All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
God’s will for you and for me is reconciliation. God wants us to be reconciled to Him. He wants us to be reconciled to each other. Ultimately, God wants all of creation to be reconciled and restored (Romans 8:22-23).
God’s heart is not toward judgment, although that is a tool to move us toward reconciliation. As long as we have breath in our bodies, God doesn’t give up on anybody.
Reconciliation is not just God’s work, however. He has given believers the “ministry of reconciliation.” So, let me ask you this: how’s your ministry going? How much reconciliation are you seeing these days?
The key to reconciliation is found in God’s actions: “not counting men’s sins against them.” Don’t get me wrong. Sin is costly. Our sin cost Jesus His life. So, here’s the tension – you can’t count someone’s sins against them and be reconciled to them. Remember, “love keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5).
When we are upset with someone, what do we think about? We usually go to every bad thing that they’ve ever done. Sometimes we think that they’ve messed up so many times that maybe they can’t do anything right. But, let’s be realistic, the only “person” who has never done anything good and only does evil all of the time is the devil. (Now you might be thinking – “Yes, and that’s who I’m dealing with.” No, you’re not.)
As a step toward reconciliation, we need to force ourselves to go to a place where our minds don’t typically go when we’re upset: what has this person done right? What is good about them? What do we love about them? Come on, even a broken clock is right twice a day. There’s got to be something. Start here: they’ve never killed a guy (that we know of)…
Deal with the matter at hand. Don’t blow the dust off of two days or 20 years worth of woes. Start with the latest one, and then go from there.
God values reconciliation above being right. If we want our lives to please God, then we need to become ambassadors of His peace through reconciliation with others.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Are You Paying the Price?
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20
Peace is costly. For God to make peace with human beings, He sacrificed His Son, Jesus. Justice dictates that people are responsible for their actions and deserve to face the consequences of their sins (Ezekiel 16:58). God intervened – not by divine edict, not by erasing the consequences, but by paying the price.
Think about the conflicts in your own life: at home, at work, in your family, in your neighborhood, at church. What will you have to forfeit in order to secure peace in that situation? Maybe pride or stubbornness are standing in the way. Proverbs 29:1 tells us, “A person who will not bend after many warnings will suddenly be broken beyond repair” (GW). If we want to wreck our lives, then we just go ahead with our stubbornness and pride.
We might have to acknowledge that we’ve been wrong and apologize. When we think about the conflicts we are facing right now, have we owned up to how we’ve wronged them? No one is perfect. No one is sinless, except for Jesus. Often the first step toward peace is admitting our wrong and saying, “I’m sorry.”
Peacemaking becomes difficult when both sides have wronged each other. Insult builds upon insult. Who is the person in your life that just can’t seem to do anything right? That’s the person that I’m talking about. So much resentment has built up over time and the devil has established so many footholds (Ephesians 4:26-27) that things seem impossible to resolve. It will take much time and effort to bring about peace. Are you willing? Are they? You probably won’t know until you’ve taken the first step.
Take that first step as soon as you can. Pray about it, then own up to how you’ve wronged them, regardless of how they’ve wronged you. Ask God to forgive you. Ask the other person to forgive you. You might want to write out your thoughts first. Focus on what you need to do to reconcile. Don’t focus on how great it would be to change the other person so that your life could be easier.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Peace is costly. For God to make peace with human beings, He sacrificed His Son, Jesus. Justice dictates that people are responsible for their actions and deserve to face the consequences of their sins (Ezekiel 16:58). God intervened – not by divine edict, not by erasing the consequences, but by paying the price.
Think about the conflicts in your own life: at home, at work, in your family, in your neighborhood, at church. What will you have to forfeit in order to secure peace in that situation? Maybe pride or stubbornness are standing in the way. Proverbs 29:1 tells us, “A person who will not bend after many warnings will suddenly be broken beyond repair” (GW). If we want to wreck our lives, then we just go ahead with our stubbornness and pride.
We might have to acknowledge that we’ve been wrong and apologize. When we think about the conflicts we are facing right now, have we owned up to how we’ve wronged them? No one is perfect. No one is sinless, except for Jesus. Often the first step toward peace is admitting our wrong and saying, “I’m sorry.”
Peacemaking becomes difficult when both sides have wronged each other. Insult builds upon insult. Who is the person in your life that just can’t seem to do anything right? That’s the person that I’m talking about. So much resentment has built up over time and the devil has established so many footholds (Ephesians 4:26-27) that things seem impossible to resolve. It will take much time and effort to bring about peace. Are you willing? Are they? You probably won’t know until you’ve taken the first step.
Take that first step as soon as you can. Pray about it, then own up to how you’ve wronged them, regardless of how they’ve wronged you. Ask God to forgive you. Ask the other person to forgive you. You might want to write out your thoughts first. Focus on what you need to do to reconcile. Don’t focus on how great it would be to change the other person so that your life could be easier.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Peacekeepers Are Not Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9
Who are the peacemakers? Well, let’s start by defining who they are not.
This verse doesn’t say: Blessed are those who sweep everything under the rug, for they shall trip over the hump.
Nor does it say: Blessed are those who live in denial, for this too shall pass.
And, it really doesn’t say: Blessed are the passive-aggressive who will ignore this but will ultimately get you in the end.
Peacekeepers are not peacemakers. When we think of military peacekeepers, we think of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. They are a presence in a region solely to maintain the peace. If they carry weapons, they are forbidden to use them. They are basically impotent in making peace, but if there is peace they can keep it.
Many of us are peacekeepers. We don’t want to rock the boat. We just want to have peace. We cling to peace to the point of avoiding or ignoring conflict. We avoid anything that interferes with our serenity. The problem is that avoidance and denial won’t keep the peace. Sooner or later, the situation will fall apart, and peace is nowhere to be found.
Peacemakers create peace. These are the folks that Jesus blessed. When there is strife and disagreement, peacemakers seek the other person out (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15), and address the issue. They are “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Peacemakers try to see both sides of the issue and resolve the problem.
Peacemakers aren’t perfect. They aren’t always right. They believe that the relationship is more important than justifying themselves.
Peacemakers don’t avoid conflict. They enter it. Peacemakers have healthy boundaries. They don’t let other people trample over them. But, they don’t run over other people either. Peacemakers don’t insist on peace at any cost. Often they will give up their own freedom to create peace in a relationship.
The promise to the peacemakers is that they will be called the sons of God. Peacemakers are like Jesus. They don’t shy away from hard things, and they don’t cause unnecessary trouble.
Where do you need to make peace today? Who are you having a difficult time with? What is your first step toward making peace?
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Who are the peacemakers? Well, let’s start by defining who they are not.
This verse doesn’t say: Blessed are those who sweep everything under the rug, for they shall trip over the hump.
Nor does it say: Blessed are those who live in denial, for this too shall pass.
And, it really doesn’t say: Blessed are the passive-aggressive who will ignore this but will ultimately get you in the end.
Peacekeepers are not peacemakers. When we think of military peacekeepers, we think of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. They are a presence in a region solely to maintain the peace. If they carry weapons, they are forbidden to use them. They are basically impotent in making peace, but if there is peace they can keep it.
Many of us are peacekeepers. We don’t want to rock the boat. We just want to have peace. We cling to peace to the point of avoiding or ignoring conflict. We avoid anything that interferes with our serenity. The problem is that avoidance and denial won’t keep the peace. Sooner or later, the situation will fall apart, and peace is nowhere to be found.
Peacemakers create peace. These are the folks that Jesus blessed. When there is strife and disagreement, peacemakers seek the other person out (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15), and address the issue. They are “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Peacemakers try to see both sides of the issue and resolve the problem.
Peacemakers aren’t perfect. They aren’t always right. They believe that the relationship is more important than justifying themselves.
Peacemakers don’t avoid conflict. They enter it. Peacemakers have healthy boundaries. They don’t let other people trample over them. But, they don’t run over other people either. Peacemakers don’t insist on peace at any cost. Often they will give up their own freedom to create peace in a relationship.
The promise to the peacemakers is that they will be called the sons of God. Peacemakers are like Jesus. They don’t shy away from hard things, and they don’t cause unnecessary trouble.
Where do you need to make peace today? Who are you having a difficult time with? What is your first step toward making peace?
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving Memories
When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.” Joshua 4:1-3
Thanksgiving has always been a special time of year for me. As a child, my family would travel out to Hayes, Kansas, where we would spend Thanksgiving with my Aunt Sally and Cousin Vhonda. This was one of the best things that my family did.
