March 9, 2012
Transformational Thought
After all the cold weather, we’ve had some great days of 60+ degree weather. What a refreshing break. Tells me Spring must be right around the corner. Can’t wait … so many great changes … life … energy … color … activity. And one of the best things about Spring: it means Summer is right around the corner. Summer is my favorite time of year ... hot weather, the beach, and the family trip to Dorney Park, our local adventure and water park. My girls and I love the roller coasters but each one of them had to make the transition from fear to amazement and joy.
As we pursue our relationship with God and draw closer to Him, a few characteristics should become more evident in our lives. Joy is one of those characteristics. Christianity is joyful. And joy is good for your health … physically, psychologically, relationally, emotionally, and spiritually. During difficult times, we might not always have laughter, but God provides joy in all of our circumstances. The Bible describes practical steps to joy and ways to laugh more.
Try to stop taking yourself so seriously! Take time for laughter, for fellowship. Learn to enjoy hanging out with yourself. Start each day out by rejoicing. Thank God for another day. Thank Him for the opportunities ahead of you. Thank Him for his love and abundant grace. Involve happy people in your life. Smiling faces make you feel happy. Laughter is actually contagious, just go to a kid’s birthday party.
Initially, my girls never thought something like Steel Force or Talon could ever be joyful. They looked at how big and daunting they appeared and assumed only bad feelings and outcomes would occur.
You see, just like rollercoasters, once we get past our fears joy is abundant. Once we realize the designer and operator are in control and that we are safe, we can enjoy the ride. In fact, what we experience is beyond joyful, it’s actually exhilarating. Well, God is the ultimate rollercoaster operator. He’s designed ups and downs in the ride, but it is planned for our growth and maximum joy. Your fear comes when you believe you or someone else fallible designed it, or are in charge. Paul realized who designed and operated his life’s rollercoaster. So he could be joyful in all circumstances. He knew how the ride would end and threw his arms up and yelled (sang) with exhilaration during the peaks and dips of all the rollercoaster rides of his life. And Paul had many steep falls in his ride.
Today, simplify your life in order to enjoy God's goodness. Examine what you fear and why. Identify the circumstances you think you control. When you trust God, you will be free of fear, and joy will be abundant in every circumstance. Sometimes we all get so involved in our "to-do" lists and worrying about tomorrow that we miss enjoying the moment. Remember the old adage: Take time to smell the roses! Your life, your rollercoaster, is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
O Master Designer, thank You for providing joy in every circumstance. Help me to experience a cheerful heart in every part of the rollercoaster ride You designed especially for me. Help me to walk in Your freedom and to laugh often. Build my trust in You so I can live free of fear and embrace all You sovereignly bring into my life for my growth. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who is the true source of all joy, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.
Proverbs 17:22
Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness. And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.
Exodus 14:12,13
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Stepping Stones: Dealing With Loss: It Really is a Choice
March 8, 2012
Transformational Thought
As an engineer, I want life to fit into nice solvable problems. Neatness and order make sense to me. Some of my family would say I am a little OCD in a few areas of my life. I have routines and methods to accomplish almost every task from shaving to packing to addressing issues. One main reason for my OCD is that I hate losing anything. Whether it is losing a game, losing my keys, or losing time, I don’t want to let anything slip through my fingers.
The bad news for me is that aging will bring the loss of many things including but not limited to the following: mobility, hearing, sight, sex, independence, cognitive ability, friends, loved ones, physical hobbies, and innumerable cherished abilities and treasures. Unless we die prematurely, this path in our journey is inevitable.
Instead of being powerless over it, we actually have tremendous power as we choose how to react to these losses. “When you get lemons, will you make lemonade or just be a sourpuss?” sums up the concept.
We might choose the options of depression, an overwhelming sense of uselessness, or even worse, becoming a burden to others. We might choose anger and resentment because of the loss of control and independence. However, if we choose to dwell on what we no longer have or can no longer do, we will miss the great opportunities still open to us.
Although it is normal to grieve our losses, it is easy to allow grief become the main lens through which we view ourselves, our future, and especially God. This distorted viewpoint will dramatically affect our functioning and decision-making. Instead, we need to choose to concentrate on the relationships, abilities, and opportunities that are still ours ... to view life and God through truthful lenses, and not emotionally-distorted lenses.
These words from Paul can be an encouragement to us as we go through the aging process ourselves or care for our parents: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13
You might think, “I’m not old, so this doesn’t apply to me, but I’ll pass it to an old person I know.” Well, the way you handle getting older is determined by how you “practice” handling loss during your life between the ages of 10 and 45. So practice well now, and you will be well prepared when the losses come faster and deeper.
Today, identify some losses, or something you long for. How does this “loss” affect your view of yourself … God … and life? Are your views based on fact and truth or are they distorted? Try to keep the distorted feeling from affecting your present, or your view of the future … that’s an entitled mindset. WITHIN REACH has helped many see clearly. Focus on thankfulness for what you do have. Concentrate on Jesus, knowing that He will enable you to serve Him in and through the adversity … and to bless others. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, help me to dwell on the positive in this season of my life … the good, not the bad; what I can do … not what I am unable to do. Help me be thankful for having it for the time I had it, and not be hurt by losing it. Guide all aging parents to focus on the positives in their lives, and guide us younger ones to practice these skills now. Help me be a Light to others in what is important to me when loss comes my way. I thank You that we can pray in the name of Jesus and do all things through Him; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Philippians 4:8
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 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.
Deuteronomy 30:19,20
Transformational Thought
As an engineer, I want life to fit into nice solvable problems. Neatness and order make sense to me. Some of my family would say I am a little OCD in a few areas of my life. I have routines and methods to accomplish almost every task from shaving to packing to addressing issues. One main reason for my OCD is that I hate losing anything. Whether it is losing a game, losing my keys, or losing time, I don’t want to let anything slip through my fingers.
The bad news for me is that aging will bring the loss of many things including but not limited to the following: mobility, hearing, sight, sex, independence, cognitive ability, friends, loved ones, physical hobbies, and innumerable cherished abilities and treasures. Unless we die prematurely, this path in our journey is inevitable.
Instead of being powerless over it, we actually have tremendous power as we choose how to react to these losses. “When you get lemons, will you make lemonade or just be a sourpuss?” sums up the concept.
We might choose the options of depression, an overwhelming sense of uselessness, or even worse, becoming a burden to others. We might choose anger and resentment because of the loss of control and independence. However, if we choose to dwell on what we no longer have or can no longer do, we will miss the great opportunities still open to us.
Although it is normal to grieve our losses, it is easy to allow grief become the main lens through which we view ourselves, our future, and especially God. This distorted viewpoint will dramatically affect our functioning and decision-making. Instead, we need to choose to concentrate on the relationships, abilities, and opportunities that are still ours ... to view life and God through truthful lenses, and not emotionally-distorted lenses.
These words from Paul can be an encouragement to us as we go through the aging process ourselves or care for our parents: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13
You might think, “I’m not old, so this doesn’t apply to me, but I’ll pass it to an old person I know.” Well, the way you handle getting older is determined by how you “practice” handling loss during your life between the ages of 10 and 45. So practice well now, and you will be well prepared when the losses come faster and deeper.
Today, identify some losses, or something you long for. How does this “loss” affect your view of yourself … God … and life? Are your views based on fact and truth or are they distorted? Try to keep the distorted feeling from affecting your present, or your view of the future … that’s an entitled mindset. WITHIN REACH has helped many see clearly. Focus on thankfulness for what you do have. Concentrate on Jesus, knowing that He will enable you to serve Him in and through the adversity … and to bless others. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, help me to dwell on the positive in this season of my life … the good, not the bad; what I can do … not what I am unable to do. Help me be thankful for having it for the time I had it, and not be hurt by losing it. Guide all aging parents to focus on the positives in their lives, and guide us younger ones to practice these skills now. Help me be a Light to others in what is important to me when loss comes my way. I thank You that we can pray in the name of Jesus and do all things through Him; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Philippians 4:8
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 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.
Deuteronomy 30:19,20
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Stepping Stones: For What Is Seen Is Temporary…
March 7, 2012
Transformational Thought
Like most people, I love this time of year. Daylight Savings time starts this weekend! Springtime is finally right around the corner. Awesome … longer days … warmer weather … more sun … outdoor activities … more energy … more color … people in better moods … life abounding everywhere. All this is even grander when contrasted to the elements of winter. I am continually amazed at (but don’t necessarily like) the cycle and uniqueness of the seasons God designed. Actually, except for Christmas and football, I hate winter.
Human life has a natural cycle that has existed since the time of Adam and Eve. It is wise to recognize the seasons of life … including aging and death … and to gracefully accept their effects on us. During our lives, circumstances are always changing. When these changes are beyond our control, we must graciously accept what comes our way. Whether the season is pleasant or painful, it is good to remember that only one season is permanent … the one that comes after we die and leave this temporary earthly residence.
You see, our natural lenses get caught up in where we are now. We believe that this present season here on Earth is for all-the-marbles, and that nothing else really exists after we physically die. What a sad vantage point, but one that many believe. Satan has us fixated in getting our material needs met now, because that is all we think we are.
When our radar is dulled to the spiritual and tuned to the material, we gauge our progress and needs based on the wrong radar. For example, seeing our physical peak at ages 25-35, we view ourselves as declining thereafter. We can get more bummed out, or we can invest lots of time, energy, and money into milking the clock and extending our physical life. But really, our essence is psychological and especially spiritual, not physical.
The true person we are, the inner person, can grow stronger even while our physical person is wasting away. God is completing the work He started in us, and that completed, ultimate state is for eternity. The goal of all the seasons we experience is growing our spiritual radar so we can sense God and connect to Him in joyous and powerful ways.
Today, identify whether you are in a good season or a rough one. Enjoy the good one! But if you are in a rough one, ask yourself how God is growing you on the inside. Then let this season draw you closer to Him. Remember, the time we and our loved ones spend in physical, emotional, psychological, and relational discomfort in these bodies is nothing compared to the eternity we will spend in perfect wholeness in God's presence. Also, understand that discomfort is one of the necessary seasons we need to pass through to get to the final, completed, season of perfect relationship with God in eternity. Thank You, God! Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, guide me through the seasons of life and help me trust You through each one. Help all those especially those suffering physically … and me … to have an eternal perspective. Help me submit to Your perfect knowledge as You bring my present season and all the difficult seasons into my life. Help me maximize my growth in those seasons to glorify You. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to teach me about eternity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6
Transformational Thought
Like most people, I love this time of year. Daylight Savings time starts this weekend! Springtime is finally right around the corner. Awesome … longer days … warmer weather … more sun … outdoor activities … more energy … more color … people in better moods … life abounding everywhere. All this is even grander when contrasted to the elements of winter. I am continually amazed at (but don’t necessarily like) the cycle and uniqueness of the seasons God designed. Actually, except for Christmas and football, I hate winter.
Human life has a natural cycle that has existed since the time of Adam and Eve. It is wise to recognize the seasons of life … including aging and death … and to gracefully accept their effects on us. During our lives, circumstances are always changing. When these changes are beyond our control, we must graciously accept what comes our way. Whether the season is pleasant or painful, it is good to remember that only one season is permanent … the one that comes after we die and leave this temporary earthly residence.
You see, our natural lenses get caught up in where we are now. We believe that this present season here on Earth is for all-the-marbles, and that nothing else really exists after we physically die. What a sad vantage point, but one that many believe. Satan has us fixated in getting our material needs met now, because that is all we think we are.
When our radar is dulled to the spiritual and tuned to the material, we gauge our progress and needs based on the wrong radar. For example, seeing our physical peak at ages 25-35, we view ourselves as declining thereafter. We can get more bummed out, or we can invest lots of time, energy, and money into milking the clock and extending our physical life. But really, our essence is psychological and especially spiritual, not physical.
The true person we are, the inner person, can grow stronger even while our physical person is wasting away. God is completing the work He started in us, and that completed, ultimate state is for eternity. The goal of all the seasons we experience is growing our spiritual radar so we can sense God and connect to Him in joyous and powerful ways.
