March 29, 2012
Transformational Thought
Martine, the kids and I are always chuckling at the many goofy insurance commercials on TV these days. The Geico commercials with the caveman and the stack of money with eyes are funny. We are partial to “Nationwide is on our side” as our daughters have had a couple accidents and Nationwide has been on our side. One time-honored classic is “The Good Hands People” of Allstate. They ask us to trust them, to submit and put our lives in their hands when potentially serious, life-endangering circumstances strike.
To submit a significant area of life to someone else, you really have to trust them, interview them, get other people’s feedback and check their track record. But you don’t really know until you give them an audition.
You see, God is the ultimate insurance company. Some say He sells fire insurance to save us from the fiery furnace of Hell. He also provides protection techniques to help us avoid “accidents” as well as services for navigating the system and restoring our property to it’s pristine condition when an “accident” does occur.
In order to fully submit our lives to God, we have to trust Him from the bottoms of our hearts. Trust His unconditional love. Trust that His way and instructions really are the best. Trust that He is able to deliver what He promises. Trust that listening to Him and obeying Him will keep us on track.
How do we build that kind of trust? By getting to know Him better … through prayer … through studying and meditating on the Bible … by being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, audition Him, experience His love and then look back and remember how He has loved us and helped us in the past. Recognize that His way has always proved to be the right way. When you look back at situations that didn’t work out despite your trust in God, I bet you inserted some of your plan in place of His, or used your own value system or time line instead of His to evaluate the results.
Even if you aren’t sure and haven’t been swayed by the preponderance of evidence, what are your other alternatives? Trust yourself? You know how much you mess up. Trust anyone else in this world or any other system? Not like there’s a great list of alternatives to choose from. Sure, you know a lot of nice people. And on the outside, they seem to have it together pretty well. But on the inside? Who knows?
Nobody has the big trustworthy hands of our Heavenly Father.
Today, listen for God’s voice and guidance in everything you do, everywhere you go. Slow down your thinking as you contemplate a few situations in your head. Ask, “What Godly principles are in this interaction or situation?” Are you submitting to His plan above all else? Is He truly at the center of your life? You will have much more peace when you know you have the best insurance company looking after your every step! Life is your decision, His insurance company or yours, choose well.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive me for all the times I’ve attempted to figure things out on my own … instead of relying on You. I do trust You … when life is going well and no curveballs are coming at me. Help me to trust You when adversity comes out of the blue. Teach me to tune into Your voice in everything I do and everywhere I go. Help me to seek Your will at all times and Your plan above my own desires. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One whose insurance policy covered all my sin covered with no deductible, Jesus Christ. And all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
Proverbs 3:5-7
Showing posts with label Humility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Humility. Show all posts
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Stepping Stones: Why Settle for “Normal”?
March 28, 2012
Transformational Thought
Wanting to fit in or be accepted by others is a natural urge. We tend to follow the pursuits of those around us to connect or to find answers that we can’t uncover on our own. Sometimes answers come in the form of strategies our peers use to manage life and the spiritual warfare we wage on a daily basis.
It’s so easy to be influenced by (and even brainwashed into the belief) that the world’s view and thinking is accurate. Television programs subtly … and more and more recently, not so subtly … dishonor God. They present sinful attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles as normal … over and over again through months, years, and even decades now. Without realizing it, we can gradually begin accepting sinful behavior as “normal.” The constant exposure, validation, and normalizing of evil behavior results in becoming desensitized to it.
Other influences … friends, employers, books, movies, family ... shape our thinking as well. One real danger has been introduced in the form of books and movies that claim to be Christian and use “Christian-ese” words. But in fact, they teach things that are totally unscriptural. Usually good teaching is mixed in with the deceptive teaching, drawing many Christians into accepting the whole because of some carefully placed Biblical truths. Jesus warned us to be careful … that even the elect could be deceived.
Remember we are in a spiritual battle and our foe is formidable and has studied us for thousands of years. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Satan is incredible. He will always come up with subtle strategies and methods to veer us away from God. He is also very patient. He doesn’t care if he steers you away from God only one degree per month at first. Then after a number of months, you hit that slippery slope and are in a free fall.
So how can we avoid being pulled by the world’s influences? By letting God transform us into a new person. But it’s not all up to Him. If it were, all Christians would be perfect … and I’ve met a bunch of you and know that just ain’t true! You see, we play a big part in this transformation process because God gave us free will and we need to be great stewards of it. We need to change the way we view our lives and our circumstances, and dissect our motivations. Then your decision-making will be Godly and transformation will occur exponentially in your spirit and mind, even rewiring your brain chemistry! Renewing the mind.
To develop the mind of Christ we must continually transform our mind, will, intellect and emotions. The transformation occurs by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, and then obeying it. We have to apply it, becoming Godly decision-makers for transformation to occur. This is why I am so relentless about teaching decision-making strategies and skills.
Today, measure every influence in the light of God’s Word … and reject those that don’t line up. Quit watching that television program. Don’t read that book. Choose what is right over what is easy or popular, or what feels good. Be willing to take a stand. Don’t be “normal”. Be special in Him and for Him. Life is your decision, so choose well and be transformed.
Prayer
Dear God, Open my eyes to the wrong influences in my life. Transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. Give me a deeper understanding of Your Word. Help me to live in obedience to Your will, and to make right choices even when they are difficult. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who never settled for normal, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think and renewing your mind. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Transformational Thought
Wanting to fit in or be accepted by others is a natural urge. We tend to follow the pursuits of those around us to connect or to find answers that we can’t uncover on our own. Sometimes answers come in the form of strategies our peers use to manage life and the spiritual warfare we wage on a daily basis.
It’s so easy to be influenced by (and even brainwashed into the belief) that the world’s view and thinking is accurate. Television programs subtly … and more and more recently, not so subtly … dishonor God. They present sinful attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles as normal … over and over again through months, years, and even decades now. Without realizing it, we can gradually begin accepting sinful behavior as “normal.” The constant exposure, validation, and normalizing of evil behavior results in becoming desensitized to it.
Other influences … friends, employers, books, movies, family ... shape our thinking as well. One real danger has been introduced in the form of books and movies that claim to be Christian and use “Christian-ese” words. But in fact, they teach things that are totally unscriptural. Usually good teaching is mixed in with the deceptive teaching, drawing many Christians into accepting the whole because of some carefully placed Biblical truths. Jesus warned us to be careful … that even the elect could be deceived.
Remember we are in a spiritual battle and our foe is formidable and has studied us for thousands of years. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Satan is incredible. He will always come up with subtle strategies and methods to veer us away from God. He is also very patient. He doesn’t care if he steers you away from God only one degree per month at first. Then after a number of months, you hit that slippery slope and are in a free fall.
So how can we avoid being pulled by the world’s influences? By letting God transform us into a new person. But it’s not all up to Him. If it were, all Christians would be perfect … and I’ve met a bunch of you and know that just ain’t true! You see, we play a big part in this transformation process because God gave us free will and we need to be great stewards of it. We need to change the way we view our lives and our circumstances, and dissect our motivations. Then your decision-making will be Godly and transformation will occur exponentially in your spirit and mind, even rewiring your brain chemistry! Renewing the mind.
To develop the mind of Christ we must continually transform our mind, will, intellect and emotions. The transformation occurs by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, and then obeying it. We have to apply it, becoming Godly decision-makers for transformation to occur. This is why I am so relentless about teaching decision-making strategies and skills.
Today, measure every influence in the light of God’s Word … and reject those that don’t line up. Quit watching that television program. Don’t read that book. Choose what is right over what is easy or popular, or what feels good. Be willing to take a stand. Don’t be “normal”. Be special in Him and for Him. Life is your decision, so choose well and be transformed.
Prayer
Dear God, Open my eyes to the wrong influences in my life. Transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. Give me a deeper understanding of Your Word. Help me to live in obedience to Your will, and to make right choices even when they are difficult. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who never settled for normal, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think and renewing your mind. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Monday, March 26, 2012
Stepping Stones: Become a Living Sacrifice, It’s Easier Than You Think
March 26, 2012
Transformational Thought
Through the years, before Jesus died on the cross, God called the Israelites to offer animals as sacrifices for their sin. Sacrifice was a symbol for the coming Jesus who would one day die for our sins. Sacrifice also showed the people they needed to be obedient to God and His instructions. The act of sacrifice acknowledged God as the holy ruler of everything. Because sacrifices were offered at regular time intervals, they also provided a way for God’s people to develop some spiritual disciplines.
Then Jesus came and gave his own life on the cross to pay the ultimate everlasting sacrifice for our sins. Just before He died, Jesus said, “It is finished.” He died for all sins … past, present, and future. We no longer have to offer sacrifices to pay for our sins. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and make him Lord of our lives, our sins are transferred to Jesus’ account and are forgiven. PAID IN FULL! The really cool bonus is that Jesus’ righteousness, His perfection, is credited to our account.
But you see, we are called to be a living sacrifice. We die to ourselves and surrender our lives to Him. He wants us to turn the control of our minds and bodies over to His care. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done; not my kingdom come, my will be done. He views the total submission of our lives to His control as our ultimate act, our living sacrifice. Paul calls it our spiritual worship.
A living sacrifice sounds so formal and daunting. But a living sacrifice is simply committing your body, that is your actions, conduct or behavior to God. What are your actions? Actions are just the final step of your heart, attitude, viewpoint, and values. All this together, including the end action (which can be an internal one that nobody sees, or an external one that others do see) is the decision-making process. The reason I pound away at the importance of decision-making, is that it is spiritual worship. Godly decisions are an awesome form of worship. Garbage decisions occur when you worship yourself or something other than God.
Most of us like to feel in control. The thought of turning control over to someone else, even a loving and caring God, might seem frightening, risky, or just unappealing. What we need to remember is that God is a merciful and compassionate God. He wants what is best for us … and only He knows what that really is. He is all-knowing and all-powerful. We aren’t. How much better to submit to His control and trust His plan than to stick to an attitude that declares, “I can do it myself.”
Today, are you struggling with a temptation … a problem … a challenge area in your life? Sacrifice your agenda for God’s. Why not? Look what your way has gotten you. Apply God’s agenda for one week; really practice it daily. Ask others for their prayer, encouragement and accountability in this quest. See the power of God when you submit completely to His plan. Be a Godly living sacrifice. Remember, spiritual worship is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Holy God, I thank You for Jesus. I thank You that through Him, my sins are forgiven. I have committed my life to You and claim to make You Lord of every area of my life. But so many times I try to take control again. I know this shows a lack of trust in You. Please forgive me. May my body … all that I am … be a living sacrifice to You. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who was the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN
The Truth
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1,2
Transformational Thought
Through the years, before Jesus died on the cross, God called the Israelites to offer animals as sacrifices for their sin. Sacrifice was a symbol for the coming Jesus who would one day die for our sins. Sacrifice also showed the people they needed to be obedient to God and His instructions. The act of sacrifice acknowledged God as the holy ruler of everything. Because sacrifices were offered at regular time intervals, they also provided a way for God’s people to develop some spiritual disciplines.
Then Jesus came and gave his own life on the cross to pay the ultimate everlasting sacrifice for our sins. Just before He died, Jesus said, “It is finished.” He died for all sins … past, present, and future. We no longer have to offer sacrifices to pay for our sins. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and make him Lord of our lives, our sins are transferred to Jesus’ account and are forgiven. PAID IN FULL! The really cool bonus is that Jesus’ righteousness, His perfection, is credited to our account.
But you see, we are called to be a living sacrifice. We die to ourselves and surrender our lives to Him. He wants us to turn the control of our minds and bodies over to His care. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done; not my kingdom come, my will be done. He views the total submission of our lives to His control as our ultimate act, our living sacrifice. Paul calls it our spiritual worship.
A living sacrifice sounds so formal and daunting. But a living sacrifice is simply committing your body, that is your actions, conduct or behavior to God. What are your actions? Actions are just the final step of your heart, attitude, viewpoint, and values. All this together, including the end action (which can be an internal one that nobody sees, or an external one that others do see) is the decision-making process. The reason I pound away at the importance of decision-making, is that it is spiritual worship. Godly decisions are an awesome form of worship. Garbage decisions occur when you worship yourself or something other than God.
