Jesus said “if a believer loses his life for me he will find it” (Matthew 16:25). If I understand what Jesus is saying, He’s saying when I come to that place of death in myself that is when I will truly find the life He longs to give us.
So just think if we died to ourselves (like physical death):
-That thing called offense, resentment, or grudges it doesn’t affect someone who is dead to self.
-The selfish bug that bites us so often and causes much of the conflict in relationships. When you are dead, you find yourself thinking more of others (your dead).
-The embarrassment we feel to step out for God, that fear of speaking up or stepping out in faith, the self consciousness of looking different; guess what when you are dead to self you think a whole lot more about what God wants and less about your comfort. (you are dead to self….right?)
Think about how liberating it would be to truly be dead to self. I am blown away by the amount of life, freedom, joy, and God moments that could be experienced where fear and self consciousness was put to rest. Apparently it became a way of life for Paul, he declared “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;” (Galatians 2:20). Can’t say I am there yet but striving to do the same.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
I feel lead but not sure if it is God...
Have you ever felt led to do something but you wanted to make sure it was God and not you? I have had that happen to me more times than I can count; whether it was sharing my faith, offering encouragement or rebuke, going a certain direction. I think God wants me to do it but I am not sure (and scared). Can you relate?
In Matthew 14 when Jesus walked out on the water the disciples were like frightened children. They thought it might be Jesus but they didn’t rule out it being a ghost. After they settled down Peter says “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come.” Peter ended up taking a small step out of the boat and a giant leap toward Jesus. He is the only person (beside Jesus) to have literally walked on water. We learn, though, that when you step out in faith it doesn’t take long to start second guessing yourself. Peter saw the wind and waves and wonders “did I make a mistake getting out of the boat?” And when you do that spiritually you start to sink because you stop focusing on Jesus and start focusing on the wind and waves.
Andy Stanley in his book “The Next Generation Leader" writes “generally speaking, you are probably never going to be more than 80% certain. Waiting for great certainty may cause you to miss an opportunity.”
Most want absolute certainty before stepping out in faith. We love 100% money back guarantees but the problem with that reasoning in life is that it takes faith out of the equation. Maybe we are not suppose to be absolutely certain before we step out. As Mark Batterson says “there is no such thing as risk free faith….and you can’t experience success without risking failure.”
What steps of faith do I need to take today? (Thoughts inspired by the book “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day” p. 114)
In Matthew 14 when Jesus walked out on the water the disciples were like frightened children. They thought it might be Jesus but they didn’t rule out it being a ghost. After they settled down Peter says “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come.” Peter ended up taking a small step out of the boat and a giant leap toward Jesus. He is the only person (beside Jesus) to have literally walked on water. We learn, though, that when you step out in faith it doesn’t take long to start second guessing yourself. Peter saw the wind and waves and wonders “did I make a mistake getting out of the boat?” And when you do that spiritually you start to sink because you stop focusing on Jesus and start focusing on the wind and waves.
Andy Stanley in his book “The Next Generation Leader" writes “generally speaking, you are probably never going to be more than 80% certain. Waiting for great certainty may cause you to miss an opportunity.”
Most want absolute certainty before stepping out in faith. We love 100% money back guarantees but the problem with that reasoning in life is that it takes faith out of the equation. Maybe we are not suppose to be absolutely certain before we step out. As Mark Batterson says “there is no such thing as risk free faith….and you can’t experience success without risking failure.”
What steps of faith do I need to take today? (Thoughts inspired by the book “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day” p. 114)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Are you a person of grace?
Can you imagine if God extended conditional grace like insurance companies handle high risk people? Imagine Heaven sending a note like this…
Dear So and So
I’m writing in response to this morning’s request for forgiveness. I’m sorry to inform you that you have reached your quota of sins. Our records show that, since employing our services, you have erred seven times in the area of greed, and your prayer life is substandard when compared to others of like age and circumstance. Further review reveals that your understanding of doctrine is in the lower 20% and you have excessive tendencies to gossip. Because of your sins you are a high risk candidate for heaven. You understand that grace has its limits. Jesus sends his regrets and kindest regards and hopes that you will find some other form of coverage. (Max Lucado-Grip of Grace)
How about you, are you a person of grace?
Last week we looked at the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Really the story isn’t so much about the lost son who returned to the Father, it’s about the elder son that was with the Father the whole time. The shock of the story is that despite being with the Father, hardworking, and responsible, he had no qualities like his father.
His problem is ours, too often we can’t see sin in the mirror. While the father is able to forgive, love, and restore one who was lost. He is blinded by his own pride, self righteousness, and hate.
It's a Christianity that is not about helping others experience God's authentic grace that changes lives, it has an exclusive focus on three people...me, myself, and I. Grace can only change lives of people that know they need it.
