Saturday, November 6, 2010
Stepping Stones: Beauty Deposits from God
Transformational Thought
Last evening I glanced out my window and noticed the most unusual color in the sky. The setting sun created a light and shading scheme that spectacularly dazzled my eyes. I After a minute of soaking it in, I walked away. Then, something brought me back to that window for a much longer gaze. The realization struck me then and there that the displays of beauty must have been designed to declare their existence of His Holy Being. I realized, only God Himself could create such day-halting beauty.
My daughter’s face, a bright autumn day in New England, that glorious sunset, oceanic splendor, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii’s volcanoes, the Highlands of Scotland, the Kenyan Serengeti, the Northern Lights, a shooting star. All these things are meant to proclaim his Presence in the world. The amazing part…these are just beauty deposits of the real beauty promised in heaven.
Amazing divine splendor, untainted by the decay and sin of this world. Heaven will be like an endless museum of masterpieces, all leading to the ultimate perfect Master, God. Everything else will pale and will be insignificant after we see Him. Just like time seems to stand still when we gaze at the sunset, time will infinitely stand still in His divine, awe-inspiring, magnificent presence.
Satan’s plan is to either, 1. get us to worship the beautiful art and forget about the Perfect Artist, or 2. to keep us so busy and jaded that we don’t appreciate God or His beauty deposits He graciously blesses us with.
Today, do not rush past these proclamations, these beauty deposits, without enjoying them and giving thanks for them. Think about what they point to, our eternal place gazing at and being with Him. Hopefully this assurance, hope, and reality will overshadow the darkness, ugliness, or problems you are encountering today.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I worship You, in the beauty of Your Holiness. Thank you for giving me glimpses of Your ultimate beauty. Help me, Father, to not rush by the beauty deposits that You have provided. Your beauty is a gift, thank You, Father. Help me remember that it I also am a beauty deposit myself, and carry a responsibility myself…to declare Your glorious being to the world just as your beauty deposits declare your beauty to me. I pray these words in the name of ultimate beauty, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people said, - AMEN!
The Truth
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:3
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
Friday, November 5, 2010
Stepping Stones: Be Free By Being Controlled
Transformational Thought
Jumbo shrimp. Military Intelligence. Harmless crime. Non-fat ice cream. Even Christian psychiatrist. These are all oxymorons, figures of speech where contradictory words appear side by side. I know today’s Stepping Stones will sound like a contradiction as well, but here it is; “Be free by becoming controlled.”
At first glance, this instruction, “Be free by being controlled,” sounds impossible, but this is a lesson we see and learn so clearly and often throughout our life. Like submitting to your teachers control, their instruction, learning principles, and strategy, allows greater freedom to choose the vocation you want. Submitting to your coach’s control allows you more freedom from anxiety, pressure, and fear when you face a difficult opponent.
Submitting to a theatre director or music teacher produces great freedom to explore the art, maximize your expressiveness, and freely become the art form. The same is true spiritually, as you submit to the Holy Spirit, stop fighting the way of God, really put on the armor everyday (more on Armor of God), and let the Holy Spirit control your mind and actions. You become free from the world and supernaturally empowered by God. You will become increasingly released from the condemnation of sin and free to become the one He created you to be.
Today, when you sin, confess it immediately. This gets you back in unimpeded fellowship with God and places the Holy Spirit back on the throne of your life. In an important decision today, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you and really submit to His guidance, observing and experiencing how it plays out. Let Him live in the depths of your spirit. His work in you can liberate you to be completely who God intended you to be, and live the life that is WITHIN REACH.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My desire to be in control is constantly getting in the way…by doing things my way I am continually sabotaging myself. I know that when Your Holy Spirit is controlling my thinking and behavior, I feel more alive…more real. I am freer to live how You want and designed me to live. I pray for humility to allow the Holy Spirit to think for me, live through me, and love on me. I pray this in the freeing name my savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be controlled by the Spirit is life and
peace.
Romans 8:6
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Jumbo shrimp. Military Intelligence. Harmless crime. Non-fat ice cream. Even Christian psychiatrist. These are all oxymorons, figures of speech where contradictory words appear side by side. I know today’s Stepping Stones will sound like a contradiction as well, but here it is; “Be free by becoming controlled.”
At first glance, this instruction, “Be free by being controlled,” sounds impossible, but this is a lesson we see and learn so clearly and often throughout our life. Like submitting to your teachers control, their instruction, learning principles, and strategy, allows greater freedom to choose the vocation you want. Submitting to your coach’s control allows you more freedom from anxiety, pressure, and fear when you face a difficult opponent.
Submitting to a theatre director or music teacher produces great freedom to explore the art, maximize your expressiveness, and freely become the art form. The same is true spiritually, as you submit to the Holy Spirit, stop fighting the way of God, really put on the armor everyday (more on Armor of God), and let the Holy Spirit control your mind and actions. You become free from the world and supernaturally empowered by God. You will become increasingly released from the condemnation of sin and free to become the one He created you to be.
Today, when you sin, confess it immediately. This gets you back in unimpeded fellowship with God and places the Holy Spirit back on the throne of your life. In an important decision today, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you and really submit to His guidance, observing and experiencing how it plays out. Let Him live in the depths of your spirit. His work in you can liberate you to be completely who God intended you to be, and live the life that is WITHIN REACH.
Prayer
Dear Father God, My desire to be in control is constantly getting in the way…by doing things my way I am continually sabotaging myself. I know that when Your Holy Spirit is controlling my thinking and behavior, I feel more alive…more real. I am freer to live how You want and designed me to live. I pray for humility to allow the Holy Spirit to think for me, live through me, and love on me. I pray this in the freeing name my savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be controlled by the Spirit is life and
peace.
Romans 8:6
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Stepping Stones: I Need…..God
Transformational Thought
We just finished sweet 16 birthday parties for my middle daughter, Nicole. She even has us celebrating her half-birthday in April. She was blessed with nice gifts from friends and a good chunk of gift money, so we asked her if she had anything in mind to buy. She started, “Dad, I need a …” then stopped as she saw that reflexive look on my face when I hear, “I need…” And so she restated, “Dad, I would like to get an iPod touch so baldy.”
I need a ride. I need some love. I need some sleep. I need an answer. I need some money. I need a man. I need a drink. I need my Starbucks. I need a job. I need a break. I need help. We were all needy…in fact, we were born very needy. We all needed a SAVIOR. However, there are two types of people; those who are needy and recognize their insufficiencies, and those who are needy but are totally unaware of their inadequacies.
Recognizing the extent of your neediness for God is a blessing. Even though Satan tries to distract us from recognizing our need for God, we know we can’t meet all our needs by ourselves. We do know, deep inside, the breadth and depth of our need. Recognition is only half the battle, though. The other half is turning to Him rather than to idolatrous substitutes to fill our emptiness, to give us purpose or identity, or to soothe our hurts. Turning to our Lord with daily intentionality will always be the challenge…will always be the toughest part of the battle. Why? Because we are constantly bombarded and influenced by the heaviness of this fallen world. We choose immediate comfort over real sustenance. While on this earth you will have to contend with this spiritual-emotional “gravity” pulling you away from Him.
Today, when you face an “I need” moment, stop and ask God to show you whether it is a need or a want. If you are honest, the answer should be fairly clear. Next, exert some self-control over your initial comfort-driven impulse, and try to really address the underlying issue. Then look to His instruction manual to find what He has promised and provided for you. Remember, immediate answers aren’t necessary and you really can handle waiting if you will recognize His power and sovereignty.
Prayer
Dear Father God, With each passing day I recognize how desperately I need You. I do want You to be the center of my life…and I am trying to keep You there. But You know, Father, how easily I get distracted…how my thoughts wander away from You. I grope for You Father; I need Your help all the time. Help me understand those distractions as idols and help me learn how to close my ears to their falsely soothing coos. I pray these words in the name of the One who died for all my needs, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people said, - AMEN!
The Truth
But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Matthew 4:4
So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Acts 17:27
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
Proverbs 6:23-26
We just finished sweet 16 birthday parties for my middle daughter, Nicole. She even has us celebrating her half-birthday in April. She was blessed with nice gifts from friends and a good chunk of gift money, so we asked her if she had anything in mind to buy. She started, “Dad, I need a …” then stopped as she saw that reflexive look on my face when I hear, “I need…” And so she restated, “Dad, I would like to get an iPod touch so baldy.”
I need a ride. I need some love. I need some sleep. I need an answer. I need some money. I need a man. I need a drink. I need my Starbucks. I need a job. I need a break. I need help. We were all needy…in fact, we were born very needy. We all needed a SAVIOR. However, there are two types of people; those who are needy and recognize their insufficiencies, and those who are needy but are totally unaware of their inadequacies.