Most of us like to feel in control. The thought of turning control over to someone else, even a loving and caring God, might seem frightening, risky, or just unappealing. What we need to remember is that God is a merciful and compassionate God. He wants what is best for us … and only He knows what that really is. He is all-knowing and all-powerful. We aren’t. How much better to submit to His control and trust His plan than to stick to an attitude that declares, “I can do it myself.”
Today, are you struggling with a temptation … a problem … a challenge area in your life? Sacrifice your agenda for God’s. Why not? Look what your way has gotten you. Apply God’s agenda for one week; really practice it daily. Ask others for their prayer, encouragement and accountability in this quest. See the power of God when you submit completely to His plan. Be a Godly living sacrifice. Remember, spiritual worship is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Holy God, I thank You for Jesus. I thank You that through Him, my sins are forgiven. I have committed my life to You and claim to make You Lord of every area of my life. But so many times I try to take control again. I know this shows a lack of trust in You. Please forgive me. May my body … all that I am … be a living sacrifice to You. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who was the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN
The Truth
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1,2
Friday, March 23, 2012
Stepping Stones: Facing the Truth
March 23, 2012
Transformational Thought
Forgiveness requires that we face the truth: the truth that it was necessary for Christ to die to pay the price tag for our sins; the truth of our own sinful behavior and desperate need; the truth that if we are ever to be free, we must receive Christ's forgiveness; the truth that we need to extend the powerful gift of grace to others and forgive those who have hurt us.
In order to experience true freedom in Christ, we must forgive those who have caused us harm or disappointment … even when that means forgiving ourselves.
All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But when we confess our sin to Him, God treats us much better than we deserve. And because of Christ Jesus, He freely accepts us back and sets us free from the grip of sin. How can we do less? Are we more powerful than God? Do we have a higher standard than God? Are we more upset about sin than God is?
We have both the reason and responsibility to forgive others because we are forgiven by the Lord. Forgiveness is a choice we make. When we forgive, it shows that we understand who we are, who God is, and what He really did for us on the cross.
Sometimes it is hard to let go. In fact, when we have been deeply hurt, it may not be possible to forgive … on our own. But it is important to remember that we don't have to do it alone. With Him as our model and source of power, and having accepted His forgiveness, we can then forgive others. We can actually enjoy the freedom and blessing God has for us by forgiving them and freeing ourselves from the power they had over us before we extended forgiveness.
Our goal should be to glorify God, not to glorify ourselves. But glorifying ourselves is actually what we do when we prioritize our pride, hurt, bitterness, revenge, spite, and other feelings above God. Shift your focus to His love and power. It will be the best lenses you can wear.
Today, identify a relationship in which you need to reach out and forgive. If you are struggling to forgive that person, ask Jesus to help You. Then look at whether you really understand and have accepted who you are, the sins you have committed, what you did to deserve God’s forgiveness, and whether you realize the unfair pain and sacrifice Jesus endured for you. Hopefully, the gift of forgiveness you received will help empower you to offer the same forgiveness to others. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I've kept these feelings of resentment and unforgiveness buried much too long. I know I didn’t deserve Your forgiveness of me. Help me understand why I should offer forgiveness readily to others. Help me to face the truth. Thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. Help me to show the same to others, even those who have hurt me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One to who paid for all my sins, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
Transformational Thought
Forgiveness requires that we face the truth: the truth that it was necessary for Christ to die to pay the price tag for our sins; the truth of our own sinful behavior and desperate need; the truth that if we are ever to be free, we must receive Christ's forgiveness; the truth that we need to extend the powerful gift of grace to others and forgive those who have hurt us.
In order to experience true freedom in Christ, we must forgive those who have caused us harm or disappointment … even when that means forgiving ourselves.
All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But when we confess our sin to Him, God treats us much better than we deserve. And because of Christ Jesus, He freely accepts us back and sets us free from the grip of sin. How can we do less? Are we more powerful than God? Do we have a higher standard than God? Are we more upset about sin than God is?
We have both the reason and responsibility to forgive others because we are forgiven by the Lord. Forgiveness is a choice we make. When we forgive, it shows that we understand who we are, who God is, and what He really did for us on the cross.
Sometimes it is hard to let go. In fact, when we have been deeply hurt, it may not be possible to forgive … on our own. But it is important to remember that we don't have to do it alone. With Him as our model and source of power, and having accepted His forgiveness, we can then forgive others. We can actually enjoy the freedom and blessing God has for us by forgiving them and freeing ourselves from the power they had over us before we extended forgiveness.
Our goal should be to glorify God, not to glorify ourselves. But glorifying ourselves is actually what we do when we prioritize our pride, hurt, bitterness, revenge, spite, and other feelings above God. Shift your focus to His love and power. It will be the best lenses you can wear.
Today, identify a relationship in which you need to reach out and forgive. If you are struggling to forgive that person, ask Jesus to help You. Then look at whether you really understand and have accepted who you are, the sins you have committed, what you did to deserve God’s forgiveness, and whether you realize the unfair pain and sacrifice Jesus endured for you. Hopefully, the gift of forgiveness you received will help empower you to offer the same forgiveness to others. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I've kept these feelings of resentment and unforgiveness buried much too long. I know I didn’t deserve Your forgiveness of me. Help me understand why I should offer forgiveness readily to others. Help me to face the truth. Thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. Help me to show the same to others, even those who have hurt me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One to who paid for all my sins, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
Friday, March 2, 2012
Stepping Stones: What Are You Hiding From?
March 2, 2012
Transformational Thought
For about 10 years, I had many insecurities and fears that led to numerous sinful decisions and behaviors. I made multiple excuses to myself, others, and God to avoid or deny the feelings, shame, and reality of my mistakes. My hole got deeper and deeper until I ended up in jail and finally had to be honest because I had no other excuses to give or places to hide.
Today's Scripture is much more lengthy than usual, but it expresses so beautifully the despair that so many of us experience … the despair that comes with hiding our sins from God. But it also reveals the great freedom we experience when we finally stop trying to hide our guilt, confess our sinful decisions to the Lord, and receive His loving forgiveness.
Even though painful feelings are unpleasant to experience, facing them honestly and dealing with their cause is essential to our ability to function and to feel fulfilled. If we want to be the person God has called us to be … if we want to stop hurting others and ourselves … if we want to experience the freedom and peace in our lives that Christ died for … we must face the truth and ask God for His forgiveness and His help. That is the first major decision. The second is to be good stewards of His help and instructions through Godly decision-making.
Jesus understands the damage that occurs when unpleasant feelings resulting from sins are ignored and pushed below the surface. He encourages us to approach Him like a little child … quick to be vulnerable … willing to share our feelings with Him … trusting that He will heal us, not rub salt in our wounds or take advantage of our vulnerability.
In childhood, there were times when we opened up, trusted, made ourselves vulnerable, and were then hurt. We weren’t stupid, so we figured the only way to avoid further hurt or let down anymore was to hold it all in, not open up, be skeptical of others, not share our mistakes, questions or insecurities. Satan wants us to keep our wrongs in the dark because He knows the Light will allow truth in, and let healing prevail.
Today, think about sin in your life that you may be hiding … especially from yourself. God loves you and is ready for you to come to Him. He is your loving Father. Come to Him as the psalmist did. Then you can join the psalmist in rejoicing: "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Develop the Spiritual Discipline of confession. Look at our Spiritual Basics link. It reconnects you to God and puts Him back on the throne of your heart so healing can begin. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess my rebellion and my sins. Forgive me for trying to hide it for so long. Thank You for Your unconditional love, for Your forgiveness, and for the peace that only You can give. Empower me with trust to come to You and be vulnerable when I am afraid of experiencing old wounds. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to teach me about unconditional love, honesty, and humility, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My Strength evaporated like water in the heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
Psalm 32:1-7
Transformational Thought
For about 10 years, I had many insecurities and fears that led to numerous sinful decisions and behaviors. I made multiple excuses to myself, others, and God to avoid or deny the feelings, shame, and reality of my mistakes. My hole got deeper and deeper until I ended up in jail and finally had to be honest because I had no other excuses to give or places to hide.
Today's Scripture is much more lengthy than usual, but it expresses so beautifully the despair that so many of us experience … the despair that comes with hiding our sins from God. But it also reveals the great freedom we experience when we finally stop trying to hide our guilt, confess our sinful decisions to the Lord, and receive His loving forgiveness.
Even though painful feelings are unpleasant to experience, facing them honestly and dealing with their cause is essential to our ability to function and to feel fulfilled. If we want to be the person God has called us to be … if we want to stop hurting others and ourselves … if we want to experience the freedom and peace in our lives that Christ died for … we must face the truth and ask God for His forgiveness and His help. That is the first major decision. The second is to be good stewards of His help and instructions through Godly decision-making.
Jesus understands the damage that occurs when unpleasant feelings resulting from sins are ignored and pushed below the surface. He encourages us to approach Him like a little child … quick to be vulnerable … willing to share our feelings with Him … trusting that He will heal us, not rub salt in our wounds or take advantage of our vulnerability.
In childhood, there were times when we opened up, trusted, made ourselves vulnerable, and were then hurt. We weren’t stupid, so we figured the only way to avoid further hurt or let down anymore was to hold it all in, not open up, be skeptical of others, not share our mistakes, questions or insecurities. Satan wants us to keep our wrongs in the dark because He knows the Light will allow truth in, and let healing prevail.
Today, think about sin in your life that you may be hiding … especially from yourself. God loves you and is ready for you to come to Him. He is your loving Father. Come to Him as the psalmist did. Then you can join the psalmist in rejoicing: "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Develop the Spiritual Discipline of confession. Look at our Spiritual Basics link. It reconnects you to God and puts Him back on the throne of your heart so healing can begin. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess my rebellion and my sins. Forgive me for trying to hide it for so long. Thank You for Your unconditional love, for Your forgiveness, and for the peace that only You can give. Empower me with trust to come to You and be vulnerable when I am afraid of experiencing old wounds. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to teach me about unconditional love, honesty, and humility, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My Strength evaporated like water in the heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
Psalm 32:1-7
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Stepping Stones: The Invisible Walls of Prejudice
February 29, 2012
Transformational Thought
I have been blessed to travel to Kenya, Uganda, and Iraq. When I preached in Kenya, I was the only white person in a church of 500! And this summer I will lead a team of 6, including two of my daughters, into Uganda. These unique mission trips have been some of the Super Bowl highlights of my life. Why is this so surprising? Because I grew up surrounded by prejudice and was a mega-bigot. Evidence of God’s power is His ability to transform my sinful attitude so that now I can actually connect with and help my African and Middle Eastern brothers and sisters overcome their prejudices and conflicts.
Yesterday, we opened up the topic of prejudice and discussed some of the causes and harmful effects of prejudicial thinking and decisions. Most of us tend to pre-judge people based on how they look or dress, what their family members are like, how they talk, stereotypes built by the media of particular social, economic or ethnic groups, and on many other superficial and erroneous characteristics.
There is danger in rejecting or misjudging someone because they are different from us. First of all, the Bible tells us that prejudice is a sin, one that blocks our ability to love others as God wants us to. We could even miss blessings from God, both in this world and in the eternal one, by rejecting strangers due to prejudice. People made this same mistake when they rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah and King. Because Jesus did not come in the way they expected a king to come, they erroneously judged Him as a liar and heretic, and they crucified Him.
We can also miss an opportunity to bless others, or to be blessed by them and God when we allow walls of prejudice, even subtle ones, to build. We may overlook an opportunity to help someone find Jesus. We ourselves may lose an opportunity to find Jesus more clearly or to know Him on a deeper level. Don’t put the other person, yourself, or especially God in a box that limits capabilities and impact.
These walls are made from our bricks of ignorance, insecurity, and lack of trust in God … lacking trust in His power and sovereignty. Allowing God into these areas will clean our prejudicial lenses, allowing us to see people as God truly sees them.
