Friday, May 29, 2015

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL


Philippians 4:7 (ESV) 7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

For the past few nights I have been very restless at night with a lot of tossing and turning. My wife mentioned to me the other day - "It looks like you had a fight with the covers."  She was right and I think the covers won.

I've been doing a lot of soul searching and praying over the past few months - seeking God for clear answers about specific situations.

Well, last night was different - I slept the whole night through, waking up in the same position that I started the night before.

The first thought that came to my mind as I awoke this morning was "It Is Well With My Soul."

I then began to sing that song over and over in my heart as I was preparing to get out of bed.

The back story for this hymn is absolutely amazing. According to Wikipedia, this hymn was written after traumatic events in the life of Haratio Spafford.

The first was the 1871 Great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago which was extensively damaged by the great fire).  His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873 at which time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre.

In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire.

While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died.  His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone..."

Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.

The Spaffords later had three more children.  On February 11, 1880, their son, Horatio Spafford, died at the age of four, of scarlet fever.  Their daughters were Bertha Hedges Spafford (born March 24, 1878) and Grace Spafford (born January 18, 1881).

Their Presbyterian church regarded their tragedy as divine punishment. In response, the Spaffords formed their own Messianic ministry, called "The Overcomers."  In 1881, the Spaffords, including baby Bertha and newborn Grace, set said for Ottoman-Turkish Palestine.  The Spaffords settled in Jerusalem and helped found a group called The American Colony."

Colony members, later joined by Swedish Christians engaged in philanthropic work among the people of Jerusalem regardless of their religious affiliation and without proselytizing motives - thereby gaining the trust of the local Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities.

During and immediately after World War 1, The American Colony played a critical role in supporting these communities through great suffering and deprivations by running soup kitchens, hospitals, orphanages and other charitable ventures.

So the question begs today - Is it well with your soul?

Please watch this video and let the Lord fill your heart with His great peace today.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL - 

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=It+Is+Well+with+My+Soul+Hillsong&FORM=RESTAB#view=detail&mid=544EF42A6C7576948FCF544EF42A6C7576948FCF

Thursday, May 28, 2015

THE FOUNDATIONS OF LIFE


Psalm 111:10 (NLT) 10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

I looked up on the internet about fear yesterday and was amazed at the dozens and dozens of different types of fears that people have: Fear of heights, fear of the dark, fear of crowds, fear of clowns, etc.  I even saw one called “the fear of flowers.” The names that attach themselves to these fears are very long and hard to pronounce.

I’m not normally a fearful person but there are some things that I get your attention very fast.  I will never forget the time that I was building a fence around my house to keep my children safe from passing cars.  I got so concentrated on building the fence that I didn’t keep an eye on my older daughter.  Unbeknownst to me she wandered out in the street and a car almost hit her.  I was shaken to my core.

The other day I was driving with my wife when all of a sudden she screamed “Bill, watch out!”  I had looked to the side of the road and didn’t notice the truck that had hit his brakes in front of me.  I hit the brakes so hard that I slid off to the side of the road beside the truck. To say that my heart rate went up would be an understatement.

The word “fear” is an interesting word because it could be a healthy fear or it could be an unhealthy fear.  It is to have more respect for whatever is before us.

The Psalmist talks about “the fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom.”  Think about that – it is foundational to all my beliefs in life.  It affects how I live my life – with integrity, honesty, holiness, etc.  It affects my work ethic and how I love the unloveables in life.

My awe/ fear/ reverence of God dictates what I watch on television and how I live a life “above reproach.”  It transcends every part of my personal life here on earth.

Look at these verses and see if it gives you a better understanding about this foundational principle:

Proverbs 1:7 (NLT) 7 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 8:13 (NLT) 13 All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.


Proverbs 14:27 (NLT) 27 Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.


Psalm 34:9 (NLT) 9 Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.


Your foundation is so important because the rest of the house is built upon this principle.  If  the “fear of God” is your foundation it will help you to make better decisions for the entirety of your life.

My prayer is that each of us would examine whether our fear and awe and respect of God is the core of our belief systems or not.  It is the difference between living a life of fulness and success in God to living a life filled with emptiness and void.  Ask yourself about what foundations your life rests on.  Are you resting in the fear of God or are you resting in your own wisdom and might?

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

FULL OF IT - THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT IS!


Psalm 127:1 (NLT) 1 Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.

I’ve been in some sort of ministry my whole life.  I grew up in a pastor’s home and for 43 years it has also been my full time vocation.  I’ve seen it all – good, bad and ugly.

I’ve been a Janitor, Youth Pastor, Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Pastor and a Senior Pastor.

I watched ministries come and go and I’ve watched leaders rise to unbelievable pinnacles only to fall on their own sword.

I’ve seen ministry workers build upon their own personalities and talent only to see it all burn away when life is difficult and hard.

