Take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. (Hebrews 12:12-13)
One of the most successful basketball players to ever play the sport at Auburn University is Charles Barkley. He used to have a series of commercials years ago in which he stated, "I am not a role model." I realized that as much as I would like to give Sir Charles' disclaimer to my two sons at times, the truth is, they are both watching me and modeling their behavior after me.
Sometimes we fashion our behavior after others; the same can also be said about the example we set for those watching and observing us. The Bible says that the way we live influences others; for better or worse, good or evil, Christ or the enemy.
What kind of example are you setting? How can your daily life set an example for others to want to know and have a relationship with Jesus?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Best of You
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers. (Revelation 17:14)
Ask yourself this very tough question...is Jesus the Lord of everything in your life or only a few things? My answer would be along the lines of He is the Lord over my some of marriage, some of my parenting, some of my finances, some of my career, some of my relationships; you get the point. The problem with my answer is that as honest as I am being, Jesus wants to be the Lord over ALL things in my life, and He wants the same for you as well.
The titles "Lord of lords" and "King of kings" are not just some empty Holy-roller words used to descibe Jesus, but they are appropriate for the One who is the Lord over all things in this universe, time, each and every circumstance and situation. If you have accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior, then there is never a single moment the rest of your life that He will not be in complete control making sure that all things come together for your good, in accordance to His perfect will and timing.
We must learn to let go of the control we so desperately try to manage in every area of our lives and turn it over to the One who really is the Lord of lords and the King of kings!
Ask yourself this very tough question...is Jesus the Lord of everything in your life or only a few things? My answer would be along the lines of He is the Lord over my some of marriage, some of my parenting, some of my finances, some of my career, some of my relationships; you get the point. The problem with my answer is that as honest as I am being, Jesus wants to be the Lord over ALL things in my life, and He wants the same for you as well.
The titles "Lord of lords" and "King of kings" are not just some empty Holy-roller words used to descibe Jesus, but they are appropriate for the One who is the Lord over all things in this universe, time, each and every circumstance and situation. If you have accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior, then there is never a single moment the rest of your life that He will not be in complete control making sure that all things come together for your good, in accordance to His perfect will and timing.
We must learn to let go of the control we so desperately try to manage in every area of our lives and turn it over to the One who really is the Lord of lords and the King of kings!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Slip Slidin' Away
I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. (Acts 24:14)
A good friend recently asked me to pray for a family that was suffering the loss of their teenage son, who was killed in a tragic automobile accident on the way to church last Sunday. Apparently, my friend had been really close with the grieving parents at some point in time and their relationship ended on a bad note over something petty and childish. Three years have passed and they have not spoken since. Once my friend learned of the tragic news, she became overwhelmingly guility and regretted not attempting to extend/accept forgiveness for so long.
This really hit me hard and reminded me of how short our time on this earth really is. We should make the most of our time here, but all too often, we let time slip away from us and we don't follow the path that God intends us to follow.
To live without regrets, we must choose to live in such a way that we do our very best in every task and with every relationship. We must choose to love and obey God's commands; they weren't written to restrict us, but are there for our protection and to unlock His many blessings. We must choose to forgive people who have hurt or harmed us freely. And lastly, we must choose to follow God's will and not our own.
A good friend recently asked me to pray for a family that was suffering the loss of their teenage son, who was killed in a tragic automobile accident on the way to church last Sunday. Apparently, my friend had been really close with the grieving parents at some point in time and their relationship ended on a bad note over something petty and childish. Three years have passed and they have not spoken since. Once my friend learned of the tragic news, she became overwhelmingly guility and regretted not attempting to extend/accept forgiveness for so long.
This really hit me hard and reminded me of how short our time on this earth really is. We should make the most of our time here, but all too often, we let time slip away from us and we don't follow the path that God intends us to follow.
To live without regrets, we must choose to live in such a way that we do our very best in every task and with every relationship. We must choose to love and obey God's commands; they weren't written to restrict us, but are there for our protection and to unlock His many blessings. We must choose to forgive people who have hurt or harmed us freely. And lastly, we must choose to follow God's will and not our own.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The Seeds of Love
Who with reason despises the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10)
Let's face it, if you have had any experience in sales, some days are better than others. Often times, the sales cycle in the employee benefits arena is long and taxing. You can work on a case for several months to no avail. Ricky Bobby said it best, "If you ain't first, you're LAST!" Recently, there have been some small signs that look promising...seeds that were planted last year are finally starting to sprout opportunities this year for me and I know just Who to thank.
I believe wholeheartedly that God plants these ever so small seeds. Too often, we want immediate results or whatever it is that we are facing to come to pass too quickly. When you find evidence of that small seed that the good Lord has planted, you should rejoice with hope knowing that God has bigger and greater things in store for you.
God never breaks His promises to us and He always finishes what He starts. Just think about it..and hold on with hope!! He is preparing to do something great in your life!
Let's face it, if you have had any experience in sales, some days are better than others. Often times, the sales cycle in the employee benefits arena is long and taxing. You can work on a case for several months to no avail. Ricky Bobby said it best, "If you ain't first, you're LAST!" Recently, there have been some small signs that look promising...seeds that were planted last year are finally starting to sprout opportunities this year for me and I know just Who to thank.