I remember eating plenty of food, putting on musical performances with my sister and my cousin – we had a lot of fun. The evening would usually involve watching The Wizard of Oz and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I still have nightmares of those flying monkeys.
My twelfth birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day. My aunt made a special Happy Birthday pumpkin pie for me that year. That’s still a special memory for me.
Your Thanksgiving may be filled with other things this year. I’m sure there’s food and football. Maybe a little family tension. Maybe a long walk on a cool Autumn day to work off the dinner.
Thanksgiving in November is a uniquely American holiday. Thanksgiving in Canada was last month (they get an extra month of Christmas shopping). In the Bible, thanksgiving is a heart attitude that goes beyond a single holiday.
In Joshua 3-4, we read how the people of Israel miraculously crossed the Jordan River. This was the final boundary into the Promised Land. After the tribes had passed through the river, Joshua instructed one man from each tribe to gather a stone. These twelve stones were placed in the river as a reminder of God’s work on their behalf. The intent was that years later when their children and grandchildren asked about the stones, parents and grandparents would stop and reflect on God’s goodness to them and His power to overcome an overwhelming obstacle.
As you celebrate Thanksgiving, stop for five minutes and think about how God has helped you to overcome obstacles in your life in the past year, five years or even your whole life. If it’s appropriate, share this with the others who are gathered with you.
Thanksgiving brings to mind the faithfulness of God, which gives us the confidence to face the future. Our memories may point us to monumental accomplishments of faith. Our memories may look back on the broken road that led us to Christ. Either way, God’s faithfulness is solid ground to build our futures on.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving has always been a special time of year for me. As a child, my family would travel out to Hayes, Kansas, where we would spend Thanksgiving with my Aunt Sally and Cousin Vhonda. This was one of the best things that my family did.
I remember eating plenty of food, putting on musical performances with my sister and my cousin – we had a lot of fun. The evening would usually involve watching The Wizard of Oz and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I still have nightmares of those flying monkeys.
My twelfth birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day. My aunt made a special Happy Birthday pumpkin pie for me that year. That’s still a special memory for me.
Your Thanksgiving may be filled with other things this year. I’m sure there’s food and football. Maybe a little family tension. Maybe a long walk on a cool Autumn day to work off the dinner.
Thanksgiving in November is a uniquely American holiday. Thanksgiving in Canada was last month (they get an extra month of Christmas shopping). In the Bible, thanksgiving is a heart attitude that goes beyond a single holiday.
In Joshua 3-4, we read how the people of Israel miraculously crossed the Jordan River. This was the final boundary into the Promised Land. After the tribes had passed through the river, Joshua instructed one man from each tribe to gather a stone. These twelve stones were placed in the river as a reminder of God’s work on their behalf. The intent was that years later when their children and grandchildren asked about the stones, parents and grandparents would stop and reflect on God’s goodness to them and His power to overcome an overwhelming obstacle.
As you celebrate Thanksgiving, stop for five minutes and think about how God has helped you to overcome obstacles in your life in the past year, five years or even your whole life. If it’s appropriate, share this with the others who are gathered with you.
Thanksgiving brings to mind the faithfulness of God, which gives us the confidence to face the future. Our memories may point us to monumental accomplishments of faith. Our memories may look back on the broken road that led us to Christ. Either way, God’s faithfulness is solid ground to build our futures on.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Forgiving Ourselves: Our Pride versus God’s Grace
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
Solomon asked, “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’?” (Proverbs 20:9). If the answer is “no one,” then who can see God? Yet, Jesus blessed the “pure in heart,” so someone must qualify.
We all know that only one perfectly sinless person ever walked this earth: Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22). He was the only one who ever kept the entire Law and fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17-18). Solely on the merits of past performance, Jesus is the only one who is technically qualified to see God.
Job asked, “Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one!” (Job 14:4) And, in Job’s understanding, that was the correct answer. But, for us, the answer is Jesus. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The only chance that we have to be pure in heart, and thus to see God, is through Jesus Himself. He freely offers forgiveness to everyone who asks (1 John 1:8-9). But, there is one more thing: what do you do with the guilt?
How many of us carry around the burden of guilt from sins that already have been forgiven by God? Pretty much all of us do that. Our pride has a difficult time with God’s grace. And, we have an enemy whose full-time job is to accuse us and to bring us down (Revelation 12:10). No wonder we feel like damaged goods most of the time. But, this is not where God wants us to live.
Our guilt drives us toward things that displease God. How do we escape the pain? How can we numb the guilt? What do we do?
In recovery, we are taught: “I openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.” Step Four in Celebrate Recovery is to take a Moral Inventory and list everything that we feel guilty about. This is an exercise to do alone. Just start with the question: “What do I feel guilty about?” and let it flow.
Once the inventory is complete, then we must take responsibility for our actions, and ask for forgiveness. Then, the next part is a little more challenging: confess your faults to another person (James 5:16). As Rick Warren says, “Revealing the feeling is the beginning of healing.” Boy, that’s a tougher one.
Why can’t we just confess to God? Why can’t that be enough? Well, it goes back to the idea that we’re only as sick as our secrets. When we tell another person, we are released from the power of the secret. We have owned up. It’s exposed to the light of truth.
The last part of this is to forgive ourselves. Years ago, a college student came to see me in my office. We talked about a number of things, and the problem of forgiving ourselves came up. She said that this was something that she had struggled with, but one day, she felt God speaking to her. He asked, “If you were thinking these things about another person, would that be okay? (The answer was “No.”) If it’s not okay to judge another person like this, then why do you think it’s okay to view yourself this way?” Good question, huh?
The path to a pure heart involves sweeping out the dark corners of guilt. As guilt is removed, sins are confessed and forgiven, the purity it brings changes our relationship with God, others and ourselves.
Are you ready to make your list?
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Solomon asked, “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’?” (Proverbs 20:9). If the answer is “no one,” then who can see God? Yet, Jesus blessed the “pure in heart,” so someone must qualify.
We all know that only one perfectly sinless person ever walked this earth: Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22). He was the only one who ever kept the entire Law and fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17-18). Solely on the merits of past performance, Jesus is the only one who is technically qualified to see God.
Job asked, “Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one!” (Job 14:4) And, in Job’s understanding, that was the correct answer. But, for us, the answer is Jesus. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The only chance that we have to be pure in heart, and thus to see God, is through Jesus Himself. He freely offers forgiveness to everyone who asks (1 John 1:8-9). But, there is one more thing: what do you do with the guilt?
How many of us carry around the burden of guilt from sins that already have been forgiven by God? Pretty much all of us do that. Our pride has a difficult time with God’s grace. And, we have an enemy whose full-time job is to accuse us and to bring us down (Revelation 12:10). No wonder we feel like damaged goods most of the time. But, this is not where God wants us to live.
Our guilt drives us toward things that displease God. How do we escape the pain? How can we numb the guilt? What do we do?
In recovery, we are taught: “I openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.” Step Four in Celebrate Recovery is to take a Moral Inventory and list everything that we feel guilty about. This is an exercise to do alone. Just start with the question: “What do I feel guilty about?” and let it flow.
Once the inventory is complete, then we must take responsibility for our actions, and ask for forgiveness. Then, the next part is a little more challenging: confess your faults to another person (James 5:16). As Rick Warren says, “Revealing the feeling is the beginning of healing.” Boy, that’s a tougher one.
Why can’t we just confess to God? Why can’t that be enough? Well, it goes back to the idea that we’re only as sick as our secrets. When we tell another person, we are released from the power of the secret. We have owned up. It’s exposed to the light of truth.
The last part of this is to forgive ourselves. Years ago, a college student came to see me in my office. We talked about a number of things, and the problem of forgiving ourselves came up. She said that this was something that she had struggled with, but one day, she felt God speaking to her. He asked, “If you were thinking these things about another person, would that be okay? (The answer was “No.”) If it’s not okay to judge another person like this, then why do you think it’s okay to view yourself this way?” Good question, huh?
The path to a pure heart involves sweeping out the dark corners of guilt. As guilt is removed, sins are confessed and forgiven, the purity it brings changes our relationship with God, others and ourselves.
Are you ready to make your list?
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Monday, November 22, 2010
Guest Post: allow the process of serving to help you stay planted for life
by steve bassie • care ministries pastor
“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner, the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:14-30 (NSA)
It is important that we recognize that as we live our lives on this Earth, we are participants in an economy of God’s design. We have been created to serve in respect to the assets that God has entrusted us with. He has made an investment into us, and there will be a day that He will return to make a reckoning for the investment He has made in us. The purpose of His investment of the assets that belong to Him towards us is to make a positive return.