Today, ask God to help you identify the walls you have built around yourself and recognize how they interfere with your ability to see and engage with people the way God wants you to. Examine yourself and your heart. What are some of the wounds and fears that smudge your lenses as God brings different people into your life? You can begin removing those barriers between yourself and others. Ask Him to help you look on the inside and see people as He does. Only then can the love of Jesus flow freely through you to everyone He brings your way. WITHIN REACH will help you search yourself and your past to identify and heal those wounds and distortions. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
O Gracious God, I do want the love of Jesus to flow freely through me to every person You place in my life. Forgive me for sometimes blocking this flow when I judge others by outward appearances. I know I have wounds and distorted lenses. Give me courage to overcome my fears and insecurities. Help me see myself through Your lenses so I don’t need to look down on others to feel important in this world. Help me clear my vision so I can see each individual as You do and respond to them with Your love. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who sees all the best in me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
James 2:8-9
Transformational Thought
I have been blessed to travel to Kenya, Uganda, and Iraq. When I preached in Kenya, I was the only white person in a church of 500! And this summer I will lead a team of 6, including two of my daughters, into Uganda. These unique mission trips have been some of the Super Bowl highlights of my life. Why is this so surprising? Because I grew up surrounded by prejudice and was a mega-bigot. Evidence of God’s power is His ability to transform my sinful attitude so that now I can actually connect with and help my African and Middle Eastern brothers and sisters overcome their prejudices and conflicts.
Yesterday, we opened up the topic of prejudice and discussed some of the causes and harmful effects of prejudicial thinking and decisions. Most of us tend to pre-judge people based on how they look or dress, what their family members are like, how they talk, stereotypes built by the media of particular social, economic or ethnic groups, and on many other superficial and erroneous characteristics.
There is danger in rejecting or misjudging someone because they are different from us. First of all, the Bible tells us that prejudice is a sin, one that blocks our ability to love others as God wants us to. We could even miss blessings from God, both in this world and in the eternal one, by rejecting strangers due to prejudice. People made this same mistake when they rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah and King. Because Jesus did not come in the way they expected a king to come, they erroneously judged Him as a liar and heretic, and they crucified Him.
We can also miss an opportunity to bless others, or to be blessed by them and God when we allow walls of prejudice, even subtle ones, to build. We may overlook an opportunity to help someone find Jesus. We ourselves may lose an opportunity to find Jesus more clearly or to know Him on a deeper level. Don’t put the other person, yourself, or especially God in a box that limits capabilities and impact.
These walls are made from our bricks of ignorance, insecurity, and lack of trust in God … lacking trust in His power and sovereignty. Allowing God into these areas will clean our prejudicial lenses, allowing us to see people as God truly sees them.
Today, ask God to help you identify the walls you have built around yourself and recognize how they interfere with your ability to see and engage with people the way God wants you to. Examine yourself and your heart. What are some of the wounds and fears that smudge your lenses as God brings different people into your life? You can begin removing those barriers between yourself and others. Ask Him to help you look on the inside and see people as He does. Only then can the love of Jesus flow freely through you to everyone He brings your way. WITHIN REACH will help you search yourself and your past to identify and heal those wounds and distortions. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
O Gracious God, I do want the love of Jesus to flow freely through me to every person You place in my life. Forgive me for sometimes blocking this flow when I judge others by outward appearances. I know I have wounds and distorted lenses. Give me courage to overcome my fears and insecurities. Help me see myself through Your lenses so I don’t need to look down on others to feel important in this world. Help me clear my vision so I can see each individual as You do and respond to them with Your love. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who sees all the best in me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
James 2:8-9
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Stepping Stones: Prejudice Means to “Pre-Judge”
February 28, 2012
Transformational Thought
Once when my oldest daughters were about 7 and 5, we went on our monthly Saturday morning date to McDonalds. After sitting down, a tattooed, pierced girl, heavy with make-up and funky colored hair, and wearing a McDonald’s uni and cap jumped into our booth right next to my girls. Their eyes popped out and their jaws dropped. The girl then loudly cried, “Dr. Benzio, look at me. I’m off drugs, I got a job, I’m back in school, and I broke up with that loser boyfriend you warned me about. Thank you so much for giving my life back to me!” Then she smiled at the girls and asked, “Are these yours? They are so lucky.” Needless to say, they didn’t feel lucky because they were so scared. Why? Because they pre-judged.
Prejudice can creep into our lives without our awareness of what is happening. Sometimes it's so subtle, we don't recognize it. We might choose one cashier's line over another because of race, a tattoo, clothes, or general appearance. In church or any public gathering, we may select seats next to people who "look like us." The flip side can also happen, like assuming that people with power or wealth are unapproachable by anyone not in their league. But this, too, is judgment based on prejudice, not on fact.
Prejudice shows a lack of respect for another person. You see, based on one general characteristic, you are saying you know a person without ever hearing their unique story. You are rejecting them based on that one attribute. It is lazy and disrespectful to yourself as well, but mostly it is disrespectful to God and His sovereignty. Pre-judging puts others in a box, limiting who they are … who they can become. It also puts you in a box, limiting what you are able to be, to learn, or imagine about yourself. And most importantly, pre-judging really limits God and puts Him in a box … denying His power to fully transform hearts and individuals. You are telling God you can predict the other person’s character and future … saying God has no plan for them.
People are people … no matter what their skin color, economic status, education, style, nationality or neighborhood. We all want to be loved and respected by others. We all experience painful times and good times. We all want to be understood. But because of our insecurities … our need to be important … we put others down to give the perception that we are better than we really are. Instead, we need to look to God to grow us see ourselves as equal heirs in His kingdom.
Have you ever experienced the brunt of prejudice? If so, you understand the hurt it can bring. Ask God to use that experience to teach you to lay aside all prejudice towards others and, when possible, take time getting to know the real person in front of you. Let’s ask God to teach us to look at their heart.
Today, stop and notice why you think or relate to someone the way you do. Is it because you pre-judged, or is it based on data this person actually revealed to you? One of the biggest reasons we don’t witness to others very much is our prejudicial ideas about that person. Don’t prejudge. Enjoy the experience of asking questions and getting to know someone God loves, someone He put into your life for a reason. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Help me remember that people are people. Help me not to look down on anyone … or to be intimidated by anyone. You are the great equalizer. Jesus died for every person. Every person needs forgiveness. Every person needs Jesus. In my relationships with others, help me move past the outward appearance and see the heart. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to save everyone, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart
1 Samuel 16:7
And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.” But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. “And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. “Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”
Luke 25-37
(I love this story so I put the whole passage! This is what Lighthouse Network strives to do daily)
Transformational Thought
Once when my oldest daughters were about 7 and 5, we went on our monthly Saturday morning date to McDonalds. After sitting down, a tattooed, pierced girl, heavy with make-up and funky colored hair, and wearing a McDonald’s uni and cap jumped into our booth right next to my girls. Their eyes popped out and their jaws dropped. The girl then loudly cried, “Dr. Benzio, look at me. I’m off drugs, I got a job, I’m back in school, and I broke up with that loser boyfriend you warned me about. Thank you so much for giving my life back to me!” Then she smiled at the girls and asked, “Are these yours? They are so lucky.” Needless to say, they didn’t feel lucky because they were so scared. Why? Because they pre-judged.
Prejudice can creep into our lives without our awareness of what is happening. Sometimes it's so subtle, we don't recognize it. We might choose one cashier's line over another because of race, a tattoo, clothes, or general appearance. In church or any public gathering, we may select seats next to people who "look like us." The flip side can also happen, like assuming that people with power or wealth are unapproachable by anyone not in their league. But this, too, is judgment based on prejudice, not on fact.
Prejudice shows a lack of respect for another person. You see, based on one general characteristic, you are saying you know a person without ever hearing their unique story. You are rejecting them based on that one attribute. It is lazy and disrespectful to yourself as well, but mostly it is disrespectful to God and His sovereignty. Pre-judging puts others in a box, limiting who they are … who they can become. It also puts you in a box, limiting what you are able to be, to learn, or imagine about yourself. And most importantly, pre-judging really limits God and puts Him in a box … denying His power to fully transform hearts and individuals. You are telling God you can predict the other person’s character and future … saying God has no plan for them.
People are people … no matter what their skin color, economic status, education, style, nationality or neighborhood. We all want to be loved and respected by others. We all experience painful times and good times. We all want to be understood. But because of our insecurities … our need to be important … we put others down to give the perception that we are better than we really are. Instead, we need to look to God to grow us see ourselves as equal heirs in His kingdom.
Have you ever experienced the brunt of prejudice? If so, you understand the hurt it can bring. Ask God to use that experience to teach you to lay aside all prejudice towards others and, when possible, take time getting to know the real person in front of you. Let’s ask God to teach us to look at their heart.
Today, stop and notice why you think or relate to someone the way you do. Is it because you pre-judged, or is it based on data this person actually revealed to you? One of the biggest reasons we don’t witness to others very much is our prejudicial ideas about that person. Don’t prejudge. Enjoy the experience of asking questions and getting to know someone God loves, someone He put into your life for a reason. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Help me remember that people are people. Help me not to look down on anyone … or to be intimidated by anyone. You are the great equalizer. Jesus died for every person. Every person needs forgiveness. Every person needs Jesus. In my relationships with others, help me move past the outward appearance and see the heart. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to save everyone, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart
1 Samuel 16:7
And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.” But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. “And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. “Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”
Luke 25-37
(I love this story so I put the whole passage! This is what Lighthouse Network strives to do daily)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Stepping Stones: Who Are You?
January 24, 2012
Transformational Thought
When someone asks, “Who are you?,” what do you reply? Most say things like, I am a housewife … a psychiatrist (fill in your profession) … a father, soccer mom, or volunteer. Sometimes a role we play in life can become our main identity. Our world then actually revolves around that part of our life ... and it can make us feel pretty good about ourselves. Super mom ... world's best dad ... successful career person ... accomplished musician ... popular pastor ... well-known writer ... politician ... beloved teacher ... computer whiz ... helper of others - like doctor, nurse, volunteer for a non-profit, feeder of the homeless. These can all be good roles to play. But, if we aren’t careful, they can hinder our growth and even lead to our downfall.
When we start thinking the role we play is our main identity in life, our focus on Jesus and His plan for us will certainly diminish. Then pride can set in as we think this great accomplishment is our own doing. On the opposite end, fear can set in. We have so much invested in that persona, and now others’ expectations are so high, we have to keep up that persona so people will know us and care about us … otherwise we wouldn’t know what else to do.
Watching the Super Bowl and its amazing athletes, you see that some of them get defined by their skill and then even develop a persona around that. Unfortunately, this posing leads them down some terrible paths. Mike Vick, Ben Roethlisberger, Tiger Woods, OJ Simpson, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Clinton, Charlie Sheen, and Lindsay Lohan are examples of what happens when what we do (and excel at) becomes our identity and it spirals out of control.
As Christians, we all have the same innate identity … we are children of God and followers of Christ. He will give us a different combination of gifts, have us grow through diverse experiences and situations, lead us into distinct roles, and give us opportunities to represent Him wherever we are and whatever we do. But the bottom line is this: We are his children. That's our main identity. It's who we are … and nothing could be better.
We need to keep that mindset and focus at all times, because this dramatically affects how we view the circumstances we experience and the people we interact with … every single day. This powerful identity should strongly influence our decision making, because this is where true peace, confidence, and self-control begins.
Today, think about how you view and identify yourself. How has this affected your course in life? If you answer the question, “follower of and ambassador for Christ”, ask if this is an intellectual answer only, or one that truly determines your daily thoughts, feelings, and actions. Make it your identity and attitude today! Journal about some of your wrong decisions, your mistakes. Who were you in that moment? The answer, if you are honest, will be very revealing and a great place for you to work. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gifts and opportunities You've given me. Help me to always remember that I am first and foremost Your child. Help me to use these gifts and opportunities to honor You. May I never become proud of myself for anything I do. Help me to always remember that all good and perfect gifts come from You. Encourage and equip me to see myself through Your lenses only. I pray this and all prayers through the One who gives us our identity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me.
Romans 15:17-18
Transformational Thought
When someone asks, “Who are you?,” what do you reply? Most say things like, I am a housewife … a psychiatrist (fill in your profession) … a father, soccer mom, or volunteer. Sometimes a role we play in life can become our main identity. Our world then actually revolves around that part of our life ... and it can make us feel pretty good about ourselves. Super mom ... world's best dad ... successful career person ... accomplished musician ... popular pastor ... well-known writer ... politician ... beloved teacher ... computer whiz ... helper of others - like doctor, nurse, volunteer for a non-profit, feeder of the homeless. These can all be good roles to play. But, if we aren’t careful, they can hinder our growth and even lead to our downfall.