On the other hand – I’ve seen people with no real talent of speaking or singing who are filled with the Holy Spirit’s  anointing - touching and ministering to people’s lives.

It begs the question of all of us – “Who and what fills your life?”  Are you lead by your personality and talent and good looks or are you led by the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?

To be honest…I spent far too many years laboring in vain, trying to build the Lord's house. Trying to build the Lord's church. I used every gimmick that came down the pike, and there's a lot of them. 

There are people that are cranking out programs every day, sending them out to churches. You can buy all kinds of programs: church growth programs, and financial programs. 

We get letters all the time of some new program that they've devised for church growth or whatever. 

I’ve done all of that to no avail.  I was laboring in vein.  I was spinning my wheels.  It was just a futile effort.

There comes a day when all that we do will be burned with fire to do determine their real worth.

Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭12-15‬ NLT)

Unless God keeps our house. Unless the Lord build our house, you know, you're just worrying in vain. You can't do anything. We've got to just trust the Lord. We must be filled with God and with the Holy Spirit.  I can’t trust my own abilities or talents but must wholly lean totally upon God.

I am hungry for more of God – for more of His Holy Spirit.  I want to empty myself of myself and see more of God in me. I want to be full of Him and totally trusting in Him. I am ready to be used of God to touch a dying world.  How about you? Are you full of it today? 

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE


Psalm 138:8 (NLT) 8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life--for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.

Have you ever wondered if God really has your situation under control?  I know I have – many times. 

I have been praying some very big and specific prayers lately for myself, my family and the church that I serve.  And yes, I tend to worry sometimes. I’m so glad that God is patient with me and continues to remind me that He’s “got this.”

This passage of scripture is not for everyone but it is for those who have experienced God’s mercy and have placed their lives in God’s hands.

“The LORD will work out his plans for my life…”  The God who created the universe is my case manager.  I’ve got the very best person working on my situation.  

The Bible states that He is the “author and finisher of my faith.”  It also says “that he who began a good work in you shall continue to do so until the day of Jesus Christ.”

We never arrive at a place in life where we are given full control of our lives.  God never says, “take it from here – it’s yours now.”

The fact that we are dependent on Him distinguishes us from the people of the  world.  We are fully dependent on Him for all our needs – always.

I must always trust Him because “He is able.”  He knows my life better than anyone else.  In fact, He is the designer and creator. He’s the master planner.   The Bible He will work out HIS plans for my life.

The last part of this verse states, “Don’t abandon me for you made me.”  Wow. I am HIS creation.  He has already wired me with my personality and body shape.  He has gifted me and I am now to be His vessel in blessing other people.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ESV)

My life now should be the expression of His design.  I am His  “workmanship” His “Poema” I am His poem.

God is still writing the lines of my life and He’s not done with me (or you) yet.  The best is yet to come.

I pray that everyone reading these words today will be reminded of this fact – “God loves you and God has a plan for your life and it is good.” (Jeremiah 29:9)  Trust Him with every detail and season that He is going to bring you through and bring great blessing to your life.

Monday, May 25, 2015

THE STORMS OF LIFE


Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV) 23  And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25  And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26  And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27  And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

The last few weeks in the High Desert has been like the middle of winter all over again.  High winds and cold temps. My motivation to work in my yard has been very low.

Storms happen in life.  In fact, they can arise quickly and turn a beautiful day upside down.

Have you ever been through a life storm?

The doctor calls. The divorce papers arrive. A policeman shows up to your door. Your teenager calls and asks you if the car insurance covers the other guy’s car.

This is where Jesus’ disciples found themselves one night. The wind began to whip the waves into a storm.

These men are seasoned fisherman and are used to rough seas.  But this storm was more than they could bear. They were afraid. On top of that…Jesus is sleeping in the boat while the storm was going on.

The disciples had a fear and they needed peace.  Jesus speaks and says, “Why are you afraid, ye of little faith.”

Everyone of us deals with anxiety and worry and storms.. Someone said, “I have so many troubles that if anything happens to me today it will be two weeks before I can get around to worrying about it.” Someone else said, “Worrying about the past is like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube.”

We worry about everything - Health/ family time/ children/ jobs/ money/ aging/ marriage, etc.

It is interesting… I read about fog the other day…  A dense fog - covering 7 city blocks, 100 feet deep, contains less than one full glass of water.

The truth is this: Worry is much like fog…  there’s not as much in as we thought.

Worry causes our perspective to be clouded, it causes difficulty in maneuvering the roads of life, it slows us down to get where we really want to go in life.

Doctors tell us that worry affects our Health... High Blood Pressure/ Heart Disease/ Headaches/ Makes us Nauseous/ Gives us Insomnia/ Lack of Energy.

Worry strains our relationships.  They say that financial stress is the #1 marriage killer. It disrupts our productivity.  It destroys careers, etc.

Proverbs 12:25 - "An anxious heart weighs a man down." (NLT)

1 Pet 5:7  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. (NLT)

Anxiety is a direct attack from Satan.  It paralyzes us from being effective Christians.