How does that make you feel?
The response for the first two servants was to “immediately” go put the assets that they were entrusted with to work. They went into their community and found ways of investing in their communities. The result was that they were able to succeed in benefiting their communities and increasing their own investment.
When we invest ourselves into our community, we apply what we have been given by our Master to a community in need. We benefit our community, and we are blessed with an increase of our investment.
How are you strategically investing yourself into your community? If you do not have a strategy, you will not be as effective as you could be in using what God has given you.
The first two servants were able to look toward the return of their Master with excitement. When He returned to receive their report, they were both able to stand confidently before their Master. They were so excited to show Him the results of their diligent work. The third servant must have been dreading the Master’s return. He knew that he had not been responsible with the Master’s investment that he had been entrusted with.
How do you look toward the time when our Master will “settle accounts” with you as His servant that He has invested into? The way you look toward that time reflects your sense of confidence in what you are investing into your community.
What this all comes down to is the view we have (as servants) of our Master that we serve. For the first two servants, they knew that they were loved, and they felt honored and privileged to be given the responsibility to be a part of their Master’s economy. Because of this, they served their Master with love, honor, and responsibility. The third servant did not see the Master for who He truly was. He wrongfully depicted his Master in a negative way to justify his dereliction of his duty.
How does your view of God affect the way you serve Him in your community?
Prayer: God, my Master, My Lord, help me to recognize who You are in my life. I know that I am Your servant and You have entrusted me with assets that You desire for me to use in your economy. Help me to become more responsible, to participate in and invest into my community. Everything I have is Yours. Keep me from hoarding or hiding what You have given to me.
You are receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest was a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina.
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner, the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:14-30 (NSA)
It is important that we recognize that as we live our lives on this Earth, we are participants in an economy of God’s design. We have been created to serve in respect to the assets that God has entrusted us with. He has made an investment into us, and there will be a day that He will return to make a reckoning for the investment He has made in us. The purpose of His investment of the assets that belong to Him towards us is to make a positive return.
How does that make you feel?
The response for the first two servants was to “immediately” go put the assets that they were entrusted with to work. They went into their community and found ways of investing in their communities. The result was that they were able to succeed in benefiting their communities and increasing their own investment.
When we invest ourselves into our community, we apply what we have been given by our Master to a community in need. We benefit our community, and we are blessed with an increase of our investment.
How are you strategically investing yourself into your community? If you do not have a strategy, you will not be as effective as you could be in using what God has given you.
The first two servants were able to look toward the return of their Master with excitement. When He returned to receive their report, they were both able to stand confidently before their Master. They were so excited to show Him the results of their diligent work. The third servant must have been dreading the Master’s return. He knew that he had not been responsible with the Master’s investment that he had been entrusted with.
How do you look toward the time when our Master will “settle accounts” with you as His servant that He has invested into? The way you look toward that time reflects your sense of confidence in what you are investing into your community.
What this all comes down to is the view we have (as servants) of our Master that we serve. For the first two servants, they knew that they were loved, and they felt honored and privileged to be given the responsibility to be a part of their Master’s economy. Because of this, they served their Master with love, honor, and responsibility. The third servant did not see the Master for who He truly was. He wrongfully depicted his Master in a negative way to justify his dereliction of his duty.
How does your view of God affect the way you serve Him in your community?
Prayer: God, my Master, My Lord, help me to recognize who You are in my life. I know that I am Your servant and You have entrusted me with assets that You desire for me to use in your economy. Help me to become more responsible, to participate in and invest into my community. Everything I have is Yours. Keep me from hoarding or hiding what You have given to me.
_______________________________________________
You are receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest was a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina.
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
_______________________________________________
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Guest Post: continue in service by dropping your nets daily
by julio samayoa • middle school pastor
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)
In Matthew 4:18-20, Jesus finds His first disciples at the beach and asks Peter and Andrew to lay down their nets and follow Him. They did.
At first glance, I wonder how a guy like Jesus got men to stop fishing; scripture did say it was their work. I haven’t had too many men say “no” when I’ve asked them to leave work to go play golf. I wonder, though, if Peter and Andrew were glad to be invited away by anybody, by somebody. Then later they found out that they were invited by the “Onlybody” to go on an adventure of their lives.
Lois Finley was that somebody in my life that came walking by my house inviting me to fish, to ride bicycles, to go rock hunting down in the canyon, to fly with her in her airplane, to go eat, or maybe one day to go to church. I remember Lois being larger than life because she was a 6’ tall redhead, and I had heard that she could do anything a man could do, and more. She was my hometown’s Amelia Earhart, and because God had blessed me with a relationship with her nephews, I had a new best friend and bodyguard. I remember Lois making every outing an adventure even if it was the most normal happening in her life–church. Many times she told me, “Lay down your nets; I’ve got something to show you¬—something important.” Many times she advised me to follow Christ. She asked me to follow God because He would let me know what I was supposed to do. Why did I listen to Lois? Why did I trust her and follow her? Well, I guess it was because I heard the way people spoke of her, she looked honest, and she took an interest in me. I wonder if Peter and Andrew heard the same things of Jesus so that when they met Him, they took Him as an honest man and loved that this rabbi took interest in them.
What are other people saying of us? Is anything at all positive?
When people see us coming, do we look honest and trustworthy?
Do people know that we have a special interest in them?
Prayer: God, help me that somebody—that the “ONLYBody”—can live in me so You can help me make a difference in anybody.
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)
In Matthew 4:18-20, Jesus finds His first disciples at the beach and asks Peter and Andrew to lay down their nets and follow Him. They did.
At first glance, I wonder how a guy like Jesus got men to stop fishing; scripture did say it was their work. I haven’t had too many men say “no” when I’ve asked them to leave work to go play golf. I wonder, though, if Peter and Andrew were glad to be invited away by anybody, by somebody. Then later they found out that they were invited by the “Onlybody” to go on an adventure of their lives.
Lois Finley was that somebody in my life that came walking by my house inviting me to fish, to ride bicycles, to go rock hunting down in the canyon, to fly with her in her airplane, to go eat, or maybe one day to go to church. I remember Lois being larger than life because she was a 6’ tall redhead, and I had heard that she could do anything a man could do, and more. She was my hometown’s Amelia Earhart, and because God had blessed me with a relationship with her nephews, I had a new best friend and bodyguard. I remember Lois making every outing an adventure even if it was the most normal happening in her life–church. Many times she told me, “Lay down your nets; I’ve got something to show you¬—something important.” Many times she advised me to follow Christ. She asked me to follow God because He would let me know what I was supposed to do. Why did I listen to Lois? Why did I trust her and follow her? Well, I guess it was because I heard the way people spoke of her, she looked honest, and she took an interest in me. I wonder if Peter and Andrew heard the same things of Jesus so that when they met Him, they took Him as an honest man and loved that this rabbi took interest in them.
What are other people saying of us? Is anything at all positive?
When people see us coming, do we look honest and trustworthy?
Do people know that we have a special interest in them?
Prayer: God, help me that somebody—that the “ONLYBody”—can live in me so You can help me make a difference in anybody.
_______________________________________________
You are receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest was a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
_______________________________________________
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Guest Post: allow the process of serving to help you stay planted for life
by mike hepola • family ministries pastor
Instead you thrill to GOD’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. Psalm 1:2-3 (Msg)
Several years ago, I began looking for outlets or hobbies in which I could immerse myself to help me maintain a healthy perspective in ministry. God gave me a passion for the outdoors, His incredible creation. So I began to camp, kayak, hike, and bike. Something that I notice is trees and their sheer beauty and intricacy. These verses help me relate my spiritual life to the amazing qualities of a tree. Some of the qualities in this passage made me think of:
Permanence
This quality of the Christian life is crucial. We must be permanently planted in God’s Word. We need to be permanent in our faith and not let anything shake us. We are to be rooted in the Word of God. This means that if a decision, problem, or doubt faces us, we should always refer to God’s Word for assurance and guidance. This permanence gives us security.
Position
As important as it is to be planted, we must make sure we don’t plant ourselves in a field that’s getting chopped down by lumberjacks. We are to plant ourselves by streams of water. Water nourishes and feeds the tree to grow strong. Just like the tree needs water, we need God’s Word to nourish, feed, and counsel us. We should also have a “pastor” in our lives—not just Perry on Sunday mornings. I’m talking about someone in your life whom you can consult on a personal level, another Christian whom you trust for Biblical advice and not just opinion.