Recognizing the extent of your neediness for God is a blessing. Even though Satan tries to distract us from recognizing our need for God, we know we can’t meet all our needs by ourselves. We do know, deep inside, the breadth and depth of our need. Recognition is only half the battle, though. The other half is turning to Him rather than to idolatrous substitutes to fill our emptiness, to give us purpose or identity, or to soothe our hurts. Turning to our Lord with daily intentionality will always be the challenge…will always be the toughest part of the battle. Why? Because we are constantly bombarded and influenced by the heaviness of this fallen world. We choose immediate comfort over real sustenance. While on this earth you will have to contend with this spiritual-emotional “gravity” pulling you away from Him.
Today, when you face an “I need” moment, stop and ask God to show you whether it is a need or a want. If you are honest, the answer should be fairly clear. Next, exert some self-control over your initial comfort-driven impulse, and try to really address the underlying issue. Then look to His instruction manual to find what He has promised and provided for you. Remember, immediate answers aren’t necessary and you really can handle waiting if you will recognize His power and sovereignty.
Prayer
Dear Father God, With each passing day I recognize how desperately I need You. I do want You to be the center of my life…and I am trying to keep You there. But You know, Father, how easily I get distracted…how my thoughts wander away from You. I grope for You Father; I need Your help all the time. Help me understand those distractions as idols and help me learn how to close my ears to their falsely soothing coos. I pray these words in the name of the One who died for all my needs, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people said, - AMEN!
The Truth
But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Matthew 4:4
So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Acts 17:27
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
Proverbs 6:23-26
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Stepping Stones: Wanted: Supporting Actor in a Glorious Drama!
Transformational Thought
My mother is a great piano player, and she taught many others and me while I was growing up. She also loved musicals, so I got a fair dose of those as a kid as well. My oldest daughter who’s now in college was always interested in music and drama too, so I have seen many plays and musicals. Seems like more of the same from childhood, but actually, watching the shows now is quite different than as a kid.
You see, as a kid watching, I fell into the trap of thinking the actors were just being themselves and not really playing parts. Watching my daughter up on stage with her friends, I was now able to appreciate they were not being themselves. They were actually acting out something totally different that the writer and the director had envisioned for them.
As Christians, whether we like it or not, we are all individual stages on which others might observe the performances of Christ. Despite our imperfections, we have been chosen to act out and reflect His Glory for others to see and become aware of His presence and power. Do not worry about your stage being unworthy of Him. No matter how much you fix it up, no matter how polished you may become…you will never be good enough for the display of His radiant holiness.
However, our weakness is the ideal stage for the exhibition of His power. And for this glorious process to happen we must submit to Him as the great Director. Really trust His instruction and purpose for us. Step into and revel in the awesome roles designed for us. If you feel uncomfortable with God as your director, your other options are evil-intentioned Satan or your very nearsighted self. Your decision, choose well.
Today, play your rightful part in this Glorious Drama. To maximize the opportunity and experience look inward and find what is distracting and hindering you from keeping your eyes constantly on Him, following His direction. Grab a pencil and paper and journal a few minutes. Then work on it…see how He can ease the pain this distraction brings to you. Then you will be able to keep your gaze fixed on Him and His awesome splendor. Forget about your unworthiness. Watch the Glorious Drama unfold as He performs great things for you and through you.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I want to be Your stage. I want to be available to be a stage from which You can display Your power and Glory. But Father, I am not a ready-to-use stage. I feel more like a splintery, unfinished platform. I feel I may not even be safe enough…I feel like my boards are not yet nailed down properly. Help me, Father, to look away from myself and to look at You. Use my tired, broken stage in any way You choose. I am encouraged and thankful as I read Your Holy Word telling me that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank You, Father. I pray through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Stepping Stones: Hope Cleans Your Lenses
Transformational Thought
Several years ago at Disney World in Orlando, Florida (the world-acclaimed happiest place on Earth) I witnessed an amazing phenomenon rivaling a supernatural exorcism. I was watching a six-year-old boy. It was a typical hot and muggy Florida day, late in the afternoon, long lines everywhere, lots of stimulation, so many choices, some probable letdowns, probably off schedule, hungry, and staying up late at night. This kid started having the granddaddy-of-them-all-with-a-cherry-on-top, meltdown (not my kid of course).
Then the amazing miracle occurred. His parents said the magical words, “If you are good and can quiet down, you can have an ice cream and go swimming after dinner.”
It was like an exorcism was performed. All evil was out of the kid and he was back to a normal, well-behaved, and happy Magic Kingdom kid. Why? He now had hope. Hope is such a powerful emotional state. Expectation, trust, wish, optimism, anticipation. Confident Desire…all potently influential dimensions of hope.
The cool thing about hope, you actually believe there is a real chance of getting what you hope for. Hope can lift your perspective from weary feet to glorious views of the high road…the road to heaven. Way better than ice cream. How do you live your life…we’re talking about your daily attitude, the lenses you use to view life, your future outlook. Do your heart and daily actions display the ultimate hope that is powerfully alive in you? Or are you having a tantrum because hope is being sucked from your lenses, or seems so distant and out of reach?
Today, focus on this radiant destination of the Mind of Christ on this Earth and eternity in heaven with Confident Desire. This is real hope! When you do, whether the road ahead is rough or smooth becomes less significant. Like the boy at Disney who focused on the destination, it will be easy for you to handle the disruptions of the day. Attack today’s obstacle, whatever it is for you, with the encompassing knowledge that you are getting double desserts…the Holy Spirit in this life, and eternity spent in the personal presence of God. Your decision, choose well. Let real hope clean your lenses.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know that hope is a golden cord that connects me to heaven. I feel as if my head is slumped and my feet are shuffling. Help me Father; help me to have this cord hold my head high…even in the midst of the storms I am experiencing. Help me, Father, to hold in my heart a dual focus; Your continual Presence and the hope of heaven. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 146:5-6
Several years ago at Disney World in Orlando, Florida (the world-acclaimed happiest place on Earth) I witnessed an amazing phenomenon rivaling a supernatural exorcism. I was watching a six-year-old boy. It was a typical hot and muggy Florida day, late in the afternoon, long lines everywhere, lots of stimulation, so many choices, some probable letdowns, probably off schedule, hungry, and staying up late at night. This kid started having the granddaddy-of-them-all-with-a-cherry-on-top, meltdown (not my kid of course).
Then the amazing miracle occurred. His parents said the magical words, “If you are good and can quiet down, you can have an ice cream and go swimming after dinner.”
It was like an exorcism was performed. All evil was out of the kid and he was back to a normal, well-behaved, and happy Magic Kingdom kid. Why? He now had hope. Hope is such a powerful emotional state. Expectation, trust, wish, optimism, anticipation. Confident Desire…all potently influential dimensions of hope.
The cool thing about hope, you actually believe there is a real chance of getting what you hope for. Hope can lift your perspective from weary feet to glorious views of the high road…the road to heaven. Way better than ice cream. How do you live your life…we’re talking about your daily attitude, the lenses you use to view life, your future outlook. Do your heart and daily actions display the ultimate hope that is powerfully alive in you? Or are you having a tantrum because hope is being sucked from your lenses, or seems so distant and out of reach?
Today, focus on this radiant destination of the Mind of Christ on this Earth and eternity in heaven with Confident Desire. This is real hope! When you do, whether the road ahead is rough or smooth becomes less significant. Like the boy at Disney who focused on the destination, it will be easy for you to handle the disruptions of the day. Attack today’s obstacle, whatever it is for you, with the encompassing knowledge that you are getting double desserts…the Holy Spirit in this life, and eternity spent in the personal presence of God. Your decision, choose well. Let real hope clean your lenses.
Prayer
Dear Father, I know that hope is a golden cord that connects me to heaven. I feel as if my head is slumped and my feet are shuffling. Help me Father; help me to have this cord hold my head high…even in the midst of the storms I am experiencing. Help me, Father, to hold in my heart a dual focus; Your continual Presence and the hope of heaven. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 146:5-6
Monday, November 1, 2010
Stepping Stones: Freedom: 100% Mental
Transformational Thought
Pro athletes have such amazing physical skills. They have honed their bodies and developed muscle memory through years and years of training. Hours of drills, techniques, exercises. Going over the same actions with on-the-spot coaching and guidance develops them into athletic machines, permitting them to really maximize their physical potential. Despite all that physical preparation, when they get onto the field, a very significant physical organ will determine success. The brain!
They say sports are 90% mental, meaning, what’s between their ears: the intellectual, psychological, stress management, relational, and emotional skills. These are what really determine whether they will maximize their physical abilities. In fact, to even develop their physical skills at such a high level, perseverance, self-discipline, hard work, integrity to the drills and not taking short cuts, dietary self-control, studying plays, observation and application, learning from mistakes, and many more mental skills are vital.