A recent study found out…
40% of worries are about things that never happen
30% are about past things or things that cannot be change
22% were over petty, needless things
Only 8% were legitimate concerns.

I’ve come to give you good news this morning – Whatever it is that has you stressed this morning hasn’t surprised and knocked God off His throne!

I love this story from the book of Matthew.  (Actually it is in all the gospels). It is a great example about how we respond to situations and circumstances in our lives and how God seems them.

The good news today is that despite the stress factors we face in our lives  - God has a plan to help us face those stressful times with a peace that passes all understanding!

1. DON’T WORRY – Jesus Is In Your Boat – Vs. 23

Matthew 8:23 (ESV) 23  And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.

This is important - notice that Jesus was in the boat with the disciples. Here’s a truth for all of us…  when Jesus in your boat it doesn’t matter what comes your way!

For the disciples… this is the best place for them to be right now. Not because they are in a storm. Not because it is a terrible storm. Not because their lives are at stake. BUT BECAUSE OF WHO IS IN THE BOAT!

Look what God’s Word declares…

1 John 4:4 (ESV) 4  Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Psalm 46:1 (ESV) 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Jesus was in their boat!

Just because Jesus was in their boat – it didn’t exempt them from the storms. Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have problems or have things to worry about.

Psalm 34:19 (ESV) 19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

But on the other hand - Just because Jesus was in their boat – it didn’t exclude them from His intervention.

In the same way Jesus’ presence didn’t exempt them from troubles neither did it exclude them from His intervention.

This is important for you to hear…Jesus is ready and willing to deliver you – to set you free – to come to your aid in the storm that you face today!

Psalm 37:25 (ESV) 25  I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

2. DON’T WORRY – Storms Are Normal – Vs. 24-25

Matthew 8:24-25 (ESV) 24  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25  And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”

So here they are  - out in the boat. They are out on the lake and this terrible storm comes up. The waves are crashing into the boat and they are fearful for their lives.

Yet as I stated before, storms out on the lake are common occurrences.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV) 12  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

3. DON’T WORRY – Jesus Has All Authority – Vs. 26

Matthew 8:26 (ESV) 26  And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

In this storm… Jesus arises from his nap and speaks. He then rebukes the wind and waves and suddenly things calm down.

God’s got this.  He’s in charge.  He has authority to deal with any storm you are facing today.

You’ve got authority to.  God has empowered you and He has commissioned you – therefore you should be overcoming!

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬ ESV)

Go to God with whatever storm you might be facing today. Trust God to see you through.  Put your worries in His hands and begin to give thanks with praise and thanksgiving to our creator who has all power and authority and God will come through for you.

Friday, May 22, 2015

BUILDING A LIFE OF CHARACTER


2 Samuel 22:26 (NLT) 26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.

Last week I journaled on integrity (Living A Life Of Integrity) and got a lot of positive responses.  Please indulge me as I continue to speak to this subject as it is something still gnawing on my heart.

Joseph, in the Bible is a perfect example of character.

There are 4 things we can learn from the life of Joseph:

1. Integrity
2. Forgiving spirit
3. Total trust in God
4. Faithful to God’s promise

Integrity

The clearest example of Joseph’s ability to maintain a highest degree of integrity was when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Gen 39:6-20).

Consider Joseph’s situation: bought as a slave by Potiphar, evaluated to the top of the household, seduced by the master’s wife, not once, twice but continuously, lesser characters would have succumbed, rather went to jail than to betray his master and his integrity. Note his response to Potiphar’s wife: “how can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 

He considered if he succumbed to the temptation of his mistress, he would betray not only his master but also God.

The second example of Joseph’s integrity is - He told good news and bad news: in jail, he told the good news to the cupbearer and the bad news to the baker (Gen 40:1-19). He relayed what he received from God and passed on as is. He did not put any spin on the message. 

Forgiving spirit

This is probably the most obvious of Joseph’s virtue.

He forgave his brothers. He looked back and understood his brothers’ crime to sell him into slavery was in fact part of God’s plan to save lives (Gen 45:4-8a). 

This is the secret of Joseph’s ability to forgive. He looked back and he understood that God allowed him to be sold into slavery was because he had a plan for him – a plan for him to rescue Israel’s household from famine. 

When he looked back, he understood God allowed the injustice for him to be wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife was because he had a plan for him – a plan to allow him to meet with the cupbearer in prison. 

When he looked back, he understood why God allowed the cupbearer to forget about him and left him in prison when the cupbearer was restored to his former position, it was because God had a plan for him – a plan for the cupbearer to finally introduce him to Pharaoh. 

In prison or in slavery, he did not bear any grudge against those who had wronged him because he knew these injustices and misfortunes can only happen under the will of God, he may not understand right now but he will understand one day.