Productivity
When a tree is healthy, taking in nourishment, and firmly planted, it doesn’t only grow—it bears fruit. If we are reading and meditating on God’s Word and positioning ourselves with people who nourish us, we will also bear fruit for Christ. That fruit may be displayed in service to others.
Where do you find your security?
Who do you talk with and receive advice from about spiritual matters?
How is your life bearing fruit?
Prayer: God, help me to be firmly planted in Your Word and to position myself with people who can help me grow in my relationship with You. Make my life fruitful for Your Kingdom.
You are receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest was a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina.
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
Instead you thrill to GOD’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. Psalm 1:2-3 (Msg)
Several years ago, I began looking for outlets or hobbies in which I could immerse myself to help me maintain a healthy perspective in ministry. God gave me a passion for the outdoors, His incredible creation. So I began to camp, kayak, hike, and bike. Something that I notice is trees and their sheer beauty and intricacy. These verses help me relate my spiritual life to the amazing qualities of a tree. Some of the qualities in this passage made me think of:
Permanence
This quality of the Christian life is crucial. We must be permanently planted in God’s Word. We need to be permanent in our faith and not let anything shake us. We are to be rooted in the Word of God. This means that if a decision, problem, or doubt faces us, we should always refer to God’s Word for assurance and guidance. This permanence gives us security.
Position
As important as it is to be planted, we must make sure we don’t plant ourselves in a field that’s getting chopped down by lumberjacks. We are to plant ourselves by streams of water. Water nourishes and feeds the tree to grow strong. Just like the tree needs water, we need God’s Word to nourish, feed, and counsel us. We should also have a “pastor” in our lives—not just Perry on Sunday mornings. I’m talking about someone in your life whom you can consult on a personal level, another Christian whom you trust for Biblical advice and not just opinion.
Productivity
When a tree is healthy, taking in nourishment, and firmly planted, it doesn’t only grow—it bears fruit. If we are reading and meditating on God’s Word and positioning ourselves with people who nourish us, we will also bear fruit for Christ. That fruit may be displayed in service to others.
Where do you find your security?
Who do you talk with and receive advice from about spiritual matters?
How is your life bearing fruit?
Prayer: God, help me to be firmly planted in Your Word and to position myself with people who can help me grow in my relationship with You. Make my life fruitful for Your Kingdom.
_______________________________________________
You are receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest was a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina.
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
_______________________________________________
Friday, November 19, 2010
Guest Post: GO – be the body today!
by jared patrick • high school pastor
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
1 Corinthians 12:11-18 (NIV)
I recently started working out at a gym close to our house. It is not fun. I typically go into the gym and begin my hour of torture by getting on an elliptical. Even though the gym offers a television on each machine, I for some reason love watching other people pretending to enjoy the same activities I’m doing. I see all kinds of people: people who are trying to get back in shape and people who have been in shape their whole lives. People who are dripping in sweat, and people who walk at a snail’s pace on the treadmill for ten minutes and then go home. There is one particular kind of “worker-outer” that makes me laugh. It is the guy who comes and his workout consists of biceps, triceps and chest; biceps, triceps and chest; biceps, triceps and chest over and over. It’s usually the guy who has little tiny legs and a HUGE upper body. It makes me laugh because I wonder if that is even considered “working out.” Isn’t the point of working out to make your whole body healthy?
As I read 1 Corinthians 12:11-18, I’m reminded of how every part of our body needs to be nurtured (I’m talking about our church body of course). It burdens me that people always want to be the biceps, triceps and chest when Jesus’ whole message was essentially to be the hands and feet. Jesus was always ministering to people who needed Him. Whether He was by a well or outside the city gate, He was radically concerned with the needs of those around Him. The problem is that people generally are not drawn to be the hands and feet because that isn’t a very glamorous job.
Something that I think about often is the people who took time to pour into my life. They were godly men and women who were not concerned with recognition but were crazy about showing me Jesus. You see, when we decide to be the body, we start to see the world differently. It’s not about how you’re looking but rather who you’re helping.
As we go through this day, let’s remember not to focus on what makes us look good, but let’s go and be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Questions:
1. Who is someone in your life that has poured into your relationship with
Christ without any thought of recognition?
2. How are you being the hands and feet of Jesus today?
Prayer: Thank You so much for giving me the grace to live another day for You, Lord. I pray that You would show me opportunities that I can be Your hands and feet today.
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
1 Corinthians 12:11-18 (NIV)
I recently started working out at a gym close to our house. It is not fun. I typically go into the gym and begin my hour of torture by getting on an elliptical. Even though the gym offers a television on each machine, I for some reason love watching other people pretending to enjoy the same activities I’m doing. I see all kinds of people: people who are trying to get back in shape and people who have been in shape their whole lives. People who are dripping in sweat, and people who walk at a snail’s pace on the treadmill for ten minutes and then go home. There is one particular kind of “worker-outer” that makes me laugh. It is the guy who comes and his workout consists of biceps, triceps and chest; biceps, triceps and chest; biceps, triceps and chest over and over. It’s usually the guy who has little tiny legs and a HUGE upper body. It makes me laugh because I wonder if that is even considered “working out.” Isn’t the point of working out to make your whole body healthy?
As I read 1 Corinthians 12:11-18, I’m reminded of how every part of our body needs to be nurtured (I’m talking about our church body of course). It burdens me that people always want to be the biceps, triceps and chest when Jesus’ whole message was essentially to be the hands and feet. Jesus was always ministering to people who needed Him. Whether He was by a well or outside the city gate, He was radically concerned with the needs of those around Him. The problem is that people generally are not drawn to be the hands and feet because that isn’t a very glamorous job.
Something that I think about often is the people who took time to pour into my life. They were godly men and women who were not concerned with recognition but were crazy about showing me Jesus. You see, when we decide to be the body, we start to see the world differently. It’s not about how you’re looking but rather who you’re helping.
As we go through this day, let’s remember not to focus on what makes us look good, but let’s go and be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Questions:
1. Who is someone in your life that has poured into your relationship with
Christ without any thought of recognition?
2. How are you being the hands and feet of Jesus today?
Prayer: Thank You so much for giving me the grace to live another day for You, Lord. I pray that You would show me opportunities that I can be Your hands and feet today.
_______________________________________________Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina.
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
_______________________________________________
Thursday, November 18, 2010
whom shall I send, who will go • here am I, send me
by allen white • adult discipleship pastor
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Every believer is called to serve. People who tend to overanalyze Scripture can find a calling to follow Christ, and then a calling to serve, and then a calling to vocational ministry, and then a calling to missionary work, and then a calling to martyrdom. (Most of us stop looking after the second or third one). The reality is that there is only one calling: to follow Him. God gives every believer gifts and abilities that He will use to build His Kingdom (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4). God uniquely equips every believer to accomplish His purposes.
But, you might think, “I can’t teach like Perry. I can’t sing like Steve. I can’t look cool like Mike. I can’t type like Allen.” God is more concerned with our availability than our ability. God called Isaiah in this passage. Isaiah immediately came up with an excuse: “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty” (Isaiah 8:5). Basically, what Isaiah is saying here is that he is unworthy to serve. He is overwhelmed. He feels inadequate. Isaiah is expressing what everyone else feels when God calls. And, that’s the way that it should be.
As we make ourselves available to serve, we must learn to depend on God to work in us and through us. We can’t meet every need. We can’t solve every problem. We can’t perform a miracle. But, God can. Nothing is impossible with God. Many things are impossible for us.
Tomorrow is the big day, ServeFest 2010. Today, you might feel tired. You might feel a little apprehensive. You might even be thinking of backing out. God needs you tomorrow. I didn’t say “Perry” or “Brookwood” needs you. God needs you. As you give up your Saturday to inconvenience yourself to help others, you may just find that November 20, 2010 will be one of the best days of your year.
What are your fears or doubts right now? What caused you to sign up for ServeFest? Think about that for a minute. What do you hope that God might accomplish through you tomorrow?
Prayer: Father, I am giving myself to You. With all of the things that have come up this week, with all of the pressures I face, I am setting apart Saturday to serve You and to serve our community at ServeFest. I may not be sure of how much help I will be to someone, but I am making myself available to You. Use me as You will.
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Every believer is called to serve. People who tend to overanalyze Scripture can find a calling to follow Christ, and then a calling to serve, and then a calling to vocational ministry, and then a calling to missionary work, and then a calling to martyrdom. (Most of us stop looking after the second or third one). The reality is that there is only one calling: to follow Him. God gives every believer gifts and abilities that He will use to build His Kingdom (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4). God uniquely equips every believer to accomplish His purposes.