Yes, we are all so very blessed to live in a country that provides the opportunity to be free. Freedom of speech…freedom to choose the vocation we want…freedom to practice any religion. But how free are we?
How many of us are prisoners of our own heart/mind? How many of us are “driven” to be something we are not…sabotaging the path designed specifically for us. In an odd paradox, freedom really comes from having only one Master…the only one qualified to be the Master. Most of our troubles come from trying to blend masters (self, world, others, God) for our life…thus devising and implementing our own game plan and ignoring His. You will maximize your abilities and life and achieve your God-given potential when you realize your life is 100% mental and you humbly let God be your coach.
Today, find freedom through seeking to please God above all else. When you are angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, or some other uncomfortable feeling, just stop. Don’t act yet. Think of God and His big picture of salvation and eternity, or about Biblical passages that calm you. That will start to soothe you. Then get back to the situation that was upsetting you. Now that you are calmer, think through a better solution than the one that was initially going through your mind when you became upset. This is how you can be victorious in the mental aspect of your everyday living. Concentrate on staying close to Him at all times and humbling yourself to His instructions for your conduct. To develop practical skills to strengthen your mind and put God on the throne of your heart in your decisions, click here.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You with a thankful, yet penitent heart. I confess, Lord, that I have let worship of others’ and my own expectations drive me, scattering my energy and focus. My desire to “look good’ in the eyes of others is also draining my energy. Help me, Lord, to focus on You. I know that this is the only way to achieve true freedom. Help me focus on serving the one and only Master, You. Help me, Father, to develop discipline in my life, taking my thoughts captive, so I can master the mental game that goes on inside of me to be victorious in this spiritual war for my soul. I pray, Father, that today and always I will let You direct my next step so that I will be free to enjoy You and to look forward to what You have prepared for me this day. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Pro athletes have such amazing physical skills. They have honed their bodies and developed muscle memory through years and years of training. Hours of drills, techniques, exercises. Going over the same actions with on-the-spot coaching and guidance develops them into athletic machines, permitting them to really maximize their physical potential. Despite all that physical preparation, when they get onto the field, a very significant physical organ will determine success. The brain!
They say sports are 90% mental, meaning, what’s between their ears: the intellectual, psychological, stress management, relational, and emotional skills. These are what really determine whether they will maximize their physical abilities. In fact, to even develop their physical skills at such a high level, perseverance, self-discipline, hard work, integrity to the drills and not taking short cuts, dietary self-control, studying plays, observation and application, learning from mistakes, and many more mental skills are vital.
Yes, we are all so very blessed to live in a country that provides the opportunity to be free. Freedom of speech…freedom to choose the vocation we want…freedom to practice any religion. But how free are we?
How many of us are prisoners of our own heart/mind? How many of us are “driven” to be something we are not…sabotaging the path designed specifically for us. In an odd paradox, freedom really comes from having only one Master…the only one qualified to be the Master. Most of our troubles come from trying to blend masters (self, world, others, God) for our life…thus devising and implementing our own game plan and ignoring His. You will maximize your abilities and life and achieve your God-given potential when you realize your life is 100% mental and you humbly let God be your coach.
Today, find freedom through seeking to please God above all else. When you are angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, or some other uncomfortable feeling, just stop. Don’t act yet. Think of God and His big picture of salvation and eternity, or about Biblical passages that calm you. That will start to soothe you. Then get back to the situation that was upsetting you. Now that you are calmer, think through a better solution than the one that was initially going through your mind when you became upset. This is how you can be victorious in the mental aspect of your everyday living. Concentrate on staying close to Him at all times and humbling yourself to His instructions for your conduct. To develop practical skills to strengthen your mind and put God on the throne of your heart in your decisions, click here.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You with a thankful, yet penitent heart. I confess, Lord, that I have let worship of others’ and my own expectations drive me, scattering my energy and focus. My desire to “look good’ in the eyes of others is also draining my energy. Help me, Lord, to focus on You. I know that this is the only way to achieve true freedom. Help me focus on serving the one and only Master, You. Help me, Father, to develop discipline in my life, taking my thoughts captive, so I can master the mental game that goes on inside of me to be victorious in this spiritual war for my soul. I pray, Father, that today and always I will let You direct my next step so that I will be free to enjoy You and to look forward to what You have prepared for me this day. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Stepping Stones: Trick Or Treat For All The Marbles
Transformational Thought
Trick or Treat. As a kid, I never really understood what that actually meant. I was the one saying “trick or treat”, but was I asking them whether they wanted a trick or a treat from me? Was I asking the house owner to choose whether they would trick me or give me a candy? Was I offering to perform a trick for them so they would give me a candy based on how good my trick is? Was I to do a trick for my treat, like a dog? Who really was supposed to be doing the trick? Was I supposed to give them a treat from my bag if they didn’t like my trick? I hoped I was the one getting a treat, but why was I asking the adult?
As I went from house to house, in my pursuit of the perfect blend of Reese’s, Sweet-Tarts, coins, a big candy bar, or the grandest of them all, put in my hand and choose for myself, were they giving me a choice to accept a trick or treat from them? Nobody could ever explain it to me. It seemed like the person answering the door was giving me a treat and no tricks were happening. Confusing!
Halloween is about pretending to be someone you’re not. Then a stranger gives you a small “fun” size treat, a cheap imitation of the real king size candy bar, the jackpot of all jackpots you are hoping for. In the real story, God wants us to come with no costume, not hiding, just baring our soul to Him.
We don’t need to be nervous or frightened as we approach His door. In fact, He comes to our door. God isn’t a stranger we only see once a year, but our loving and dear Father and friend who loves us more than anything. Best of all, our hearts aren’t filled with cheap imitations of the real treat. We are getting the King of Kings, and sharing His royal inheritance. All He has is ours. The best thing is the cost…it requires no trick from us. In fact, Jesus did the trick. He died on the cross so I can enjoy all the treats His Father, my Father, can infinitely give me above and beyond my heart’s desires.
Today, as you think back on past Halloweens, take your kids around for fun and candy, or give out candy to other excited kids, be thankful for the treat your Father gave you. Also, take time to think of who needs this treat and show them how to go “trick or treating” for all the marbles.
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are so amazing. I am so glad I don’t have to pretend to be someone else with you and you will still shower me with so many treats. Help me see and appreciate the many treats you bring into my life everyday, treats that I often overlook, take for granted, or feel entitled to. Give me courage to share with others the treats you have for them too. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Trick or Treat. As a kid, I never really understood what that actually meant. I was the one saying “trick or treat”, but was I asking them whether they wanted a trick or a treat from me? Was I asking the house owner to choose whether they would trick me or give me a candy? Was I offering to perform a trick for them so they would give me a candy based on how good my trick is? Was I to do a trick for my treat, like a dog? Who really was supposed to be doing the trick? Was I supposed to give them a treat from my bag if they didn’t like my trick? I hoped I was the one getting a treat, but why was I asking the adult?
As I went from house to house, in my pursuit of the perfect blend of Reese’s, Sweet-Tarts, coins, a big candy bar, or the grandest of them all, put in my hand and choose for myself, were they giving me a choice to accept a trick or treat from them? Nobody could ever explain it to me. It seemed like the person answering the door was giving me a treat and no tricks were happening. Confusing!
Halloween is about pretending to be someone you’re not. Then a stranger gives you a small “fun” size treat, a cheap imitation of the real king size candy bar, the jackpot of all jackpots you are hoping for. In the real story, God wants us to come with no costume, not hiding, just baring our soul to Him.
We don’t need to be nervous or frightened as we approach His door. In fact, He comes to our door. God isn’t a stranger we only see once a year, but our loving and dear Father and friend who loves us more than anything. Best of all, our hearts aren’t filled with cheap imitations of the real treat. We are getting the King of Kings, and sharing His royal inheritance. All He has is ours. The best thing is the cost…it requires no trick from us. In fact, Jesus did the trick. He died on the cross so I can enjoy all the treats His Father, my Father, can infinitely give me above and beyond my heart’s desires.
Today, as you think back on past Halloweens, take your kids around for fun and candy, or give out candy to other excited kids, be thankful for the treat your Father gave you. Also, take time to think of who needs this treat and show them how to go “trick or treating” for all the marbles.
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are so amazing. I am so glad I don’t have to pretend to be someone else with you and you will still shower me with so many treats. Help me see and appreciate the many treats you bring into my life everyday, treats that I often overlook, take for granted, or feel entitled to. Give me courage to share with others the treats you have for them too. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Stepping Stones: See What Is Invisible
Transformational Thought
God is not like us. He’s not flesh and blood, and that can make Him feel so far away. Even without the problem of sin, the idea of really knowing God is impossible for our finite minds. He is spirit only, we have a spirit confined in our body…He is infinite, we are limited…He is perfect, we are flawed.
