God has got it under control

“It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”            Romans 14:11-13
 
God is God. He has everything under control. So we can trust him to deal justly with us and with everyone else. Therefore we need only worry about living a life for which we can proudly account.
 
Reflection:
1.      Am I showing Christ-like love to those that see things differently than me?

2.      Is there anything that I am doing that could cause someone to stumble or develop an incorrect image of Christ?
3.      Am I playing God by passing judgment on people?
 
Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen

Action + Belief = Faith
Put your belief that God is in charge into action today by allowing Him to correct those you think are wrong and by being open to Him correcting you where you might be wrong.

Toddler Tendencies – that often continue into adulthood.

I witnessed an amazing story while waiting to pick up my kids from school. This little kid was trying to break free from his mom with all his little might. I watched as he wrestled free from her grip and took off running as fast as he could toward what he thought was complete freedom. Actually he was heading toward a busy road, so his mom pursued him relentlessly. At times the child seemed to think it was a game and at times he clearly resented her continued and constant presence. With one last final dash the boy got closer to the street than the mother was comfortable with so she snatched him up with more force than he preferred. The mom carried the boy kicking and screaming to the center of the park and placed him safely on the ground where he could continue to play. 

 
As I watched I whispered a belated thank you to God and apologized for not being more appreciative at the time.

 

March 17 – Daily Donut

Above All Else

“He (Jesus) must become greater; I (John) must become less. The one who comes from above is above all the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.” John 3:30-31

John the Baptist understood God loved him. He knew he was a child of the King and his confidence in his position enabled him to serve the Savior by living a life designed to point others to Jesus.

Reflection:
1. Are you living like you realize the ultimate head guy, the one above all others, the greatest there ever was, is or will be, is on your side? You are a child of the King!

Prayer:
O God our Father, who didst send forth thy Son to be King of kings and Prince of Peace: Grant that all the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdom of Christ, and learn of him the way of peace. Send forth among all people the spirit of good will and reconciliation. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. – From The Book of Worship

Action + Belief = Faith Initiate one act of random kindness to point another toward Jesus by selflessly serving another person today. Then share with us what you did

March 16

A Spirit of Unity

 
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, So that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”                         Romans 15:5-6

 
Be encouraged to continue working together, for through your unity God will be glorified. God empowers supernatural teamwork! Live in that reality.

 
Reflection:

1.      Have I been selfish?
2.      Am I harboring any hard feelings toward someone?
3.      Who could use some extra encouragement today?

 
Prayer:

Father, forgive your family for feuding so frequently. Give me a generous spirit toward my brothers and sisters and enable me to have a Christ-like attitude. Your Son came to serve not to be served. He redefined true leadership. Help me to live like Jesus so that others might see Him in me. In the holy and matchless name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

 

Action + Belief = Faith

Ø      Find a way to encourage someone today – anonymously!
 

  

Future Priorities

(This post is really a comment to the on going dialog on www.davidherndon.wordpress.com check it out)

 
Sorry to wade into the stream of conversation so late, but I have been fighting the flood myself of late. This thought is admittedly only partially thought through, but let me float it past you anyway. (This paragraph was purely for Patrick’s enjoyment)
 
Couldn’t agree more with David’s observation about the need to coordinate lifestyle choices with changing values. As our stage in life changes so does what we value and thus so should the choices of how we invest our time. But if we have now passed through enough stages to observe that life changes, might we also be wise to consider that it will continue to change. Certainly that logic might lead one to invest even more heavily in the moment. Ie the kids will grow up so fast – therefore I MUST spend all the time with them that I possibly can.

 
It will likely be impossible for most of you to grasp this concept, but file it away and ponder it again in about a dozen years. Our kids are going to and should grow up and leave. They should have lives that are separate from us. Does making them the center of our universe prepare them appropriately to enter the world? Or following that logic, does investing all our time and attention within the walls of our home, prepare us to re-enter community when the kids are gone? To what degree should we invest in the future? It might not be our prime priority right now, but in the next stage of life it might? I see this most often in a mother whose whole world is the kids and as the kids grow up and move on the mothers struggle to let them go and have a hard time discovering who they are without the kids. They have failed to cultivate relationships they now need. They have neglected developing the interest that could now save them. They have no hobbies. They have not friends. They have no community.  