When we start thinking the role we play is our main identity in life, our focus on Jesus and His plan for us will certainly diminish. Then pride can set in as we think this great accomplishment is our own doing. On the opposite end, fear can set in. We have so much invested in that persona, and now others’ expectations are so high, we have to keep up that persona so people will know us and care about us … otherwise we wouldn’t know what else to do.
Watching the Super Bowl and its amazing athletes, you see that some of them get defined by their skill and then even develop a persona around that. Unfortunately, this posing leads them down some terrible paths. Mike Vick, Ben Roethlisberger, Tiger Woods, OJ Simpson, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Clinton, Charlie Sheen, and Lindsay Lohan are examples of what happens when what we do (and excel at) becomes our identity and it spirals out of control.
As Christians, we all have the same innate identity … we are children of God and followers of Christ. He will give us a different combination of gifts, have us grow through diverse experiences and situations, lead us into distinct roles, and give us opportunities to represent Him wherever we are and whatever we do. But the bottom line is this: We are his children. That's our main identity. It's who we are … and nothing could be better.
We need to keep that mindset and focus at all times, because this dramatically affects how we view the circumstances we experience and the people we interact with … every single day. This powerful identity should strongly influence our decision making, because this is where true peace, confidence, and self-control begins.
Today, think about how you view and identify yourself. How has this affected your course in life? If you answer the question, “follower of and ambassador for Christ”, ask if this is an intellectual answer only, or one that truly determines your daily thoughts, feelings, and actions. Make it your identity and attitude today! Journal about some of your wrong decisions, your mistakes. Who were you in that moment? The answer, if you are honest, will be very revealing and a great place for you to work. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gifts and opportunities You've given me. Help me to always remember that I am first and foremost Your child. Help me to use these gifts and opportunities to honor You. May I never become proud of myself for anything I do. Help me to always remember that all good and perfect gifts come from You. Encourage and equip me to see myself through Your lenses only. I pray this and all prayers through the One who gives us our identity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me.
Romans 15:17-18
Friday, October 7, 2011
Stepping Stones: At A Detour, Who Is Your Navigator?
Transformational Thought
We have been hit with a lot of rain the last couple of months, and especially, by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Because of the flooding and downed trees, many were without power and a number of roads were out, especially around creeks and small bridges. So I have run into so many ‘road closed’ signs and ‘rerouting’ messages from my GPS.
As my daughter drives around, she isn’t used to being diverted from her planned course and then trying to find alternative routes. These ‘lesser’ routes seem to be such a nuisance and give her great uncertainty whether she will find and achieve her desired destination. She starts to get anxious and frustrated with each new wrinkle to her original plan and agenda.
As an engineer, God gave me an ability to visualize space and shapes and I am great with finding places and directions. It actually is a cool game when detours hit. As my daughter rides with me, she is completely relaxed. Due to her confident assuredness of getting to our destination, because of her faith in my ability to see the big picture map and ability to easily get us there, she is able to continue in gleeful teenage conversation with me as if this is the way it was supposed to be and nothing wrong had ever happened.
How do you respond when life gives you a twist and your plan is interrupted? Do you react with a nervous and frightened, agitated and frustrated, or angry and overwhelmed demeanor and attitude? Or do you have a confident assurance that the map, the course for your journey, has been laid out by the Master of the Universe?
How would you live if you believed, really believed, that your future is perfectly planned out and your final destination secured? Think of the freedom this knowledge and belief would provide. Think about how you would live and feel if you truly believed that no power, no detour, could take away the promise of your inheritance in heaven. How would you travel through life if you knew you had the ultimate navigator and navigation system showing you where to go everyday? You do in God and the Bible.
You see, Satan wants you to think you know exactly what you need, that you can predict the future, and you can figure out the perfect strategy to transform your own mind and life. Or he gets you to realize you don’t have the answers, but the world has everything you need, so you end up letting our crazy culture and word system guide you.
Today, instead of approaching the day uncertain of your destination and whether you will make it or not, know He has real answers for each fork in your road. When something unplanned by you happens, know God put it there on purpose for your growth and to help you in some way. Put on lenses and an attitude to accept that detour and make the most of it. This is easier said than done – a deep level of trust is required. A trust that is based on knowledge that His way is the perfect way. When you are at a fork in the road today, pray, then choose His way, and go with it. You will be surprised at the peace and satisfaction you will have by taking His detours from the world’s destructive route we are often on. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are so amazing. I commit myself to You, Father. I am Yours for all time, beyond time…into eternity. I know now that no power can deny me my inheritance in heaven. I know You want me to feel secure. I know, Father, that even when I falter as I journey through life that You will never let go of my hand. Help me to stay on Your course in this lifetime. I know You have awesome opportunities for me to see and experience along my way to Christ-likeness. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
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
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
We have been hit with a lot of rain the last couple of months, and especially, by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Because of the flooding and downed trees, many were without power and a number of roads were out, especially around creeks and small bridges. So I have run into so many ‘road closed’ signs and ‘rerouting’ messages from my GPS.
As my daughter drives around, she isn’t used to being diverted from her planned course and then trying to find alternative routes. These ‘lesser’ routes seem to be such a nuisance and give her great uncertainty whether she will find and achieve her desired destination. She starts to get anxious and frustrated with each new wrinkle to her original plan and agenda.
As an engineer, God gave me an ability to visualize space and shapes and I am great with finding places and directions. It actually is a cool game when detours hit. As my daughter rides with me, she is completely relaxed. Due to her confident assuredness of getting to our destination, because of her faith in my ability to see the big picture map and ability to easily get us there, she is able to continue in gleeful teenage conversation with me as if this is the way it was supposed to be and nothing wrong had ever happened.
How do you respond when life gives you a twist and your plan is interrupted? Do you react with a nervous and frightened, agitated and frustrated, or angry and overwhelmed demeanor and attitude? Or do you have a confident assurance that the map, the course for your journey, has been laid out by the Master of the Universe?
How would you live if you believed, really believed, that your future is perfectly planned out and your final destination secured? Think of the freedom this knowledge and belief would provide. Think about how you would live and feel if you truly believed that no power, no detour, could take away the promise of your inheritance in heaven. How would you travel through life if you knew you had the ultimate navigator and navigation system showing you where to go everyday? You do in God and the Bible.
You see, Satan wants you to think you know exactly what you need, that you can predict the future, and you can figure out the perfect strategy to transform your own mind and life. Or he gets you to realize you don’t have the answers, but the world has everything you need, so you end up letting our crazy culture and word system guide you.
Today, instead of approaching the day uncertain of your destination and whether you will make it or not, know He has real answers for each fork in your road. When something unplanned by you happens, know God put it there on purpose for your growth and to help you in some way. Put on lenses and an attitude to accept that detour and make the most of it. This is easier said than done – a deep level of trust is required. A trust that is based on knowledge that His way is the perfect way. When you are at a fork in the road today, pray, then choose His way, and go with it. You will be surprised at the peace and satisfaction you will have by taking His detours from the world’s destructive route we are often on. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are so amazing. I commit myself to You, Father. I am Yours for all time, beyond time…into eternity. I know now that no power can deny me my inheritance in heaven. I know You want me to feel secure. I know, Father, that even when I falter as I journey through life that You will never let go of my hand. Help me to stay on Your course in this lifetime. I know You have awesome opportunities for me to see and experience along my way to Christ-likeness. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
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
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Stepping Stones: Reckless Words
Transformational Thought
Thank you…yes ma’am…you’re beautiful…I love you. Words can be so powerful; they can bless, soothe, and empower. Get away…you’re fired…shut up…I hate you. Words can also isolate, devastate, and demoralize.
Words are fine tools, helping awesome relationships and connections to flourish. Words can also be heat-seeking weapons, deftly defending our psyche and attacking those who threaten our me-first kingdom. The world has come to applaud and exalt quick-witted retorts. My own need to be in control, to be the expert, to show my competence, or to cover my vulnerability pushed my mastery of the quick, sarcastic, sharp, verbal attack.
I came to realize that when I used words to damage others…I was actually damaging myself as well. Some important elements of who I am, like self-respect, self-esteem, honor, dignity, relationships, brain chemistry, connection to God…all injured and damaged. Again, we see this all too common phenomena, when we use words reflexively as self-protective maneuvers like really self-destructive word grenades.
Another downside of resorting to this counter-offensive using verbal attacks, it interferes with my opportunity to learn, practice, and hone much healthier skills and methods to deal with the perceived attacks. You see, God has other ways rather than my knee-jerk word grenades and I will never get a chance to develop them if I keep resorting to my old poor ones.
The Word of God gives us different instruction about our words, and where to start in developing new and healthier skills: what comes out of our mouths is really the reflection of what is going on in our hearts. In order to modify our word usage, we need to work on our hearts. God has worked on my heart over the years. My swearing is gone and my verbal attacks are markedly decreased. I still have work to do, but as I let God in more, the temptation is less and the need to protect myself by hurling word grenades is minimized as I rest in His defense of me.
Today, let your speech come under the control of the Holy Spirit. Say split second prayers before you respond. Think before you speak, not as you speak. Use your words today to lift someone up, to heal instead of hurt. As your positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in joy and peace in your relationships will simply amaze you. Maybe forward this devotional to someone who has given you grace with his or her words to thank them. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for the awesome gift of speech. I confess, Father that I have misused this gift…I confess, Father, that I have used my mouth and mind to hurt others. Forgive me, Father. I pray that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have the discipline to think before I speak. Help me pray before answering the phone and before responding to others in conversation. Let others see You in me by the words I speak. I pray these words in the name of the living Word, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say - AMEN!
The Truth
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
Thank you…yes ma’am…you’re beautiful…I love you. Words can be so powerful; they can bless, soothe, and empower. Get away…you’re fired…shut up…I hate you. Words can also isolate, devastate, and demoralize.
Words are fine tools, helping awesome relationships and connections to flourish. Words can also be heat-seeking weapons, deftly defending our psyche and attacking those who threaten our me-first kingdom. The world has come to applaud and exalt quick-witted retorts. My own need to be in control, to be the expert, to show my competence, or to cover my vulnerability pushed my mastery of the quick, sarcastic, sharp, verbal attack.
I came to realize that when I used words to damage others…I was actually damaging myself as well. Some important elements of who I am, like self-respect, self-esteem, honor, dignity, relationships, brain chemistry, connection to God…all injured and damaged. Again, we see this all too common phenomena, when we use words reflexively as self-protective maneuvers like really self-destructive word grenades.
Another downside of resorting to this counter-offensive using verbal attacks, it interferes with my opportunity to learn, practice, and hone much healthier skills and methods to deal with the perceived attacks. You see, God has other ways rather than my knee-jerk word grenades and I will never get a chance to develop them if I keep resorting to my old poor ones.
The Word of God gives us different instruction about our words, and where to start in developing new and healthier skills: what comes out of our mouths is really the reflection of what is going on in our hearts. In order to modify our word usage, we need to work on our hearts. God has worked on my heart over the years. My swearing is gone and my verbal attacks are markedly decreased. I still have work to do, but as I let God in more, the temptation is less and the need to protect myself by hurling word grenades is minimized as I rest in His defense of me.
Today, let your speech come under the control of the Holy Spirit. Say split second prayers before you respond. Think before you speak, not as you speak. Use your words today to lift someone up, to heal instead of hurt. As your positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in joy and peace in your relationships will simply amaze you. Maybe forward this devotional to someone who has given you grace with his or her words to thank them. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for the awesome gift of speech. I confess, Father that I have misused this gift…I confess, Father, that I have used my mouth and mind to hurt others. Forgive me, Father. I pray that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have the discipline to think before I speak. Help me pray before answering the phone and before responding to others in conversation. Let others see You in me by the words I speak. I pray these words in the name of the living Word, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people say - AMEN!