But, you might think, “I can’t teach like Perry. I can’t sing like Steve. I can’t look cool like Mike. I can’t type like Allen.” God is more concerned with our availability than our ability. God called Isaiah in this passage. Isaiah immediately came up with an excuse: “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty” (Isaiah 8:5). Basically, what Isaiah is saying here is that he is unworthy to serve. He is overwhelmed. He feels inadequate. Isaiah is expressing what everyone else feels when God calls. And, that’s the way that it should be.
As we make ourselves available to serve, we must learn to depend on God to work in us and through us. We can’t meet every need. We can’t solve every problem. We can’t perform a miracle. But, God can. Nothing is impossible with God. Many things are impossible for us.
Tomorrow is the big day, ServeFest 2010. Today, you might feel tired. You might feel a little apprehensive. You might even be thinking of backing out. God needs you tomorrow. I didn’t say “Perry” or “Brookwood” needs you. God needs you. As you give up your Saturday to inconvenience yourself to help others, you may just find that November 20, 2010 will be one of the best days of your year.
What are your fears or doubts right now? What caused you to sign up for ServeFest? Think about that for a minute. What do you hope that God might accomplish through you tomorrow?
Prayer: Father, I am giving myself to You. With all of the things that have come up this week, with all of the pressures I face, I am setting apart Saturday to serve You and to serve our community at ServeFest. I may not be sure of how much help I will be to someone, but I am making myself available to You. Use me as You will.
_______________________________________________
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
_______________________________________________
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Guest Post: God created you for a purpose, each unique
by steve smith • worship pastor
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Created by God for His glory, we stand on display. We are recognized as God’s workmanship. “Workmanship” is not just a result of effort or works. It is a result of artistic skill and craftsmanship. If we could earn salvation by our own good works, we would not be a work of God but a work of our own selves. We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God determined before we were ever born.
You are the unique creation of the God Of Wonders—Wow! Let that sink in for a moment. More than that, I encourage you to repeat this statement out loud. Yes, if you are reading this in a coffee shop, go for it! Stand up on the table and let it fly! That is how powerful this thought is: God handcrafted YOU for a purpose.
Now GO for it; say these words out loud, and let every word sink in:
“I _______________________ am the unique creation of The God Of Wonders. I _______________________________ am full of the Wonder Of God!”
Okay. Now you can sit down....unless others are joining in; then keep it going.
A few questions to think about:
• Why am I living?
• What am I living for?
• Do you have any idea how many good works God has prepared for you?
• Will my good works glorify me or God?
I think Mother Teresa had a real grip on what this verse meant when she said, “We are all pencils in the hand of a writing God, who is sending Love Letters to the world.”
Prayer: Thank You, Father, that You have prepared beforehand good works for me to do. Help me to see these opportunities and trust You for the outcome.
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Created by God for His glory, we stand on display. We are recognized as God’s workmanship. “Workmanship” is not just a result of effort or works. It is a result of artistic skill and craftsmanship. If we could earn salvation by our own good works, we would not be a work of God but a work of our own selves. We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God determined before we were ever born.
You are the unique creation of the God Of Wonders—Wow! Let that sink in for a moment. More than that, I encourage you to repeat this statement out loud. Yes, if you are reading this in a coffee shop, go for it! Stand up on the table and let it fly! That is how powerful this thought is: God handcrafted YOU for a purpose.
Now GO for it; say these words out loud, and let every word sink in:
“I _______________________ am the unique creation of The God Of Wonders. I _______________________________ am full of the Wonder Of God!”
Okay. Now you can sit down....unless others are joining in; then keep it going.
A few questions to think about:
• Why am I living?
• What am I living for?
• Do you have any idea how many good works God has prepared for you?
• Will my good works glorify me or God?
I think Mother Teresa had a real grip on what this verse meant when she said, “We are all pencils in the hand of a writing God, who is sending Love Letters to the world.”
Prayer: Thank You, Father, that You have prepared beforehand good works for me to do. Help me to see these opportunities and trust You for the outcome.
_______________________________________________
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
_______________________________________________
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Guest Post: put others first, be a servant
by lenny miller • associate care pastor
Who should really be first?
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28
A few years ago, the Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl. They were led by quarterback Peyton Manning, one of my favorite football players. I watched that game in its entirety, and yet I sit here today unable to recall who they played in the championship. This is common in our society—we love, admire, and remember winners. Yet those that have a great season and come very close to a championship will often fade from our memory.
Thus, growing up in this world fosters a mindset that one must succeed to have any real value. The danger in this is that often relationships, friendships, and any connection with other people can become manipulated for the purpose of only advancing our personal agenda. This is not something new; it was very prevalent even in the days of Christ, so they must have been surprised when Jesus said the words in today’s scripture verses. Jesus’ words describe leadership from a different perspective. Instead of trying to use people and resources around us to advance our agenda, we are to serve others. The real value in one’s life is not found in what they personally accomplish but in what they do for others. Maybe you have seen the bumper sticker that says “Real Men Love Jesus.” In these verses, Jesus is saying, “Real Leaders Serve Others.” Jesus’ mission was to serve others and to give His life away. The real leader has a servant’s heart and appreciates the value of others, realizing that leadership means not being above any job. There is no truer leader than one who serves others.
Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is another one of my favorite football players. During Spring break of his junior year in college, he could have traveled around America with speaking engagements, news media, and enormous crowds of fans gathering to see him. Do you know what Tim chose to do instead? He spent his break in the Philippines working with children. There was no one there that knew who he was, that would cheer for him as he arrived, and he would be no one’s hero as a sports icon. When asked why he did it, he replied, “I could spend my Spring break hanging out and having fun, or I could spend my Spring break ministering to orphans, ministering to people in the hospital who only have a few weeks to live…. and I think, ‘What really matters?’”
Anyone who desires for their life to really be meaningful must understand that every moment spent building someone else up to see the greatness that they can be, and the value that they are to God, is a moment spent building a greater world. This is the example Jesus was to us. As the passage says, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Prayer: Jesus, please set us free from the bondage of self-centeredness. Help us to realize the great value in serving others and to discover the joy that it brings into our lives. May we follow Your example of serving, and in doing so, discover real fulfillment in life. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
Who should really be first?
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28
A few years ago, the Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl. They were led by quarterback Peyton Manning, one of my favorite football players. I watched that game in its entirety, and yet I sit here today unable to recall who they played in the championship. This is common in our society—we love, admire, and remember winners. Yet those that have a great season and come very close to a championship will often fade from our memory.
Thus, growing up in this world fosters a mindset that one must succeed to have any real value. The danger in this is that often relationships, friendships, and any connection with other people can become manipulated for the purpose of only advancing our personal agenda. This is not something new; it was very prevalent even in the days of Christ, so they must have been surprised when Jesus said the words in today’s scripture verses. Jesus’ words describe leadership from a different perspective. Instead of trying to use people and resources around us to advance our agenda, we are to serve others. The real value in one’s life is not found in what they personally accomplish but in what they do for others. Maybe you have seen the bumper sticker that says “Real Men Love Jesus.” In these verses, Jesus is saying, “Real Leaders Serve Others.” Jesus’ mission was to serve others and to give His life away. The real leader has a servant’s heart and appreciates the value of others, realizing that leadership means not being above any job. There is no truer leader than one who serves others.
Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is another one of my favorite football players. During Spring break of his junior year in college, he could have traveled around America with speaking engagements, news media, and enormous crowds of fans gathering to see him. Do you know what Tim chose to do instead? He spent his break in the Philippines working with children. There was no one there that knew who he was, that would cheer for him as he arrived, and he would be no one’s hero as a sports icon. When asked why he did it, he replied, “I could spend my Spring break hanging out and having fun, or I could spend my Spring break ministering to orphans, ministering to people in the hospital who only have a few weeks to live…. and I think, ‘What really matters?’”
Anyone who desires for their life to really be meaningful must understand that every moment spent building someone else up to see the greatness that they can be, and the value that they are to God, is a moment spent building a greater world. This is the example Jesus was to us. As the passage says, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Prayer: Jesus, please set us free from the bondage of self-centeredness. Help us to realize the great value in serving others and to discover the joy that it brings into our lives. May we follow Your example of serving, and in doing so, discover real fulfillment in life. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.
_______________________________________________
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
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Monday, November 15, 2010
Guest Post: be united in Christ by respecting team and leadership
by gerald jarrett • celebrate recovery pastor
Yes, as a matter of fact, I AM one of “those guys”…. and you are, too. Welcome to the team.