Over a decade ago there was an attempt on the life of Pope John Paul. Fortunately, the Pope lived. After he recovered, he shocked the world when he made a visit to Rome’s Rabbibia Prison to see the man who had attempted to assassinate him on Christmas day. 

Millions watched on television as the Pope visited with Mehmet Ali Agca, who only two years before had tried to assassinate him. The Pope and terrorist huddled in Agca’s cell for 20 minutes, talking in low voices that could not be heard. When he emerged John Paul explained, "I spoke to a brother whom I have pardoned."

Through this incident Pope John Paul clearly demonstrated the spirit of Christian forgiveness. 

Joseph’s forgiveness extended to outside the family, we do not hear Joseph pay back Potiphar’s wife, or Potiphar, or the cupbearer for forgetting him in prison. The argument from silence may not be convincing but it is consistent with Joseph’s character.

Total trust in God

There are many ups and downs in his life. 

Joseph  was brought up as a favored son of his father, because of that he was envied by his brothers and sold into slavery.

He is then bought into household of Potiphar, tempted by his mistress and as a consequence thrown into prison.

In prison, he was evaluated to a position of responsibility in prison, he interpreted the dream of the cupbearer (and the baker), but forgotten and left behind in the dungeon.

Lesser person would have complained and given up. Joseph continued to put his faith and trust in God.

Faithful to God’s promise

We often only celebrate Joseph’s achievements and success without realizing they are only transient and temporary.

Josephs’s first big test is over the temptation with Potiphar’s wife.  

Second comes when he was evaluated to be the prime minister of Egypt (Gen 41:44-45). 

Pharaoh gave name a new name, a new identity. Sapnat-Paneah can mean: “hiding discoverer” (Josephus) or “the god has said: he will live” or “the man he knows”, all with a strong religious overture. 

Then Pharaoh gave him a wife from the priestly family (he did not ask for that and not up to him to refuse).

 It would be very easy for Joseph to be totally assimilated to the Egyptian upper class society and forget the faith of his fathers. 

We have every reason to believe that Joseph maintained his faith and witness throughout his long tenure as the PM of Egypt. 

Indeed, according to the Jewish legend, Joseph not only maintained his faith, he even converted his wife Asenath from idolatry to true faith to worship the God of Israel.

When the author of Hebrews in the NT commended the heroes of faith in the Old Testament, when he came to Joseph, he did not praise him for his achievements, nor his ability to discern dream, nor his administrative skills, not even his ability to forgive his brothers. 

In the entire life of Joseph, the single incident that he singled out is the last act of Joseph, his instruction to the sons of Israel that they should bring his bones out of Egypt and the prophesy that God will bring His people out of Egypt.

It is very easy when we become successful in our career, when we move up the social ladder, when we get recognition, we lose sight of our calling, we lose sight that  our permanent citizenship belongs to the kingdom of God.

At the end, the greatest success of Joseph is not so much his secular achievements, impressive as they are, but his single-mindedness to follow, to trust and to obey God, no matter what consequences and under what situation. 

Joseph has been an inspiration me of Building A Life Of Character and I pray and trust through studying his life story that he  also may  be an inspiration to you. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

REFLECTIONS OF TIMES PAST


Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. (‭Psalms‬ ‭5‬:‭1-3‬ NKJV)

I grew up in the “Hippy Era” as a teenager “free love”, “flower power”, “peace”, etc.  It was an interesting time as young people were rebelling against society and tradition and wanted every thing to be “groovy.” (I’m almost embarrassed to admit all of this but it is the reality of my upbringing.)

Out of this era spawned another great revival that came into many of the churches during this time. Young people by the thousands were realizing that there was still an emptiness in their lives as they were needing spiritual direction. 

Not all churches received them but many (like the one I attended) embraced these precious young people with open arms.  

During that season we saw hundreds of young people come to the Lord and eventually many found their way into ministry all across the United States. Recently I sat down and counted how many people came out of that ministry and were serving Jesus and the number I came up with was 79.  They became pastors, youth leaders, worship leaders, missionaries, etc.

I will never forget being at church on a Wednesday night when about 100 young people just walked in and sat in the service.  They were part of a cult and realized that something was missing.  One of the young men said that his grandmother went to church so they all decided to go to where his grandmother went (our  church).  My dad and mom opened their arms to these young people and a great revival broke out touching hundreds of young people.

During this time Calvary Chapel was exploding on the youth and music scene.  Maranatha Music was making inroads to this cultural uprising and having huge impacts.  They had tent meetings where thousands of young people were flocking to and receiving Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

There was this singer who was name “Big Bill” (I believe his name was Bill Sprouse, Jr.) who I really enjoyed listening to.  We was a really BIG DUDE (very overweight) with long black curly hair.

One night I went to one of the Calvary Chapel  meetings and we were told that Bill had died in his sleep that past week.  But here’s the cool part of this story. Before he died, he woke up in the middle of the night not feeling well but Psalm 5 was on his heart (our above scripture).  There was a tape recorder by his bed.  He picked it up sang Psalm 5 into it and then died.  