Today, identify whether you are in a good season or a rough one. Enjoy the good one! But if you are in a rough one, ask yourself how God is growing you on the inside. Then let this season draw you closer to Him. Remember, the time we and our loved ones spend in physical, emotional, psychological, and relational discomfort in these bodies is nothing compared to the eternity we will spend in perfect wholeness in God's presence. Also, understand that discomfort is one of the necessary seasons we need to pass through to get to the final, completed, season of perfect relationship with God in eternity. Thank You, God! Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, guide me through the seasons of life and help me trust You through each one. Help all those especially those suffering physically … and me … to have an eternal perspective. Help me submit to Your perfect knowledge as You bring my present season and all the difficult seasons into my life. Help me maximize my growth in those seasons to glorify You. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to teach me about eternity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6
Monday, March 5, 2012
Stepping Stones: Brainwashed, Lobotomy, or New Creation in Christ
March 5, 2012
Transformational Thought
Our childhood experiences, our biology and our spiritual history all contribute to our present makeup. In our struggle to overcome negative feelings like depression, anxiety, or anger, we need to remember that while our psychological and biogenetic past cannot be changed, the way we view it can be changed as we use the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to change our spiritual condition. Then our psychological and biological present can also be changed, improved, and actually renewed. Thank You God!
If we draw our identity from the cluster of negativity around us … feelings of anger, helplessness, hopelessness, isolation, being overwhelmed, and perhaps even suicidal thoughts … rather than from our true identity as a "new creation in Christ Jesus," then indeed, we are continually being sucked into a black hole of despair. We are easily trapped in a self-reinforcing belief system about ourselves: I'm worthless … there is no hope … God doesn’t care or know me. And by the way, this is exactly where Satan would like us to be.
Healing can start when we recognize that our problem is not anger or childhood abuse or even "depression." Our problem is really that the lenses we use to view ourselves are based on misinterpretations and distortions we’ve developed from our past experiences and the world’s interpretation and teaching of who we are. This just re-enforces a self-identity of a worthless, inadequate, disconnected, incompetent person.
Just like en enemy trying to brainwash a POW, Satan’s plot as the Great Deceiver is to brainwash us. And he starts the day we are born. His goal is to establish strongholds of lies in our heart, and being very gullible kids, we walk easily into most of his traps. Maturity is being able to undo these lies, and insert the truth and act on it. As we all know, we all are works in progress, because the lies start early and go deep. It would be nice if we received a lobotomy or brain transplant when we were saved. But God has a “slower, but richer” process instead of the immediate, no-effort-on-our-part process that we would like.
Only when we let the power, love, and redemptive grace of the Christmas and Easter stories form our lenses will we learn our new identity based on the truth of God's Word. When our lives begin to revolve around an understanding of God, life, and our own self-identity that is based on faith and guided by the Bible’s rich instructions, we can begin to overcome depression and all the feeling states that interfere with our perspective and functioning.
Today, identify a couple lies about yourself from the old brainwashing tapes that play in your head. Instead of seeing yourself as worthless or the opposite, the master of your life, begin to view yourself as a child of God, a shining star, His chosen and beloved. The characteristics of that new self-identity are based on faith in Christ, and can include surrendering to God's purposes ... kindness ... pure love ... goodness ... reaching for truth ... courage … fortitude ... and determination to keep going based on who God is, not on who we are. Remember, life is your choice, so choose well. See our resources to help you.
Prayer
Dear Father God, help me to stop focusing on the swirling symptoms of depression that surround me like debris around a black hole. Help me instead to focus on Jesus and what He has done for me. Help me to remember that I am a new creation in Him. I wish I could see clearly. Help me un-brainwash all the lies, big and small, I have absorbed from my childhood. Let me be in less of a hurry during the day, have patience and self-control, so I can see the situations You bring into my life more clearly. Please help me break this narcissism of a me-centered view instead of a God-centered view of my life. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to give me hope, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5:11-14
Transformational Thought
Our childhood experiences, our biology and our spiritual history all contribute to our present makeup. In our struggle to overcome negative feelings like depression, anxiety, or anger, we need to remember that while our psychological and biogenetic past cannot be changed, the way we view it can be changed as we use the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to change our spiritual condition. Then our psychological and biological present can also be changed, improved, and actually renewed. Thank You God!
If we draw our identity from the cluster of negativity around us … feelings of anger, helplessness, hopelessness, isolation, being overwhelmed, and perhaps even suicidal thoughts … rather than from our true identity as a "new creation in Christ Jesus," then indeed, we are continually being sucked into a black hole of despair. We are easily trapped in a self-reinforcing belief system about ourselves: I'm worthless … there is no hope … God doesn’t care or know me. And by the way, this is exactly where Satan would like us to be.
Healing can start when we recognize that our problem is not anger or childhood abuse or even "depression." Our problem is really that the lenses we use to view ourselves are based on misinterpretations and distortions we’ve developed from our past experiences and the world’s interpretation and teaching of who we are. This just re-enforces a self-identity of a worthless, inadequate, disconnected, incompetent person.
Just like en enemy trying to brainwash a POW, Satan’s plot as the Great Deceiver is to brainwash us. And he starts the day we are born. His goal is to establish strongholds of lies in our heart, and being very gullible kids, we walk easily into most of his traps. Maturity is being able to undo these lies, and insert the truth and act on it. As we all know, we all are works in progress, because the lies start early and go deep. It would be nice if we received a lobotomy or brain transplant when we were saved. But God has a “slower, but richer” process instead of the immediate, no-effort-on-our-part process that we would like.
Only when we let the power, love, and redemptive grace of the Christmas and Easter stories form our lenses will we learn our new identity based on the truth of God's Word. When our lives begin to revolve around an understanding of God, life, and our own self-identity that is based on faith and guided by the Bible’s rich instructions, we can begin to overcome depression and all the feeling states that interfere with our perspective and functioning.
Today, identify a couple lies about yourself from the old brainwashing tapes that play in your head. Instead of seeing yourself as worthless or the opposite, the master of your life, begin to view yourself as a child of God, a shining star, His chosen and beloved. The characteristics of that new self-identity are based on faith in Christ, and can include surrendering to God's purposes ... kindness ... pure love ... goodness ... reaching for truth ... courage … fortitude ... and determination to keep going based on who God is, not on who we are. Remember, life is your choice, so choose well. See our resources to help you.
Prayer
Dear Father God, help me to stop focusing on the swirling symptoms of depression that surround me like debris around a black hole. Help me instead to focus on Jesus and what He has done for me. Help me to remember that I am a new creation in Him. I wish I could see clearly. Help me un-brainwash all the lies, big and small, I have absorbed from my childhood. Let me be in less of a hurry during the day, have patience and self-control, so I can see the situations You bring into my life more clearly. Please help me break this narcissism of a me-centered view instead of a God-centered view of my life. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to give me hope, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5:11-14
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Stepping Stones: “You Did It, Why Can’t I”
March 3-4, 2012
Transformational Thought
Some mothers prepare their teenage daughters for premarital sexual activities by helping them with birth control plans. They may feel guilty asking their teenage daughters to abstain from sex outside of marriage, especially if they, as teenagers themselves, did not. Likewise, some fathers may look the other way when their teenage sons have sex, drink alcohol, or smoke pot … after all, we did it when we were teens … how can we say "no" now?
No matter what mistakes we may have made, that is history. If we have received Jesus' forgiveness, the past is past. This is today … and God is calling us right now to train our children in the way they should go ... the way that is pleasing to Him.
Because you broke rules and made mistakes does not mean that your children should follow the same pattern. It is vital that you learn from your wrongdoing and receive Christ's forgiveness. Next, God calls you to love your children enough to teach them the right way … God's way. But for your message to have real impact on them you need to do 3 things:
1. Don’t just tell them the right decision to make, but live it, be a role model.
2. Understand the reasons that those behaviors aren’t good and explain them to your child. Your explanations need to go deeper than “the Bible says so” or “because you’ll get in trouble.” You know firsthand the consequences and fruit of the flesh you reaped, both then and the ripples afterward. You need to examine what happened because God wants to use those experiences so your kids can benefit from them.
3. Start equipping your children with a concrete strategy so they can become better decision-makers. Teach them decision-making skills and the rewards and consequences they will experience physiologically (their brain chemistry is renewed), psychologically (their personality and skills mature and grow), and spiritually (their connection to and relationship with God grow more powerfully). Yes, knowing the benefits of doing the right thing will help motivate them to do the right thing.
Today, remember you don't have to do it alone. Ask God for the courage, the strength, and the wisdom to train your children in the way they should go. Today, do some self-assessment and see how you disciple and mentor those God gave to you with good decision-making skills. WITHIN REACH is a unique and valuable resource that teaches the detriments and process of poor decision-making, and how to move toward great decision-making. Life is your decision, so choose well, as many people are affected by your choices, especially your kids.
Prayer
Dear God, help me to guide and disciple my children so that they won't make the same mistakes that I did. Help me to train them in the way they should go. Help me understand how You designed me and why I make the decisions I make. Help me learn how to make Godly decisions and then teach these principles and motivations to my children. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to train me in the way I should go, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6
The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is within your reach. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 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 30:10-11, 19-20
Transformational Thought
Some mothers prepare their teenage daughters for premarital sexual activities by helping them with birth control plans. They may feel guilty asking their teenage daughters to abstain from sex outside of marriage, especially if they, as teenagers themselves, did not. Likewise, some fathers may look the other way when their teenage sons have sex, drink alcohol, or smoke pot … after all, we did it when we were teens … how can we say "no" now?
No matter what mistakes we may have made, that is history. If we have received Jesus' forgiveness, the past is past. This is today … and God is calling us right now to train our children in the way they should go ... the way that is pleasing to Him.
Because you broke rules and made mistakes does not mean that your children should follow the same pattern. It is vital that you learn from your wrongdoing and receive Christ's forgiveness. Next, God calls you to love your children enough to teach them the right way … God's way. But for your message to have real impact on them you need to do 3 things:
1. Don’t just tell them the right decision to make, but live it, be a role model.
2. Understand the reasons that those behaviors aren’t good and explain them to your child. Your explanations need to go deeper than “the Bible says so” or “because you’ll get in trouble.” You know firsthand the consequences and fruit of the flesh you reaped, both then and the ripples afterward. You need to examine what happened because God wants to use those experiences so your kids can benefit from them.
3. Start equipping your children with a concrete strategy so they can become better decision-makers. Teach them decision-making skills and the rewards and consequences they will experience physiologically (their brain chemistry is renewed), psychologically (their personality and skills mature and grow), and spiritually (their connection to and relationship with God grow more powerfully). Yes, knowing the benefits of doing the right thing will help motivate them to do the right thing.
Today, remember you don't have to do it alone. Ask God for the courage, the strength, and the wisdom to train your children in the way they should go. Today, do some self-assessment and see how you disciple and mentor those God gave to you with good decision-making skills. WITHIN REACH is a unique and valuable resource that teaches the detriments and process of poor decision-making, and how to move toward great decision-making. Life is your decision, so choose well, as many people are affected by your choices, especially your kids.
Prayer
Dear God, help me to guide and disciple my children so that they won't make the same mistakes that I did. Help me to train them in the way they should go. Help me understand how You designed me and why I make the decisions I make. Help me learn how to make Godly decisions and then teach these principles and motivations to my children. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to train me in the way I should go, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6
The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is within your reach. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 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 30:10-11, 19-20
Friday, March 2, 2012
Stepping Stones: What Are You Hiding From?
March 2, 2012
Transformational Thought
For about 10 years, I had many insecurities and fears that led to numerous sinful decisions and behaviors. I made multiple excuses to myself, others, and God to avoid or deny the feelings, shame, and reality of my mistakes. My hole got deeper and deeper until I ended up in jail and finally had to be honest because I had no other excuses to give or places to hide.
Today's Scripture is much more lengthy than usual, but it expresses so beautifully the despair that so many of us experience … the despair that comes with hiding our sins from God. But it also reveals the great freedom we experience when we finally stop trying to hide our guilt, confess our sinful decisions to the Lord, and receive His loving forgiveness.
Even though painful feelings are unpleasant to experience, facing them honestly and dealing with their cause is essential to our ability to function and to feel fulfilled. If we want to be the person God has called us to be … if we want to stop hurting others and ourselves … if we want to experience the freedom and peace in our lives that Christ died for … we must face the truth and ask God for His forgiveness and His help. That is the first major decision. The second is to be good stewards of His help and instructions through Godly decision-making.