I believe wholeheartedly that God plants these ever so small seeds. Too often, we want immediate results or whatever it is that we are facing to come to pass too quickly. When you find evidence of that small seed that the good Lord has planted, you should rejoice with hope knowing that God has bigger and greater things in store for you.
God never breaks His promises to us and He always finishes what He starts. Just think about it..and hold on with hope!! He is preparing to do something great in your life!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Beyond Belief
Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in My side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!" "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me." (John 20:27-29)
I enjoy telling and sharing stories to our son before bedtime. He has an innocent faith and highly creative imagination, so he believes a lot of the fictional characters and superheroes in my stories are real. My relationship with Jesus is very real to me as well. I have never physically seen or heard His voice, but without a shadow of a doubt, I know that He is alive and ever-present in my life.
Based on the exchange between Jesus and Thomas, the strongest faith is based on Spiritual conviction rather than physical proof. No matter what our stance is, we know that there are spiritual elements that exist in this world in which we cannot see, but we know they are real.
Our faith grows by leaps and bounds when we allow the Holy Spirit to open our senses to recognize His presence at work each day of our lives.
'Faith' is believing in things in which we cannot see. God promises to bless those who believe in Him with any form of physical evidence.
I enjoy telling and sharing stories to our son before bedtime. He has an innocent faith and highly creative imagination, so he believes a lot of the fictional characters and superheroes in my stories are real. My relationship with Jesus is very real to me as well. I have never physically seen or heard His voice, but without a shadow of a doubt, I know that He is alive and ever-present in my life.
Based on the exchange between Jesus and Thomas, the strongest faith is based on Spiritual conviction rather than physical proof. No matter what our stance is, we know that there are spiritual elements that exist in this world in which we cannot see, but we know they are real.
Our faith grows by leaps and bounds when we allow the Holy Spirit to open our senses to recognize His presence at work each day of our lives.
'Faith' is believing in things in which we cannot see. God promises to bless those who believe in Him with any form of physical evidence.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Time Loves A Hero
Now all the glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. (Jude 1:24)
Elliott played his first tee-ball game over the weekend and had an absolute blast. You never know what to expect when you gather a group of three-year olds, but everything went as well as it could have possibly gone. At this age range, every child has an opportunity at bat, to run the bases, score, and catch balls in the outfield. Everyone is a winner in tee-ball, but as we grow older, the definition of success, as the world defines it, drastically changes.
Success in the world is all about achievements, winning (or bi-winning if you are Charlie Sheen) and the amount of material possessions you own. God sees things completely different...success in God's view include: obedience, love, righteousness, salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. We fail God when we reject Him.
We should live according to God's definition of success, as the world's success is only temporary and fleeting!
Elliott played his first tee-ball game over the weekend and had an absolute blast. You never know what to expect when you gather a group of three-year olds, but everything went as well as it could have possibly gone. At this age range, every child has an opportunity at bat, to run the bases, score, and catch balls in the outfield. Everyone is a winner in tee-ball, but as we grow older, the definition of success, as the world defines it, drastically changes.
Success in the world is all about achievements, winning (or bi-winning if you are Charlie Sheen) and the amount of material possessions you own. God sees things completely different...success in God's view include: obedience, love, righteousness, salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. We fail God when we reject Him.
We should live according to God's definition of success, as the world's success is only temporary and fleeting!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Slow Train
"Not as I will, but as You will." -Jesus (Matthew 26:39)
The above statement was Jesus' final submission to God in the garden of Gethsemane before He was taken captive by a large crowd of armed men who ultimately led Him to His death on the cross after He was brutally beaten, humiliated, and tortured.
I have a bad habit of selfishly asking God to answer my prayers in the way that I would like them to be answered. Even when He gives me clear direction, I still do not always obey and follow His will. Regardless, I truly believe that the content of our prayers is less important to Him rather than our willingness to actually obey Him.
I can't begin to imagine what Jesus must have felt that night in Gethsemane. The fear of knowing that His death was close at hand...seeing one of His Twelve disciples betray Him with a kiss and turn Him over to an armed mob. Yet, He remained faithful and obedient to God's will...even to the point of death.
We may not ever face a life or death decision, but God wants us to come to a place where we trust Him fully and obey Him.
The above statement was Jesus' final submission to God in the garden of Gethsemane before He was taken captive by a large crowd of armed men who ultimately led Him to His death on the cross after He was brutally beaten, humiliated, and tortured.
I have a bad habit of selfishly asking God to answer my prayers in the way that I would like them to be answered. Even when He gives me clear direction, I still do not always obey and follow His will. Regardless, I truly believe that the content of our prayers is less important to Him rather than our willingness to actually obey Him.
I can't begin to imagine what Jesus must have felt that night in Gethsemane. The fear of knowing that His death was close at hand...seeing one of His Twelve disciples betray Him with a kiss and turn Him over to an armed mob. Yet, He remained faithful and obedient to God's will...even to the point of death.
We may not ever face a life or death decision, but God wants us to come to a place where we trust Him fully and obey Him.
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