After he died, someone pushed play on the recorder and heard this song that he sang.  They played it to their friends and it became a hit across the Christian music scene over the next few years.  (Look it up on You Tube – Psalm 5 – Give Ear To My Words/ Maranatha Music).  It became one of my all time favorite worship songs.

So, as I reflect and reminince this morning I am so thankful that God “listens” to us when we pray and meditate.  I am so glad that He still hears us in the morning and that He is always with us.  I’ve had a good life and am so blessed with all that God has done for me over the years and how He has used me.  

How about you?

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

ROADBLOCKS TO ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS


For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. (‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ NKJV)

People tell me often that they have or had a dream for something big in life.  If they are young - it is something that is still in the future.  If they are old, the look back with a sigh, realizing that their dream has yet to come.

The fact is that more people will look back on their life and wish they had done more with their life than they did.

I heard someone once say something like, “If you’re not careful, your “hope to do’s” will become your “wish I had’s.” 

I have many of those areas in my life. I want the next phase of my life to be different.



Here are seven reasons you may not be achieving your dreams: (Ron Edmundson)



1- You have no dreams—You may have some, but you’ve never recorded them. You never set some tangible goals that get you closer to your dreams. Only then can you analyze them and organize them into reachable and attainable dreams.



2- You have no plan—A dream without a plan is just a dream. A dream with a plan is an avenue to success. You can’t “work the plan” if you never wrote one.



3- You need accountability—We were designed for relationships. Sometimes knowing someone is going to hold you accountable is enough incentive to follow through. Give a few people the freedom to challenge you to work the plan.



4- You are afraid to share the load—If you are trying alone for fear of sharing your dream, you’ll also have no one with whom you can really share the victory. Sharing the load builds synergy, makes a stronger effort and keeps your ego from sidelining your progress.



5- You’ve given up—You may have had a setback and now you’re afraid to try again. Successful dreamers are willing to get up after a fall, knowing they will be stronger and better equipped the next time.



6- You aren’t willing to take a risk—Fear can sometimes be a powerful motivator, but most of the time it’s one of our biggest stumbling blocks. Some of the best moments of your life are hidden in your fears. Risk-taking and dreaming go hand-in-hand. If the dream requires no risk, it isn’t much of a dream.


7- You never got started—Every road to success begins with one step. If you don’t start, you’ll certainly never finish. What step do you need to take?



Are any of these your reason for not achieving your dreams? What would you add to this list?



Monday, May 18, 2015

LIVING A LIFE OF INTEGRITY


But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. (‭Psalms‬ ‭26‬:‭11‬ NKJV)‬‬‬

There has been something gnawing at me over the past few weeks and it is about the word integrity.  

But it goes deeper than that.  This is not just a word that you look up in a dictionary to get a nice definition but it’s a word that is lived out in a lifestyle of consistent living.  It’s about living  a life “above reproach” that can be examined and scrutinized if called upon.

Integrity could be about our words whether they are true or not.  It could be about our promises whether they are kept or not.  It’s about keeping your word and doing what is expected of you.

Early on in ministry I began to learn the importance of this word and the affect it had on people.  I might not be a “10” in all categories of talent but I must be a “10” when it comes to living a life of integrity.  I cannot compromise in this whatsoever.

Becoming a person of integrity means: "Deciding to integrate my heart’s value into my daily actions" ~ John Maxwell

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. (‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭25‬ NKJV)

Jesus is telling us that what I say and what I do testify as to who I am. 

A person of integrity is validated by their words and their deeds. If we are pure in heart we can be pure in action. Integrity is making my daily actions line up with my heart’s values.

BENEFITS OF INTEGRITY

1.    Integrity Will Preserve Me

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. (‭Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭21‬ NKJV)

Mark Twain said: “Speaking honestly is better. It takes a lot of stress out of our lives. If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything, but if you don’t tell the truth you have to remember what you said.”

2.    Integrity Brings Protection

When I have integrity I have protection. I have less fear and less stress because I do not have to look over my shoulder all of the time.

He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬ NKJV)

I can be confident that what I do is right and that it will prosper (though it may not prosper financially at times, it can prosper in other ways!) 

If you walk with integrity you do not have to worry about having a shaky foundation for what you do, it provides a firm foundation.

3.    Integrity Provides Guidance

Integrity provides me with guidance. It helps me make better decisions.

The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭3‬ NKJV)

In a society without moral absolutes anything goes. When people can choose what is right and wrong without having a standard, how do you decide which way to go? Eventually you will get caught in your duplicity. It will come back to bite you. If you live in integrity then your decisions are easier to make – your integrity guides you.

4.    Integrity Provides Me With Hope

Is not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope? (‭Job‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ NKJV)

Hope for what? Hope that some day when I stand before God I will not be ashamed of how I lived and what He will say to me. Hope that I will be commended and not rebuked for my lifestyle and the testimony that I had while alive.