Jesus understands the damage that occurs when unpleasant feelings resulting from sins are ignored and pushed below the surface. He encourages us to approach Him like a little child … quick to be vulnerable … willing to share our feelings with Him … trusting that He will heal us, not rub salt in our wounds or take advantage of our vulnerability.
In childhood, there were times when we opened up, trusted, made ourselves vulnerable, and were then hurt. We weren’t stupid, so we figured the only way to avoid further hurt or let down anymore was to hold it all in, not open up, be skeptical of others, not share our mistakes, questions or insecurities. Satan wants us to keep our wrongs in the dark because He knows the Light will allow truth in, and let healing prevail.
Today, think about sin in your life that you may be hiding … especially from yourself. God loves you and is ready for you to come to Him. He is your loving Father. Come to Him as the psalmist did. Then you can join the psalmist in rejoicing: "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Develop the Spiritual Discipline of confession. Look at our Spiritual Basics link. It reconnects you to God and puts Him back on the throne of your heart so healing can begin. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess my rebellion and my sins. Forgive me for trying to hide it for so long. Thank You for Your unconditional love, for Your forgiveness, and for the peace that only You can give. Empower me with trust to come to You and be vulnerable when I am afraid of experiencing old wounds. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to teach me about unconditional love, honesty, and humility, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My Strength evaporated like water in the heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
Psalm 32:1-7
Transformational Thought
For about 10 years, I had many insecurities and fears that led to numerous sinful decisions and behaviors. I made multiple excuses to myself, others, and God to avoid or deny the feelings, shame, and reality of my mistakes. My hole got deeper and deeper until I ended up in jail and finally had to be honest because I had no other excuses to give or places to hide.
Today's Scripture is much more lengthy than usual, but it expresses so beautifully the despair that so many of us experience … the despair that comes with hiding our sins from God. But it also reveals the great freedom we experience when we finally stop trying to hide our guilt, confess our sinful decisions to the Lord, and receive His loving forgiveness.
Even though painful feelings are unpleasant to experience, facing them honestly and dealing with their cause is essential to our ability to function and to feel fulfilled. If we want to be the person God has called us to be … if we want to stop hurting others and ourselves … if we want to experience the freedom and peace in our lives that Christ died for … we must face the truth and ask God for His forgiveness and His help. That is the first major decision. The second is to be good stewards of His help and instructions through Godly decision-making.
Jesus understands the damage that occurs when unpleasant feelings resulting from sins are ignored and pushed below the surface. He encourages us to approach Him like a little child … quick to be vulnerable … willing to share our feelings with Him … trusting that He will heal us, not rub salt in our wounds or take advantage of our vulnerability.
In childhood, there were times when we opened up, trusted, made ourselves vulnerable, and were then hurt. We weren’t stupid, so we figured the only way to avoid further hurt or let down anymore was to hold it all in, not open up, be skeptical of others, not share our mistakes, questions or insecurities. Satan wants us to keep our wrongs in the dark because He knows the Light will allow truth in, and let healing prevail.
Today, think about sin in your life that you may be hiding … especially from yourself. God loves you and is ready for you to come to Him. He is your loving Father. Come to Him as the psalmist did. Then you can join the psalmist in rejoicing: "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Develop the Spiritual Discipline of confession. Look at our Spiritual Basics link. It reconnects you to God and puts Him back on the throne of your heart so healing can begin. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess my rebellion and my sins. Forgive me for trying to hide it for so long. Thank You for Your unconditional love, for Your forgiveness, and for the peace that only You can give. Empower me with trust to come to You and be vulnerable when I am afraid of experiencing old wounds. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to teach me about unconditional love, honesty, and humility, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My Strength evaporated like water in the heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
Psalm 32:1-7
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Stepping Stones: Who Are You Building a Tower With?
March 1, 2012
Transformational Thought
A couple weeks ago, Feb 20, we talked about conflict and unity. Where there is unity, there is much strength. Even when people are unified for the wrong reasons, you can see the synergy and power that unity itself can generate.
The world had only one language after the flood in Genesis. Soon after, the people decided to build a great city with a tower that would go to the heavens. Why? They weren’t interested in honoring God, but in making a name for themselves, and sticking together - versus being scattered over the face of the whole earth. Knowing that this would be an ongoing temptation for man, God confused the language of the people and scattered them all over the earth.
Unity in and of itself is not necessarily good. Many aspects are involved in the concept of unity: brotherhood, loyalty, allegiance, and how to organize the group. But there are 2 key starting points to achieving unity. First, what is the motive; second, what is the object or cause that unifies the people? So, we need to make sure we are pursuing Godly causes with Godly motives. The oneness we seek must be in Christ and through Christ, which reunites us with the Father and honors our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Those people in Genesis truly were powerfully united. But their purpose was prideful and offensive to the holiness of God. They were not seeking to reunite with God. They were pursuing equality with God, actually trying to be like God with divine acceptance and status, but through their own human effort.
Building a tower to the heavens to be like God, it sounds ridiculous. “I would never do that,” right? But we act and think a number of times each day with that same “my kingdom come” mentality. We idolize or focus on ourselves first, and don’t bring God into the picture until we become desperate or until someone else reminds us that God is part of our lives.
If we unite to seek power or success, focusing solely on human effort, for human rewards, from human motivations, we displease God … and are destined to ultimately fail. This especially holds true for the church. We must be focused on Christ, not on the building, organization, or denomination.
Today, take a look at those you are uniting with - like family, coworkers, friends, organizations … for what goal … and with what motivation? Where is Jesus and the gospel in this pursuit? Be focused on honoring God, not yourself. Always recognize your total dependence on Him. Let us stand together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, Forgive me for the times that I've united with others to accomplish something, focusing on selfish ambition and desires rather than honoring You and accomplishing Your will. Help me to always focus on You more than any organization or ambition. It is my desire and goal to honor You in all I do. If you have me in organizations, encourage me to be Your influence in those lives. I pray this and all prayers for the One who teaches about true unity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
Philippians 1:27
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ‘Til we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
Ephesians 4:12,13
Transformational Thought
A couple weeks ago, Feb 20, we talked about conflict and unity. Where there is unity, there is much strength. Even when people are unified for the wrong reasons, you can see the synergy and power that unity itself can generate.
The world had only one language after the flood in Genesis. Soon after, the people decided to build a great city with a tower that would go to the heavens. Why? They weren’t interested in honoring God, but in making a name for themselves, and sticking together - versus being scattered over the face of the whole earth. Knowing that this would be an ongoing temptation for man, God confused the language of the people and scattered them all over the earth.
Unity in and of itself is not necessarily good. Many aspects are involved in the concept of unity: brotherhood, loyalty, allegiance, and how to organize the group. But there are 2 key starting points to achieving unity. First, what is the motive; second, what is the object or cause that unifies the people? So, we need to make sure we are pursuing Godly causes with Godly motives. The oneness we seek must be in Christ and through Christ, which reunites us with the Father and honors our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Those people in Genesis truly were powerfully united. But their purpose was prideful and offensive to the holiness of God. They were not seeking to reunite with God. They were pursuing equality with God, actually trying to be like God with divine acceptance and status, but through their own human effort.
Building a tower to the heavens to be like God, it sounds ridiculous. “I would never do that,” right? But we act and think a number of times each day with that same “my kingdom come” mentality. We idolize or focus on ourselves first, and don’t bring God into the picture until we become desperate or until someone else reminds us that God is part of our lives.
If we unite to seek power or success, focusing solely on human effort, for human rewards, from human motivations, we displease God … and are destined to ultimately fail. This especially holds true for the church. We must be focused on Christ, not on the building, organization, or denomination.
Today, take a look at those you are uniting with - like family, coworkers, friends, organizations … for what goal … and with what motivation? Where is Jesus and the gospel in this pursuit? Be focused on honoring God, not yourself. Always recognize your total dependence on Him. Let us stand together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, Forgive me for the times that I've united with others to accomplish something, focusing on selfish ambition and desires rather than honoring You and accomplishing Your will. Help me to always focus on You more than any organization or ambition. It is my desire and goal to honor You in all I do. If you have me in organizations, encourage me to be Your influence in those lives. I pray this and all prayers for the One who teaches about true unity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
Philippians 1:27
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ‘Til we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
Ephesians 4:12,13
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Stepping Stones: The Invisible Walls of Prejudice
February 29, 2012
Transformational Thought
I have been blessed to travel to Kenya, Uganda, and Iraq. When I preached in Kenya, I was the only white person in a church of 500! And this summer I will lead a team of 6, including two of my daughters, into Uganda. These unique mission trips have been some of the Super Bowl highlights of my life. Why is this so surprising? Because I grew up surrounded by prejudice and was a mega-bigot. Evidence of God’s power is His ability to transform my sinful attitude so that now I can actually connect with and help my African and Middle Eastern brothers and sisters overcome their prejudices and conflicts.
Yesterday, we opened up the topic of prejudice and discussed some of the causes and harmful effects of prejudicial thinking and decisions. Most of us tend to pre-judge people based on how they look or dress, what their family members are like, how they talk, stereotypes built by the media of particular social, economic or ethnic groups, and on many other superficial and erroneous characteristics.
There is danger in rejecting or misjudging someone because they are different from us. First of all, the Bible tells us that prejudice is a sin, one that blocks our ability to love others as God wants us to. We could even miss blessings from God, both in this world and in the eternal one, by rejecting strangers due to prejudice. People made this same mistake when they rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah and King. Because Jesus did not come in the way they expected a king to come, they erroneously judged Him as a liar and heretic, and they crucified Him.
We can also miss an opportunity to bless others, or to be blessed by them and God when we allow walls of prejudice, even subtle ones, to build. We may overlook an opportunity to help someone find Jesus. We ourselves may lose an opportunity to find Jesus more clearly or to know Him on a deeper level. Don’t put the other person, yourself, or especially God in a box that limits capabilities and impact.
These walls are made from our bricks of ignorance, insecurity, and lack of trust in God … lacking trust in His power and sovereignty. Allowing God into these areas will clean our prejudicial lenses, allowing us to see people as God truly sees them.
Today, ask God to help you identify the walls you have built around yourself and recognize how they interfere with your ability to see and engage with people the way God wants you to. Examine yourself and your heart. What are some of the wounds and fears that smudge your lenses as God brings different people into your life? You can begin removing those barriers between yourself and others. Ask Him to help you look on the inside and see people as He does. Only then can the love of Jesus flow freely through you to everyone He brings your way. WITHIN REACH will help you search yourself and your past to identify and heal those wounds and distortions. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
O Gracious God, I do want the love of Jesus to flow freely through me to every person You place in my life. Forgive me for sometimes blocking this flow when I judge others by outward appearances. I know I have wounds and distorted lenses. Give me courage to overcome my fears and insecurities. Help me see myself through Your lenses so I don’t need to look down on others to feel important in this world. Help me clear my vision so I can see each individual as You do and respond to them with Your love. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who sees all the best in me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
James 2:8-9
Transformational Thought
I have been blessed to travel to Kenya, Uganda, and Iraq. When I preached in Kenya, I was the only white person in a church of 500! And this summer I will lead a team of 6, including two of my daughters, into Uganda. These unique mission trips have been some of the Super Bowl highlights of my life. Why is this so surprising? Because I grew up surrounded by prejudice and was a mega-bigot. Evidence of God’s power is His ability to transform my sinful attitude so that now I can actually connect with and help my African and Middle Eastern brothers and sisters overcome their prejudices and conflicts.
Yesterday, we opened up the topic of prejudice and discussed some of the causes and harmful effects of prejudicial thinking and decisions. Most of us tend to pre-judge people based on how they look or dress, what their family members are like, how they talk, stereotypes built by the media of particular social, economic or ethnic groups, and on many other superficial and erroneous characteristics.
There is danger in rejecting or misjudging someone because they are different from us. First of all, the Bible tells us that prejudice is a sin, one that blocks our ability to love others as God wants us to. We could even miss blessings from God, both in this world and in the eternal one, by rejecting strangers due to prejudice. People made this same mistake when they rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah and King. Because Jesus did not come in the way they expected a king to come, they erroneously judged Him as a liar and heretic, and they crucified Him.
We can also miss an opportunity to bless others, or to be blessed by them and God when we allow walls of prejudice, even subtle ones, to build. We may overlook an opportunity to help someone find Jesus. We ourselves may lose an opportunity to find Jesus more clearly or to know Him on a deeper level. Don’t put the other person, yourself, or especially God in a box that limits capabilities and impact.