“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” Philippians 2:1-4 (Msg)
Have you ever noticed how hard it is sometimes to respect the team and leadership while serving Christ? It seems that God has a particular sense of humor that requires Him to ALWAYS insert that one special person that is hard to work with into the team. I’ve come to the conclusion that this is not a coincidence. There is a reason, and we are meant to grow with it.
Have you ever been to Colorado? The majestic beauty of places like Aspen, Durango, Denver, Vail, and Pike’s Peak transcends words. The interesting thing, however, is that all of those places are in the western half of Colorado. Eastern Colorado is flatter than road kill in the truck lane and totally devoid of any interesting scenery whatsoever. We are told that a cataclysmic event of great geological violence occurred to form the Rocky Mountains. That happened in the western half of Colorado, not the eastern half.
Here is something to think about: it was the catastrophic nature of that geological event that formed the majestic splendor we all appreciate. The violence begat the beauty. Nothing happened in eastern Colorado, and its lack of scenery renders it useless as a vacation destination.
You may think that God cannot use you on His team because of the pain and devastation in your past, but here is the neat thing: that is precisely what forms the beauty of your worth that allows God to use you to reach others for Him. As Rick Warren states, “God never wastes a pain.” It is the brokenness of your life that formed the Rocky Mountains that are in your soul. And lest you forget, that same brokenness in others’ lives is what makes them useful, too. When someone gets REALLY broken, that may just qualify them to be the leader!
As you serve, be united in Christ. Look around you at your team and leaders. Enjoy the beauty. Welcome to western Colorado!
The core issue of the focus scripture today points toward self-denial: if we are to be a team that can serve Christ, we must first love and serve each other. List one way you can do that this week with the others on your team.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us that we are stronger as a team. Can you list specific instances when you have experienced this truth as you have served in the church?
As you serve together on Saturday, recognize if there is a person on your team that God has challenged you to appreciate in a new way. Who, and why?
Prayer: Our Father, I thank You for the fascinating diversity of our team and its leaders. Help me to appreciate in a new way the gifts and uniqueness of others as we serve together toward the eternal purpose of the mission that You have laid on our hearts. I ask that You continue to bless our team by providing each one of us with further opportunities to use our distinctive abilities together in service for Your kingdom. For this I pray in Jesus’ name, and it is for His sake that I serve. Amen.
Yes, as a matter of fact, I AM one of “those guys”…. and you are, too. Welcome to the team.
“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” Philippians 2:1-4 (Msg)
Have you ever noticed how hard it is sometimes to respect the team and leadership while serving Christ? It seems that God has a particular sense of humor that requires Him to ALWAYS insert that one special person that is hard to work with into the team. I’ve come to the conclusion that this is not a coincidence. There is a reason, and we are meant to grow with it.
Have you ever been to Colorado? The majestic beauty of places like Aspen, Durango, Denver, Vail, and Pike’s Peak transcends words. The interesting thing, however, is that all of those places are in the western half of Colorado. Eastern Colorado is flatter than road kill in the truck lane and totally devoid of any interesting scenery whatsoever. We are told that a cataclysmic event of great geological violence occurred to form the Rocky Mountains. That happened in the western half of Colorado, not the eastern half.
Here is something to think about: it was the catastrophic nature of that geological event that formed the majestic splendor we all appreciate. The violence begat the beauty. Nothing happened in eastern Colorado, and its lack of scenery renders it useless as a vacation destination.
You may think that God cannot use you on His team because of the pain and devastation in your past, but here is the neat thing: that is precisely what forms the beauty of your worth that allows God to use you to reach others for Him. As Rick Warren states, “God never wastes a pain.” It is the brokenness of your life that formed the Rocky Mountains that are in your soul. And lest you forget, that same brokenness in others’ lives is what makes them useful, too. When someone gets REALLY broken, that may just qualify them to be the leader!
As you serve, be united in Christ. Look around you at your team and leaders. Enjoy the beauty. Welcome to western Colorado!
The core issue of the focus scripture today points toward self-denial: if we are to be a team that can serve Christ, we must first love and serve each other. List one way you can do that this week with the others on your team.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us that we are stronger as a team. Can you list specific instances when you have experienced this truth as you have served in the church?
As you serve together on Saturday, recognize if there is a person on your team that God has challenged you to appreciate in a new way. Who, and why?
Prayer: Our Father, I thank You for the fascinating diversity of our team and its leaders. Help me to appreciate in a new way the gifts and uniqueness of others as we serve together toward the eternal purpose of the mission that You have laid on our hearts. I ask that You continue to bless our team by providing each one of us with further opportunities to use our distinctive abilities together in service for Your kingdom. For this I pray in Jesus’ name, and it is for His sake that I serve. Amen.
_______________________________________________
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
_______________________________________________
Sunday, November 14, 2010
shine your light, start today—don’t wait for saturday
by allen white • adult discipleship pastor
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
The purpose of light is to dispel darkness. My grandfather worked for years in the lead mines south of Saint Louis, Missouri. When I was a kid, we toured a mine. Looking back, I’m not sure how healthy that was being completely surrounded by lead, but I was ignorant to its effects, and the tour was interesting. We reached a certain point of the tour deep inside the earth, and the guide decided to turn off the lights. We were soon enveloped by thick, inky darkness. You couldn’t see anything. You couldn’t see the outline of the person next to you. You couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. It was a little terrifying, except that I knew that it wasn’t permanent. Then our guide switched on his helmet light. It wasn’t a powerful light, but it completely transformed our surroundings.
People without Christ are living in black, inky darkness. Our neighbors and co-workers are not necessarily bad people. Our friends don’t seem to be evil. Some of them even go to church. Their darkness is not a long shadow or a dusky sunset sky. Their darkness is just as black as the criminal’s guilt or the junky’s addictions. That’s where we used to live, too.
Jesus told His disciples, “You are the light of the world.” Are you a disciple of Jesus? Then you are the light of the world. Boy, this is starting to sound like evangelism, one of our greatest fears. Before you dust off the Romans Road or the Four Spiritual Laws, look at Jesus’ instructions: “Let your light shine… that they may see your good deeds.” It’s what we allow God to do through us to help others that shines the light. We should “preach” with our deeds and not necessarily our words. People will see the light through how you serve.
Where do you start? Well, what needs do you see, and what can you do about it? Do it. Don’t wait until next Saturday. Help someone today. Offer a kind word, a caring smile, a helping hand. Let your light shine.
Prayer: Father, I want to offer myself to You as a vessel to shine Your light into the darkness of this world. Show me who to help. Show me how to help. Let Your light shine through me. Amen.
_______________________________________________
Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
_______________________________________________
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Guest Post: prepare yourself in prayer
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Over the next 10 days, you will be receiving the devotionals that the pastors of Brookwood Church have prepared for ServeFest 2010. ServeFest is a community outreach that will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Greenville County, South Carolina. If you would like to participate in ServeFest, register here: brookwoodchurch.org/servefest
The devotionals following the Beatitudes series will resume on November 24, 2010.
_______________________________________________
by fenton moorhead • missions pastor
“’Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been burned.’ When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, ‘O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! … Please remember what you told your servant Moses: “If you sin, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands, even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.” We are your servants, the people you rescued by your great power and might. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success….’” Nehemiah 1:3-11 (NLT)
Nehemiah was a man of action. When he saw a need, he would not sit back and let someone else take the initiative. He would take the risk to act and make a difference. He heard the news that the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem were in trouble and that the wall of the city and the gates were destroyed. To go and do something would be costly in time and effort, and the King of Persia he served might not be sympathetic. Before he did anything, he prepared himself in prayer and asked God’s blessing!
I frequently act before praying and then ask for help along the way. The example of Nehemiah is worth great consideration. He took the time to let God prepare him for what was ahead. He did not overestimate his ability to get things done. He knew he would be dependent on God for success each step of the way.
As you read this story, notice the heart of Nehemiah and his passion for God and his deep desire to help the people. He was not afraid to show his emotions.
1. Examine yourself and confess the apathy we all are so capable of falling into.
2. Ask God to give you a tender heart and make you more aware of the needs of others.
3. Thank God that He has promised to bless us and give us success as we step out in faith to serve others.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You take great pleasure when Your followers serve others unselfishly and do not look for glory or credit. I want to give You pleasure as I step out in faith to work in ServeFest. Please give me success. In Your name, Amen.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Has Friendship Lost Its Edge?
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
Sharpening implies the use of something abrasive. For most of us, that’s the last type of friend that we would choose. Nowadays, we want friends for fun, not for friction. Our sharpening process has been dulled. Rather than iron on iron, it’s more like Nerf on marshmallow. Friendship has lost its edge.