So how can we know Him? Well, God has designed us with one key purpose in mind: relationship. And He builds us for relationship with Him through the use of “analogy,” that is, through making us in His “image and likeness.”
Think of it this way. When we’re trying to explain a difficult concept, we’ll create a word picture of some sort. We might use images from nature: “Actually, it’s just like how the elephant….” Or we’ll refer to a common experience: “Do you remember the scene in ‘The Matrix’ where Neo…”, or “Do you remember that road trip we took to California?” We use analogies all the time. The reason we do it is to better communicate our ideas by identifying a similar situation the other person has interacted with.
“That which is known about God is evident…for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen…” (Romans 1:19-20). The clear expression of God’s invisible attributes is this two-pronged analogy of His authority and holiness in our delegated authority and morality. God uses analogy for the same reason we do: so that we can be sure we understand His communication with us. Satan is always trying to distort God’s analogies so we get lost and confused easily.
Today, remember you were designed for something far better than just “getting by.” But if you feel like that’s all you’re doing, perhaps you’re not listening to God as He seeks relationship with you. Stop and ask, “Why am I not spending more time with the One who knows me best and knows what I need the most?” He is calling to you and His message is clear. Click here for a WITHIN REACH to help you hear Him better and apply His teaching directly to your life.
Prayer
Dear Father, You built us for relationship with You. And You have been seeking to win us back since You called out to Adam and Eve in the garden, “Where are you?” Let us desire the greatest thing of all, to be in relationship with You, O Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord, and all God’s children said, AMEN!
The Truth
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:23
God is not like us. He’s not flesh and blood, and that can make Him feel so far away. Even without the problem of sin, the idea of really knowing God is impossible for our finite minds. He is spirit only, we have a spirit confined in our body…He is infinite, we are limited…He is perfect, we are flawed.
So how can we know Him? Well, God has designed us with one key purpose in mind: relationship. And He builds us for relationship with Him through the use of “analogy,” that is, through making us in His “image and likeness.”
Think of it this way. When we’re trying to explain a difficult concept, we’ll create a word picture of some sort. We might use images from nature: “Actually, it’s just like how the elephant….” Or we’ll refer to a common experience: “Do you remember the scene in ‘The Matrix’ where Neo…”, or “Do you remember that road trip we took to California?” We use analogies all the time. The reason we do it is to better communicate our ideas by identifying a similar situation the other person has interacted with.
“That which is known about God is evident…for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen…” (Romans 1:19-20). The clear expression of God’s invisible attributes is this two-pronged analogy of His authority and holiness in our delegated authority and morality. God uses analogy for the same reason we do: so that we can be sure we understand His communication with us. Satan is always trying to distort God’s analogies so we get lost and confused easily.
Today, remember you were designed for something far better than just “getting by.” But if you feel like that’s all you’re doing, perhaps you’re not listening to God as He seeks relationship with you. Stop and ask, “Why am I not spending more time with the One who knows me best and knows what I need the most?” He is calling to you and His message is clear. Click here for a WITHIN REACH to help you hear Him better and apply His teaching directly to your life.
Prayer
Dear Father, You built us for relationship with You. And You have been seeking to win us back since You called out to Adam and Eve in the garden, “Where are you?” Let us desire the greatest thing of all, to be in relationship with You, O Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord, and all God’s children said, AMEN!
The Truth
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:23
Friday, October 29, 2010
Stepping Stones: Your Mutiny Is Getting Squashed
Transformational Thought
I have 3 daughters, and they are great kids…wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are very responsible and good with each other. When my wife and I go out, we leave them in charge to babysit…18 y.o. babysits herself and the 15 y.o., 15 y.o. babysits herself and the 10 y.o., and 10 y.o. babysits herself and our dog, Duke. The determining factor when we granted them their wish to “be on their own” was, “whose rules will you use to manage yourselves and those you are in charge of...ours or yours?”
If they were able to be an extension of us, their parents, and be a caretaker of our rules, wishes, and authority, then we left them alone. If they were going to be their own kings (queens in this case), assume authority by overthrowing the existing regime (us), and rule based on their own whims, desires, and standards, then they weren’t allowed to be on their own.
Yesterday, we talked about how God created us to be His extension, the caretaker of His authority in all areas of creation, especially protecting His standards and guidelines for our lives. Our struggles, like insecurity, worry, depression, bitterness, fear, or loneliness, happen when we ignore, rebel against, or overthrow His authority, and place ourselves as the all-knowing, all-powerful ruler of our universe.
When we use our ineffective and incomplete warped standards, rules, and guidelines for self-protection we actually bring on our own self-destruction. Satan does a great job of hiding this blatant cause-and-effect in our lives from us. So we persist being our own rulers and are ignorant of causing our daily debilitating, self-destructive consequences.
Today, as you experience some unrest, stop and ask yourself, “Whose rules am I using in this situation? In whose authority do I really trust?” God designed us to be caretakers of His authority, not kings resting in our own authority and developing our own kingdoms. Click here for a resource to help you become less of a king and more of a caretaker of God’s plan for your life. Your decision: who is king of your world? Choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the most powerful, sovereign king ever, and You also are the most loving and sacrificial king to Your subjects. Thanks for sacrificing for me, a rebellious subject who often overthrows Your rule in my life. I know when my flesh is on the throne; I reap the fruit of the flesh. Open my mind to Your wisdom, and the guidance You have for me to develop the Mind of Christ. In the name of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said, AMEN!
The Truth
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:7-9
I have 3 daughters, and they are great kids…wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are very responsible and good with each other. When my wife and I go out, we leave them in charge to babysit…18 y.o. babysits herself and the 15 y.o., 15 y.o. babysits herself and the 10 y.o., and 10 y.o. babysits herself and our dog, Duke. The determining factor when we granted them their wish to “be on their own” was, “whose rules will you use to manage yourselves and those you are in charge of...ours or yours?”
If they were able to be an extension of us, their parents, and be a caretaker of our rules, wishes, and authority, then we left them alone. If they were going to be their own kings (queens in this case), assume authority by overthrowing the existing regime (us), and rule based on their own whims, desires, and standards, then they weren’t allowed to be on their own.
Yesterday, we talked about how God created us to be His extension, the caretaker of His authority in all areas of creation, especially protecting His standards and guidelines for our lives. Our struggles, like insecurity, worry, depression, bitterness, fear, or loneliness, happen when we ignore, rebel against, or overthrow His authority, and place ourselves as the all-knowing, all-powerful ruler of our universe.
When we use our ineffective and incomplete warped standards, rules, and guidelines for self-protection we actually bring on our own self-destruction. Satan does a great job of hiding this blatant cause-and-effect in our lives from us. So we persist being our own rulers and are ignorant of causing our daily debilitating, self-destructive consequences.
Today, as you experience some unrest, stop and ask yourself, “Whose rules am I using in this situation? In whose authority do I really trust?” God designed us to be caretakers of His authority, not kings resting in our own authority and developing our own kingdoms. Click here for a resource to help you become less of a king and more of a caretaker of God’s plan for your life. Your decision: who is king of your world? Choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the most powerful, sovereign king ever, and You also are the most loving and sacrificial king to Your subjects. Thanks for sacrificing for me, a rebellious subject who often overthrows Your rule in my life. I know when my flesh is on the throne; I reap the fruit of the flesh. Open my mind to Your wisdom, and the guidance You have for me to develop the Mind of Christ. In the name of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said, AMEN!
The Truth
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:7-9
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Stepping Stones: God Promotes You, Now What?
Transformational Thought
It’s fun watching our girls get excited about babysitting opportunities. Even more pride oozes when we hear our friends rave at how mature and skillful our girls are in these new roles. You see, authority is being delegated to them, but they then exercise good moral judgment while ruling over the kids they have responsibility for. These are 2 key characteristics God designed in us. They represent broad analogies of His own attributes. 1st, He promotes us above all creation and delegates authority to us, and 2nd, He gives us morality.
In the first characteristic, He gave Adam and Eve (and therefore all humans) authority over creation. We don’t create out of nothing as God can, but we are creative. We don’t command the nature as He does; but we understand what it is to tame animals, or bring the elements under our authority in making metals, or in cultivating crops.
In the second characteristic, God built into us a sense of right and wrong, as well as the responsibility to choose right over wrong. Consider this…we’re the only creatures who understand the concept of shame, because we’re the only creatures who understand what it is to break rules or to do the wrong thing. Birds don’t apologize; cats don’t get embarrassed; dogs don’t have law courts.
God wants you to bring creation under His authority through the exercise of your authority. Your family, your job, and your recreation, just to name a few…they’re all facets of the creation that He has entrusted to your care. We all have free will, so these aspects are yours to do with as you decide: either for His glory (which is also to your benefit, satisfaction, and growth), or not.