Think about going to “The Church of the Elder Brother.” Can you feel the love, grace, restoring qualities of the Father?
Joseph Stowell, president of Moody Bible Institute, has said that the American Church is “long on mad, and short on grace.” We’re mad at politicians, we’re mad at the media, we’re mad at the President. We’re also mad at those who live their lives differently than we do. Lost people are going to sin because they’re lost. Christians are going to sin because they’re not perfect. We need grace so let’s refuse to be angry with people who sin differently than we do.
Worst of all the elder brother couldn’t enjoy God or his blessings. The father says to him “All I have is yours, you can enjoy it anytime”(Luke 15:31-32). Notice how it ends, everyone is celebrating in the home, thanking God over a changed life and the older brother is outside isolated, angry, and alone.
Hoping we strive to be people of grace.
Dear So and So
I’m writing in response to this morning’s request for forgiveness. I’m sorry to inform you that you have reached your quota of sins. Our records show that, since employing our services, you have erred seven times in the area of greed, and your prayer life is substandard when compared to others of like age and circumstance. Further review reveals that your understanding of doctrine is in the lower 20% and you have excessive tendencies to gossip. Because of your sins you are a high risk candidate for heaven. You understand that grace has its limits. Jesus sends his regrets and kindest regards and hopes that you will find some other form of coverage. (Max Lucado-Grip of Grace)
How about you, are you a person of grace?
Last week we looked at the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Really the story isn’t so much about the lost son who returned to the Father, it’s about the elder son that was with the Father the whole time. The shock of the story is that despite being with the Father, hardworking, and responsible, he had no qualities like his father.
His problem is ours, too often we can’t see sin in the mirror. While the father is able to forgive, love, and restore one who was lost. He is blinded by his own pride, self righteousness, and hate.
It's a Christianity that is not about helping others experience God's authentic grace that changes lives, it has an exclusive focus on three people...me, myself, and I. Grace can only change lives of people that know they need it.
Think about going to “The Church of the Elder Brother.” Can you feel the love, grace, restoring qualities of the Father?
Joseph Stowell, president of Moody Bible Institute, has said that the American Church is “long on mad, and short on grace.” We’re mad at politicians, we’re mad at the media, we’re mad at the President. We’re also mad at those who live their lives differently than we do. Lost people are going to sin because they’re lost. Christians are going to sin because they’re not perfect. We need grace so let’s refuse to be angry with people who sin differently than we do.
Worst of all the elder brother couldn’t enjoy God or his blessings. The father says to him “All I have is yours, you can enjoy it anytime”(Luke 15:31-32). Notice how it ends, everyone is celebrating in the home, thanking God over a changed life and the older brother is outside isolated, angry, and alone.
Hoping we strive to be people of grace.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Did You Miss First?
I recently read a story that makes a great point. (sorry I don't have the source)
Jacksonville Jaquers center Kevin Long, who played under Coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State University, said his college coach inspired the team with parables. Long recounted a favorite story:
"[Bowden] was playing college baseball, and he had never hit a home run. Finally he hit one down the right-field line, into the comer. He rounded first without touching the base and looked to the third base coach. He turned at second, was halfway to third and the coach was still waving him on. He got to home, and he hit the plate. He had his first home run, he was so excited and everybody was slapping him high fives. Then the pitcher took the ball, threw it to the first baseman, and the umpire called him out.
[Coach Bowden] said, "If you don't take care of first base, it doesn't matter what else you do.”
It is easy to let the urgent distract from the most important things. Life is so short, let’s remember we are not here to just pay bills, be busy, and survive but to live for God and His Kingdom priorities.
This year’s theme has been “God’s mission, My mission.” Let’s not talk about what is important to God, let’s DO what is important.
Jacksonville Jaquers center Kevin Long, who played under Coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State University, said his college coach inspired the team with parables. Long recounted a favorite story:
"[Bowden] was playing college baseball, and he had never hit a home run. Finally he hit one down the right-field line, into the comer. He rounded first without touching the base and looked to the third base coach. He turned at second, was halfway to third and the coach was still waving him on. He got to home, and he hit the plate. He had his first home run, he was so excited and everybody was slapping him high fives. Then the pitcher took the ball, threw it to the first baseman, and the umpire called him out.
[Coach Bowden] said, "If you don't take care of first base, it doesn't matter what else you do.”
It is easy to let the urgent distract from the most important things. Life is so short, let’s remember we are not here to just pay bills, be busy, and survive but to live for God and His Kingdom priorities.
This year’s theme has been “God’s mission, My mission.” Let’s not talk about what is important to God, let’s DO what is important.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Breaking the 2 steps forward 3 steps back cycle
Do you ever feel like you are taking 2 steps forward financially then 3 steps back? You got money back from your taxes and finally a little cushion and then bam! The furnace quit, the car broke down, a bill came due and there you are again in an even worse condition. Perhaps you could find some help from the book of Haggai chapter 1.