It’s not so much that we don’t want to hurt our friend’s feelings. It’s more that we just don’t want to deal with it. It was their choice. They chose that path. Now, they’re facing the consequences. But, we’re praying for them (not really). No wonder everyone needs Oprah for advice. Our friends are holding out on us.
I’m not saying that we all need to tell our friends off. But, we must realize that our politeness in friendship feels more like passivity. Oh well…
“But, who am I to tell someone else how they should live their lives?” Good question. Have you ever told someone to avoid a restaurant that had bad food or poor service? Have you ever recommended a good movie? An honest mechanic? A skilled carpenter? Are we the expert? No, but we’re sharing an experience.
We will speak to the miscellaneous matters of life, but we feel inadequate in addressing the significant matters of life. “That relationship is a train wreck.” “You are hanging by a thread at work.” “Do you have any idea how truly annoying you can be?” Think about the things that we say about our “friend” to our other friends. It’s not that we’re averse to spotting the issue or discussing it, we just don’t talk directly to them.
Maybe we don’t tell them what to do. Maybe we ask them what they’re doing. Maybe we help them see the outcome. “Is it me, or do you find yourself attracted to the same type of person? How will this be different than last time? Do you know the definition of insanity?” Okay, maybe not exactly like that.
While we may not feel the authority to speak to issues directly, Scripture certainly has the authority. But, isn’t that judging? It is, but you’re not the judge. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
What friend do you see headed down the wrong path (again)? Where do you need some support and encouragement? Pray about how to proceed. Then, pray for the right approach.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Sharpening implies the use of something abrasive. For most of us, that’s the last type of friend that we would choose. Nowadays, we want friends for fun, not for friction. Our sharpening process has been dulled. Rather than iron on iron, it’s more like Nerf on marshmallow. Friendship has lost its edge.
It’s not so much that we don’t want to hurt our friend’s feelings. It’s more that we just don’t want to deal with it. It was their choice. They chose that path. Now, they’re facing the consequences. But, we’re praying for them (not really). No wonder everyone needs Oprah for advice. Our friends are holding out on us.
I’m not saying that we all need to tell our friends off. But, we must realize that our politeness in friendship feels more like passivity. Oh well…
“But, who am I to tell someone else how they should live their lives?” Good question. Have you ever told someone to avoid a restaurant that had bad food or poor service? Have you ever recommended a good movie? An honest mechanic? A skilled carpenter? Are we the expert? No, but we’re sharing an experience.
We will speak to the miscellaneous matters of life, but we feel inadequate in addressing the significant matters of life. “That relationship is a train wreck.” “You are hanging by a thread at work.” “Do you have any idea how truly annoying you can be?” Think about the things that we say about our “friend” to our other friends. It’s not that we’re averse to spotting the issue or discussing it, we just don’t talk directly to them.
Maybe we don’t tell them what to do. Maybe we ask them what they’re doing. Maybe we help them see the outcome. “Is it me, or do you find yourself attracted to the same type of person? How will this be different than last time? Do you know the definition of insanity?” Okay, maybe not exactly like that.
While we may not feel the authority to speak to issues directly, Scripture certainly has the authority. But, isn’t that judging? It is, but you’re not the judge. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
What friend do you see headed down the wrong path (again)? Where do you need some support and encouragement? Pray about how to proceed. Then, pray for the right approach.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up
httTwo are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Remember that commercial where the older women presses a button on her necklace, then says, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” The button promises independence with an emergency backup. And, I’m sure that it’s helped a lot of people. If they were given a choice, they would certainly prefer to have an actual person there.
Last night, I was listening to Dr. Mike Collins at Monday Night with the MOB (Men of Brookwood). I was tempted to leave early, since it was Game 5 of the World Series (Go Giants!), but I stayed for his whole talk and missed three scoreless innings.
Mike Collins is one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. If you attend Brookwood, you’ve probably seen him in his power wheelchair accompanied by his wife, Susan. Mike was an athlete, a trainer, a coach, a professor and a successful businessman. He’s also a Texan. He mentioned last night that he grew up understanding that you don’t ask for help, you do it yourself.
After an automobile accident in 2003, Mike was left paralyzed from the chest down. While he has gained some movement through intensive physical therapy, he is entirely dependent on his wife and his friends for everything. While I’m sure that there is frustration at times, he says that he’s happier and more fulfilled now than ever. What business success couldn’t bring him a life changing injury did.
When I listen to Mike, I do appreciate the use of my physical abilities. But, most of all, I appreciate his attitude and his outlook on life. I have never left a conversation with him and not felt encouraged. He could have plenty to complain about, yet he chooses to encourage others. He also works three days per week at Greenville Tech with Susan by his side.
Most of us have full use of our physical abilities, yet we are paralyzed in other ways. We can’t get past the things that we’ve done. We can’t get over the hurt of our past. We can’t escape the pull of an addiction. We’re stuck. We need a little button, so we can shout, “I’m stuck and I can’t move forward!”
In the church, help is all around us. Have you asked for help? Have you asked for someone to pray about the thing that’s breaking your heart? Have you borrowed something from someone rather than going out and charging it on your credit card? Do you have a small group around you to encourage you and to lead you to the truth of God’s Word?
Or have you fallen and you can’t get up?
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Remember that commercial where the older women presses a button on her necklace, then says, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” The button promises independence with an emergency backup. And, I’m sure that it’s helped a lot of people. If they were given a choice, they would certainly prefer to have an actual person there.
Last night, I was listening to Dr. Mike Collins at Monday Night with the MOB (Men of Brookwood). I was tempted to leave early, since it was Game 5 of the World Series (Go Giants!), but I stayed for his whole talk and missed three scoreless innings.
After an automobile accident in 2003, Mike was left paralyzed from the chest down. While he has gained some movement through intensive physical therapy, he is entirely dependent on his wife and his friends for everything. While I’m sure that there is frustration at times, he says that he’s happier and more fulfilled now than ever. What business success couldn’t bring him a life changing injury did.
When I listen to Mike, I do appreciate the use of my physical abilities. But, most of all, I appreciate his attitude and his outlook on life. I have never left a conversation with him and not felt encouraged. He could have plenty to complain about, yet he chooses to encourage others. He also works three days per week at Greenville Tech with Susan by his side.
Most of us have full use of our physical abilities, yet we are paralyzed in other ways. We can’t get past the things that we’ve done. We can’t get over the hurt of our past. We can’t escape the pull of an addiction. We’re stuck. We need a little button, so we can shout, “I’m stuck and I can’t move forward!”
In the church, help is all around us. Have you asked for help? Have you asked for someone to pray about the thing that’s breaking your heart? Have you borrowed something from someone rather than going out and charging it on your credit card? Do you have a small group around you to encourage you and to lead you to the truth of God’s Word?
Or have you fallen and you can’t get up?
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Impossibility of Change
Can the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil. Jeremiah 13:23
The Greenville Zoo has a leopard. He’s usually napping when we go there. One day he made the mistake of sleeping next to the glass near the front of his enclosure. My kids made enough noise that he actually got up and moved. Yes, my children are scarier than a leopard sometimes. But, I wouldn’t trade them. Besides, leopards make poor pets.
Leopards are genetically created with beautiful coats.
That’s probably a good thing, since they aren’t very exciting to watch sleeping in the zoo. The Bible says that we are as prone to change our behavior as a leopard is likely to change its spots. That’s a depressing thought. But, fortunately, this is not all that the Bible says about us.
We must realize that we cannot change our ways solely by self-determination. The wheels are bound to fall off sooner or later. After all, how many New Year’s resolutions have any of us actually kept? We can go for a while, but most of us aren’t disciplined enough for the long haul. We all have the ability to quit a bad habit for a little while or to start a good habit for as long. But, lasting change doesn’t come from our own efforts.
A leopard can’t change its spots, and we can’t change our ways, but “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). What does that mean? Well, the sooner we give up on our own efforts to reform ourselves and allow God to take control, the sooner we will actually experience lasting change.
What seems impossible to you today? How have you asked God for help?
The next time you’re at the zoo, stop by and watch the leopard napping. Then, remember that nothing is impossible with God.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
The Greenville Zoo has a leopard. He’s usually napping when we go there. One day he made the mistake of sleeping next to the glass near the front of his enclosure. My kids made enough noise that he actually got up and moved. Yes, my children are scarier than a leopard sometimes. But, I wouldn’t trade them. Besides, leopards make poor pets.