Every longing of your heart, every desire, impulse to act, create, manage, control, or fix is actually a reflection of the impulse to exercise the authority He has delegated to you and to exercise your sense of right and wrong.
Today, when you have impulses in these areas, submit those impulses regarding authority and morality to Him. That is, exercise self-control over each impulse and then ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” We are not animals that just instinctively react, God gave us a great mind and a sense of morality to maximize our responses, thus glorifying Him and fulfilling ourselves at the same time. Your decision, so choose well and you’ll find two things becoming increasingly true: you’ll love Him more AND suffer shame a lot less.
Prayer
Holy Father, Mighty God: In You we live, and move, and have our being. From You we receive the authority to order our lives as we please; either for our good and Your glory, or for our own glory and Your judgment. Please have mercy on us, that we may increasingly understand that the best authority is that which is exercised according to Your word, and the best morality is that which accords with Your will. This we ask, through the sacrifice of Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
“Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
Genesis 2:15-17
It’s fun watching our girls get excited about babysitting opportunities. Even more pride oozes when we hear our friends rave at how mature and skillful our girls are in these new roles. You see, authority is being delegated to them, but they then exercise good moral judgment while ruling over the kids they have responsibility for. These are 2 key characteristics God designed in us. They represent broad analogies of His own attributes. 1st, He promotes us above all creation and delegates authority to us, and 2nd, He gives us morality.
In the first characteristic, He gave Adam and Eve (and therefore all humans) authority over creation. We don’t create out of nothing as God can, but we are creative. We don’t command the nature as He does; but we understand what it is to tame animals, or bring the elements under our authority in making metals, or in cultivating crops.
In the second characteristic, God built into us a sense of right and wrong, as well as the responsibility to choose right over wrong. Consider this…we’re the only creatures who understand the concept of shame, because we’re the only creatures who understand what it is to break rules or to do the wrong thing. Birds don’t apologize; cats don’t get embarrassed; dogs don’t have law courts.
God wants you to bring creation under His authority through the exercise of your authority. Your family, your job, and your recreation, just to name a few…they’re all facets of the creation that He has entrusted to your care. We all have free will, so these aspects are yours to do with as you decide: either for His glory (which is also to your benefit, satisfaction, and growth), or not.
Every longing of your heart, every desire, impulse to act, create, manage, control, or fix is actually a reflection of the impulse to exercise the authority He has delegated to you and to exercise your sense of right and wrong.
Today, when you have impulses in these areas, submit those impulses regarding authority and morality to Him. That is, exercise self-control over each impulse and then ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” We are not animals that just instinctively react, God gave us a great mind and a sense of morality to maximize our responses, thus glorifying Him and fulfilling ourselves at the same time. Your decision, so choose well and you’ll find two things becoming increasingly true: you’ll love Him more AND suffer shame a lot less.
Prayer
Holy Father, Mighty God: In You we live, and move, and have our being. From You we receive the authority to order our lives as we please; either for our good and Your glory, or for our own glory and Your judgment. Please have mercy on us, that we may increasingly understand that the best authority is that which is exercised according to Your word, and the best morality is that which accords with Your will. This we ask, through the sacrifice of Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
“Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
Genesis 2:15-17
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Stepping Stones: How Much Do You Resemble Your Father?
Transformational Thought
In every child, there is evidence of the parents’ contributions to the child’s makeup. They have their father’s eyes, or their mother’s nose. Whose intelligence or stubbornness they have is often up for debate! What we often forget is that we, too, bear an image, an imprint of our designer – our Father’s image and likeness.
God is not like us, yet He designed us to understand who He is, so that we might be in relationship with Him. For this reason, He gives us a likeness or analogy of His infinite and perfect attributes and character. For example, in a limited way, we understand His greatness, power, knowledge, authority, sacrifice, love, and other attributes. He gives us a sense of time and eternity. He imprints us with an ability to grasp right and wrong…good, better, and best.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – all these are attributes and characteristics that we find in God. This means that every encouragement to obey God is not just a rule, law, or helpful hint about life. It’s a call to be what we were made to be. Holiness isn’t so much about “being good” as it is about “being human”…not the human of this world, but instead, the human God created us to become, through the blood of Jesus and the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we try to do life our own way, according to our own instruction manual, we get so frustrated, because we aren’t being used for the purpose for which we were designed. It’s like using a paintbrush to change a diaper, or a hammer to eat dinner. When something is serving its designer’s intent, effectiveness, impact, peace, and fulfillment are plentiful.
Today, whatever your situation is, look at the Scriptures to consider the Designer’s intent for your life. Know that He is calling you to “be all that you can be.” Write down what you need to believe differently about God or yourself so you can become all that He designed you to be. Write down what stops you from actually believing it. Usually, a distortion about God or our self is what interferes with our belief. So start to unpack what lie you believe that holds you back from walking into the part God has written for you!
Prayer
Dear Father, Teach us to know that You have designed us for better things. Teach us to understand that obedience to You is not burdensome, but that obedience is a return to our design. By the power of your Spirit, make us to be more and more the image of Christ, who bears Your image perfectly and fully. Help me to get out of Your way and understand better my role in Your work of growing me. These things we ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, AMEN!
The Truth
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:15-18
In every child, there is evidence of the parents’ contributions to the child’s makeup. They have their father’s eyes, or their mother’s nose. Whose intelligence or stubbornness they have is often up for debate! What we often forget is that we, too, bear an image, an imprint of our designer – our Father’s image and likeness.
God is not like us, yet He designed us to understand who He is, so that we might be in relationship with Him. For this reason, He gives us a likeness or analogy of His infinite and perfect attributes and character. For example, in a limited way, we understand His greatness, power, knowledge, authority, sacrifice, love, and other attributes. He gives us a sense of time and eternity. He imprints us with an ability to grasp right and wrong…good, better, and best.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – all these are attributes and characteristics that we find in God. This means that every encouragement to obey God is not just a rule, law, or helpful hint about life. It’s a call to be what we were made to be. Holiness isn’t so much about “being good” as it is about “being human”…not the human of this world, but instead, the human God created us to become, through the blood of Jesus and the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we try to do life our own way, according to our own instruction manual, we get so frustrated, because we aren’t being used for the purpose for which we were designed. It’s like using a paintbrush to change a diaper, or a hammer to eat dinner. When something is serving its designer’s intent, effectiveness, impact, peace, and fulfillment are plentiful.
Today, whatever your situation is, look at the Scriptures to consider the Designer’s intent for your life. Know that He is calling you to “be all that you can be.” Write down what you need to believe differently about God or yourself so you can become all that He designed you to be. Write down what stops you from actually believing it. Usually, a distortion about God or our self is what interferes with our belief. So start to unpack what lie you believe that holds you back from walking into the part God has written for you!
Prayer
Dear Father, Teach us to know that You have designed us for better things. Teach us to understand that obedience to You is not burdensome, but that obedience is a return to our design. By the power of your Spirit, make us to be more and more the image of Christ, who bears Your image perfectly and fully. Help me to get out of Your way and understand better my role in Your work of growing me. These things we ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, AMEN!
The Truth
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:15-18
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Stepping Stones: Posing? For Who?
Transformational Thought
When I was 26 years old, I was the greatest thing since sliced bread…in my eyes. But when I met someone I was infatuated with, I would try so hard to hide the skeletons, hurts, defects, scars, and fears swirling inside of me. I feared if she saw those things, she would surely reject me. I was posing, pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
So many activities and experiences of childhood reinforce this scary and isolating concept of conditional acceptance. I know now my parents loved me through thick and thin as a child. But many times that wasn’t so clear. I would interpret, actually misinterpret, their words, facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, consequences doled out, or their sharp critique of my activities as rejection based on my performance.
You see, most Earthly systems, excluding our government, are mainly works-based systems. Perform well, and get lots of acknowledgment and rewards. Mess up, and get criticism and lose lots.
Unfortunately, this conditional acceptance is a habit or pattern of thinking and viewing the world that flooded into my spiritual world as well. For so long, I had closed off parts of my life from God. I didn’t want Him to reject me, so I tried to hide my broken areas. I believed I could only bring a “cleaned-up” version of myself to Him.
How ignorant…how futile. Wounds and sins that we try to shut away from the light of His love will only fester, get worse, and then infect other areas of our life. Like a computer virus, we usually don’t realize what happens ‘til a lot of damage occurs. Secret sins that we try to “hide” from our Lord can split off and develop lives of their own… controlling us without us even realizing it while creating and building debilitating fear.
Today, open yourself completely to God. Open yourself to His transforming and healing presence. Let his brilliant love-light search out and destroy your hidden fears. Tell Him directly about one fear you struggled with today. The sooner you let Him into all those areas, the sooner His instruction and healing can soothe your hurts and transform your heart and mind for lasting fulfillment and joy.
