1 Tim 4:16 7/26/2016

1 Tim 4:16 "¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

How much time do you spend thinking about what you believe, and how you live it out?

First Timothy says it matters.  And not just for you, but for your family, friends, and anyone who's watching.  It is dangerous to let the urgent push out the important, and evaluating what you believe and how you walk is important.

Are you deliberate?   Do you have a plan?   Is it written down?  How often is it evaluated?
My guess is we spend more time researching big purchases then we do our theology.

We would never run a team, or a business without a mission statement,  but we tend to live life one escape after another, going from one crisis to the next, just trying to survive until the weekend. The tyranny of the urgent robs us of real progress, and suddenly it's New Years Eve and we realize we haven't moved forward.

 Like Peter -  when God has called us to walk on water - our shortsightedness causes us to be distracted by a wave...and the inevitable result is we sink.

Let's make a change.  Write down some goals and a plan.  You can start small but write it down. Then the first of every month spend some time praying, evaluating, tweaking,  and recommitting to your goals.  If you're really serious, involve a friend and hold each other accountable.

Whatever you do, commit to it.  Stop treading water, and start making progress, and that starts with examining what you believe - and what you're doing about it.  It will impact your life, and the lives God has placed around you.

"We are called to live this way and it will impact others for the Kingdom of God. Now that it's all over, what did you really do yesterday that's worth mentioning?"
 ~Coleman Cox

Matthew 6:34 7/19/2016

Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"

For some reason when there is trouble we all either become historians or prophets. Invariably when something goes wrong we say "it has always been this way" or " it's never going to change".

Neither statement is true, and in this verse, Jesus says we should live in the present.

Doesn't it make sense to simply deal with the problem at hand instead of magnifying it with some imaginary prediction, of exaggerated observation? Each day has enough to do ... we don't need to worry about the past, or the future.

Fight the battle at hand. Rest, relax and fight again tomorrow.

As players in a football game your job is to run the next play. The coach will deal with the scoreboard and strategy. When the play is sent in, you run it to the best of your ability. When it's over you forget it, re-huddle and get ready to give your best effort on the next play. Any other attitude will disrupt you concentration and reduce your performance. The same applies to your spiritual life.

There is a peace and positiveness that comes from faith and contentment. It is produced from the knowledge that your Heavenly Father has been where you are going, and He will provide you with strength as you need it. This will give you the ability to rejoice in your position as a child of God, and not let imaginary future or past events wash over you with negativity.

So "run to the battle" mindful of what it takes to perform the play that has been called. Don't complain, don't second guess, focus on today. Tomorrow will worry about it's self.

"You can't make it tough enough for me to complain" Keith Chancey

Mark 5:30-32 7/12/2016

Mark 5:^{30  "}At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” ³¹ “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” ³² But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it"

Are you part of the curious crowd around Jesus, or did you come here to be healed? 

To actually access the power of Christ you must reach out.  It is a deliberate act,  born of the awareness that you are sick, and He can heal you.  As Jesus pressed through the curious onlookers and paparazzi of the day, someone desperate for change, reached out and  grazed his cloak, and something happened.

Immediately He asks "who touched my clothes?"...  then He ignores His disciples since they clearly didn't understand the question.

Hanging around Jesus, bumping into Jesus, being curious about Jesus, is very different than reaching out in your uncleanness, and hoping to touch His garments because you know it will change you.

One woman in a crowd of hundreds was there to do business with God.  She was painfully aware that the span between His righteousness and her sin was so wide that even approaching Him seemed presumptuous. So she grazed his garment with her hand ... the smallest act of faith, and everything changed.

God Himself stopped in His tracks ...and commended her belief.

So again, are you curious or are you hear to be changed?

Have you realized your need and come to the only place you know you can be healed?
The smallest act of faith born from the realization that you need redemption is all it takes.  Your tiny belief will get God's attention, and that is all you need.

She touched His garment .. He did the rest.

Evaluate why you approach God. Don't come to be in the audience.  But dare to reach out and in faith and touch the hem of His garment ... and like this woman , you too can be changed.


“I have a great need for Christ: I have a great Christ for my need.”
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Proverbs 26:17 7/5/2016

Proverbs 26:17  "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears."

Have we completely forgotten how to mind our own business?

This verse says it is a sign of  foolishness to rush into other peoples issues. It is a foolishness born from pride. Apparently sticking a keyboard and a monitor in front of someone, suddenly makes them an expert in every topic known to man.

Some kid gets away from his mom for twenty seconds at the zoo and we all become parenting experts..

A family mistakenly tries to help a baby buffalo -  and suddenly we are all Jack Hana.