These walls are made from our bricks of ignorance, insecurity, and lack of trust in God … lacking trust in His power and sovereignty. Allowing God into these areas will clean our prejudicial lenses, allowing us to see people as God truly sees them.
Today, ask God to help you identify the walls you have built around yourself and recognize how they interfere with your ability to see and engage with people the way God wants you to. Examine yourself and your heart. What are some of the wounds and fears that smudge your lenses as God brings different people into your life? You can begin removing those barriers between yourself and others. Ask Him to help you look on the inside and see people as He does. Only then can the love of Jesus flow freely through you to everyone He brings your way. WITHIN REACH will help you search yourself and your past to identify and heal those wounds and distortions. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
O Gracious God, I do want the love of Jesus to flow freely through me to every person You place in my life. Forgive me for sometimes blocking this flow when I judge others by outward appearances. I know I have wounds and distorted lenses. Give me courage to overcome my fears and insecurities. Help me see myself through Your lenses so I don’t need to look down on others to feel important in this world. Help me clear my vision so I can see each individual as You do and respond to them with Your love. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who sees all the best in me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
James 2:8-9
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Stepping Stones: Prejudice Means to “Pre-Judge”
February 28, 2012
Transformational Thought
Once when my oldest daughters were about 7 and 5, we went on our monthly Saturday morning date to McDonalds. After sitting down, a tattooed, pierced girl, heavy with make-up and funky colored hair, and wearing a McDonald’s uni and cap jumped into our booth right next to my girls. Their eyes popped out and their jaws dropped. The girl then loudly cried, “Dr. Benzio, look at me. I’m off drugs, I got a job, I’m back in school, and I broke up with that loser boyfriend you warned me about. Thank you so much for giving my life back to me!” Then she smiled at the girls and asked, “Are these yours? They are so lucky.” Needless to say, they didn’t feel lucky because they were so scared. Why? Because they pre-judged.
Prejudice can creep into our lives without our awareness of what is happening. Sometimes it's so subtle, we don't recognize it. We might choose one cashier's line over another because of race, a tattoo, clothes, or general appearance. In church or any public gathering, we may select seats next to people who "look like us." The flip side can also happen, like assuming that people with power or wealth are unapproachable by anyone not in their league. But this, too, is judgment based on prejudice, not on fact.
Prejudice shows a lack of respect for another person. You see, based on one general characteristic, you are saying you know a person without ever hearing their unique story. You are rejecting them based on that one attribute. It is lazy and disrespectful to yourself as well, but mostly it is disrespectful to God and His sovereignty. Pre-judging puts others in a box, limiting who they are … who they can become. It also puts you in a box, limiting what you are able to be, to learn, or imagine about yourself. And most importantly, pre-judging really limits God and puts Him in a box … denying His power to fully transform hearts and individuals. You are telling God you can predict the other person’s character and future … saying God has no plan for them.
People are people … no matter what their skin color, economic status, education, style, nationality or neighborhood. We all want to be loved and respected by others. We all experience painful times and good times. We all want to be understood. But because of our insecurities … our need to be important … we put others down to give the perception that we are better than we really are. Instead, we need to look to God to grow us see ourselves as equal heirs in His kingdom.
Have you ever experienced the brunt of prejudice? If so, you understand the hurt it can bring. Ask God to use that experience to teach you to lay aside all prejudice towards others and, when possible, take time getting to know the real person in front of you. Let’s ask God to teach us to look at their heart.
Today, stop and notice why you think or relate to someone the way you do. Is it because you pre-judged, or is it based on data this person actually revealed to you? One of the biggest reasons we don’t witness to others very much is our prejudicial ideas about that person. Don’t prejudge. Enjoy the experience of asking questions and getting to know someone God loves, someone He put into your life for a reason. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Help me remember that people are people. Help me not to look down on anyone … or to be intimidated by anyone. You are the great equalizer. Jesus died for every person. Every person needs forgiveness. Every person needs Jesus. In my relationships with others, help me move past the outward appearance and see the heart. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to save everyone, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart
1 Samuel 16:7
And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.” But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. “And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. “Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”
Luke 25-37
(I love this story so I put the whole passage! This is what Lighthouse Network strives to do daily)
Transformational Thought
Once when my oldest daughters were about 7 and 5, we went on our monthly Saturday morning date to McDonalds. After sitting down, a tattooed, pierced girl, heavy with make-up and funky colored hair, and wearing a McDonald’s uni and cap jumped into our booth right next to my girls. Their eyes popped out and their jaws dropped. The girl then loudly cried, “Dr. Benzio, look at me. I’m off drugs, I got a job, I’m back in school, and I broke up with that loser boyfriend you warned me about. Thank you so much for giving my life back to me!” Then she smiled at the girls and asked, “Are these yours? They are so lucky.” Needless to say, they didn’t feel lucky because they were so scared. Why? Because they pre-judged.
Prejudice can creep into our lives without our awareness of what is happening. Sometimes it's so subtle, we don't recognize it. We might choose one cashier's line over another because of race, a tattoo, clothes, or general appearance. In church or any public gathering, we may select seats next to people who "look like us." The flip side can also happen, like assuming that people with power or wealth are unapproachable by anyone not in their league. But this, too, is judgment based on prejudice, not on fact.
Prejudice shows a lack of respect for another person. You see, based on one general characteristic, you are saying you know a person without ever hearing their unique story. You are rejecting them based on that one attribute. It is lazy and disrespectful to yourself as well, but mostly it is disrespectful to God and His sovereignty. Pre-judging puts others in a box, limiting who they are … who they can become. It also puts you in a box, limiting what you are able to be, to learn, or imagine about yourself. And most importantly, pre-judging really limits God and puts Him in a box … denying His power to fully transform hearts and individuals. You are telling God you can predict the other person’s character and future … saying God has no plan for them.
People are people … no matter what their skin color, economic status, education, style, nationality or neighborhood. We all want to be loved and respected by others. We all experience painful times and good times. We all want to be understood. But because of our insecurities … our need to be important … we put others down to give the perception that we are better than we really are. Instead, we need to look to God to grow us see ourselves as equal heirs in His kingdom.
Have you ever experienced the brunt of prejudice? If so, you understand the hurt it can bring. Ask God to use that experience to teach you to lay aside all prejudice towards others and, when possible, take time getting to know the real person in front of you. Let’s ask God to teach us to look at their heart.
Today, stop and notice why you think or relate to someone the way you do. Is it because you pre-judged, or is it based on data this person actually revealed to you? One of the biggest reasons we don’t witness to others very much is our prejudicial ideas about that person. Don’t prejudge. Enjoy the experience of asking questions and getting to know someone God loves, someone He put into your life for a reason. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Help me remember that people are people. Help me not to look down on anyone … or to be intimidated by anyone. You are the great equalizer. Jesus died for every person. Every person needs forgiveness. Every person needs Jesus. In my relationships with others, help me move past the outward appearance and see the heart. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to save everyone, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart
1 Samuel 16:7
And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.” But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. “And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. “Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”
Luke 25-37
(I love this story so I put the whole passage! This is what Lighthouse Network strives to do daily)
Monday, February 27, 2012
Stepping Stones: The Dangerous Sin of Nearness
February 27, 2012
Transformational Thought
Before we make a sinful decision, a series of circumstances occurs that makes temptation harder to resist. As temptations start to build we do have the power to change situations in which fertile circumstances influence us to sin. When we choose to stick with those tempting circumstances instead of turning away, we are guilty of the sin-before-the-sin … of getting too close, the point of seemingly no return. Think of it as the sin of nearness.
The sin-before-the-sin involves the little decisions that set us up for temptation plus the fateful “final step”, which is the decision to commit the sinful act itself. If we are to overcome the strongholds in our lives that constantly pull us in the wrong direction, we have to come to a place of obedience. The dirty word is DISCIPLINE! It’s much easier to make the decision now before the pressure begins to rise. We need to do everything possible to act while we have our maximum control, instead of waiting until our control seemingly dwindles, which is when sin occurs. We all know what these occasions look like.
You know what your stronghold is … a substance, caffeine, alcohol, work, gossip, sarcasm …. If Satan has a stronghold in your heart regarding food, then be aware of how you are feeding the supply lines of that stronghold. When you decide to stop at the fast food place, walk into the kitchen, or open the refrigerator door, you make it easier to be tempted to sin. Resisting these earlier steps cuts off the supply lines and weakens Satan’s strongholds over time. That is why it gets easier each time you resist temptation.
Failing to eliminate stumbling blocks that lead to sin is a serious issue for many of us. Sexual temptation has presented itself to most of us at some time in our lives. Today's scripture advises us to run from sexual sin. When you get close to sexual temptation, the flesh lights up. With sexual sin, the longer we are in the presence of temptation the less likely we are to escape without sinning. It is so much better to avoid the sin before the sin… to run from the sin of nearness. Don’t turn on the computer in an isolated place; don’t touch yourself; move that sexual image out of your head; stop fantasizing; look away from cleavage; don’t start that conversation. Jesus warns that when you lust, you are committing adultery.
The closer we get to the fleshly sensations of the sinful act, the harder it is to resist, especially when we are feeling down, lonely, bored, sad, overwhelmed, out of control, powerless, fill-in-the-blank for the feeling that cripples your ability to run from the sin of nearness.
Today, take notice of the small decisions that lead up to the actual wrong decision. Draw a little map or timeline, so you can see the options you had that would have taken you on a different course before you made the sinful decision itself. Resist the sin of nearness to cut off the supply lines and strangle those strongholds Satan has in your life. Stay in fellowship with Jesus. Turn to Him for the strength and discernment you need. With Him, you can do all things. Life is your decision, so choose well. Edging Forward helps you cut those supply lines.
Prayer
Dear Father God, help me notice the many warnings and opportunities you give me to turn away as I walk down the path to sin. Help me recognize the stumbling blocks. Help me be a better steward of the “little” decisions that lead up to the “bigger” decisions. I can only do this through submission to Your Holy Spirit guiding me in Your wisdom and empowering my action. Especially help me to run from all temptation that leads to sexual sin. Help me to run away from this sin and toward You. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to teach me how to resist temptation, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Transformational Thought
Before we make a sinful decision, a series of circumstances occurs that makes temptation harder to resist. As temptations start to build we do have the power to change situations in which fertile circumstances influence us to sin. When we choose to stick with those tempting circumstances instead of turning away, we are guilty of the sin-before-the-sin … of getting too close, the point of seemingly no return. Think of it as the sin of nearness.
The sin-before-the-sin involves the little decisions that set us up for temptation plus the fateful “final step”, which is the decision to commit the sinful act itself. If we are to overcome the strongholds in our lives that constantly pull us in the wrong direction, we have to come to a place of obedience. The dirty word is DISCIPLINE! It’s much easier to make the decision now before the pressure begins to rise. We need to do everything possible to act while we have our maximum control, instead of waiting until our control seemingly dwindles, which is when sin occurs. We all know what these occasions look like.
You know what your stronghold is … a substance, caffeine, alcohol, work, gossip, sarcasm …. If Satan has a stronghold in your heart regarding food, then be aware of how you are feeding the supply lines of that stronghold. When you decide to stop at the fast food place, walk into the kitchen, or open the refrigerator door, you make it easier to be tempted to sin. Resisting these earlier steps cuts off the supply lines and weakens Satan’s strongholds over time. That is why it gets easier each time you resist temptation.
Failing to eliminate stumbling blocks that lead to sin is a serious issue for many of us. Sexual temptation has presented itself to most of us at some time in our lives. Today's scripture advises us to run from sexual sin. When you get close to sexual temptation, the flesh lights up. With sexual sin, the longer we are in the presence of temptation the less likely we are to escape without sinning. It is so much better to avoid the sin before the sin… to run from the sin of nearness. Don’t turn on the computer in an isolated place; don’t touch yourself; move that sexual image out of your head; stop fantasizing; look away from cleavage; don’t start that conversation. Jesus warns that when you lust, you are committing adultery.
The closer we get to the fleshly sensations of the sinful act, the harder it is to resist, especially when we are feeling down, lonely, bored, sad, overwhelmed, out of control, powerless, fill-in-the-blank for the feeling that cripples your ability to run from the sin of nearness.