I must elevate myself to model integrity

SO how do we do it? How can we become people of integrity? What can I do or change in my life so that I can experience the benefits of integrity and the blessing of God?

HOW DO WE BECOME PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY?

1.    Ask God To Test My Heart


Have any of you ever had an EKG? What is the purpose of it? It is to determine the health of the heart. To help find potential problems and to help diagnose future problems. It is a test of the condition of the heart.

This physical testing of the heart is what God needs to do to us in a spiritual sense. He needs to come in and find out the condition of our heart and fix it before major problems take over!

 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. (‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭17‬ NIV)

You see, God is pleased with integrity and examines the heart to see if a person is full of integrity or full of baloney! 

What you believe in your heart will determine how you act when placed in a tempting situation.

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. (‭Psalms‬ ‭26‬:‭2‬ NKJV)

So, how does God show us what is questionable and also what is characteristic of integrity. One way is through the Bible. That is why the next point is so vital.

2.    Study To Know What Is True

Throughout the Bible you will find the words: honesty, purity, truth, upright and complete all translated from the same words meaning integrity – they are all synonymous.

If, therefore, we are going to live lives of integrity we must know what integrity looks like. That comes from spending time in the Bible with God.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (‭II Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ NKJV)

If we take the time to read and study the Bible and apply the truths that we read to our lives, then we can live lives of integrity. Why? Because the Bible is the only standard for living that is true and unchanging. 

Living the Christian life without studying the Bible is like trying to fix a car without reading the instructions… it just doesn’t work. Period.

3.    Apply God’s Word To Your Daily Activities

GOD, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list? “Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. (‭Psalm‬ ‭15‬:‭1-2‬ MSG)

Walking in integrity means integrating all of what God’s Word says into our daily activities. It means that I become a doer of the word. 

4.    Remain Faithful In Spite Of Circumstances

Have you ever gone through one of those times in your life where it feels like your whole world is caving in? It seems like you will not be able to handle another day of calamity! “If one more thing goes wrong I’m gonna lose it!”

I have a word for you today – don’t ever give up. Don’t ever, ever, ever, give up. Do whatever you can to remain faithful.

Job was a man who went through an awful lot but remained faithful.

Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.” (‭Job‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ NLT)

His character was good. The fact that he kept his character in tack in spite of the best efforts of Satan made him a man of integrity.

Think about this: He lost his home, his kids, his wealth, and his health.

But he never gave up on God. If you feel like you are about ready to give up on God, take time today to pray and ask God to renew your strength. Find a friend, a brother or sister from church, and ask them to pray with you.

Remain faithful to God… he remains faithful to you.

5.    Refuse To Be Persuaded By Others

They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? (‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬ NIV)

Job had 3 friends that that were not the kind of friends you want to have. They kept trying to convince Job that he had sinned against God and needed to get right with God. Job knew better.

And, if they aren’t enough, even Job’s wife gets in on the act and tells Job:

His wife said to him,Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (‭Job‬ ‭2‬:‭9-10‬ NIV)

We must never let others dictate what we do. They must never come between us and what is right; what is full of integrity. To become a person of integrity I must do what is right and refuse to be persuaded by others.

Notice what David says in the Psalms about integrity:

I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; (‭Psalm‬ ‭101‬:‭2‬ ESV)

If it doesn’t work at home, it doesn’t work. It means making sure that what we say and what we do – no matter what the circumstances – line up with each other. It means making our actions line up with our heart and making sure our heart is in tune with God.

May God speak to all our hearts today as we examine ourselves closely as to whether we are walking in integrity or not.

Monday, May 11, 2015

BUILDING A LIFE OF FAITH


Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) 6  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 

Romans 10:17 (ESV) 17  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV) 6  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

What does it take to please God?  What would you say?  Doing rituals. Reading your Bible more. Pray more. Light some candles. Have a “to do” and “don’t do” list for God. Be more religious.

But God isn’t interested in any of that.  He’s interested in a relationship with you. The Bible says that it is impossible to please God unless you have one thing… FAITH.

Jude 1:20 (ESV) 20  But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

So… What is faith anyway?  Faith is like a multi-faceted diamond.  There are many different aspects to faith.  

Today…  I want us to look at six different aspects of faith, of how to live the kind of life that pleases God.

If you want to look at faith, you have to go to the Bible and the book of Hebrews, chapter 11.  

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is God's Hall of Fame -- actually God's Hall of Faith.  It's the list of all the great men and women in the Bible who God says, "These people, they done good!"  They had faith.  They did it right.  They were men and women of faith.”

Let's look at six aspects of how do you build a great life by learning to live by faith.

1.  Faith Is BELIEVING When I Don't SEE It.  

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) 1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 

Faith is visualizing the future in the present, it's seeing it in advance, it's being certain of what we do not see.  