Prayer
Dear Father, You know me inside and out. I no longer want to hide things from You. I am tired of hiding my wounds from You, then having to bear them all myself. Thank you for taking my yoke, and bearing my pains. I pray that Your love-light will seep deeply into the inner recesses of my being. Help me to understand Your perfect love…and to believe that perfect love drives out fear. I pray this in the unconditional name of Jesus, and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
When I was 26 years old, I was the greatest thing since sliced bread…in my eyes. But when I met someone I was infatuated with, I would try so hard to hide the skeletons, hurts, defects, scars, and fears swirling inside of me. I feared if she saw those things, she would surely reject me. I was posing, pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
So many activities and experiences of childhood reinforce this scary and isolating concept of conditional acceptance. I know now my parents loved me through thick and thin as a child. But many times that wasn’t so clear. I would interpret, actually misinterpret, their words, facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, consequences doled out, or their sharp critique of my activities as rejection based on my performance.
You see, most Earthly systems, excluding our government, are mainly works-based systems. Perform well, and get lots of acknowledgment and rewards. Mess up, and get criticism and lose lots.
Unfortunately, this conditional acceptance is a habit or pattern of thinking and viewing the world that flooded into my spiritual world as well. For so long, I had closed off parts of my life from God. I didn’t want Him to reject me, so I tried to hide my broken areas. I believed I could only bring a “cleaned-up” version of myself to Him.
How ignorant…how futile. Wounds and sins that we try to shut away from the light of His love will only fester, get worse, and then infect other areas of our life. Like a computer virus, we usually don’t realize what happens ‘til a lot of damage occurs. Secret sins that we try to “hide” from our Lord can split off and develop lives of their own… controlling us without us even realizing it while creating and building debilitating fear.
Today, open yourself completely to God. Open yourself to His transforming and healing presence. Let his brilliant love-light search out and destroy your hidden fears. Tell Him directly about one fear you struggled with today. The sooner you let Him into all those areas, the sooner His instruction and healing can soothe your hurts and transform your heart and mind for lasting fulfillment and joy.
Prayer
Dear Father, You know me inside and out. I no longer want to hide things from You. I am tired of hiding my wounds from You, then having to bear them all myself. Thank you for taking my yoke, and bearing my pains. I pray that Your love-light will seep deeply into the inner recesses of my being. Help me to understand Your perfect love…and to believe that perfect love drives out fear. I pray this in the unconditional name of Jesus, and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
Monday, October 25, 2010
Stepping Stones: The Light Is In You, Just Flip The Switch
Transformational Thought
When I was a child, my brothers and I would play this game. We would go into the basement at night and turn all the lights off…and then try and find each other. I hated this game. I was almost paralyzed with the fear of one of my brothers grabbing and scaring me in the total darkness. I would crawl along the floor in the darkness. Don’t know why I played the game. “Brother-pressure” I guess. Still to this day I’m uncomfortable in the dark.
Often, we get used to wandering in the dark, crawling on the basement floor of our lives. So much so, in fact, that when the lights are finally turned on, we still keep crawling with a blindfold on, unable to let the light show us where danger lies and where the path of freedom is.
I see so many people crawling through their lives, on the basement floor, cursing the darkness…while all the time God is shining so brightly. Not only is He shining brightly around you, the Holy Spirit is shining in you.
You can allow that light to shine through and out of you to illuminate your path by making Godly decisions. Decisions in line with God’s will keep the Holy Spirit on the throne of your heart and the light brightly shining. Making wrong decisions puts the flesh on the throne of your heart and puts a bushel over that Light. God wants each of us to be light-bearers…to be lighthouses. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, will shine God’s light from your face into your surroundings and to those around you. But the key is the quality of decisions you make. This is why The Holy Bible (and we) stress Godly decision-making. It is the key to life.
Today, when you see “darkness” around you, stop, pray, and think about the Holy Spirit shining through you. Get out of His way by confessing your wrong decisions. Then start making the decisions you know you should. Be bold, and He will shine through you. You know what He wants you to do even though it might go against your agenda, so just do it and see the magic that happens. Blessings or curses, it all comes down to the decisions you make and whether you have a “Thy will be done” or ”My will be done” mindset and motivation.
Prayer
Dear Father, I do not like the darkness. I want to live in Your radiant light. When I do find myself in spiritual darkness I reach for Your guiding hand. I reach for Your hand in joyful trust, knowing You will never leave my side. I pray, Father, that I may brighten the world by reflecting who You are. Help me, Lord, to spread Your light into the darkness of someone’s life. I pray this in the name of Jesus who is the light of the world; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:20
When I was a child, my brothers and I would play this game. We would go into the basement at night and turn all the lights off…and then try and find each other. I hated this game. I was almost paralyzed with the fear of one of my brothers grabbing and scaring me in the total darkness. I would crawl along the floor in the darkness. Don’t know why I played the game. “Brother-pressure” I guess. Still to this day I’m uncomfortable in the dark.
Often, we get used to wandering in the dark, crawling on the basement floor of our lives. So much so, in fact, that when the lights are finally turned on, we still keep crawling with a blindfold on, unable to let the light show us where danger lies and where the path of freedom is.
I see so many people crawling through their lives, on the basement floor, cursing the darkness…while all the time God is shining so brightly. Not only is He shining brightly around you, the Holy Spirit is shining in you.
You can allow that light to shine through and out of you to illuminate your path by making Godly decisions. Decisions in line with God’s will keep the Holy Spirit on the throne of your heart and the light brightly shining. Making wrong decisions puts the flesh on the throne of your heart and puts a bushel over that Light. God wants each of us to be light-bearers…to be lighthouses. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, will shine God’s light from your face into your surroundings and to those around you. But the key is the quality of decisions you make. This is why The Holy Bible (and we) stress Godly decision-making. It is the key to life.
Today, when you see “darkness” around you, stop, pray, and think about the Holy Spirit shining through you. Get out of His way by confessing your wrong decisions. Then start making the decisions you know you should. Be bold, and He will shine through you. You know what He wants you to do even though it might go against your agenda, so just do it and see the magic that happens. Blessings or curses, it all comes down to the decisions you make and whether you have a “Thy will be done” or ”My will be done” mindset and motivation.
Prayer
Dear Father, I do not like the darkness. I want to live in Your radiant light. When I do find myself in spiritual darkness I reach for Your guiding hand. I reach for Your hand in joyful trust, knowing You will never leave my side. I pray, Father, that I may brighten the world by reflecting who You are. Help me, Lord, to spread Your light into the darkness of someone’s life. I pray this in the name of Jesus who is the light of the world; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:20
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Stepping Stones: Rely On You, Or Rest In Him?
Transformational Thought
There was a lumberjack, Jack, hired to cut down 30 trees a day. For the first few days the 30 trees fell easily under his axe, since Jack was a stud. But on day 5 he only cut down 25 trees, and on day 10 only 8. On day 20, though he was swinging that axe faster and harder than on day 1, only 3 trees fell. Jack was confused and frustrated, as well as very tired since he was working harder than ever.
The supervisor was worried about his best worker and came to observe why Jack’s performance was so poor. The supervisor saw that the lumberjack’s axe was completely dull. So he told Jack, who was huffing and puffing and on the verge of exhaustion, that he needed to sharpen his axe. Jack fearfully blurted, “I can’t. I don’t have time…I need to cut down 30 trees today.”
So many of us are exhausted, worn out, and in need of true relaxation and refreshment. I don’t mean sleep…I mean real psychological and spiritual rest. We keep swinging hard and frequently, but our blades are dull and getting duller by the minute.
We’ve been so indoctrinated to think resting means idleness or laziness. Our insecurity and past mistakes push our need to swing furiously and often, to show that we are worthy, or to make up for our past. Jesus, who had the most to do, rested often. Resting in God has two huge benefits: first, it allows us to sharpen our axes; second, when we relax in His presence, we demonstrate trust in Him to take over and accomplish what we can’t.
Trust is such a rich word, filled with meaning and direction for our life. So many of us do the exact opposite of what God wants for us. We turn away from Him when we are exhausted because we associate God with duty and diligence. We wrongly believe that going to Him means we have to do more, instead of allowing Him to give us more.