Today, take notice of the small decisions that lead up to the actual wrong decision. Draw a little map or timeline, so you can see the options you had that would have taken you on a different course before you made the sinful decision itself. Resist the sin of nearness to cut off the supply lines and strangle those strongholds Satan has in your life. Stay in fellowship with Jesus. Turn to Him for the strength and discernment you need. With Him, you can do all things. Life is your decision, so choose well. Edging Forward helps you cut those supply lines.
Prayer
Dear Father God, help me notice the many warnings and opportunities you give me to turn away as I walk down the path to sin. Help me recognize the stumbling blocks. Help me be a better steward of the “little” decisions that lead up to the “bigger” decisions. I can only do this through submission to Your Holy Spirit guiding me in Your wisdom and empowering my action. Especially help me to run from all temptation that leads to sexual sin. Help me to run away from this sin and toward You. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to teach me how to resist temptation, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Stepping Stones: I Just Don’t Have What It Takes…
February 25-26, 2012
Transformational Thought
When we are dealing with a life-controlling problem … whether it is a behavior, thought pattern, or feeling … we may begin to think, "What's the use? I'll never overcome this. I've tried … and failed … again and again. I just don't have what it takes to get things right." Or “I’ve tried so many times and never get anywhere.” Or two common ones I hear when patients come into my office for a psychiatric evaluation, “You know doc, I’ve tried so many times to change, but I guess this is the way God made me and I am stuck like this,” and “This is the way I was born and there is no escaping it.”
And you know what? All these statements are true. We probably don't have what it takes. Step 1 of AA got it right: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol (insert whatever habit or pattern you struggle with)—that our lives had become unmanageable. Then follows Step 2: We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Good news! We know this Power: Jesus. The real Big Book, The Holy Bible, promises us that we can do all things … through Christ. If we are willing to commit our lives to Him, He will give us the wisdom, strength, and most of all, the courage we need to do what is right. He will guide us on the right path. And He often sends other people to help us along the way.
But growth doesn’t just happen overnight and never happens randomly. Satan has a strategy to defeat us, so in order to experience growth, we need a strategy to fight back. This is what we call the sanctification process or our spiritual journey. What strategy do you usually use? How intentional are you? How is it working?
To develop a strategy to receive this strength from Christ, we first need to admit that we need help. We need to be honest with ourselves, with Him, and with others. We need to take off our masks of self-sufficiency and get real. We must quit using our own instruction manual and start using His for all of life’s situations. Start seeing life through the Godly lenses of His Holy Bible. That’s what transformed my life, and it can certainly transform yours also.
Today, if you’re dealing with a problem that seems hopeless … take the first step. Admit you need help. Then, ask God for His plan. Ask him for strength through Christ. Admit to safe and caring people that you need help. WITHIN REACH: Disciplines for Real Life Change is a great resource giving you a concrete strategy to apply the Bible (Best Instruction Book for Living Everyday) to your daily living. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I've been trying everything I know to overcome my problem, but nothing seems to work for the long run. I need … and desire Your strength and guidance. Help me to be honest about my need for help by sharing with those You send to help me. Help me remember that I can succeed … through Christ. But I need to know how to apply that. Help me learn to apply Your word to my life, minute by minute, instead of using my own understanding. I pray this and all prayers through the One whom You sent to compensate for all my shortcomings, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8
Transformational Thought
When we are dealing with a life-controlling problem … whether it is a behavior, thought pattern, or feeling … we may begin to think, "What's the use? I'll never overcome this. I've tried … and failed … again and again. I just don't have what it takes to get things right." Or “I’ve tried so many times and never get anywhere.” Or two common ones I hear when patients come into my office for a psychiatric evaluation, “You know doc, I’ve tried so many times to change, but I guess this is the way God made me and I am stuck like this,” and “This is the way I was born and there is no escaping it.”
And you know what? All these statements are true. We probably don't have what it takes. Step 1 of AA got it right: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol (insert whatever habit or pattern you struggle with)—that our lives had become unmanageable. Then follows Step 2: We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Good news! We know this Power: Jesus. The real Big Book, The Holy Bible, promises us that we can do all things … through Christ. If we are willing to commit our lives to Him, He will give us the wisdom, strength, and most of all, the courage we need to do what is right. He will guide us on the right path. And He often sends other people to help us along the way.
But growth doesn’t just happen overnight and never happens randomly. Satan has a strategy to defeat us, so in order to experience growth, we need a strategy to fight back. This is what we call the sanctification process or our spiritual journey. What strategy do you usually use? How intentional are you? How is it working?
To develop a strategy to receive this strength from Christ, we first need to admit that we need help. We need to be honest with ourselves, with Him, and with others. We need to take off our masks of self-sufficiency and get real. We must quit using our own instruction manual and start using His for all of life’s situations. Start seeing life through the Godly lenses of His Holy Bible. That’s what transformed my life, and it can certainly transform yours also.
Today, if you’re dealing with a problem that seems hopeless … take the first step. Admit you need help. Then, ask God for His plan. Ask him for strength through Christ. Admit to safe and caring people that you need help. WITHIN REACH: Disciplines for Real Life Change is a great resource giving you a concrete strategy to apply the Bible (Best Instruction Book for Living Everyday) to your daily living. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I've been trying everything I know to overcome my problem, but nothing seems to work for the long run. I need … and desire Your strength and guidance. Help me to be honest about my need for help by sharing with those You send to help me. Help me remember that I can succeed … through Christ. But I need to know how to apply that. Help me learn to apply Your word to my life, minute by minute, instead of using my own understanding. I pray this and all prayers through the One whom You sent to compensate for all my shortcomings, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8
Friday, February 24, 2012
Stepping Stones: Time to Take Down the Walls!
February 24, 2012
Transformational Thought
The dog days of winter will hopefully be coming to an end soon. Some of you have already made summer reservations, are looking at options, or just wishing you were in the warm sun somewhere. No matter how you imagine summer, a refreshing pool is a necessity. Whether you are cooling off, exercising, playing some family games, or just relaxing, pools are great focal points for cool memories. If you went south this winter, you know exactly what I mean.
Have you ever tried to hold a large inflated toy under water? It’s really hard work. It almost can’t be done because the air-filled toy wants to forcibly rise to the surface. Unless you have pressure on all points of the inflatable, which is impossible with only two hands, the areas left unopposed will quickly push to the surface.
Unfortunately, we play this same game with our feelings, many times trying to hold them below the surface. When we stuff our feelings, it is like trying to hold an inflatable under water. Many times, we work even harder to keep our true feelings out of view. And by doing this, we build walls around our real selves and around the problems we struggle with.
We often think walls are protective, but these walls are destructive to the psychological and spiritual growth we are striving for. These self-constructed walls cause us to isolate ourselves from other people … and even from God. Walls also hide us from the truth about a problem that has a hold on us. The walls we build are called coping skills or defense mechanisms. Defenses can take many forms: rationalization, humor, blame, denial. Have you said something like "What I did isn't so bad," or "You don't understand the pressure I'm under," or “She yelled first,” or “It’s in the past, let’s move on.” Sound familiar?
We've all used defenses like these to cover the truth. Understanding where and how our feelings play into our decision-making system is usually a mystery to most of us. Because we are afraid and uneducated about our emotions, we find many ways to hide from them. But God and Jesus expressed many emotions, ranging from joy to jealousy. So our feelings, all of them, must serve a purpose and should not be pushed down.
When we hide behind defenses, we are attempting to hide the truth about ourselves and our situation … from God … other people … and even from ourselves. We are also blinding ourselves from the truth of God's Word. And yet, our only answer is in the truth … because the truth will set us free from our fears and our walls.
Today, try to identify a feeling you push down and hide from others. Ask yourself why. What do you fear happening if you exposed that feeling to others? Assess the benefits of these walls … walls that you hoped would defend you ... walls that in reality are blocking your road to freedom. It is important to recognize those walls and begin to tear them down. But remember, you can't tear them down all at once. Building them was a process, and so is tearing them down. It's done by being honest with God, with yourself, and with others (but in a Godly way). It's done by learning to trust the truth of the Bible more than your feelings. WITHIN REACH will help you understand and utilize your emotions wisely. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I realize I've been trying to hide the truth by building walls around myself. I've rationalized. I've pointed the finger at others. I've denied. But the truth is that I need Your help. Help me to be honest with You, with others … and with myself. Help me to depend on the truth of Your Word more than on my feelings. Help me to tear down the walls. I pray this and all prayers through the One You sent to help me remove my defenses, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without protection.
Proverbs 25:28
Transformational Thought
The dog days of winter will hopefully be coming to an end soon. Some of you have already made summer reservations, are looking at options, or just wishing you were in the warm sun somewhere. No matter how you imagine summer, a refreshing pool is a necessity. Whether you are cooling off, exercising, playing some family games, or just relaxing, pools are great focal points for cool memories. If you went south this winter, you know exactly what I mean.
Have you ever tried to hold a large inflated toy under water? It’s really hard work. It almost can’t be done because the air-filled toy wants to forcibly rise to the surface. Unless you have pressure on all points of the inflatable, which is impossible with only two hands, the areas left unopposed will quickly push to the surface.
Unfortunately, we play this same game with our feelings, many times trying to hold them below the surface. When we stuff our feelings, it is like trying to hold an inflatable under water. Many times, we work even harder to keep our true feelings out of view. And by doing this, we build walls around our real selves and around the problems we struggle with.
We often think walls are protective, but these walls are destructive to the psychological and spiritual growth we are striving for. These self-constructed walls cause us to isolate ourselves from other people … and even from God. Walls also hide us from the truth about a problem that has a hold on us. The walls we build are called coping skills or defense mechanisms. Defenses can take many forms: rationalization, humor, blame, denial. Have you said something like "What I did isn't so bad," or "You don't understand the pressure I'm under," or “She yelled first,” or “It’s in the past, let’s move on.” Sound familiar?
We've all used defenses like these to cover the truth. Understanding where and how our feelings play into our decision-making system is usually a mystery to most of us. Because we are afraid and uneducated about our emotions, we find many ways to hide from them. But God and Jesus expressed many emotions, ranging from joy to jealousy. So our feelings, all of them, must serve a purpose and should not be pushed down.
When we hide behind defenses, we are attempting to hide the truth about ourselves and our situation … from God … other people … and even from ourselves. We are also blinding ourselves from the truth of God's Word. And yet, our only answer is in the truth … because the truth will set us free from our fears and our walls.
Today, try to identify a feeling you push down and hide from others. Ask yourself why. What do you fear happening if you exposed that feeling to others? Assess the benefits of these walls … walls that you hoped would defend you ... walls that in reality are blocking your road to freedom. It is important to recognize those walls and begin to tear them down. But remember, you can't tear them down all at once. Building them was a process, and so is tearing them down. It's done by being honest with God, with yourself, and with others (but in a Godly way). It's done by learning to trust the truth of the Bible more than your feelings. WITHIN REACH will help you understand and utilize your emotions wisely. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I realize I've been trying to hide the truth by building walls around myself. I've rationalized. I've pointed the finger at others. I've denied. But the truth is that I need Your help. Help me to be honest with You, with others … and with myself. Help me to depend on the truth of Your Word more than on my feelings. Help me to tear down the walls. I pray this and all prayers through the One You sent to help me remove my defenses, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without protection.
Proverbs 25:28
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Stepping Stones: Do You Know Who You Are?
February 23, 2012
Transformational Thought
An amazing turning point in my life occurredwhen God woke me up to realize I spent 25 years of my life building up and hiding behind defenses. These defenses gave me an illusion that I was protected and in control, but in reality, I was just getting more endangered and farther out of control.
When we hide behind self-built defenses, we may have a sense that we are in control. We tell ourselves that we're holding our feelings in check, avoiding conflict, stepping around sticky situations. But in reality we are not in control at all. Our problems and need to avoid discomfort have been at the wheel steering the course of life. We’ve pushed away the people who really care about us and could really help us. We’ve put off growing useful skills to strategically attack adversity head-on. And we've allowed our problem, our situation, to take control. It’s the proverbial “slippery slope” to destruction.
This is exactly where Satan wants us. We buy into his lie that these defenses are self-protective. The reality is that they are actually self-destructive, both immediately and down the road. In this spiritual battle, when we try to defend ourselves from our own strength, our defenses become allies of the enemy. Only when we allow our defensive walls to crumble and really start living through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instruction of The Holy Bible, can we begin to practice true self-control … choosing and acting on the basis of who we are in Christ and relying on all the strength, guidance, and wisdom God has promised and will provide.