Some lady gets rich for laughing with a Chewbacca mask on, and we pummel her like Simon Cowell

 ... and the list goes on and on.

Is that necessary?...We take a slanted "snip-it" of a news story and suddenly think we have all the answers, and the world needs to hear it.

Have we become so arrogant that we cannot hold our tongues?  We have no empathy and no desire to acquire any. And every topic needs our input .. We vent our opinions and defend our position without a hint of decorum or politeness.

The greatest commandment of all contains the phrase  "love your neighbor as yourself".  Perhaps we should re-focus. Maybe empathy and compassion have become endangered species.  It's time to re-introduce manners and common kindness.

Let's start this week by being quick to listen, and slow to speak, and even slower to type...and let's reevaluate the virtue of minding our own business.

"Never miss a good chance to shut up.”
- Will Rogers

Hebrews 10:25 6/28/2016

Hebrews 10:25   "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Apparently people have been "sleeping in" for 2000 years.

Approximately 70% of Americans claim to be Christians, yet only about 20% show up for church. God says we need to go.  We need to be encouraged, and encourage others, especially as the world spirals farther, and farther away from His truth.

Up front, let me address two standard excuses for not attending:
First -  There are no perfect churches. In fact if you find one don't join it, because you will mess it up.
Secondly -   I too, can find God while fishing, hiking and being in nature.
But neither of these are reasons not to get involved with a local body of believers.
"Let us encourage one another"...It's not just about you ...it is at least equally about your fellow members.

This verse is not pushing attendance, it's pushing involvement.   As I have mentioned before, some churches are like a football game - 50,000 people in need of exercise watching 22 people in need of rest -   Don't just observe  ... get on the field.  Work in the nursery, greet people, help with Sunday School ... contribute.

If Sunday morning is impossible,  commit to Sunday night, or Wednesday, or a weekday bible study ... but find a way to plug in, and meet together with your church consistently.

This verse says not to "neglect" it.  Make it a discipline in your life, and your family's life. If God says it's important, it should not be optional.  When you join a team, you show up for meetings.

How much good would it do if you just lifted weights Christmas and Easter?   The same applies to church.  If you just go to church this Sunday it may not change much ... but if you go every Sunday the rest of this year,  you will see a definite difference in your spiritual physique.

Sometimes it's hard to know the right thing to do ... sometimes its just hard to do it.

"Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man."
Dwight L. Moody

1 Peter 1:14-15 Romans 12: 2 Rev 4:8 6/21/2016

1 Peter 1:14-15   "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior"

You have to choose a team.

Teams wear uniforms ... yours is Holiness.  It means "set apart" and it confirms you as a follower of Christ.

Holiness is a symptom of your salvation.  If you tell me you have the measles I would expect to see red splotches on your skin.  The splotches don't make you sick, they just show that you are.  It's the same with holiness.  It identifies us as a people "set apart" on a different team.

We cannot afford to conform anymore to the things we did in ignorance, because we now have a higher purpose.

The realization of what God has done for you should change the way you think.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

So if Holiness starts with  the renewal of your mind, what are you allowing to influence your thoughts?.... Music, internet, movies, conversations... does what you allow renew your mind, or pollute it?

Just like getting in shape physically - spiritual health is all about inputs and activities.

Can you live perfectly?... not yet ... that will come when Christ returns.  Until then strive for holiness, and cling to the grace that covers your failures.

This week, focus on renewal.  Remove the things that make you ineffective, and increase the things that focus your mind on Christ.  As Christ is holy...we must strive to be holy.

If we believe what we say we believe, how can we do anything less?

 “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty...!”
-  Seraphims around the Throne (Rev 4:8)

2 Thessalonians 3:16 John 14:27 6/14/2016

2 Thessalonians 3:16 - "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way..."

Would you describe your life as peaceful?

"Panicked", might be a better description for most of us.  Between our hectic schedules, political questions, tragic news stories, and constant social media saturation  - we hardly have a chance at anything remotely resembling peace.   We move from one crises to the next, constantly shaking our heads in disbelief at the world in which we live.

Yet this verse describes God as the Lord of Peace. It also says He can provide it constantly for us.  How did we miss that?  How can we need something so badly, have it offered to us freely, and yet somehow we don't have it?

Can you imagine a more dramatic change in your life than the arrival of perfect peace?

You don't have to imagine it, Jesus says it can be yours:  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

The word peace occurs in the bible over 400 times.  God wants you to know it is available.  And while the world can only offer distractions,  Jesus offers true, permanent peace.