Today, set aside 15 minutes to take a rest and specifically lean on, trust in, and be confident with God. Meditate on His power and His love for you. Relax in His presence. When you lean on Him for support and rest, He delights in your trusting confidence in Him. Your decision, rest in Him or rely on yourself, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You depleted and worn out. I come to You, Lord, for refreshment. I know that resting in You will save me. I thank You, Father, for Your reassuring Word that You spoke through Your prophet Isaiah, telling me that coming to You in quietness and trust shall be my strength. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may lean on Your understanding, not mine. I pray this with trust and expectation, and in the name of one who rested in You perfectly, Jesus; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength
Isaiah 30:15
There was a lumberjack, Jack, hired to cut down 30 trees a day. For the first few days the 30 trees fell easily under his axe, since Jack was a stud. But on day 5 he only cut down 25 trees, and on day 10 only 8. On day 20, though he was swinging that axe faster and harder than on day 1, only 3 trees fell. Jack was confused and frustrated, as well as very tired since he was working harder than ever.
The supervisor was worried about his best worker and came to observe why Jack’s performance was so poor. The supervisor saw that the lumberjack’s axe was completely dull. So he told Jack, who was huffing and puffing and on the verge of exhaustion, that he needed to sharpen his axe. Jack fearfully blurted, “I can’t. I don’t have time…I need to cut down 30 trees today.”
So many of us are exhausted, worn out, and in need of true relaxation and refreshment. I don’t mean sleep…I mean real psychological and spiritual rest. We keep swinging hard and frequently, but our blades are dull and getting duller by the minute.
We’ve been so indoctrinated to think resting means idleness or laziness. Our insecurity and past mistakes push our need to swing furiously and often, to show that we are worthy, or to make up for our past. Jesus, who had the most to do, rested often. Resting in God has two huge benefits: first, it allows us to sharpen our axes; second, when we relax in His presence, we demonstrate trust in Him to take over and accomplish what we can’t.
Trust is such a rich word, filled with meaning and direction for our life. So many of us do the exact opposite of what God wants for us. We turn away from Him when we are exhausted because we associate God with duty and diligence. We wrongly believe that going to Him means we have to do more, instead of allowing Him to give us more.
Today, set aside 15 minutes to take a rest and specifically lean on, trust in, and be confident with God. Meditate on His power and His love for you. Relax in His presence. When you lean on Him for support and rest, He delights in your trusting confidence in Him. Your decision, rest in Him or rely on yourself, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You depleted and worn out. I come to You, Lord, for refreshment. I know that resting in You will save me. I thank You, Father, for Your reassuring Word that You spoke through Your prophet Isaiah, telling me that coming to You in quietness and trust shall be my strength. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may lean on Your understanding, not mine. I pray this with trust and expectation, and in the name of one who rested in You perfectly, Jesus; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength
Isaiah 30:15
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Stepping Stones: FEAR: Retreat Or Attack?
Transformational Thought
Fear of speaking in class or giving a lecture…of blowing a test or an important performance or game…of parasailing…of taking a new job…of confrontation…of setting a healthy boundary…of having someone angry or upset with me. Wow! For so long, FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) really interrupted and crippled my life. Then came the fear about having fear. I was almost paralyzed.
Through Christian counseling, I realized I was hiding my fear…pretending it wasn’t there. When I thought the fear couldn’t get any worse, I discovered that the fear you hide in the recesses of your heart will give birth to the fear of fear … a real monster. The danger of the second fear is that it diverts our focus off the original fear. You see, the first fear was usually planted at a very young age, when we knew little, were very gullible, and weren’t well equipped to handle much stress.
Now as adults, we have the ability to see more clearly the original false evidence that was restricting our lives, and to do something different and better with the same situation. At the very least, if real anxiety exists, we can handle it much better and soothe ourselves in more healthy ways. But we are usually too lazy, in too much of a hurry, or we just don’t know how to go back and deeply re-address those old painful FEARS. When we re-address them, we can access and apply the freedom Christ won for us over those FEARS. Freedom from FEAR is available for each one of us.
Today, acknowledge that your FEARS are flaming arrows of attack from the evil one and bring your fears out into the Light of Your Lord’s presence where you can deal with them openly. The darkness just gives them more power over you. Identify one thing that upsets, alarms, scares, or threatens you. Examine how it influences your decisions. Tell someone about it and ask them to help you identify the False Evidence that Appears Real. It can be very freeing just knowing the cycle can be broken. Click here for our powerful workshop that helps you live the life that is WITHIN REACH as you learn to apply God’s teachings to overcome your FEARS.
Prayer
Dear Beloved Father, I confess that fear has a stronghold on me. I know that most all fear comes from arrows of attack from the enemy. I thank You, Father, for Your Word that teaches me to use my shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Father, so that I might build my faith. Help me understand how to dig deep and uncover those FEARS and bathe them in truth. Help me, Father, to bring all fear to You so that we may deal with them together. I pray, Father, that by concentrating on You and being a good steward of my mind, my fearfulness will lose its foothold on me. I pray in the holy name of my Deliverer, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
Proverbs 29:25
Friday, October 22, 2010
Stepping Stones: Is Your Radar On And Tuned In?
Transformational Thought
Do you feel your heart beating right now? Do you feel billions, yea, billions of brain cells firing right now, allowing you to read this and be amazed? Honestly, are you actually feeling the love for your kids, or parents or spouse or other loved one right now, the moment before I just mentioned it? Do you feel the Earth actually spinning at an amazing speed when a, relatively speaking, much slower amusement ride makes you feel dizzy?
I could go on with so many more examples of physical sensations from your body or emotional sensations from your life, but I imagine you are getting my point already. Just because you don’t feel these events or dynamics right now, doesn’t mean they aren’t happening.
As Christians, we say that we’ve accepted Christ as our savior, that we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and are in an intimate and cool union with God. Yet we still feel alone at times in our lives, usually when we need to feel loved the most. Maybe we feel alone because our union with God is invisible. Remember, you are connected to God through Love-bonds that cannot be seen, bonds that nothing, absolutely nothing, can severe.
You see, Satan is so spiteful towards God and he doesn’t want us to see, feel, or know how much God constantly loves us, or how determinedly God pursues us, so we can receive God’s love. This spiritual warfare all around us, the craziness of society, is Satan’s strategy to numb our radar that is supposed to be tuned directly to God 24/7. Satan can’t separate you from God’s love, but as the Great Deceiver, he will try to deceive you into thinking that God’s love is not there for you.
Today, try and meditate on the fact that God is nearer than you think … He is richly present in all your moments. Be aware of His presence. Put your hand on your heart and feel your heartbeat, and say “God is really in my heart … just because I don’t feel it sometimes is not the only evidence I go on. He really is always pumping in my life!” This is not an escape from reality. It is in fact turning to the ultimate reality. He is far more real than the world you can see, hear, touch and depend on.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, At times You feel so far away. Help me, Father, to open my eyes so that I may find You everywhere. Increase my spiritual radar and spiritual IQ. The more aware I am of Your presence in my life, the more secure I feel. I need You, Father. Blazing missiles of fear are flying at me day and night … the attacks from the evil one come at me without rest. Build my faith, Father, so that I may be certain of what I cannot see. I pray in the name of my always constant savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said – AMEN!
The Truth
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
Acts 17:27-28
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Stepping Stones: What Are You An Activist For?
Transformational Thought
We seem to be living in a me-first era. People exercise less restraint over their impulses and do whatever gives them immediate satisfaction, without regard to the consequences of their actions. These consequences have harmful effects on other people and our surroundings.
The positive effect of this me-first mentality, we live in a time when people are activists and standing up for all sorts of causes. We have people standing up for the rights of dogs, dolphins, eagles, deer, elephants, and almost every animal. We have people standing up for trees, the ocean, deserts, the ozone, swamps, and creeks. We have people standing up for choice of religion, sexual orientation, political party, and choice of wearing clothes or going nude. We have people standing up for everything imaginable, and even being willing to die for their cause.
I love my wife and kids and would fight to the death if someone were attacking them. David knew what was worth standing up for as he spent much time praying to, learning from, and trusting in God. David couldn’t stand to hear Goliath blaspheme his heavenly Father he loved so dearly, His true and living God. Without fear or hesitation, and with great confidence, David was ready to stand up and fight the mighty, giant warrior everybody, even Saul, feared. Why? Because David knew God stood up for him all the time, and later his messiah, Jesus, would make the ultimate stand for him.
Isn't it time that we, as Christians, stand up for our Creator and what He stands for? We don’t need to be belligerent or mean-spirited, our goal is to act and speak boldly with a Christ-like heart. But we can’t be worried about the consequences, even if it means our death, or job loss, or loss of a friendship or even a relative. To David, standing up for God was a no-brainer. What about you?