The Truth
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
Friday, August 5, 2011
Stepping Stones: Grandma’s Vision Ain’t So Good
Transformational Thought
Dominique, my oldest daughter is moving into a house just off campus at University of Pittsburgh. She’s already had enough of dorm partying and is moving in with two Christian girls. She and Martine are leaving tonight to take some furniture and clean up. They will stay with my cousin, Chuckie. Pitt is 45 minutes from where my parents and I were born. I haven’t lived there in almost 40 years, but I still have many relatives there. It has been great staying with my cousin Chuckie and catching up with some other relatives that I see sporadically over the years.
One stop is always to my little Granny Guzy’s house. Wow! So many memories as I ride up the hill to her house above the Monongahela River. She pinches my cheeks, calls me junior, (ever since I can remember she never called me Karl), makes me 2 huge sandwiches or perogies, and buys me sugar pops for breakfast. She sees me like I am still 8 years old. And it’s very hard to see myself accurately - as a 48 y.o. adult, a professional, a husband and father - when I’m being perceived through lenses that portray me as an 8 y.o.
So, how do you see yourself? If you are looking through your own eyes, chances are you will not like what you see. Satan, the Great Deceiver, wants us to see ourselves as alone, unloved, unwanted, unable to tolerate pain, and needing his quick fix for our problems. Sometimes our fleshly lenses skew our self-evaluation to the other end of the spectrum and we see ourselves as King of our world, much better than we really are, entitled to way more than we really deserve. You know the mentality, “My kingdom come, My will be done.”
Try seeing yourself through the clearest, most accurate lenses of all, the eyes of God … see yourself as someone who is deeply loved and valued. Healing, comfort, protection, and peace are abundantly provided, but we need to seek them and steward them well. Immerse yourself in God’s Holy Bible, a tremendous story about God’s love for you. Read and see just how much He loves you. He offers you more love, peace, wisdom, and protection than you could ever get from Satan’s world system.
Today, look in the mirror and evaluate your base, knee-jerk view of yourself. Then, perhaps while in the bathroom, read Luke 1:26 – 2:21 (the Christmas Story) and John 18, 19 & 20 (the Easter story). Don’t say, “I know these stories, I can skip the reading” … READ THEM. They are short. Use this time to see yourself thru God’s lenses. You will clear your eyes and head quickly. Your decision, your lenses or God’s. Choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the peak of all my desires and all my hopes. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: who is, and was, and is to come. You have brought so many pleasures and blessings into my life. Thank You, Jesus. I receive Your gifts with open arms, but help me, my God, to not cling to these gifts. At times I cling to the gifts and am fearful that I might lose them. But what a peaceful thought to know that the only thing I absolutely need is the one thing I can never lose: Your presence in me. Thank You, Jesus. Today, I try to see myself through Your eyes. Through Your eyes I see myself as someone who is deeply loved and protected by Your presence, which shields me from all evil. I pray in Jesus’ never-ending name; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:8
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8
Dominique, my oldest daughter is moving into a house just off campus at University of Pittsburgh. She’s already had enough of dorm partying and is moving in with two Christian girls. She and Martine are leaving tonight to take some furniture and clean up. They will stay with my cousin, Chuckie. Pitt is 45 minutes from where my parents and I were born. I haven’t lived there in almost 40 years, but I still have many relatives there. It has been great staying with my cousin Chuckie and catching up with some other relatives that I see sporadically over the years.
One stop is always to my little Granny Guzy’s house. Wow! So many memories as I ride up the hill to her house above the Monongahela River. She pinches my cheeks, calls me junior, (ever since I can remember she never called me Karl), makes me 2 huge sandwiches or perogies, and buys me sugar pops for breakfast. She sees me like I am still 8 years old. And it’s very hard to see myself accurately - as a 48 y.o. adult, a professional, a husband and father - when I’m being perceived through lenses that portray me as an 8 y.o.
So, how do you see yourself? If you are looking through your own eyes, chances are you will not like what you see. Satan, the Great Deceiver, wants us to see ourselves as alone, unloved, unwanted, unable to tolerate pain, and needing his quick fix for our problems. Sometimes our fleshly lenses skew our self-evaluation to the other end of the spectrum and we see ourselves as King of our world, much better than we really are, entitled to way more than we really deserve. You know the mentality, “My kingdom come, My will be done.”
Try seeing yourself through the clearest, most accurate lenses of all, the eyes of God … see yourself as someone who is deeply loved and valued. Healing, comfort, protection, and peace are abundantly provided, but we need to seek them and steward them well. Immerse yourself in God’s Holy Bible, a tremendous story about God’s love for you. Read and see just how much He loves you. He offers you more love, peace, wisdom, and protection than you could ever get from Satan’s world system.
Today, look in the mirror and evaluate your base, knee-jerk view of yourself. Then, perhaps while in the bathroom, read Luke 1:26 – 2:21 (the Christmas Story) and John 18, 19 & 20 (the Easter story). Don’t say, “I know these stories, I can skip the reading” … READ THEM. They are short. Use this time to see yourself thru God’s lenses. You will clear your eyes and head quickly. Your decision, your lenses or God’s. Choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the peak of all my desires and all my hopes. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: who is, and was, and is to come. You have brought so many pleasures and blessings into my life. Thank You, Jesus. I receive Your gifts with open arms, but help me, my God, to not cling to these gifts. At times I cling to the gifts and am fearful that I might lose them. But what a peaceful thought to know that the only thing I absolutely need is the one thing I can never lose: Your presence in me. Thank You, Jesus. Today, I try to see myself through Your eyes. Through Your eyes I see myself as someone who is deeply loved and protected by Your presence, which shields me from all evil. I pray in Jesus’ never-ending name; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:8
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Stepping Stones: God’s Wakeup Call: Will You Answer or Hit Snooze?
Transformational Thought
We love our children. Nothing in this world is more precious. As a parent, I really get excited when my kids pursue me. The best is when they do it even though they don’t need anything ... but because they simply love me and want to hang out with me. What they don’t realize is, I have been pursuing them all along, whether they liked it or not, whether they wanted me or not, and I pursued them even before they were born! If you are a parent, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
You see, we all come to a life-changing and eternity-determining fork in the road on our life journey. Whether it is trying to figure out where we came from, what happens when we die, what our purpose is or life path will be, or whether we can do it all on our own, these kinds of questions and ponderings bring us to the all important fork. At that junction, you have two options, whether you will answer these questions by pursuing God, or ignore God and make yourself the center of these important answers.
Some arrive at the fork at age 4, others as a teen, and some when as an adult. Even if we take the wrong path, we get to circle back many times in life. But when we choose the correct path, setting out to know our God more intimately, He certainly rejoices, but He is not surprised. If you are waking up and finally starting to pursue Him harder, it’s because He has been pursuing you and you are finally realizing your need to acknowledge that call and respond.
While this longing for Him burns brightly in your heart, remember it originates from Him. Know, just like parents do, God has been pursuing you long before your quest for Him began. If you think your spiritual discipline keeps you close to God, you are at risk. If you are depending solely on your own efforts to stay close to God, you will surely find times where you are distant from Him. But if you put His love and pursuit of you as the first step, you will understand the bigger story of His love, sovereignty and sacrifice, your need for all He has, and your responsibility to steward your free will faithfully. To me, this is reassuring and freeing in many powerful ways.
Today, thank your Lord for awakening in your heart the strong desire for Him. Even before you were born, He loved, planned, and pursued you. Take 2 separate breaks today and search your heart, looking for what God is asking you cut back on, so you can answer His wake-up call and not hit the snooze button again. Carrying less will actually ease the burden you carry. It’s your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for awakening me and placing in my heart this strong desire for You. Before I realized Your consistent effort to wake me up, I took the wrong fork to find answers in so many different places. I tried so hard to fill the void – and many times I filled it in sinful ways. Forgive me, Lord. I realize now that I have thirsted for You as far back in time as I can remember. I know now that my desire for a closer walk with You grew out of all the work You have done in me. I know You have initiated this longing I have for You … and I know my response now pleases You. Help me, Lord, set aside time and use the remote control for my mind each day to engage with You, my living God. In Jesus’ ultimate awakening; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
Psalm 42:2
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
We love our children. Nothing in this world is more precious. As a parent, I really get excited when my kids pursue me. The best is when they do it even though they don’t need anything ... but because they simply love me and want to hang out with me. What they don’t realize is, I have been pursuing them all along, whether they liked it or not, whether they wanted me or not, and I pursued them even before they were born! If you are a parent, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
You see, we all come to a life-changing and eternity-determining fork in the road on our life journey. Whether it is trying to figure out where we came from, what happens when we die, what our purpose is or life path will be, or whether we can do it all on our own, these kinds of questions and ponderings bring us to the all important fork. At that junction, you have two options, whether you will answer these questions by pursuing God, or ignore God and make yourself the center of these important answers.
Some arrive at the fork at age 4, others as a teen, and some when as an adult. Even if we take the wrong path, we get to circle back many times in life. But when we choose the correct path, setting out to know our God more intimately, He certainly rejoices, but He is not surprised. If you are waking up and finally starting to pursue Him harder, it’s because He has been pursuing you and you are finally realizing your need to acknowledge that call and respond.
While this longing for Him burns brightly in your heart, remember it originates from Him. Know, just like parents do, God has been pursuing you long before your quest for Him began. If you think your spiritual discipline keeps you close to God, you are at risk. If you are depending solely on your own efforts to stay close to God, you will surely find times where you are distant from Him. But if you put His love and pursuit of you as the first step, you will understand the bigger story of His love, sovereignty and sacrifice, your need for all He has, and your responsibility to steward your free will faithfully. To me, this is reassuring and freeing in many powerful ways.
Today, thank your Lord for awakening in your heart the strong desire for Him. Even before you were born, He loved, planned, and pursued you. Take 2 separate breaks today and search your heart, looking for what God is asking you cut back on, so you can answer His wake-up call and not hit the snooze button again. Carrying less will actually ease the burden you carry. It’s your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for awakening me and placing in my heart this strong desire for You. Before I realized Your consistent effort to wake me up, I took the wrong fork to find answers in so many different places. I tried so hard to fill the void – and many times I filled it in sinful ways. Forgive me, Lord. I realize now that I have thirsted for You as far back in time as I can remember. I know now that my desire for a closer walk with You grew out of all the work You have done in me. I know You have initiated this longing I have for You … and I know my response now pleases You. Help me, Lord, set aside time and use the remote control for my mind each day to engage with You, my living God. In Jesus’ ultimate awakening; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
Psalm 42:2
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Stepping Stones: Do You Avoid God’s Will Because It Hurts?
Transformational Thought
I was recently in a situation in which a close friend revealed some information that was quite surprising. After absorbing it, I knew what God wanted me to do. But it was uncomfortable for me to deliver that Godly response, and I knew it would be really uncomfortable for my friend to hear. Actually, I was, and still am concerned, that if I shared what God put on my heart, the friendship might end. Well I said it. And, thankfully, I know we are both better because I did. I know you’ve been in that kind of situation too. How did you feel?
Incidents like this in the past really pushed me to examine myself, and I had to admit that at times, I actually fear the will of God. I have a fear that totally aligning my life with the will of God will actually cause me pain. Then I realized my mistake. My fear was an emotional response. Emotions are great warning signs of potential trouble or danger. But God never intended that we make decisions based on our emotions.
One of Satan's greatest lies is getting us to believe God's way is costly … that Satan's way (or our fleshly way) is on-sale, cheaper, better and less costly. Satan's ways will always result in immediate spiritual, psychological, and physiological (actual brain) damage. The enemy’s solutions also result in long-term damage in these 3 spheres of spirit, mind, and body.
The Word of God continually calls us to transcend living ... to go beyond what is natural and to do what is supernatural. God's will is so much deeper than our understanding. And though His will may entail sacrifice and pain, remember, His will not only does what is good for us ... it does what is the best for us. Following God's will accomplishes what is best for you and those around you.