What if this week you made a commitment to turn your mind toward God every time you felt anxious?   God wants you to relax....He's got this.  The key is focus.  Don't let your heart be troubled or afraid, instead set your gaze steadfastly on the Lord.

Peace is a choice...No matter what you face today, God is not pacing the floor...He is still on the Thrown, and His love for you is unfathomable ... Focus ... be steadfast ... Trust God to do what He said He would do.

Peace changes everything, and Your Father paid a enormous price for you to have it.

"A quiet mind cureth all."
Robert Burton

2 Timothy 3:16 John 15:16 Heb 4:12 6/7/2016

2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness",

What do you use for training in your life?  What do you use for a playbook?

The problem is, if you don't have an objective, you don't need a playbook or a plan on how to get there.

Unfortunately for many of us, each weekday consist of one escape after another....just hoping to make it to Friday. Much like a quarterback in the huddle saying let's just snap the ball and see what happens, this seldom results in  progress.

This verse says your bible is your playbook, with an objective and a plan.  Not just a relic to sit by your bed, but a tool that, like a great coach, has the ability,  to teach, rebuke, correct, and train. Think about that.  What if instead of being firmly planted in mid air...you had a solid foundation and direction.

That is how you were created to live.  With purpose.  God picked you for a specific reason ...."You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit..."  (John 15:16)   What an honor to be chosen by the King and given work to further His Kingdom.  

Scripture is God, actively speaking to you ... and to ignore it, is to rob your life of power and direction. Start giving the bible the authority it deserves. It is a book of commands, not suggestions, and it flows from the very mouth of God ..."For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.." (Heb 4:12). 

Live life on purpose.  Immerse yourself in the Word of God, and let the teaching and direction of scripture make you an effective ambassador for Christ.  You will not accidentally stumble into being a great man of God.  You need a game plan ... and God "breathed" one so you would know the way.  Put it to use.

“The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there.”
― Vince Lombardi 

Ephesians 4:15 5/31/2016

 " Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."

Great instructions on how to become the body of Christ,  unless you start using only parts of the verse. When not used in it's entirety, this verse can offer us license, and provide cover for our agendas.  Partial adherence can lead to either speaking the truth with no love, or not speaking the truth and using love as an excuse.

Typically there are three camps:

1. Those who can't wait to point out their brothers mistakes.  This group will ignore the love requirement and are more than willing to "speak the truth"  and claim this verse as license to judge

2. Those whose only goal is popularity and peace for themselves... When there is a truth that their brother needs to hear, they abdicate that responsibility in the name of  "only speaking love".

3. Those who love their friends enough to tell them the truth.

In reality.....If you don't love your friend more than your friendship - then you really don't have either one.  You have to care so much about another person that offending them is preferable to not helping them.

If the people around you don't know your weaknesses...if they can't provide accountability.  If they never challenge you, or sharpen you -  then those people are acquaintances not friends.

If there is a person around you who loves you enough to tell you the truth even when you don't want to hear it. If they encourage you, and push you to be your best.  Then that person is a friend and is exceedingly rare and incredibly valuable.

Real Friendship is not for sissy's...you have to be willing to speak and hear the truth...neither of which is easy.

The best way to find a good friend -  is to be one. This week, talk about stuff that matters with those you love. Try a little transparency and depth....Most important, don't let either requirement in this verse slip through the cracks. ..."Speak the Truth...and speak it in Love."

"Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer."
Jean de La Fontaine

1 Corinthians 6:11 5/24/2016

^"11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

This verse flies in the face of today's social mantra. Some of the sins referred to are considered permanent conditions today. Our culture's response to difficult temptation is to simply lower the bar, label the condition, and make the sin acceptable.

God, however, is in the business of changing people.

The early church was a collection of immoral sinners. The list included adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards, and more.  But this verse states that those sins did not describe them any longer.

The verse does not say "that is what you ARE", it says
"that is what you WERE"... Past tense ... Changed by the blood of Christ.

That is the Gospel. That is the good news.  No matter what you were, no matter what you've done, regardless of what the world thinks of your past... it does not define you.  You have been washed by the Spirit of God.  Your acceptance of the sacrifice Christ made, means you stand spotless before the Throne, and the only label you bear is "Child of The King".

The enemy would have you surrender, and accept that you are controlled by sin...and maybe you were. But not now... The Cross has set you free and literally changed your identity.

That is the essence of amazing grace.  That your sins are as far from you,  as the east is from the west. You are a new creation, no longer a slave to sin.  That is not who you are anymore.

Live in victory, and cherish the freedom that Christ's blood purchased for you. By God's amazing grace you have been set free...Intentionally live in that grace, and offer it to everyone you meet.

"Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see."

- John Newton