How many of you have ever said… “I’ll believe it when I see it?” And God says, "No, you've got it all backwards.  Some things you have to believe it, in order to see it."  Whether you're an architect planning a building, or whether you're an artist creating a sculpture, or whether you're an Olympic athlete trying to break a world's record, or whether you're a scientist trying to send a man to the moon, you have to believe it before you can see it.  

All of those things require faith.  You have to believe it's possible in advance, long before it will ever be possible.  That's what the Bible says faith is -- believing when I don't see it.

Faith turns dreams into reality.  It is believing before I see it.  But it's far more than that.

2.  Faith Is OBEYING When I Don't UNDERSTAND It.  

God gives us a couple exhibits.  Exhibit A is a man named Noah. Just think of the doubts that Noah might have had.  

Can you imagine if God came to you one day and said, "I'm going to wipe out the whole world and start over with you."  How many of you would have doubts about this plan?

Hebrews 11:7 (ESV) 7  By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.  

Faith, the Bible says, is obeying when I don't understand it.  It didn't make sense.  Noah had all kinds of questions and doubts because it had never happened before.  

The Bible says that, before the flood, it had never rained.  The earth was watered by a mist that came up from the ground like dew in the morning, condensation. It was a different kind of atmosphere.  That may have been one of the reasons that people lived longer in those days -- of course they didn't have food additives then either. 

 But the atmosphere evidently changed.  It had never rained.  

When God said, "Noah, I want you to build this big boat because it's going to flood."  Noah said, "What's a flood?"  God said, "It's when you get a lot of rain."  And Noah said, "What's rain?" " God says… It’s Like when I take a lake and pour it down from the sky on you." 

Would you believe that, if you'd never seen it?  But Noah, because he had faith, obeyed even though it didn't make sense.  

Exhibit B is about a guy named Abraham.  

Hebrews 11:8 (ESV) 8  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 

Here's Abraham, 75 years old and he lived in a place in modern day Iraq that is called Ur of the Chaldees. 

Just about the time he's ready to do social security, hang it up, retire, God says, "Oh, no.  I don't want you to hang it up and retire.  I want you to get it down, dust it off.  You're getting ready to go on the adventure of your life at age 75.  You're getting ready for social insecurity.  I'm going to take you and turn you into the father of a brand new nation, so we're going to go to a new country."

I'm sure Abraham had all of his doubts and all kinds of questions.  He said, "Where are we going?"  God said, "You never heard of this place."  Abraham said, "How long is it going to take to get there."  God said, "Don't worry!"  Abraham said, "How will I know when I'm there?"  God said, "I'll tell you."  

Would you do it?  But because Abraham obeyed when he didn't understand it, he became the father of a nation called Israel. 

3.  Faith Is GIVING When I Don't HAVE It.  

Giving and faith go together.  God uses finances to test our faith.  Have you ever had to decide between tithing and paying a bill?  This is a test!  God's saying, "Who are you going to trust?  My promises to take care of you if you put Me first or yourself?"  

In Hebrews 11, this Hall of Fame, the first guy who gets listed is a man named Abel.  

Abel gets listed not because he did something great.  He didn't.  He had no great accomplishment.  No great achievement to his name.  The only thing he did was he gave an offering.  And God put him in the Hall of Fame.  Why?  It wasn't how much he gave, it wasn't what he gave, it was how he gave.

Hebrews 11:4 (ESV) 4  By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 

He said it wasn't what he gave that pleased God but how he gave it.  It wasn't the amount, but the attitude.  

God doesn't care about the amount.  He cares about the attitude by which you give.  

You need to understand that there are two ways to give.  You can give by faith or you can give by fear.  You can give by reason or you can give by revelation.  One of these ways you don't get any credit for.  The other way pleases God.  

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV) 6  … whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 

Faith is giving when I don't have it.  But it's even more than that.

4.  Faith Is PERSISTING When I Don't FEEL Like It.

That's the opposite of our culture.  Our culture says, "Do everything based on your feelings."  If it feels good, do it.  If it doesn't feel good, don't do it.  Do whatever feels good.  Live by your emotions.”

As a result, we end up being manipulated by our moods.  Mature people live by their commitments, not their emotions.  

Emotions come and go.  Sometimes we just have to persist in what we’re doing.When we step out for God – Satan gets mad and tries to throw things in our midst.  He loves to hassle God’s kids.

We have to just keep being persistent.  Keep doing the right thing, even when you don't feel like it.  

I don't always feel like being nice to people.  Do you? Sometimes I want to be selfish, grumpy, & grouchy.  And… I want everybody to serve me.  Sometimes I don't feel like serving my wife or thinking of her needs. Sometimes I don't feel like speaking to you on Sunday.  This may shock you, but sometimes, even as a pastor, I don't feel like reading the Bible.  Sometimes I don't feel like praying.  I've discovered that when I don't feel like it, that's usually when I need to pray and read the Bible the most.  