Today, practice submission to authority. Stop at every stop sign, don't go over the speed limit, pass up that cookie or extra serving, go to bed at the right time, don't look at the cleavage, hold your tongue, serve your spouse, and write a thank you letter to the King of the Universe who is giving you and your life special attention, guidance, and instruction. Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in Him. Do the right thing regardless of how uncomfortable it makes you or how the other person might feel. Live by faith ... not by sight. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I confess that while I pray for Your Will to be done, I am often afraid of the discomfort this will actually cause. I know that at times Your Will includes pain. When I am hurting physically, emotionally, or spiritually … I search for ways to relieve or escape my pain. The escape becomes my focus as I obsess about how I will solve my problems. I pray to You, Father, to help me really believe that Your way is perfect. Help me to rely on your peace and comfort. I pray in the name of the One who always followed Your will, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
As for God, his way is perfect … He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
2 Samuel 22:31
We live by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
I was recently in a situation in which a close friend revealed some information that was quite surprising. After absorbing it, I knew what God wanted me to do. But it was uncomfortable for me to deliver that Godly response, and I knew it would be really uncomfortable for my friend to hear. Actually, I was, and still am concerned, that if I shared what God put on my heart, the friendship might end. Well I said it. And, thankfully, I know we are both better because I did. I know you’ve been in that kind of situation too. How did you feel?
Incidents like this in the past really pushed me to examine myself, and I had to admit that at times, I actually fear the will of God. I have a fear that totally aligning my life with the will of God will actually cause me pain. Then I realized my mistake. My fear was an emotional response. Emotions are great warning signs of potential trouble or danger. But God never intended that we make decisions based on our emotions.
One of Satan's greatest lies is getting us to believe God's way is costly … that Satan's way (or our fleshly way) is on-sale, cheaper, better and less costly. Satan's ways will always result in immediate spiritual, psychological, and physiological (actual brain) damage. The enemy’s solutions also result in long-term damage in these 3 spheres of spirit, mind, and body.
The Word of God continually calls us to transcend living ... to go beyond what is natural and to do what is supernatural. God's will is so much deeper than our understanding. And though His will may entail sacrifice and pain, remember, His will not only does what is good for us ... it does what is the best for us. Following God's will accomplishes what is best for you and those around you.
Today, practice submission to authority. Stop at every stop sign, don't go over the speed limit, pass up that cookie or extra serving, go to bed at the right time, don't look at the cleavage, hold your tongue, serve your spouse, and write a thank you letter to the King of the Universe who is giving you and your life special attention, guidance, and instruction. Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in Him. Do the right thing regardless of how uncomfortable it makes you or how the other person might feel. Live by faith ... not by sight. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I confess that while I pray for Your Will to be done, I am often afraid of the discomfort this will actually cause. I know that at times Your Will includes pain. When I am hurting physically, emotionally, or spiritually … I search for ways to relieve or escape my pain. The escape becomes my focus as I obsess about how I will solve my problems. I pray to You, Father, to help me really believe that Your way is perfect. Help me to rely on your peace and comfort. I pray in the name of the One who always followed Your will, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
As for God, his way is perfect … He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
2 Samuel 22:31
We live by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7
Monday, August 1, 2011
Stepping Stones: Are You More Spoiled Than You Think?
Transformational Thought
Spoiled brats! I don’t hear people today using that phrase as much as I did back in the 70’s and 80’s. Today, the term is more likely to be used when referring to Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan or others with plenty of money who make self-destructive decisions.
We often think a spoiled brat refers to children or teens who have a sense of entitlement. They believe that anything they want is theirs without having to wait, that all good things will happen to them, that nothing painful will happen or will be quickly removed and all made better.
But notice today how many times others or even you yourself act entitled. This includes people who think they and their loved ones should have good health, more money than necessary, an easy job, everyone to like them, a smooth daily plan, an agenda that works out perfectly with extra time to spare, and no one around them making mistakes. Do you see some of yourself in these entitled examples?
We live in an age of entitlement. Everyone thinks they deserve more good stuff. This mindset has led to zillion dollar national debt, loads of foreclosures, and personal debt at record highs. You must constantly counteract the barrage of propaganda telling you that you need more … deserve more. A good way of fighting against the lie of deserving more is by learning to see everything from God’s perspective. Let this world become your classroom. Notice all the blessings you take for granted each day. Let His Word become a lamp to your feet and a light for your path.
It’s almost impossible to have a thankful heart when you constantly demand more. A way to reverse this is to saturate your mind with Scripture: read it, think about it, and memorize portions of it. This will allow you to see things from God’s perspective.
Today, make a list of all the blessings you do have in your life. To help spur thought, think of those that are disabled, people in third world situations, the oppressed, those who have gone through serious events and losses. Then list why you deserve ... I mean actually deserve... your positive blessings. Give thanks for your blessings, regardless of how small they are. Allow His word to cut deep into your entitlement. Remember that His word is sharper than any double-edged sword. Let Him use it to do spiritual surgery on the thoughts and attitudes of your mind and soul.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I ask that You set me free from the prison of ingratitude that I created for myself. Release me from this prison so that I may enjoy the pleasures of a thankful heart. You allowed Your Son to enter this world as an infant…knowing the price He would have to pay. Thank You, Father. I understand why You sent Your Son Jesus to us…You sent Him “to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” Open my eyes, Lord. I pray that Your Holy Spirit fill me with the gift to understand and spread You Holy Word. Give me a perspective-lift today; help me to see things from Your perspective. I pray to You with confidence in the name of the One who can provide my every need; Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
To open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness
Isaiah 42:7
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path
Psalm 119:105
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Spoiled brats! I don’t hear people today using that phrase as much as I did back in the 70’s and 80’s. Today, the term is more likely to be used when referring to Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan or others with plenty of money who make self-destructive decisions.
We often think a spoiled brat refers to children or teens who have a sense of entitlement. They believe that anything they want is theirs without having to wait, that all good things will happen to them, that nothing painful will happen or will be quickly removed and all made better.
But notice today how many times others or even you yourself act entitled. This includes people who think they and their loved ones should have good health, more money than necessary, an easy job, everyone to like them, a smooth daily plan, an agenda that works out perfectly with extra time to spare, and no one around them making mistakes. Do you see some of yourself in these entitled examples?
We live in an age of entitlement. Everyone thinks they deserve more good stuff. This mindset has led to zillion dollar national debt, loads of foreclosures, and personal debt at record highs. You must constantly counteract the barrage of propaganda telling you that you need more … deserve more. A good way of fighting against the lie of deserving more is by learning to see everything from God’s perspective. Let this world become your classroom. Notice all the blessings you take for granted each day. Let His Word become a lamp to your feet and a light for your path.
It’s almost impossible to have a thankful heart when you constantly demand more. A way to reverse this is to saturate your mind with Scripture: read it, think about it, and memorize portions of it. This will allow you to see things from God’s perspective.
Today, make a list of all the blessings you do have in your life. To help spur thought, think of those that are disabled, people in third world situations, the oppressed, those who have gone through serious events and losses. Then list why you deserve ... I mean actually deserve... your positive blessings. Give thanks for your blessings, regardless of how small they are. Allow His word to cut deep into your entitlement. Remember that His word is sharper than any double-edged sword. Let Him use it to do spiritual surgery on the thoughts and attitudes of your mind and soul.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I ask that You set me free from the prison of ingratitude that I created for myself. Release me from this prison so that I may enjoy the pleasures of a thankful heart. You allowed Your Son to enter this world as an infant…knowing the price He would have to pay. Thank You, Father. I understand why You sent Your Son Jesus to us…You sent Him “to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” Open my eyes, Lord. I pray that Your Holy Spirit fill me with the gift to understand and spread You Holy Word. Give me a perspective-lift today; help me to see things from Your perspective. I pray to You with confidence in the name of the One who can provide my every need; Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
To open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness
Isaiah 42:7
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path
Psalm 119:105
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Stepping Stones: Do You Really Have Determined Purpose?
Transformational Thought
As a kid, I was determined to be a pro baseball player and a psychiatrist. Never really had any other long lasting goals I would commit to. As a teen, I became committed to attending Duke University and having 5 sons to play basketball around the country against other teams. My determination to get to Duke and become a psychiatrist was significant. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as determined to be a pro baseball player although I did play at Duke. My downfall was not staying focused in my mind and being intentional and disciplined with my activities. Other self-centered needs leading to distracting activities intruded on my dreams.
In Philippians 1:20 Paul seems to be saying; “My determined purpose is to be my best for His glory.…whether by life or death”, Paul was determined to let nothing stand in his way from doing exactly what God wanted.
What will it take to for you to choose to follow God’s will? We all start off our days with the idea, resolve, and attitude that we will do the right thing. Regardless of the temptations, we will make the right decision. But somewhere during the day, we get sidetracked, our determination gets undermined. Petty and self-centered needs and agenda items start to outrank our calling and our choices become faulty. We stray from following God’s will.
I believe that many times a crisis must develop in our lives before we make the decision to have determined purpose to follow God’s will. This is often how He gets our attention to help us focus on Him more acutely. We need these crises because we are so unresponsive to God’s numerous gentle nudges. Once we arrive at that place where He asks us to be the best for His glory and our maximal fulfillment, the debate within us begins. And when the crisis hits we must decide…for or against? For there is no middle ground. That moment, the moment of deciding for or against, is the greatest crossroads we face in our daily walk.
Today, when adversity comes into your life…on any front…surrender your will to God and you will find peace and freedom. This happens by asking, “what need of mine is out-trumping or competing with God’s instruction, will, promises, or character?” Then make a willful decision to follow His will and put yours on hold. This glorifies Him, and is the actually the best for you as you will actually renew your mind spiritually, psychologically, and even physiologically when you make this Godly decision. Believe it or not, your brain chemistry actually gets stronger.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I pray to You that Your Holy Spirit reveal Your message to me in a way that I understand and can live out daily. I feel very much ashamed that I have not yielded those areas of my life that You have asked me to. I want to live a life so that in no way will I be ashamed. Help me, Lord, shut out everything that keeps me from doing my very best for Your glory. I actually find my limitations liberating when my strongest desire is to do my best for Your glory. Thank You, Lord, for the freedom this provides, for Your word tells me that where Your Spirit is, there is freedom. In Christ’s determined name; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Peter 3:18
As a kid, I was determined to be a pro baseball player and a psychiatrist. Never really had any other long lasting goals I would commit to. As a teen, I became committed to attending Duke University and having 5 sons to play basketball around the country against other teams. My determination to get to Duke and become a psychiatrist was significant. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as determined to be a pro baseball player although I did play at Duke. My downfall was not staying focused in my mind and being intentional and disciplined with my activities. Other self-centered needs leading to distracting activities intruded on my dreams.
In Philippians 1:20 Paul seems to be saying; “My determined purpose is to be my best for His glory.…whether by life or death”, Paul was determined to let nothing stand in his way from doing exactly what God wanted.
What will it take to for you to choose to follow God’s will? We all start off our days with the idea, resolve, and attitude that we will do the right thing. Regardless of the temptations, we will make the right decision. But somewhere during the day, we get sidetracked, our determination gets undermined. Petty and self-centered needs and agenda items start to outrank our calling and our choices become faulty. We stray from following God’s will.
I believe that many times a crisis must develop in our lives before we make the decision to have determined purpose to follow God’s will. This is often how He gets our attention to help us focus on Him more acutely. We need these crises because we are so unresponsive to God’s numerous gentle nudges. Once we arrive at that place where He asks us to be the best for His glory and our maximal fulfillment, the debate within us begins. And when the crisis hits we must decide…for or against? For there is no middle ground. That moment, the moment of deciding for or against, is the greatest crossroads we face in our daily walk.
Today, when adversity comes into your life…on any front…surrender your will to God and you will find peace and freedom. This happens by asking, “what need of mine is out-trumping or competing with God’s instruction, will, promises, or character?” Then make a willful decision to follow His will and put yours on hold. This glorifies Him, and is the actually the best for you as you will actually renew your mind spiritually, psychologically, and even physiologically when you make this Godly decision. Believe it or not, your brain chemistry actually gets stronger.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I pray to You that Your Holy Spirit reveal Your message to me in a way that I understand and can live out daily. I feel very much ashamed that I have not yielded those areas of my life that You have asked me to. I want to live a life so that in no way will I be ashamed. Help me, Lord, shut out everything that keeps me from doing my very best for Your glory. I actually find my limitations liberating when my strongest desire is to do my best for Your glory. Thank You, Lord, for the freedom this provides, for Your word tells me that where Your Spirit is, there is freedom. In Christ’s determined name; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Peter 3:18
Friday, July 29, 2011
Stepping Stones: Where Are You Looking For Your Confidence?
