the great Director. Really trust His instruction and purpose for us. Step into and revel in the awesome roles He designed for us. If you feel uncomfortable with God as your director, your other options are evil-intentioned Satan or your very nearsighted and incompetent self.
Today, play your rightful part in this Glorious Drama. To maximize this opportunity and experience, look inward and find what is distracting and hindering you from keeping your eyes constantly on Him, following His direction. Grab a pencil and paper and journal a few minutes. Then work on that distraction…see how He can ease the pain this distraction brings to you. Then you will be able to keep your gaze fixed on Him and His awesome splendor. Forget about your unworthiness. Watch the Glorious Drama unfold as He performs great things for you and through you. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I want to be Your stage. I want to be available to be a stage from which You can display Your power and Glory. But Father, I am not a ready-to-use stage. I feel more like a splintery, unfinished platform. I feel I may not even be safe enough…I feel like my boards are not yet nailed down properly. Help me, Father, to look away from myself and to look at You. Use my tired, broken stage in any way You choose. I am encouraged and thankful as I read Your Holy Word telling me that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank You, Father. I pray through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
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 by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
My mother is a great piano player, and she taught many others and me while I was growing up. She also loved musicals, so I reluctantly got a fair dose of those as a kid as well. My oldest daughter, who’s now in college, was always interested in music and drama too, so I have seen many plays and musicals. Seems like more of the same from childhood, but actually, watching the shows now is quite different than when I was a kid.
You see, as a kid watching the shows, I fell into the trap of thinking the actors were just being themselves and not really playing parts. Watching my daughter up on stage with her friends, I was now able to appreciate they were not being themselves. They were actually acting out something totally different, something the writer and the director envisioned for and coached out of them.
As Christians, whether we like it or not, our lives are all individual stages on which others might observe the performance of Christ. Despite our imperfections, we have been chosen to act out and reflect His Glory for others to see so they can become aware of His presence and power. Don’t worry about your stage being unworthy of Him. No matter how much you fix it up, no matter how polished you may become…you will never be good enough for the display of His radiant holiness.
However, our weakness is the ideal stage for the exhibition of His power. And for this glorious process to happen, we must submit to Him as the great Director. Really trust His instruction and purpose for us. Step into and revel in the awesome roles He designed for us. If you feel uncomfortable with God as your director, your other options are evil-intentioned Satan or your very nearsighted and incompetent self.
Today, play your rightful part in this Glorious Drama. To maximize this opportunity and experience, look inward and find what is distracting and hindering you from keeping your eyes constantly on Him, following His direction. Grab a pencil and paper and journal a few minutes. Then work on that distraction…see how He can ease the pain this distraction brings to you. Then you will be able to keep your gaze fixed on Him and His awesome splendor. Forget about your unworthiness. Watch the Glorious Drama unfold as He performs great things for you and through you. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I want to be Your stage. I want to be available to be a stage from which You can display Your power and Glory. But Father, I am not a ready-to-use stage. I feel more like a splintery, unfinished platform. I feel I may not even be safe enough…I feel like my boards are not yet nailed down properly. Help me, Father, to look away from myself and to look at You. Use my tired, broken stage in any way You choose. I am encouraged and thankful as I read Your Holy Word telling me that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank You, Father. I pray through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
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 by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
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
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