In fact, I've discovered if the only time I pray and read the Bible is when I feel like it, the devil makes sure I never feel like it.  

So I have to keep on doing it, persisting in spite of how I feel.  That is the secret of success.  Successful people are simply ordinary people who do what the average person doesn't feel like doing.  

How do you develop persistence?  

Hebrews 11:27 (ESV) 27  By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 

You know the story of Moses.  He led an entire nation that had been in slavery for four hundred years out across the wilderness, through the Red Sea, out on to the Sinai Peninsula and they traveled around in circles for forty years, waiting for God to get the people ready to go into the Promised Land.  

A forty-year wait is a long time to wait in a desert.   How many know how true that is?

How do you be that persistent?  The Bible tells us -- the last phrase.  It says, Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible."

The key is, Keep your eyes on God.  That's what Moses did.  When you keep your eyes on God, it keeps you persistent.  

Some of you today are at the quitting point.  You might feel like you're ready to give up on your marriage.  

Or perhaps you're ready to give up on school, because it just seems too hard.  Perhaps you're ready to give up on that career, or that dream, or that hope of ever getting married, -- or that hope of ever getting out of your marriage! -- or whatever.  Some of you feel like your health situation is hopeless, "I'm never going to get any better."  Some of you think your finances are hopeless, "I'm never going to get out of debt!" 

And you feel like giving up.  And God brought you here this morning so He could say this to you, "Hang in there!  Don't give up.  Keep believing when you don't see it, obeying when you don't understand it, giving, when you don't have it, and keep persisting when you don't feel like it."  

Keep your eyes on God. If you look at your problem you're going to be overwhelmed.  If you look at the world you'll be distressed, if you look within you'll be depressed, if you look at God, you'll be at rest.  It's all what you have your eyes on.  

5.  Faith Is THANKING God Before I RECEIVE It.

A good example of this is the story of Joshua.  Hebrews 11:30 (ESV) 30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 

After Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt from Pharaoh, into the Promised Land, they went to take over the country and the capital was Jericho.  It was the most fortified city in the world.  There was no chance a bunch of ex-slaves were going to take it over.  It was considered impenetrable.  But the people of God marched around the city parameter -- the walls of it -- for seven days.  

First in silence, then later thanking God in praise.  The whole time they were thanking God in advance that God had already delivered the city in to their hands.  

On the seventh day, after thanking God in advance in faith, the walls came tumbling down.  

It's thanking God in advance.  

6.  Faith Is TRUSTING If I Don't GET It.

Some people try to make God like a vending machine that God automatically will give you anything you want, but that's not true.  

So God is not some kind of vending machine where you put in a prayer and you automatically get everything you want.  

Some people today teach the idea that if you have enough faith you'll always be well, you'll never have any problems, you'll never be sick, everything will be going great.  

Baloney!  It's not in the Bible.  The Bible doesn't teach that.  

God's more interested in your character than He is in your comfort.  God's more interested in making you holy than He is in making you happy.  

The Bible says that faith is trusting if I don't get it.  

Here's the truth:  God hears and answers every prayer you pray.  And… He doesn't answer always the way you want Him to.  

In fact, sometimes when you pray, God says, “Yes.”  And sometimes when you pray, God says,” No.”  

And sometimes when you pray, God says, not yet.  And sometimes God says, "I've got a better idea.  I've got something different.  I know you're going to like this better."  

Hebrews 11:39-40 (ESV) 39  And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40  since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 

Living by faith does not exempt you from problems. 

Sometimes we pray for God to remove a problem and instead He keeps the problem there and gives you the strength to go through it.  And you end up being stronger.  

If He took all the problems out of your way, you'd be a brat!  Spoiled!  You'd be weak.  

But God wants you to have character and strength and maturity so He lets you go through some problems instead of removing them and He gives you the ability to handle it.  

Anybody can trust God when things are going great.  

Anybody can give when they've got extra money.  

Anybody could persist when they see the deadline is only a couple inches away.  

Anybody can believe when it's right there in front of them.  

But real faith is built in the valleys of life.  Sometimes its trusting God when I don't get it.

Which of these aspects do you need to work on?  How much faith do you have?  How do you rate your faith?  If you're going to be pleasing to God, you need to work on these.  Which one do you need to work on?

Do you need to work on believing when you don't see it?  
Do you need to work on obeying when you don't understand it?  
Do you need to work on giving when you don't have it?  
Or persisting when you don't feel like it?  

Some of you may need to work on thanking before you receive it.  And you may need to work on trusting if you don't get it.  

Romans 10:17 (ESV) 17  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 

God will use difficulties to test your faith.  God will use demands on your time to test your faith.  God will use dollars, financial, giving to test your faith. God will use delays to test your faith.  

Some of you are going through a tough time right now and you're about ready to give up.  I want to say to you, Hang on!  God will make a way if you will trust Him.  

Original Outline by Rick Warren