Transformational Thought
We are all looking for something, whether we realize it or not. Those “things” come in different shapes and sizes, but there are common themes for all of our pursuits. Me, I was looking for identity, connection, attention, wanting to be wanted for who I was. As an adult, I pursued purpose, meaning, my unique calling, security for me and my family, and being loved and accepted. Our Creator builds these yearnings and desires into us. So what are you looking for?
Actually, the more important question really is, “Where are you looking?” You will only find what you are truly looking for by looking to, at, and with God. God’s message, sent through His prophet Isaiah, is so simple yet so profound; “Look to me and be saved.” This certainly applies to our eternal need…but it also applies to every other need, suffering, and wayward path we need saved from.
We grow up and are pushed to learn how to take care of ourselves. From learning to hold our bottle, walking to get our toy, feeding ourselves, doing our homework, taking the SAT’s, going off to college or work… so many milestones to mark the journey of becoming an independent functioning adult.
The downside of this developmental model is we develop a habit of putting our confidence in ourselves, or sometimes others opinions of how we are doing, rather than putting and getting our confidence from GOD. Looking to God, His character, His promises, His instruction. That’s what gives us confidence to pursue the right things…to make the Godly decisions that are sometimes hard.
When our confidence is in ourselves or other’s opinions, this is a shallow and very limited bucket. We have minimal power to overcome our fleshly needs, desires, distortions, and hurts or pains. That’s when patterns of struggle, dysfunction, even addictions are born and fed.
Today, as you make decisions, especially when you make a mistake, ask yourself, “where am I getting the confidence, instruction, or power to make that decision or soothe my pain? Is my confidence coming from my skills, insights, intellect, attributes, or power? Or from God?” Confidence, centered in Him, generated from Him, will save you in today’s battles and discomfort. Where do you get your confidence? Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are indeed an awesome God. Who but You could be all places at all times? It amazes me to think that One as great as You actually cares about the many details of my life…but You really do. When I think about these glorious truths…and when I turn to you, I feel safe in knowing I will never be alone again. Help me, Lord, to look at You, to keep You before me always, and to really get my confidence from my ultimate bodyguard. Otherwise, I fall back into my default mode, getting my confidence from myself, of straining so much because all outcomes seem totally up to me, then rest on my skills and what I can muster. For the little things, that seems to work, but for the big things in life, I am doomed without You. All these I ask in the confidence of Christ’s name; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”
Isaiah 45:22
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
1 Peter 1:15-16
which he will display at the proper time--he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:15-17
We are all looking for something, whether we realize it or not. Those “things” come in different shapes and sizes, but there are common themes for all of our pursuits. Me, I was looking for identity, connection, attention, wanting to be wanted for who I was. As an adult, I pursued purpose, meaning, my unique calling, security for me and my family, and being loved and accepted. Our Creator builds these yearnings and desires into us. So what are you looking for?
Actually, the more important question really is, “Where are you looking?” You will only find what you are truly looking for by looking to, at, and with God. God’s message, sent through His prophet Isaiah, is so simple yet so profound; “Look to me and be saved.” This certainly applies to our eternal need…but it also applies to every other need, suffering, and wayward path we need saved from.
We grow up and are pushed to learn how to take care of ourselves. From learning to hold our bottle, walking to get our toy, feeding ourselves, doing our homework, taking the SAT’s, going off to college or work… so many milestones to mark the journey of becoming an independent functioning adult.
The downside of this developmental model is we develop a habit of putting our confidence in ourselves, or sometimes others opinions of how we are doing, rather than putting and getting our confidence from GOD. Looking to God, His character, His promises, His instruction. That’s what gives us confidence to pursue the right things…to make the Godly decisions that are sometimes hard.
When our confidence is in ourselves or other’s opinions, this is a shallow and very limited bucket. We have minimal power to overcome our fleshly needs, desires, distortions, and hurts or pains. That’s when patterns of struggle, dysfunction, even addictions are born and fed.
Today, as you make decisions, especially when you make a mistake, ask yourself, “where am I getting the confidence, instruction, or power to make that decision or soothe my pain? Is my confidence coming from my skills, insights, intellect, attributes, or power? Or from God?” Confidence, centered in Him, generated from Him, will save you in today’s battles and discomfort. Where do you get your confidence? Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are indeed an awesome God. Who but You could be all places at all times? It amazes me to think that One as great as You actually cares about the many details of my life…but You really do. When I think about these glorious truths…and when I turn to you, I feel safe in knowing I will never be alone again. Help me, Lord, to look at You, to keep You before me always, and to really get my confidence from my ultimate bodyguard. Otherwise, I fall back into my default mode, getting my confidence from myself, of straining so much because all outcomes seem totally up to me, then rest on my skills and what I can muster. For the little things, that seems to work, but for the big things in life, I am doomed without You. All these I ask in the confidence of Christ’s name; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”
Isaiah 45:22
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
1 Peter 1:15-16
which he will display at the proper time--he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:15-17
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Stepping Stones: Look Up to Look Inside
Transformational Thought
As Christians, one of our goals must be to be fully utilized by God. To be fully utilized, we must be able to really understand who we are and why we do things we do every day. This understanding will equip us to avoid messing up God’s plans to use us in powerful ways that really fulfill our needs, wiring, and desires. You see, He is always trying to use us, setting up situations and people in our life for great things to happen, but instead of following that path, we choose a different course.
To really do some thorough and deep self-assessment, we have to allow God to show us the deep, hidden and faulty areas of our own character. Looking inward really requires lots courage. We are so quick to diagnose and judge others, what if we take that energy and time to examine ourselves.
It’s astounding how ignorant we are about who we truly are. We rarely recognize the distortions, laziness, envy, many weaknesses, and pride held within us. We must dump the idea that we understand ourselves just because we live our life…the only one who truly understands and knows us is God. He wants to show us who we are, equip, and ultimately transform us to become Christ-like by developing the Mind of Christ.
To look inwardly we need alone time with God. Then only through God’s lenses and using the perfect mirror that is The Holy Bible, can we see our misguided desires and affections. These lead to all those false idols and substitute fixes that keep us from Him. This is how we change our foundation from sand to solid rock, allowing us to become a strong, solid Lighthouse shining God’s glory.
Take some time to ask yourself, “what outranked God?…what was more important to me than pleasing God? Another way to think about it, “What fleshly desire or fear was more weighty in my decisions today than keeping the Holy Spirit on the throne of my life?”
Today, examine an area of temptation or a wrong decision you made recently. Really doing some heart diagnostics can be painful, but courageously being honest with yourself will open the door to reaping the fruit of the spirit and growing the mind of Christ. As usual, it really is your decision about how honest you will be and how much you will use God in the examination process. So choose well. WITHIN REACH was designed for this very process.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I am so thankful that You are God with us – constantly and eternally. This fact alone is sufficient to fill my days and nights with joy…thank You, my Lord. Sadly though, my mind slips out of focus and I begin looking outwardly at the broken world around me. I know by Your Word that I learn and grow in You best when I am alone with You. I desire this time alone with You, Lord; please help me push away all the distractions that keep me from being alone with You. When we are alone, I ask that You give me the courage to look deeply inside myself; let me be honest with myself so that I may be honest and open with You. Give me your lenses to see my core accurately. I pray to You in the name of the one who gives me courage; Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
…when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Mark 4:34
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:22-23
As Christians, one of our goals must be to be fully utilized by God. To be fully utilized, we must be able to really understand who we are and why we do things we do every day. This understanding will equip us to avoid messing up God’s plans to use us in powerful ways that really fulfill our needs, wiring, and desires. You see, He is always trying to use us, setting up situations and people in our life for great things to happen, but instead of following that path, we choose a different course.
To really do some thorough and deep self-assessment, we have to allow God to show us the deep, hidden and faulty areas of our own character. Looking inward really requires lots courage. We are so quick to diagnose and judge others, what if we take that energy and time to examine ourselves.
It’s astounding how ignorant we are about who we truly are. We rarely recognize the distortions, laziness, envy, many weaknesses, and pride held within us. We must dump the idea that we understand ourselves just because we live our life…the only one who truly understands and knows us is God. He wants to show us who we are, equip, and ultimately transform us to become Christ-like by developing the Mind of Christ.
To look inwardly we need alone time with God. Then only through God’s lenses and using the perfect mirror that is The Holy Bible, can we see our misguided desires and affections. These lead to all those false idols and substitute fixes that keep us from Him. This is how we change our foundation from sand to solid rock, allowing us to become a strong, solid Lighthouse shining God’s glory.
Take some time to ask yourself, “what outranked God?…what was more important to me than pleasing God? Another way to think about it, “What fleshly desire or fear was more weighty in my decisions today than keeping the Holy Spirit on the throne of my life?”
Today, examine an area of temptation or a wrong decision you made recently. Really doing some heart diagnostics can be painful, but courageously being honest with yourself will open the door to reaping the fruit of the spirit and growing the mind of Christ. As usual, it really is your decision about how honest you will be and how much you will use God in the examination process. So choose well. WITHIN REACH was designed for this very process.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I am so thankful that You are God with us – constantly and eternally. This fact alone is sufficient to fill my days and nights with joy…thank You, my Lord. Sadly though, my mind slips out of focus and I begin looking outwardly at the broken world around me. I know by Your Word that I learn and grow in You best when I am alone with You. I desire this time alone with You, Lord; please help me push away all the distractions that keep me from being alone with You. When we are alone, I ask that You give me the courage to look deeply inside myself; let me be honest with myself so that I may be honest and open with You. Give me your lenses to see my core accurately. I pray to You in the name of the one who gives me courage; Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
…when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Mark 4:34
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:22-23
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Stepping Stones: Be Aware of Your Insufficiency
Transformational Thought
It’s funny to watch someone who thinks they know everything, has the situation all planned out, takes a lot of pride in being in control of the whole enchilada, and then has it all blow up in his face. I’m sure this kind of thing has never happened to you either, right?
We all occasionally have experiences when our pride and ignorance blend together to get us believing we are actually God. Acting like we know everything, can foresee the future, and have all the power to make a perfect ending play out. What are we thinking!
Do you ever forget where you put something? Make the wrong choice in a situation? How about getting accused by your kids (or parents) of not hearing very well? Have you missed an appointment? Is there even one topic you know everything about? Do you have trouble predicting the future? Recognizing the limits of our understanding is a good thing. The more we recognize and accept our limitations, the more it will enhance our relationship with God.
You see, we all have limits. But unfortunately, we don’t recognize where they are … so we live beyond our skills. Seems good, doesn’t it, getting more out of who we are? Unwittingly though, the reality is that we are putting our confidence in and getting our confidence from … Ourselves! This means I am relying on me … what I bring to the table … what I can do.
Our confidence needs to come from God. We need to put our eggs in His basket … who He is … His character … His promises … His instructions in the Bible. The assurance of God’s sovereignty, power, omniscience, reliability, love and sacrifice for us, only that will allow us to successfully grow the mind of Christ and live life abundantly. We need Him continually … beyond our daily bread and blessings. We need Him for the many (5,000-10,000) decisions we must make each day.
Today, recognize your global insufficiency, but also pay attention to your daily limits. Start to look to God to fill in the area beyond your limits. Then you will start to gain your confidence from Him and truly rest in Him. We have been designed to need Him moment by moment. Today and every day, live in joyful dependence on your Lord.
Prayer
Dear Father, Lately I am becoming more aware of my need for You. I have noticed that many people around me have become increasingly confident, almost cocky about the accuracy of their opinions and confident about their decisions. However, I feel just the opposite. I feel like an iceberg: what I understand is above the water; what I don’t understand is below. I come to You, my Father, full of neediness and uncertainty. I am fully aware of Your sufficiency and that You will supply all my needs according to Your riches. I have so many decisions to make and I am doubtful about my ability to make the right decisions. I know that each decision moves me closer or further away from You. Your Word teaches me that wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction; help me pass through the small gate and walk the narrow road that leads to You, my Lord. I pray this in the name of the One who always got it right, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
It’s funny to watch someone who thinks they know everything, has the situation all planned out, takes a lot of pride in being in control of the whole enchilada, and then has it all blow up in his face. I’m sure this kind of thing has never happened to you either, right?