 
I would like to ponder this some more, but I can feel the tidal wave building and I don’t won’t to get caught in another flood, so I had best move on.

March 7, 2006

Leaning on the Lord

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds” Psalm 73:26-28

I have a friend who’s body is betraying him, another whose marriage is failing and another who right now feels like his church has let him down. Hang in there! God will empower you to press through.

Reflection:

1. Am I taking the time to remember that God is with me?

2. Am I trusting God to sustain me?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, fill me with your presence. Give me strength to meet today’s challenges. Allow my life today to give testimony to your greatness. May my conduct and my attitude witness to your love. Help me represent you well today through the power of Jesus, in whose righteousness I come before you and in whose name I pray, Amen.

Action + Belief = Faith

When the opportunity presents itself today, don’t complain. Rather use the opportunity to convey that you are relying on God to give you the strength to not just survive, but thrive!

March 3 2006

“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be Still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:37-39

Swamped, Overwhelmed, Over loaded, Barely staying afloat, Nervous, Scared, Tired. Having a hard time keeping their head above water.

Sound familiar? They asked Jesus to help and He did!

Reflection:

1. Is my “storm” more than Jesus can handle?

2. Am I looking at the “waves” in my day and feeling like Jesus doesn’t care?

3. Have I asked Jesus to calm my “storm”?

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, forgive my lack faith. Forgive my tendency to think my problems are larger than You. I do have a lot to get done today, more than it seems like I can do. At times the pressure seems more than this boat can bare. Save me. Reveal Yourself to me so I can know You are near. Turn my attention to You and Your solutions. Show me the way You would have me go during this day. In my weakness reveal Your glory. In the name of your Son, Jesus, whom you sent to calm the storm and save us I pray. Amen!

Action + Belief = Faith

Relax and do your job. Worry wastes time and demonstrates a lack of faith. Do your best and trust God!

March 2, 2006

Great expectations for Lent!

Lent is a 40 day season of preparing to encounter our risen Lord.

“The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all. ‘I baptize you with water, but one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire’.” Luke 3:16-17

As you prepare for another important day, remember THE most IMPORTANT person has already come and is here to help you in your task!

Reflection:

1. Am I expectantly awaiting an encounter with Christ?

2. Am I preparing myself to be in His presence?

3. If I believed Jesus was coming next week what would I be doing now?

Prayer:

Lord, come! Create in me an eager excitement to be in your presence. Allow me to sense your nearness, and empower me to reflect you to the world, which gathers around me. May my life bring glory to the name of your Son, Jesus in whose name I pray. Amen

Action + Belief = Faith

> Christ is in the area! LOOK for Him today.

> Christ is in you! REVEAL Him today.

ONE WAY

I am and apparently have been having some serious problems with my email. Apparently I can send but I can’t receive. I hope this is not true of my life as well.

There was this talented young man on a retreat I recently worked who clearly had unbelievable leadership skills. He had a passion for God that was inspiring and a commitment to his faith that was incredible. He apparently had a good deal of biblical information in his head and his heart seemed to be almost constantly in an uncontrollably display of passion.

All that stuff seems good, even godly. But something just struck me wrong. Something was off and it bothered me. It bothered me more than I thought it should and I couldn’t figure out why it affected me so much.

Now I know, he couldn’t receive. He was unteachable because he thought he knew everything already and the reason it bothered me was because it confronted me with my own inability to be taught. Early on as a teacher and speaker I found it difficult not to be critical or even judgmental towards others who were trying to teach me. I thought I had out grown that, but I discovered now I just don’t listen. I have been trained so much and been exposed to so much that I don’t even take the time to see or hear the lessons that are exploding around me all the time.

This weekend I discovered the profound theological truth that Jesus loves me. WOW! That is amazing!

Waiting to receive.