Most of our defenses are born from needless or exaggerated fear, from not knowing the truth about the spiritual realities of life, and not knowing the spiritual weapons at our disposal to fight our own “demons” and Satan’s evil forces.
But know that, because of and through Christ …
You are redeemed - paid for at a great price. (Ephesians 1:7)
You are forgiven - your sin as far as condemnation, has been forgotten. (Psalm 103:12)
You are strong and capable - you can do everything through Christ. (Philippians 4:13)
You are a conqueror - an overcomer. (Romans 8:37)
Today, examine your areas of stress. Do you let your circumstances or your feelings control you? Do your defenses, that is, your coping mechanisms, help you … or do they just act as knee-jerk bridges to the next stressor? Build your defenses on Biblical principles, not just to escape your stressor, but to shine and be strengthened by that very stressor. Know yourself and be seen as God sees you … the Bible makes it clear who you are as a Christian. Why, when under pressure, do you have trouble believing how God sees you? Why are you turning to worldly answers for your spiritual yearnings? Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Help me to stop hiding behind my self-built, self-destructive defenses. Help me to see myself as You do because of Christ: redeemed, forgiven, strong, capable, and an overcomer. I know I get sucked into my old way of thinking, cringe at adversity, and get complacent during good times. Help me remember always what a great price Jesus paid at the cross so that I could have this new identity. I pray this and all prayers through the One whom You sent to pay for my new identity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.
Romans 8:37
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Transformational Thought
An amazing turning point in my life occurredwhen God woke me up to realize I spent 25 years of my life building up and hiding behind defenses. These defenses gave me an illusion that I was protected and in control, but in reality, I was just getting more endangered and farther out of control.
When we hide behind self-built defenses, we may have a sense that we are in control. We tell ourselves that we're holding our feelings in check, avoiding conflict, stepping around sticky situations. But in reality we are not in control at all. Our problems and need to avoid discomfort have been at the wheel steering the course of life. We’ve pushed away the people who really care about us and could really help us. We’ve put off growing useful skills to strategically attack adversity head-on. And we've allowed our problem, our situation, to take control. It’s the proverbial “slippery slope” to destruction.
This is exactly where Satan wants us. We buy into his lie that these defenses are self-protective. The reality is that they are actually self-destructive, both immediately and down the road. In this spiritual battle, when we try to defend ourselves from our own strength, our defenses become allies of the enemy. Only when we allow our defensive walls to crumble and really start living through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instruction of The Holy Bible, can we begin to practice true self-control … choosing and acting on the basis of who we are in Christ and relying on all the strength, guidance, and wisdom God has promised and will provide.
Most of our defenses are born from needless or exaggerated fear, from not knowing the truth about the spiritual realities of life, and not knowing the spiritual weapons at our disposal to fight our own “demons” and Satan’s evil forces.
But know that, because of and through Christ …
You are redeemed - paid for at a great price. (Ephesians 1:7)
You are forgiven - your sin as far as condemnation, has been forgotten. (Psalm 103:12)
You are strong and capable - you can do everything through Christ. (Philippians 4:13)
You are a conqueror - an overcomer. (Romans 8:37)
Today, examine your areas of stress. Do you let your circumstances or your feelings control you? Do your defenses, that is, your coping mechanisms, help you … or do they just act as knee-jerk bridges to the next stressor? Build your defenses on Biblical principles, not just to escape your stressor, but to shine and be strengthened by that very stressor. Know yourself and be seen as God sees you … the Bible makes it clear who you are as a Christian. Why, when under pressure, do you have trouble believing how God sees you? Why are you turning to worldly answers for your spiritual yearnings? Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Help me to stop hiding behind my self-built, self-destructive defenses. Help me to see myself as You do because of Christ: redeemed, forgiven, strong, capable, and an overcomer. I know I get sucked into my old way of thinking, cringe at adversity, and get complacent during good times. Help me remember always what a great price Jesus paid at the cross so that I could have this new identity. I pray this and all prayers through the One whom You sent to pay for my new identity, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.
Romans 8:37
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Stepping Stones: What Does Your T-Shirt Say?
February 22, 2012
Transformational Thought
“No Fear” printed across t-shirts. Bumper stickers that question authority. Television programs encouraging disrespect and rebellion. Movies that trivialize God and make fun of Christians. More drastic indicators of rebellion … abortion, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, child abuse, and domestic violence. Sadly, these are all signs of our times.
Because of our me-centered nature, we have become so caught up in our need to be in charge, to be the all-knowing one, to protect our needs and comfort above all else, and to have our agenda be the course of events, that we have lost sight of the only real authority that is worthy of our respect and reverence. Satan certainly wants to push that me-centered mentality and we get sucked easily into his strategies and traps.
Respect, reverence, and fear have become offensive words in our society. A lack of concern or respect for each other or for anyone in authority has led to disorganization, relativism, rebellion, immorality, hatred, and even bloodshed. This lack of respect for mankind and other distorted attitudes about people and life can be traced to a lack of knowledge about God and a lack of true reverence for Him. To reverence the Lord means not only treating God and His message with awe and wonder, but also having a fear of being out of His will and not having His protection, guidance, and blessings.
What are some ways we can show our respect and reverence for God? Noah did it by persevering in obedience for 100 years building an ark, even during very difficult circumstances. The lives of Joseph and Daniel are great testimonies of reverence and respect for God when it would have been “easier” to cave in to another master. On the other hand we can be like Jonah, and run the other way, even to the point of almost killing ourselves when God has a plan for us that doesn’t quite match the one we drew up with our finite wisdom, and minimal thought and planning.
Today, begin to put God first in your life … to have regular devotional times with Him … to live your day-to-day life in a way that honors Him. In the activities of this day, today, are you respecting and honoring God’s provision, authority, and instruction for your life? Each of us can define one area of life in which we are not honoring Him. Dissect it a bit today. Why are you ignoring His instruction and going in the other direction? Make one small change in your strategy and see what happens. People who don't know Jesus often judge Him by what they see in His followers. What do they learn about Jesus from your life? What message is on your t-shirt? Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, It is my desire and goal to please You in everything I do. I know I have fallen short of this goal. Please help me to consistently live in such a way that others will sense Your love, and will honor You and want to know You. Help them see me honoring Your way and experiencing the blessings and fruit it brings me so that they yearn for You. Help me confess aloud when I do wrong to someone, so they see what Your way really is. I pray this and all prayers through your Son and my savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
Colossians 3:22-25
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Transformational Thought
“No Fear” printed across t-shirts. Bumper stickers that question authority. Television programs encouraging disrespect and rebellion. Movies that trivialize God and make fun of Christians. More drastic indicators of rebellion … abortion, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, child abuse, and domestic violence. Sadly, these are all signs of our times.
Because of our me-centered nature, we have become so caught up in our need to be in charge, to be the all-knowing one, to protect our needs and comfort above all else, and to have our agenda be the course of events, that we have lost sight of the only real authority that is worthy of our respect and reverence. Satan certainly wants to push that me-centered mentality and we get sucked easily into his strategies and traps.
Respect, reverence, and fear have become offensive words in our society. A lack of concern or respect for each other or for anyone in authority has led to disorganization, relativism, rebellion, immorality, hatred, and even bloodshed. This lack of respect for mankind and other distorted attitudes about people and life can be traced to a lack of knowledge about God and a lack of true reverence for Him. To reverence the Lord means not only treating God and His message with awe and wonder, but also having a fear of being out of His will and not having His protection, guidance, and blessings.
What are some ways we can show our respect and reverence for God? Noah did it by persevering in obedience for 100 years building an ark, even during very difficult circumstances. The lives of Joseph and Daniel are great testimonies of reverence and respect for God when it would have been “easier” to cave in to another master. On the other hand we can be like Jonah, and run the other way, even to the point of almost killing ourselves when God has a plan for us that doesn’t quite match the one we drew up with our finite wisdom, and minimal thought and planning.
Today, begin to put God first in your life … to have regular devotional times with Him … to live your day-to-day life in a way that honors Him. In the activities of this day, today, are you respecting and honoring God’s provision, authority, and instruction for your life? Each of us can define one area of life in which we are not honoring Him. Dissect it a bit today. Why are you ignoring His instruction and going in the other direction? Make one small change in your strategy and see what happens. People who don't know Jesus often judge Him by what they see in His followers. What do they learn about Jesus from your life? What message is on your t-shirt? Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, It is my desire and goal to please You in everything I do. I know I have fallen short of this goal. Please help me to consistently live in such a way that others will sense Your love, and will honor You and want to know You. Help them see me honoring Your way and experiencing the blessings and fruit it brings me so that they yearn for You. Help me confess aloud when I do wrong to someone, so they see what Your way really is. I pray this and all prayers through your Son and my savior, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
Colossians 3:22-25
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Stepping Stones: Why Are You In My Life?
February 21, 2012
Transformational Thought
Do you ever wonder about the people who come into your life? All kinds … the person in line with you at the store … an acquaintance from some social circle … a friend from school … family members you share many experiences with … a colleague at work. The number of people is amazing, even for those of us who avoid relationships, God continually brings people into our lives.
Sometimes, if you are lucky … truly blessed … you have someone enter your life who changes it forever. A special person delivering God’s, mercy, grace, and unconditional love … right to the doorstep of your heart.
Well, I am one of those lucky people. Twenty three years ago, when I was stuck at some significant crossroads in my life, God showed up when I least expected it. Today is Fat Tuesday, and on Fat Tuesday of 1989, right in the middle of New Orleans at a Mardi Gras party, I met and fell in love with the most beautiful person in the world. Love at first sight!
Wow! His gift to me was, and still is, incredibly beautiful on the outside. She still revs my engines, but that is a different devotional. But the amazing part is who she is on the inside. You see, I was running away from God, and with all apologies to my New Orleans friend, I thought Mardi Gras in New Orleans was the last place God would find me. While I was in such personal and spiritual need for God to show up, He did - through my wife, Martine. Her unconditional love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and sacrifice have been so powerful to me … freeing me from my personal demons and allowing me to see God’s majesty in her and through her.
Since then, my engagement and growth with God have been unbelievable and He has transformed my life. I wish I could say I am the perfect husband … or even a good husband, but unfortunately, that is the area where I still need the most growth. So, thank you so much, God, and thank you, Martine, so much for what you have done for me.
Today, think about those God has put in YOUR life. Are you there to influence them? Then do it. Have they been a profound influence on you? Then thank God for them and thank them … a lot. Do something special for them ASAP. God does show up and speak to us, and often it’s in the form of circumstances and the people He brings in those circumstances. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Oh God, Thank You so much for not giving up on me even though I strayed and tried life my own way. All the grace and protection You provided still astounds and humbles me. Then to bring me an incredible gift, my Martine, I am speechless. Please strengthen me and help me have the courage to resist my selfish desires and really love and serve her … for that will honor You, her, and me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who loved perfectly and fully, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."
John 20:21
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."
Mark 16:15
Transformational Thought
Do you ever wonder about the people who come into your life? All kinds … the person in line with you at the store … an acquaintance from some social circle … a friend from school … family members you share many experiences with … a colleague at work. The number of people is amazing, even for those of us who avoid relationships, God continually brings people into our lives.
Sometimes, if you are lucky … truly blessed … you have someone enter your life who changes it forever. A special person delivering God’s, mercy, grace, and unconditional love … right to the doorstep of your heart.
Well, I am one of those lucky people. Twenty three years ago, when I was stuck at some significant crossroads in my life, God showed up when I least expected it. Today is Fat Tuesday, and on Fat Tuesday of 1989, right in the middle of New Orleans at a Mardi Gras party, I met and fell in love with the most beautiful person in the world. Love at first sight!
Wow! His gift to me was, and still is, incredibly beautiful on the outside. She still revs my engines, but that is a different devotional. But the amazing part is who she is on the inside. You see, I was running away from God, and with all apologies to my New Orleans friend, I thought Mardi Gras in New Orleans was the last place God would find me. While I was in such personal and spiritual need for God to show up, He did - through my wife, Martine. Her unconditional love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and sacrifice have been so powerful to me … freeing me from my personal demons and allowing me to see God’s majesty in her and through her.