Today, stand up, be heard and don’t be ashamed of the truth, which is found in Christ… no matter what the consequences! Be a Lighthouse, speak the truth excitedly and boldly thru your actions and attitudes. If it is a testy situation, speak calmly, with motivations consistent with revealing God’s love and compassion, but don’t be afraid to stand up clearly for our Savior and His name. Your decision, choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father God, even though I don’t express my thanks and gratitude very well with my actions, thank you so much for standing up for me when you didn’t have to. Thanks for bearing my burden for me. Draw me closer to You today, and make me more passionate for those around me. Help me to love You more than myself, so I will die to myself, take up my cross, and follow You. Help me see You clearly, and not be so deceived by my fear of other’s opinions or consequences, so I can stand up for You. Give me the strength and the words to stand up for You. I pray in the name of the One who laid on a cross for me, my Savior Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
Mark 8:38
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Acts 5:41
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
We seem to be living in a me-first era. People exercise less restraint over their impulses and do whatever gives them immediate satisfaction, without regard to the consequences of their actions. These consequences have harmful effects on other people and our surroundings.
The positive effect of this me-first mentality, we live in a time when people are activists and standing up for all sorts of causes. We have people standing up for the rights of dogs, dolphins, eagles, deer, elephants, and almost every animal. We have people standing up for trees, the ocean, deserts, the ozone, swamps, and creeks. We have people standing up for choice of religion, sexual orientation, political party, and choice of wearing clothes or going nude. We have people standing up for everything imaginable, and even being willing to die for their cause.
I love my wife and kids and would fight to the death if someone were attacking them. David knew what was worth standing up for as he spent much time praying to, learning from, and trusting in God. David couldn’t stand to hear Goliath blaspheme his heavenly Father he loved so dearly, His true and living God. Without fear or hesitation, and with great confidence, David was ready to stand up and fight the mighty, giant warrior everybody, even Saul, feared. Why? Because David knew God stood up for him all the time, and later his messiah, Jesus, would make the ultimate stand for him.
Isn't it time that we, as Christians, stand up for our Creator and what He stands for? We don’t need to be belligerent or mean-spirited, our goal is to act and speak boldly with a Christ-like heart. But we can’t be worried about the consequences, even if it means our death, or job loss, or loss of a friendship or even a relative. To David, standing up for God was a no-brainer. What about you?
Today, stand up, be heard and don’t be ashamed of the truth, which is found in Christ… no matter what the consequences! Be a Lighthouse, speak the truth excitedly and boldly thru your actions and attitudes. If it is a testy situation, speak calmly, with motivations consistent with revealing God’s love and compassion, but don’t be afraid to stand up clearly for our Savior and His name. Your decision, choose well!
Prayer
Dear Father God, even though I don’t express my thanks and gratitude very well with my actions, thank you so much for standing up for me when you didn’t have to. Thanks for bearing my burden for me. Draw me closer to You today, and make me more passionate for those around me. Help me to love You more than myself, so I will die to myself, take up my cross, and follow You. Help me see You clearly, and not be so deceived by my fear of other’s opinions or consequences, so I can stand up for You. Give me the strength and the words to stand up for You. I pray in the name of the One who laid on a cross for me, my Savior Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
Mark 8:38
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Acts 5:41
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Stepping Stones: Do You Really Want To Know God?
Transformational Thought
I have an engineering kind of mind, never been much of a reader. English was a class I wanted to avoid in High School. When we would read Romeo and Juliet or Julius Caesar, I often thought I would understand and be more greatly impacted by the story if I really knew Shakespeare. You know, his personality, nuances, passions, issues, the experiences of his life.
When watching the show “Biography” on TV, I am so much more interested, intrigued, and impacted when I “know” or “interacted” with the subject. When the subject is Gilligan, Bob Barker, Ronald Reagan, Robin Williams, as opposed to subjects that really never touched my life, my depth of interest and identification are so much more profound.
If you were to read my personal journal, your understanding, interest, and enjoyment of my story would be dramatically impacted by whether you knew me personally or not. You see, my daughters love hearing stories about my past, people who don’t know me could care less about my experiences that made me me.
Well the Holy Bible, God’s journal is the same way. The Bible is a great book, filled with great life tips and stories that really reveal God’s heart and desires. But to really maximize the treasure inside The Holy Bible, you really need to know and be in relationship with the author. Then it really comes alive and is more powerful than anything except the actual Trinity. Get to know the Author, then He and His journal will make more sense and have more authority in your life.
Today, ask yourself “does the Bible make sense to me?“ “Do I easily practice what it says?” If you aren’t confident in your answers, ask “how much time a day do I spend relating to and getting to know God?” Read a couple Psalms, or one of Paul’s letters to know God better.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I praise You as the Author of the big story. Thank You for making things so clear in Your word. I confess, I want to take shortcuts at times…not spend time getting to know You or be in Your great storybook, journal, instruction manual. Then I wonder, why I am frustrated, insecure, and lost at times. Thanks for Your Holy Spirit in me to help me digest Your Word and apply it to me life. Help me get out of the way and then follow the Holy Spirit’s direction for my life. I pray in the name of the Author of my salvation, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Stepping Stones: Are Your Keys Lost, Or Are You?
Transformational Thought
As I get older, my memory just isn’t the same. Sure I have so much more to remember, but simple little things seem to fall through the cracks of my mind. One of my solutions is to put small items in a special place that I would definitely be able to remember. Well, you guessed it, I forget what that special place is.
When I am searching for my keys, it is because my keys are not in the right place, they are lost. When our family is in Washington, DC, and we are searching for the Washington Monument, the monument isn’t lost, we are the ones that are lost.
We search for the Truth not because it is lost, we search for the Truth because we are lost. We were designed by God to search and find Him. Our search is usually for comfort, peace, love, happiness, being valued…all things God can and wants to give us. Unfortunately, instead of one-stop shopping, going to God for everything, we search in many other places and activities for the desires of our heart.
We try to find relief in our work, computer, food, relationships, kids, our grown-up toys, getting ahead. But we are looking in the wrong places.…we search because we are lost. God isn’t lost, He is in the same place all the time…you’ll find Him in His word, thru prayer, and by Him orchestrating your circumstances to direct you back on track to find Him. Where is your searching leading you? Let the word of God be submerged into your mind and spirit; “Seek and you will find” “I am the way, the truth and the life”
Today, if you are searching for anything other than His Truth…it’s time for a route correction. Identify what you are searching for today. Write down the activities of your day. Are any of these activities where are you looking to try and find it? Be honest and examine why you aren’t looking to God first to fill some of your desires today.
Prayer
Dear Father, I have been searching my entire life, Lord,but I have been searching in the wrong places. My searching has led me to some very bad decisions, which caused pain and suffering for me and for those I love. I thank You, Father, for the lighthouses you have brought into my life. For those who have helped guide me step by step to You. I thank You for the new focus of my search. I search for You, Lord, for a deeper and deeper relationship with You. I pray, Father, for the Stepping Stones community that they too may focus their search toward the Truth…toward You, Father. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ whose Truth became flesh; and all God’s people said – AMEN!
The Truth
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.”
1 Kings 17:24
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
Monday, October 18, 2010
Stepping Stones: Don’t Look Down!
Transformational Thought
We have seen many famous people fall from high places. Tiger Woods, Lindsay Lohan, John and Kate plus 8, Paris Hilton, Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick, and many politicians with extramarital wrongdoing. It’s so tempting, so easy…and at times even feels like harmless fun to look down on and judge these once mighty people. Kick them while they’re down, rub salt in their wound.
I’ve been guilty of falling into this trap myself, making callous comments and assuming I am better than that fallen person because I am in a better place at that moment. We all have insecurities and mistakes we’ve made that we are ashamed of. To make ourselves look better, instead of raising our level of play, it’s easier for us to look down on others to allow us to look better.
I have also felt the pain of being looked down upon…being judged by others, and as I’m sure you know, there’s no fun in that. We often will think that the person looking down on us is so mean or not taking tome to understand the reasons why we are struggling. We also pledge, “I would never look down on someone like that.”
Looking down on others is different than the more caring act of noticing someone’s difficulties and wanting to help them. Looking down on others really exhibits a survival of the fittest mentality…taking from someone for my advancement. This is the opposite of God’s system, which is based on love. Love is about giving, looking out for others, helping people. Judging is about pushing down, taking something from somebody, and not consistent with God’s methods and plan for us.
Today, be mindful that we are called by God to be disciples, not judges. Be aware of looking down on others…for our Lord is the only one that could have looked down on you, but instead, loved you and gave His life. If you find yourself tempted to look down on someone, remember it is harmful to you, the other person, and disrespectful to God. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, I confess, Lord, that I have been guilty of judging others. I know I have fallen into this sinful pattern because it gives me the false perception that I am better than those I judge. I wrongly believe it takes the heat off of me. Help me, Father, to live under your word to “judge not.” For those in my life who have done wrong, let me have compassion and love for them. Instead of judging others, help me be a lighthouse to them in their time of need. Help me minister Your word so that I may comfort and guide them. Also Father, help me forgive those who judge me…help me not give them authority over me with their condemnation. In the name of the One who never looked down on anyone, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
Matthew 7:1-3
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:1-3
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