Leopards are genetically created with beautiful coats.
That’s probably a good thing, since they aren’t very exciting to watch sleeping in the zoo. The Bible says that we are as prone to change our behavior as a leopard is likely to change its spots. That’s a depressing thought. But, fortunately, this is not all that the Bible says about us.
We must realize that we cannot change our ways solely by self-determination. The wheels are bound to fall off sooner or later. After all, how many New Year’s resolutions have any of us actually kept? We can go for a while, but most of us aren’t disciplined enough for the long haul. We all have the ability to quit a bad habit for a little while or to start a good habit for as long. But, lasting change doesn’t come from our own efforts.
A leopard can’t change its spots, and we can’t change our ways, but “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). What does that mean? Well, the sooner we give up on our own efforts to reform ourselves and allow God to take control, the sooner we will actually experience lasting change.
What seems impossible to you today? How have you asked God for help?
The next time you’re at the zoo, stop by and watch the leopard napping. Then, remember that nothing is impossible with God.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Monday, November 8, 2010
Does Any Diet Actually Work?
The person with understanding is always looking for wisdom, but the mind of a fool wanders everywhere. Proverbs 17:24 (NCV)
Think about how many weight loss programs have been around over the years. Remember the grapefruit diet? We could burn away calories, even as we slept (and probably end up with an ulcer). Some friends did the cabbage and tomato soup diet. They could eat as much as they wanted, but that was all they could eat. Then, there’s Atkins, South Beach, the Zone, Weight Watchers, Nutrasystem and the list goes on. My favorite has always been the Seefood diet. You eat whatever you see. You don’t actually lose any weight, but it’s much more enjoyable than the others.
The key to losing weight is to eat less and to exercise more. The key to getting out of debt is to earn more and spend less. The principles are simple, yet we always search for an “easier” way.
If we want to change the way we live, then we must change the way we think. We need to focus on a single path and stop dabbling in 14 different things. As the great theologian, Alice in Wonderland, once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” But, which path do we take?
The Bible says the “person with understanding” or the intelligent person looks for wisdom. The fool will fall for anything. Wisdom is not so hard to find. The Bible gives us wisdom. Mature believers can give us wisdom. God promises to give us wisdom.
There is wisdom in persevering in God’s ways rather than persisting in our own ways. There is wisdom in evaluating how we are going about things and making a course correction when necessary. There is also wisdom in working things out rather than just getting out.
Where do you need wisdom today? The Bible says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Think about how many weight loss programs have been around over the years. Remember the grapefruit diet? We could burn away calories, even as we slept (and probably end up with an ulcer). Some friends did the cabbage and tomato soup diet. They could eat as much as they wanted, but that was all they could eat. Then, there’s Atkins, South Beach, the Zone, Weight Watchers, Nutrasystem and the list goes on. My favorite has always been the Seefood diet. You eat whatever you see. You don’t actually lose any weight, but it’s much more enjoyable than the others.
The key to losing weight is to eat less and to exercise more. The key to getting out of debt is to earn more and spend less. The principles are simple, yet we always search for an “easier” way.
If we want to change the way we live, then we must change the way we think. We need to focus on a single path and stop dabbling in 14 different things. As the great theologian, Alice in Wonderland, once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” But, which path do we take?
The Bible says the “person with understanding” or the intelligent person looks for wisdom. The fool will fall for anything. Wisdom is not so hard to find. The Bible gives us wisdom. Mature believers can give us wisdom. God promises to give us wisdom.
There is wisdom in persevering in God’s ways rather than persisting in our own ways. There is wisdom in evaluating how we are going about things and making a course correction when necessary. There is also wisdom in working things out rather than just getting out.
Where do you need wisdom today? The Bible says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Sunday, November 7, 2010
I Couldn’t Take Another Bite
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
Do you remember the last time your stomach growled? Not the last time you felt like you wanted to eat something and ran to the fridge during a commercial, but the last time you were physically hungry. Most of us keep ourselves so well nourished (and well caffeinated) that we don’t really experience hunger. I know that I could probably live off of my reserves for several weeks. (Did I mention that I’ve lost 17 pounds?)
Our lack of hunger is actually an important reason to fast. Fasting shows us overall how much we can do without. I don’t fast regularly, but when I do it’s significant.
But, let’s get back to feeling hungry or pretending that we did once. Hunger and thirst signify that our bodies are in need of something essential. If we don’t refresh our bodies, they will stop working. (Remember that today. “I need this latte or my body might stop working.” Just kidding).
Spiritually, Jesus said people who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed. Righteousness is an oft misunderstood term, because usually it’s proceeded by “self.” Self-righteousness means that I have determined what is righteous and what is not. As long as I live well by my rules, which are only part of God’s rules, then I feel righteous. The prophet Isaiah didn’t think very much of this kind of righteousness: “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Rule-keeping was not what Jesus had in mind here.
Righteousness is impossible for believers to achieve on our own, yet it is something that we crave. We want a life that is no longer dominated by sin, even the socially “acceptable” ones. We desire to shun earthly attitudes. To live our lives entirely clean, inside and out, is our ultimate goal. But, how do we get there?
Jesus said that those who are starving for righteousness, those who are parched from the ways of this world, will be filled. That sounds pretty good, except that we’ve already filled our lives with other things. Most of these things are even good things.
If our lives are already stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, the thought of being any more filled is repulsive. I’m not saying that we need to clear our calendars in order to devote copious hours to serving God. I just think that most of us are so busy with all of the details and activities of life that we don’t even think about God. I’m not saying this to make you feel guilty. I’m saying this because it is true.
God has a better life for you than the one you are living, and you are missing it. God has a kinder, gentler version of you in mind. God has fulfilling relationships in store for you, not draining ones. God has meaningful work in the plans, not tedious, unfulfilling work. God wants to fill your life, but you need to allow yourself to hunger.
Rather than just filling up time with activity, entertainment and work, and watching our lives pass by, God wants our attention. God wants us to want Him and what He has to give. Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
What are you seeking God for today? How do you deeply desire for your life to change? Maybe you’ve even allowed yourself to stop feeling that. God wants you to live fully alive and completely fulfilled. You just have to be hungry for it.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Do you remember the last time your stomach growled? Not the last time you felt like you wanted to eat something and ran to the fridge during a commercial, but the last time you were physically hungry. Most of us keep ourselves so well nourished (and well caffeinated) that we don’t really experience hunger. I know that I could probably live off of my reserves for several weeks. (Did I mention that I’ve lost 17 pounds?)
Our lack of hunger is actually an important reason to fast. Fasting shows us overall how much we can do without. I don’t fast regularly, but when I do it’s significant.
But, let’s get back to feeling hungry or pretending that we did once. Hunger and thirst signify that our bodies are in need of something essential. If we don’t refresh our bodies, they will stop working. (Remember that today. “I need this latte or my body might stop working.” Just kidding).
Spiritually, Jesus said people who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed. Righteousness is an oft misunderstood term, because usually it’s proceeded by “self.” Self-righteousness means that I have determined what is righteous and what is not. As long as I live well by my rules, which are only part of God’s rules, then I feel righteous. The prophet Isaiah didn’t think very much of this kind of righteousness: “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Rule-keeping was not what Jesus had in mind here.
Righteousness is impossible for believers to achieve on our own, yet it is something that we crave. We want a life that is no longer dominated by sin, even the socially “acceptable” ones. We desire to shun earthly attitudes. To live our lives entirely clean, inside and out, is our ultimate goal. But, how do we get there?
Jesus said that those who are starving for righteousness, those who are parched from the ways of this world, will be filled. That sounds pretty good, except that we’ve already filled our lives with other things. Most of these things are even good things.
If our lives are already stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, the thought of being any more filled is repulsive. I’m not saying that we need to clear our calendars in order to devote copious hours to serving God. I just think that most of us are so busy with all of the details and activities of life that we don’t even think about God. I’m not saying this to make you feel guilty. I’m saying this because it is true.
God has a better life for you than the one you are living, and you are missing it. God has a kinder, gentler version of you in mind. God has fulfilling relationships in store for you, not draining ones. God has meaningful work in the plans, not tedious, unfulfilling work. God wants to fill your life, but you need to allow yourself to hunger.
Rather than just filling up time with activity, entertainment and work, and watching our lives pass by, God wants our attention. God wants us to want Him and what He has to give. Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
What are you seeking God for today? How do you deeply desire for your life to change? Maybe you’ve even allowed yourself to stop feeling that. God wants you to live fully alive and completely fulfilled. You just have to be hungry for it.
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
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