Since then, my engagement and growth with God have been unbelievable and He has transformed my life. I wish I could say I am the perfect husband … or even a good husband, but unfortunately, that is the area where I still need the most growth. So, thank you so much, God, and thank you, Martine, so much for what you have done for me.
Today, think about those God has put in YOUR life. Are you there to influence them? Then do it. Have they been a profound influence on you? Then thank God for them and thank them … a lot. Do something special for them ASAP. God does show up and speak to us, and often it’s in the form of circumstances and the people He brings in those circumstances. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Oh God, Thank You so much for not giving up on me even though I strayed and tried life my own way. All the grace and protection You provided still astounds and humbles me. Then to bring me an incredible gift, my Martine, I am speechless. Please strengthen me and help me have the courage to resist my selfish desires and really love and serve her … for that will honor You, her, and me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who loved perfectly and fully, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."
John 20:21
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."
Mark 16:15
Monday, February 20, 2012
Stepping Stones: Love One Another Through The Conflict
February 20, 2012
Editor’s Note: Today we celebrate Stepping Stones’ 3rd birthday and thanks to you, 7,200 people get Stepping Stones emailed each day. We estimate over 15-20,000 receive it each day through Facebook and the web. We get great encouragement and testimonials from you daily and we thank you so much. Please email us with your comments about how Stepping Stones impacts you or how we can improve. Let’s shoot for 10,000 by our 4th birthday, but we need your help by forwarding this to your loved ones.
Transformational Thought
Conflict, such a powerful word … it conjures up many different feelings and tapes in our head. If someone in the Stepping Stones community had a positive thought when I mentioned conflict, I will give them a copy of Edging Forward for free! But in today’s scripture, Paul exhorts believers to agree with one another, to love each other, and to work together with one mind and purpose. The attitude and action plan Paul proposes is in opposition to the message about conflict I picked up at home and the culture I grew up in.
Jesus’ last instructions, moments before he ascended to heaven, leave no doubt about what the church is to be doing: “And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
If we are to be effective witnesses as Christians, we need to work together with one mind and purpose - the mind of Christ. Our witness can be hurt … and even destroyed … if we are consumed by pride as evidenced by bickering, gossip, stinginess, and other habits that can only lead to strife and division. We need to set aside personality conflicts, social differences, cliquishness, and anything else that divides us and keeps us from accomplishing the purpose God has for us and for those to whom we minister to on His behalf.
Conflict is obviously more complex than this, but a “my kingdom come, my will be done” instead of “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done mentality” is the key ingredient that steers the process to a fleshly demise instead of a God-glorifying experience.
Many excuses allow us to cringe, fall back, and avoid working through a conflict with another person. Don’t fall into the laziness trap. We all have either an addiction to or a need for comfort in the face of difficult but important decisions. In the long run avoiding the conflict will be more harmful to you than the temporary uneasiness you’ll feel while trying to solve the conflict. Just think, all of your rewarding relationships took big steps forward when you were able to navigate a conflict with that person. The collaboration, trust, forgiveness, and identification of a shared goal were monumental rewards from that conflict.
Today, think of an area in your life in which you are experiencing division with a sister or brother in Christ. Are you putting Christ in the center? Your greatest need should be to please God and honor Him, not ease your own discomfort, guilt, or ego. Specifically acknowledge an incident or situation where you have failed in the area of relationship. Prayerfully examine how pride might be playing a role in the division. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, Please forgive me for sometimes allowing pride or other wrongful attitudes to lead to division with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to do my part to walk in unity so that we all are effective witnesses for Jesus, accomplishing what You have called us to do. Help me build courage to withstand the pain, hurt, or anger I sometimes feel in conflicts, knowing You can provide more to me in that pain than in the good times. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the perfect witness, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Philippians 2:2
Editor’s Note: Today we celebrate Stepping Stones’ 3rd birthday and thanks to you, 7,200 people get Stepping Stones emailed each day. We estimate over 15-20,000 receive it each day through Facebook and the web. We get great encouragement and testimonials from you daily and we thank you so much. Please email us with your comments about how Stepping Stones impacts you or how we can improve. Let’s shoot for 10,000 by our 4th birthday, but we need your help by forwarding this to your loved ones.
Transformational Thought
Conflict, such a powerful word … it conjures up many different feelings and tapes in our head. If someone in the Stepping Stones community had a positive thought when I mentioned conflict, I will give them a copy of Edging Forward for free! But in today’s scripture, Paul exhorts believers to agree with one another, to love each other, and to work together with one mind and purpose. The attitude and action plan Paul proposes is in opposition to the message about conflict I picked up at home and the culture I grew up in.
Jesus’ last instructions, moments before he ascended to heaven, leave no doubt about what the church is to be doing: “And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
If we are to be effective witnesses as Christians, we need to work together with one mind and purpose - the mind of Christ. Our witness can be hurt … and even destroyed … if we are consumed by pride as evidenced by bickering, gossip, stinginess, and other habits that can only lead to strife and division. We need to set aside personality conflicts, social differences, cliquishness, and anything else that divides us and keeps us from accomplishing the purpose God has for us and for those to whom we minister to on His behalf.
Conflict is obviously more complex than this, but a “my kingdom come, my will be done” instead of “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done mentality” is the key ingredient that steers the process to a fleshly demise instead of a God-glorifying experience.
Many excuses allow us to cringe, fall back, and avoid working through a conflict with another person. Don’t fall into the laziness trap. We all have either an addiction to or a need for comfort in the face of difficult but important decisions. In the long run avoiding the conflict will be more harmful to you than the temporary uneasiness you’ll feel while trying to solve the conflict. Just think, all of your rewarding relationships took big steps forward when you were able to navigate a conflict with that person. The collaboration, trust, forgiveness, and identification of a shared goal were monumental rewards from that conflict.
Today, think of an area in your life in which you are experiencing division with a sister or brother in Christ. Are you putting Christ in the center? Your greatest need should be to please God and honor Him, not ease your own discomfort, guilt, or ego. Specifically acknowledge an incident or situation where you have failed in the area of relationship. Prayerfully examine how pride might be playing a role in the division. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, Please forgive me for sometimes allowing pride or other wrongful attitudes to lead to division with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to do my part to walk in unity so that we all are effective witnesses for Jesus, accomplishing what You have called us to do. Help me build courage to withstand the pain, hurt, or anger I sometimes feel in conflicts, knowing You can provide more to me in that pain than in the good times. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the perfect witness, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Philippians 2:2
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Stepping Stones: How Selective is Your Club?
February 18-19, 2012
Transformational Thought
So many clubs exist that have very specific criteria for membership … the Italian Club … civic clubs like Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis … Masons … country clubs … labor unions … political parties. Some companies are selective, as are the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Colleges, med schools, the military … even families have criteria and selection processes for membership by marriage.
In today's world, harmony and tolerance have become goals unto themselves. Peace at any cost … All ways lead to God … Live and let live. Such "tolerant" attitudes actually lead to intolerance of anyone who claims to have the answer or truth. Religions or moral “clubs,” or groups with a certain belief seem to be treated differently. Their criteria or a selection process seems to be intolerable.
Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to God, the only way to real peace. In Isaiah 9:6 He is called the Prince of Peace. God calls us to love all people, but agreeing that other faiths can lead to God just so we can seek unity and “peace” is to deny our own faith … the teachings of God, the existence and work of Jesus, and the Holy Bible. And in doing so, we deny Jesus as our Savior. As Christians, we are not expressing Christ-like love when we accept as OK the beliefs of those who deny Christ or who live sinful lifestyles … all for the sake of unity and peace. The Bible is clear about God, Jesus, and moral issues.
The double standard for “clubs” really shows me the existence, power, and agenda of Satan, Satan wants people to believe being nice is all you need to do to be Holy, thus engaging with God by avoiding Christ. Satan wants to push the idea that we can connect with God on our own power, through our efforts. This is why we get stuck on the law and legalism, and have difficulty absorbing God’s gracious gift of forgiveness.
Today, begin expressing Jesus' love by loving people where they are, by building relationships with them and, as the Holy Spirit leads, by sharing the truths of the Gospel with them. Jesus is the only answer. Don’t let anybody guilt you into thinking Christianity is the only club with intolerant selection criteria. Show them how compassion and rigidity can co-exist.
Prayer
My Father, Help me never to deny my faith by accepting the unscriptural beliefs of others for the sake of unity and peace. Help me love others, no matter what their faith. Help me love them enough to build relationships with them. As the Holy Spirit leads, help me to share the truth of the Gospel with them … and to do so with love. Help me communicate in a manner that leads all to understand that Jesus is the only way. I pray this and all prayers through the One you sent to show us the way, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: “May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Daniel 6:25-27
Transformational Thought
So many clubs exist that have very specific criteria for membership … the Italian Club … civic clubs like Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis … Masons … country clubs … labor unions … political parties. Some companies are selective, as are the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Colleges, med schools, the military … even families have criteria and selection processes for membership by marriage.
In today's world, harmony and tolerance have become goals unto themselves. Peace at any cost … All ways lead to God … Live and let live. Such "tolerant" attitudes actually lead to intolerance of anyone who claims to have the answer or truth. Religions or moral “clubs,” or groups with a certain belief seem to be treated differently. Their criteria or a selection process seems to be intolerable.
Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to God, the only way to real peace. In Isaiah 9:6 He is called the Prince of Peace. God calls us to love all people, but agreeing that other faiths can lead to God just so we can seek unity and “peace” is to deny our own faith … the teachings of God, the existence and work of Jesus, and the Holy Bible. And in doing so, we deny Jesus as our Savior. As Christians, we are not expressing Christ-like love when we accept as OK the beliefs of those who deny Christ or who live sinful lifestyles … all for the sake of unity and peace. The Bible is clear about God, Jesus, and moral issues.
The double standard for “clubs” really shows me the existence, power, and agenda of Satan, Satan wants people to believe being nice is all you need to do to be Holy, thus engaging with God by avoiding Christ. Satan wants to push the idea that we can connect with God on our own power, through our efforts. This is why we get stuck on the law and legalism, and have difficulty absorbing God’s gracious gift of forgiveness.
Today, begin expressing Jesus' love by loving people where they are, by building relationships with them and, as the Holy Spirit leads, by sharing the truths of the Gospel with them. Jesus is the only answer. Don’t let anybody guilt you into thinking Christianity is the only club with intolerant selection criteria. Show them how compassion and rigidity can co-exist.
Prayer
My Father, Help me never to deny my faith by accepting the unscriptural beliefs of others for the sake of unity and peace. Help me love others, no matter what their faith. Help me love them enough to build relationships with them. As the Holy Spirit leads, help me to share the truth of the Gospel with them … and to do so with love. Help me communicate in a manner that leads all to understand that Jesus is the only way. I pray this and all prayers through the One you sent to show us the way, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: “May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Daniel 6:25-27
Friday, February 17, 2012
Stepping Stones: One Step at a Time…It’s a Journey
February 17, 2012
Transformational Thought
Some days are so busy, hectic … actually crazy. The world keeps on coming at me … phone calls, requests, glitches in the plan, mail, extra bills, problems, new opportunities … these never seem to slow down. In fact, as I get older, the demands on me come faster. Feelings and perspectives of being so far behind wrap their fingers around my neck easily … slowly choking me.
For some people, there are occasional days when the grip is so tight, things seem hopeless. For others, there’s an endless string of helpless or hopeless days. It’s hard to experience and visualize that these hopeless feelings or days will ever end. Some of the problem is how we measure being “behind” or “ahead.” We often get sucked into the world’s standard or metrics. We have limited control over some of the demands coming our way. So how can we actually measure progress against something we can’t control?
What we do control is how we respond to what comes our way … and that’s how we should measure progress. The answer is to measure how well your response to the demands and twists of life is rooted in being focused on God. He will bring peace, comfort and answers, and walk with you through the busyness and demands. He promises to be your guide along the journey, so measure how well you follow your guide, not how many paths you have to choose from.
Ask God to clear your thinking and remove any obstacles that may exist in your relationship with Him. Perhaps you have made some poor decisions or used bad judgment. God is there to forgive you and help you get back on track. Your past always wants to interfere with your present decisions, but it doesn’t have to. Whether or not it gets in the way is determined by how intentional you are in examining and doing something about it.