We all occasionally have experiences when our pride and ignorance blend together to get us believing we are actually God. Acting like we know everything, can foresee the future, and have all the power to make a perfect ending play out. What are we thinking!
Do you ever forget where you put something? Make the wrong choice in a situation? How about getting accused by your kids (or parents) of not hearing very well? Have you missed an appointment? Is there even one topic you know everything about? Do you have trouble predicting the future? Recognizing the limits of our understanding is a good thing. The more we recognize and accept our limitations, the more it will enhance our relationship with God.
You see, we all have limits. But unfortunately, we don’t recognize where they are … so we live beyond our skills. Seems good, doesn’t it, getting more out of who we are? Unwittingly though, the reality is that we are putting our confidence in and getting our confidence from … Ourselves! This means I am relying on me … what I bring to the table … what I can do.
Our confidence needs to come from God. We need to put our eggs in His basket … who He is … His character … His promises … His instructions in the Bible. The assurance of God’s sovereignty, power, omniscience, reliability, love and sacrifice for us, only that will allow us to successfully grow the mind of Christ and live life abundantly. We need Him continually … beyond our daily bread and blessings. We need Him for the many (5,000-10,000) decisions we must make each day.
Today, recognize your global insufficiency, but also pay attention to your daily limits. Start to look to God to fill in the area beyond your limits. Then you will start to gain your confidence from Him and truly rest in Him. We have been designed to need Him moment by moment. Today and every day, live in joyful dependence on your Lord.
Prayer
Dear Father, Lately I am becoming more aware of my need for You. I have noticed that many people around me have become increasingly confident, almost cocky about the accuracy of their opinions and confident about their decisions. However, I feel just the opposite. I feel like an iceberg: what I understand is above the water; what I don’t understand is below. I come to You, my Father, full of neediness and uncertainty. I am fully aware of Your sufficiency and that You will supply all my needs according to Your riches. I have so many decisions to make and I am doubtful about my ability to make the right decisions. I know that each decision moves me closer or further away from You. Your Word teaches me that wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction; help me pass through the small gate and walk the narrow road that leads to You, my Lord. I pray this in the name of the One who always got it right, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
Monday, May 16, 2011
Stepping Stones: Wisdom: Using the Creator’s Instruction Manual
Transformational Thought
I remember when I was putting together one of the girl’s first bicycles on Christmas Eve. It was past midnight and I still wasn’t finished, but was getting more frustrated as the pedals wouldn’t work. Martine came down and “encouraged” me to use the instruction manual so we could get to bed. Wow, 15 minutes later we were snug in our bed.
If you look up the word “wisdom” you will find as the first definition, “having the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments.” It’s been said, “to live is to choose.” And how many times have bad decisions put us in that downward spiral? Today’s scripture reading tells us that to receive God’s wisdom (think about that for a moment … God’s wisdom) all we have to do is ask … but there’s a condition … we must ask in faith.
I know I look back every 5 years or so and say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now ….” The problem is, I think I know everything now and what God should allow to happen in my life. But in 5 years, I will again say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now….” It is always like that. We will never know enough to be the one trusted to really be in charge and call the shots.
I am amazed by our pride and stubbornness as we continually rely on our own understanding instead of His, even when we know our track record in certain areas is terrible. Reading the manufacturer’s instruction manual always works. Winging the assembly of my life on my own costs me time, energy, money, and lots of stress and frustration. He is my creator, made for amazing endeavors, and has given me the most amazing Instruction Manual ever written. We have to be idiots not to follow it. But amazingly, we chuck it to the side and use our own bogus manual written by Satan, the world, and our flesh.
Today, stop facing life’s challenges and storms in a half-witted way. Instead let’s ask for and receive from Him who “gives generously and without finding fault”. Why would we want to make decisions with any wisdom other than His? Pretty arrogant, isn’t it … thinking we know it all, especially knowing our own track record. Be wise. Whose instruction manual are you using to assemble your life … yours or HIS? WITHIN REACH helps you apply His Instruction Manual to your decisions. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Father, I am learning Lord, that the battles I fight each day are not always fair. But through these battles I trust that You are watching over me and that You have a plan for me and for all of us. I have challenges that are far too great for me to overcome. I thank You, Lord, for helping me endure these burdens with Your presence and by bringing this Stepping Stones prayer community together. During times of burdens and trials, I lack wisdom, Lord. I don’t know what to do … which way to turn. But then I turn to the gift of faith that you have given me … and that faith leads me to believe that I will receive Your wisdom. You tell me in James 1:5-6 that if I lack wisdom all I need to do is to ask You and You will give Your wisdom generously. I am asking Lord, give me Your wisdom this day. I ask with faith and without doubt. Give all of us Your wisdom and peace, so that we too can be victorious in our battles and trials ... and weather well the storms in our lives. I ask You, my Lord and God, to align my desires with Your purpose. I pray this in the name of the One who used Your instruction manual when tempted by the evil one, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
Proverbs 16:16
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6
So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 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 your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:4-6
I remember when I was putting together one of the girl’s first bicycles on Christmas Eve. It was past midnight and I still wasn’t finished, but was getting more frustrated as the pedals wouldn’t work. Martine came down and “encouraged” me to use the instruction manual so we could get to bed. Wow, 15 minutes later we were snug in our bed.
If you look up the word “wisdom” you will find as the first definition, “having the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments.” It’s been said, “to live is to choose.” And how many times have bad decisions put us in that downward spiral? Today’s scripture reading tells us that to receive God’s wisdom (think about that for a moment … God’s wisdom) all we have to do is ask … but there’s a condition … we must ask in faith.
I know I look back every 5 years or so and say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now ….” The problem is, I think I know everything now and what God should allow to happen in my life. But in 5 years, I will again say, “Wow, if only I knew then what I know now….” It is always like that. We will never know enough to be the one trusted to really be in charge and call the shots.
I am amazed by our pride and stubbornness as we continually rely on our own understanding instead of His, even when we know our track record in certain areas is terrible. Reading the manufacturer’s instruction manual always works. Winging the assembly of my life on my own costs me time, energy, money, and lots of stress and frustration. He is my creator, made for amazing endeavors, and has given me the most amazing Instruction Manual ever written. We have to be idiots not to follow it. But amazingly, we chuck it to the side and use our own bogus manual written by Satan, the world, and our flesh.
Today, stop facing life’s challenges and storms in a half-witted way. Instead let’s ask for and receive from Him who “gives generously and without finding fault”. Why would we want to make decisions with any wisdom other than His? Pretty arrogant, isn’t it … thinking we know it all, especially knowing our own track record. Be wise. Whose instruction manual are you using to assemble your life … yours or HIS? WITHIN REACH helps you apply His Instruction Manual to your decisions. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Father, I am learning Lord, that the battles I fight each day are not always fair. But through these battles I trust that You are watching over me and that You have a plan for me and for all of us. I have challenges that are far too great for me to overcome. I thank You, Lord, for helping me endure these burdens with Your presence and by bringing this Stepping Stones prayer community together. During times of burdens and trials, I lack wisdom, Lord. I don’t know what to do … which way to turn. But then I turn to the gift of faith that you have given me … and that faith leads me to believe that I will receive Your wisdom. You tell me in James 1:5-6 that if I lack wisdom all I need to do is to ask You and You will give Your wisdom generously. I am asking Lord, give me Your wisdom this day. I ask with faith and without doubt. Give all of us Your wisdom and peace, so that we too can be victorious in our battles and trials ... and weather well the storms in our lives. I ask You, my Lord and God, to align my desires with Your purpose. I pray this in the name of the One who used Your instruction manual when tempted by the evil one, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
Proverbs 16:16
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6
So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 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 your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:4-6
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Stepping Stones: God: The Ultimate Insurance
Transformational Thought
Martine, the kids and I are always chuckling at the many goofy insurance commercials on TV these days. We are partial to “Nationwide is on our side” as our daughter has had a couple accidents. One is a time-honored classic, “The Good Hands People” of Allstate. They ask us to trust them, to submit and put our lives in their hands when potentially serious, life-endangering circumstances strike.
To submit a significant area of life to someone else, we really have to trust them, interview them, get other people’s feedback, check their track record, then give them an audition.
God is the ultimate insurance company. Some say He sells fire insurance to save us from the fiery furnace of Hell. He also provides protection techniques to help us avoid “accidents” as well as services for navigation and restoration when an “accident” does occur.
In order to fully submit our lives to God, we have to trust Him from the bottom of our hearts. Trust His unconditional love. Trust that His way and instructions really are the best way. Trust that He is able to deliver what He promises. Trust that listening to Him and obeying Him will keep us on track.
How do we build that kind of trust? By getting to know Him better … through prayer … through studying and meditating on the Bible … by being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And by experience … looking back and remembering how He has loved us and helped us in the past. How His way has always proved to be the right way.
Even if you aren’t sure and haven’t been swayed by the preponderance of evidence, what are your other alternatives? Trust yourself? You know how much you mess up. Trust anyone else in this world or any other system? Not like there’s a great list of alternatives to choose from. Sure, you know a lot of nice people. And on the outside, they seem to have it together pretty well. But on the inside? Who knows?
Nobody has the big trustworthy hands of our Heavenly Father.
Today, listen for God’s voice and guidance in everything you do, everywhere you go. Slow down a couple situations so you can think, “What Godly principles are in this interaction or situation?” Are you submitting to His plan above all else? Is He truly at the center of your life? You will have much more peace when you know you have the best insurance company looking after your every step!
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive me for all the times I’ve attempted to figure things out on my own … instead of relying on You. I do trust You … when life is going well and no curveballs are coming at me. Help me to trust You when some adversity comes out of the blue. Teach me to tune into Your voice in everything I do and everywhere I go. Help me to always seek Your will and Your plan above my own desires. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One I trust from the bottom of my heart, Jesus Christ. And all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
Proverbs 3:5-7
Martine, the kids and I are always chuckling at the many goofy insurance commercials on TV these days. We are partial to “Nationwide is on our side” as our daughter has had a couple accidents. One is a time-honored classic, “The Good Hands People” of Allstate. They ask us to trust them, to submit and put our lives in their hands when potentially serious, life-endangering circumstances strike.
To submit a significant area of life to someone else, we really have to trust them, interview them, get other people’s feedback, check their track record, then give them an audition.
God is the ultimate insurance company. Some say He sells fire insurance to save us from the fiery furnace of Hell. He also provides protection techniques to help us avoid “accidents” as well as services for navigation and restoration when an “accident” does occur.
In order to fully submit our lives to God, we have to trust Him from the bottom of our hearts. Trust His unconditional love. Trust that His way and instructions really are the best way. Trust that He is able to deliver what He promises. Trust that listening to Him and obeying Him will keep us on track.
How do we build that kind of trust? By getting to know Him better … through prayer … through studying and meditating on the Bible … by being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And by experience … looking back and remembering how He has loved us and helped us in the past. How His way has always proved to be the right way.
Even if you aren’t sure and haven’t been swayed by the preponderance of evidence, what are your other alternatives? Trust yourself? You know how much you mess up. Trust anyone else in this world or any other system? Not like there’s a great list of alternatives to choose from. Sure, you know a lot of nice people. And on the outside, they seem to have it together pretty well. But on the inside? Who knows?
Nobody has the big trustworthy hands of our Heavenly Father.
Today, listen for God’s voice and guidance in everything you do, everywhere you go. Slow down a couple situations so you can think, “What Godly principles are in this interaction or situation?” Are you submitting to His plan above all else? Is He truly at the center of your life? You will have much more peace when you know you have the best insurance company looking after your every step!
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive me for all the times I’ve attempted to figure things out on my own … instead of relying on You. I do trust You … when life is going well and no curveballs are coming at me. Help me to trust You when some adversity comes out of the blue. Teach me to tune into Your voice in everything I do and everywhere I go. Help me to always seek Your will and Your plan above my own desires. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One I trust from the bottom of my heart, Jesus Christ. And all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
Proverbs 3:5-7
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