Today and every day, remind yourself that life is a journey … a series of steps. Identify 2 paths you take that cause you problems. Remember that you can create the environment for change, but God does the changing. You don’t have to keep going down the same paths that lead to trouble. And the Bible assures us that with Him, all things are possible. Let Him be your guide. WITHIN REACH helps you apply His guidance to every decision you make today. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, Thank You for being my constant guide. Help me be sensitive … and obedient … to Your guidance. Give me eyes that see and ears that hear Your leading … Your nudging … Your encouragement. Also, when I am off course and on dangerous detours, let me be open to Your will to redirect me back on track even if You need to forcibly push me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to teach me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die."
Psalm 48:14
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
Transformational Thought
Some days are so busy, hectic … actually crazy. The world keeps on coming at me … phone calls, requests, glitches in the plan, mail, extra bills, problems, new opportunities … these never seem to slow down. In fact, as I get older, the demands on me come faster. Feelings and perspectives of being so far behind wrap their fingers around my neck easily … slowly choking me.
For some people, there are occasional days when the grip is so tight, things seem hopeless. For others, there’s an endless string of helpless or hopeless days. It’s hard to experience and visualize that these hopeless feelings or days will ever end. Some of the problem is how we measure being “behind” or “ahead.” We often get sucked into the world’s standard or metrics. We have limited control over some of the demands coming our way. So how can we actually measure progress against something we can’t control?
What we do control is how we respond to what comes our way … and that’s how we should measure progress. The answer is to measure how well your response to the demands and twists of life is rooted in being focused on God. He will bring peace, comfort and answers, and walk with you through the busyness and demands. He promises to be your guide along the journey, so measure how well you follow your guide, not how many paths you have to choose from.
Ask God to clear your thinking and remove any obstacles that may exist in your relationship with Him. Perhaps you have made some poor decisions or used bad judgment. God is there to forgive you and help you get back on track. Your past always wants to interfere with your present decisions, but it doesn’t have to. Whether or not it gets in the way is determined by how intentional you are in examining and doing something about it.
Today and every day, remind yourself that life is a journey … a series of steps. Identify 2 paths you take that cause you problems. Remember that you can create the environment for change, but God does the changing. You don’t have to keep going down the same paths that lead to trouble. And the Bible assures us that with Him, all things are possible. Let Him be your guide. WITHIN REACH helps you apply His guidance to every decision you make today. Life is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, Thank You for being my constant guide. Help me be sensitive … and obedient … to Your guidance. Give me eyes that see and ears that hear Your leading … Your nudging … Your encouragement. Also, when I am off course and on dangerous detours, let me be open to Your will to redirect me back on track even if You need to forcibly push me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One You sent to teach me, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die."
Psalm 48:14
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Stepping Stones: Accomplishments and Failures…or Jesus?
February 16, 2012
Transformational Thought
We all have done things we wish we could take back. Maybe we've lived a sinful lifestyle, been selfish and unkind, made parenting mistakes, said hurtful things to a loved one, or just experienced a lot of failure in life. Maybe we still struggle with relationships, anxieties, guilt, shame, and “what ifs”. On the other hand, maybe we've lived a pretty good life and achieved a high level of success. We really like being defined by that. We like feeling good about what we've done. We are energized by the praise and admiration of others. Maybe we really love helping others.
But you know what? Our accomplishments aren't really that impressive to God. He sees our hearts. He knows that they are not always pure. Praise God that He doesn't define us by what we've done … regardless of how good or bad it’s been. He judges us by whether we accept what Christ did for us. He knows that we need Jesus. And we need to know that too.
He died on the cross so that the penalty for sin could be paid and our sins could be forgiven. And when we believe and accept the sacrifice he made for us, we are cleansed. Then God sees us as though we have never sinned! And that's our new identity … a follower of Christ, clothed in His righteousness.
You see, we know we have made mistakes, but since we’ve done a bunch of good things, and we can do more, we underestimate the big gap between us and HOLY. We can never, no matter how hard and long we try, absolutely never make up the gap between ourselves and God.
We can't do enough to earn our way … that's why we need Jesus. We are defined not by our accomplishments or failures, but by who we are in Christ. All the accomplishments in the world don't mean a thing when it comes to getting right with God and spending eternity with Him.
Today, if you are not a fully committed follower of Christ, you can make that decision right now. No matter what your past … no matter how good or bad your behavior ... you need Jesus. He loves you and is reaching out to you right now. Do you want to meet Him? Just tell Him that you know you need Him ... and that you want to follow Him. Why wouldn’t you want Jesus in your life? He is ready ... are you? Your decision, and this is THE big one, so choose well.
If you are a Christian, rejoice as you did the day you accepted Jesus in your life as your personal Savior. Send this to someone you love who needs Jesus, and follow it with a phone call to discuss this blessing. Then decide to make Him the Lord of your life as well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, I believe that Your Son died for my sins. Please forgive me for all my past. I'm ready for a change. I want to follow You ... and do life Your way. I know that I cannot undo my past through my own accomplishments. Thanks for sending Your Son to pay the ultimate price, to pay my penalty for me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who died so that I may have eternity with the only God, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Romans 3:23-24
Transformational Thought
We all have done things we wish we could take back. Maybe we've lived a sinful lifestyle, been selfish and unkind, made parenting mistakes, said hurtful things to a loved one, or just experienced a lot of failure in life. Maybe we still struggle with relationships, anxieties, guilt, shame, and “what ifs”. On the other hand, maybe we've lived a pretty good life and achieved a high level of success. We really like being defined by that. We like feeling good about what we've done. We are energized by the praise and admiration of others. Maybe we really love helping others.
But you know what? Our accomplishments aren't really that impressive to God. He sees our hearts. He knows that they are not always pure. Praise God that He doesn't define us by what we've done … regardless of how good or bad it’s been. He judges us by whether we accept what Christ did for us. He knows that we need Jesus. And we need to know that too.
He died on the cross so that the penalty for sin could be paid and our sins could be forgiven. And when we believe and accept the sacrifice he made for us, we are cleansed. Then God sees us as though we have never sinned! And that's our new identity … a follower of Christ, clothed in His righteousness.
You see, we know we have made mistakes, but since we’ve done a bunch of good things, and we can do more, we underestimate the big gap between us and HOLY. We can never, no matter how hard and long we try, absolutely never make up the gap between ourselves and God.
We can't do enough to earn our way … that's why we need Jesus. We are defined not by our accomplishments or failures, but by who we are in Christ. All the accomplishments in the world don't mean a thing when it comes to getting right with God and spending eternity with Him.
Today, if you are not a fully committed follower of Christ, you can make that decision right now. No matter what your past … no matter how good or bad your behavior ... you need Jesus. He loves you and is reaching out to you right now. Do you want to meet Him? Just tell Him that you know you need Him ... and that you want to follow Him. Why wouldn’t you want Jesus in your life? He is ready ... are you? Your decision, and this is THE big one, so choose well.
If you are a Christian, rejoice as you did the day you accepted Jesus in your life as your personal Savior. Send this to someone you love who needs Jesus, and follow it with a phone call to discuss this blessing. Then decide to make Him the Lord of your life as well.
Prayer
My Father and my Lord, I believe that Your Son died for my sins. Please forgive me for all my past. I'm ready for a change. I want to follow You ... and do life Your way. I know that I cannot undo my past through my own accomplishments. Thanks for sending Your Son to pay the ultimate price, to pay my penalty for me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who died so that I may have eternity with the only God, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Romans 3:23-24
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Stepping Stones: Forgiveness: The Reason and the Responsibility
February 15, 2012
Transformational Thought
We hear the following phrase a lot, but often in the wrong context or delivered from an impure heart: Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free - John 8:32. Forgiveness requires that we face the truth: the truth of Christ's forgiveness; the truth of our own need for forgiveness; the truth that if we are ever to be free we must receive Christ's forgiveness, and forgive those who have hurt us.
You see, in order to experience true freedom, we must forgive those who have caused us harm or disappointment … even when that means forgiving ourselves. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve … because of Christ Jesus. When we turn to Him, He freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.
How can we do less? Forgiven by the Lord, we have the power, the reason, and the responsibility to forgive others. Forgiveness is not a feeling we need to muster up, it is an actual choice we make. When you realize it is a choice, then you must consider, “what are my options?” So let’s take a look.
Door #1: You don’t forgive. You remain aloof and detached, or bitter, resentful, angry, and vengeful. A terrible side effect is that people still have power over you. That’s because you need to extract some payment or amends from them … an apology, their suffering or an experience of pain, a sacrifice, or penance. And they can withhold it as long as they want and play you like a puppet.
Door #2: You do forgive. It becomes easier to let go of the bitterness, revenge, and entitlement. You experience freedom from the past. You have an opportunity to grow something better with them. Or you can totally disconnect from them because now you don’t need anything to make the “transaction” complete. You have relieved them of their debt, so they can’t “withhold” anything from you to string you along. Now you are letting God be their judge. And He is much better at determining their consequences and doling it out to them.
Sometimes it is hard to let go. In fact, when we have been deeply hurt, it may not be possible to forgive … on our own, that is. But it is important to remember that we don't have to do it alone. Through the power of Christ, God has forgiven us. When we truly and humbly accept that, we have the perspective and power to forgive anyone else for any transgression against us. That’s real freedom! Your decision, so choose well. WITHIN REACH helps you overcome your obstacles to forgiving others.
Today, examine your heart. Identify relationships where there is uneasiness, anger, bitterness, resentment, revenge, sarcasm, or irritation. You probably have to make a decision about forgiveness. If you are struggling to forgive, ask God to help you. He loves you. He cares and He is able. Look at your other option. It is more painful to withhold forgiveness than it is to forgive.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I've kept these feelings of resentment and unforgiveness buried much too long. Help me to face the truth … and then to forgive myself and others. I now realize that forgiveness isn’t about others feeling good. It is for me to feel better and be right with You! Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Help me to show the same to others, even those who have hurt me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who paid for my forgiveness, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
Transformational Thought
We hear the following phrase a lot, but often in the wrong context or delivered from an impure heart: Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free - John 8:32. Forgiveness requires that we face the truth: the truth of Christ's forgiveness; the truth of our own need for forgiveness; the truth that if we are ever to be free we must receive Christ's forgiveness, and forgive those who have hurt us.
You see, in order to experience true freedom, we must forgive those who have caused us harm or disappointment … even when that means forgiving ourselves. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve … because of Christ Jesus. When we turn to Him, He freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.
How can we do less? Forgiven by the Lord, we have the power, the reason, and the responsibility to forgive others. Forgiveness is not a feeling we need to muster up, it is an actual choice we make. When you realize it is a choice, then you must consider, “what are my options?” So let’s take a look.
Door #1: You don’t forgive. You remain aloof and detached, or bitter, resentful, angry, and vengeful. A terrible side effect is that people still have power over you. That’s because you need to extract some payment or amends from them … an apology, their suffering or an experience of pain, a sacrifice, or penance. And they can withhold it as long as they want and play you like a puppet.
Door #2: You do forgive. It becomes easier to let go of the bitterness, revenge, and entitlement. You experience freedom from the past. You have an opportunity to grow something better with them. Or you can totally disconnect from them because now you don’t need anything to make the “transaction” complete. You have relieved them of their debt, so they can’t “withhold” anything from you to string you along. Now you are letting God be their judge. And He is much better at determining their consequences and doling it out to them.
Sometimes it is hard to let go. In fact, when we have been deeply hurt, it may not be possible to forgive … on our own, that is. But it is important to remember that we don't have to do it alone. Through the power of Christ, God has forgiven us. When we truly and humbly accept that, we have the perspective and power to forgive anyone else for any transgression against us. That’s real freedom! Your decision, so choose well. WITHIN REACH helps you overcome your obstacles to forgiving others.
Today, examine your heart. Identify relationships where there is uneasiness, anger, bitterness, resentment, revenge, sarcasm, or irritation. You probably have to make a decision about forgiveness. If you are struggling to forgive, ask God to help you. He loves you. He cares and He is able. Look at your other option. It is more painful to withhold forgiveness than it is to forgive.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I've kept these feelings of resentment and unforgiveness buried much too long. Help me to face the truth … and then to forgive myself and others. I now realize that forgiveness isn’t about others feeling good. It is for me to feel better and be right with You! Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Help me to show the same to others, even those who have hurt me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who paid for my forgiveness, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
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