The people had returned from being exiled in Babylon (a place of bondage). They experienced new freedom. They were given a new purpose to go and build the house of God. They began to do that, successfully laying the foundation, building an altar and were even offering sacrifices. They are on the right road but then struggle and problems and the work of God stalled. Soon they got distracted and lost their priorities. People had gradually turned from the doing the will of God to doing their own will.
Haggai comes and basically says let’s finish rebuilding God’s house.
The people say what we might when it comes to money… “It is not a good time to build, there is recession, drought, crop failure, and high inflation (doesn’t that sound like us).
Check out Haggai 1:4 he says “Is it then time for you to build your own paneled houses?” It could have the idea of luxury and ornamentation but the point he is making is that this economy thing "didn’t stop you finishing your stuff but somehow it has stopped you from doing God’s stuff."
v. 5 he tells them to consider their ways. Great word for us in regards to the money we are given. So often we are not slowed down funding our lifestyle but we make all kinds of excuses why we slack on what is important to God. Like them we get our priorities backwards.
Haggai says “you have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves but no one is warm, and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes” (v. 6).
Is that happening to your finances, working harder and seeing it fly away…consider your ways. What are you doing with what God has given you? Don’t make the mistake they did in assuming they were responsible for their growth and prosperity, and so they did it their own way. They were being disciplined by God (v. 9-11) so that they could get on the right track. If you are struggling financially, I am not saying you are being disciplined by God…but you might. Let’s get our heart set on things that are important to God and see if God will help us with the rest.
The people had returned from being exiled in Babylon (a place of bondage). They experienced new freedom. They were given a new purpose to go and build the house of God. They began to do that, successfully laying the foundation, building an altar and were even offering sacrifices. They are on the right road but then struggle and problems and the work of God stalled. Soon they got distracted and lost their priorities. People had gradually turned from the doing the will of God to doing their own will.
Haggai comes and basically says let’s finish rebuilding God’s house.
The people say what we might when it comes to money… “It is not a good time to build, there is recession, drought, crop failure, and high inflation (doesn’t that sound like us).
Check out Haggai 1:4 he says “Is it then time for you to build your own paneled houses?” It could have the idea of luxury and ornamentation but the point he is making is that this economy thing "didn’t stop you finishing your stuff but somehow it has stopped you from doing God’s stuff."
v. 5 he tells them to consider their ways. Great word for us in regards to the money we are given. So often we are not slowed down funding our lifestyle but we make all kinds of excuses why we slack on what is important to God. Like them we get our priorities backwards.
Haggai says “you have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves but no one is warm, and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes” (v. 6).
Is that happening to your finances, working harder and seeing it fly away…consider your ways. What are you doing with what God has given you? Don’t make the mistake they did in assuming they were responsible for their growth and prosperity, and so they did it their own way. They were being disciplined by God (v. 9-11) so that they could get on the right track. If you are struggling financially, I am not saying you are being disciplined by God…but you might. Let’s get our heart set on things that are important to God and see if God will help us with the rest.
Friday, February 19, 2010
LO$T- Quit Pretending
Are your finances a mess? Are you overwhelmed with debt? Do you keep getting yourself into financial trouble?
Lots of people in America are pretending to be rich. Many of us have chosen to have the nice homes, cars, and stuff and yet are in over our heads in debt and we have become what Solomon talks about “a slave to the lender.” It is often said there are two kinds of people “the have’s” and “the have not,” but the reality is there is a third group “the have not paid yet” people. Pretending to live a lifestyle they cannot afford. Proverbs 13:7 says “One man pretends to be rich, but in truth has nothing…”
Somehow we have bought the lie that debt is ok, when Proverbs tell us it is slavery (we are a slave to the lender). It is interesting to note that in 1929 only 2% of homes had a mortgage against them. Forty years later only 2% didn’t have a mortgage against them. What changed in our thinking?
We are asking wrong questions like:
“How much $ down is this going to take?”
“How much is it going to cost a month?”
“What is the most I can get for the least down?”
Instead we need to start asking ourselves the right questions. Is your marriage going to be stressed because you are fighting and worried about money? Are my kids going to miss out because we bought things we didn’t need, with money we didn’t have, to impress people we didn’t know. There is a hidden cost of unbiblical stewardship.
“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28)
Try doing this instead to reverse the consumption mentality and debt cycle. Next time you see that brand new coffee maker at Walmart and you think “my life has not been full without this coffee maker, and if I buy it today by opening up a new credit card I can save 10%.” Consider putting it back on the shelf (I know, I know…it’s hard but you will live). Then pray for three days and if you feel you still need it, buy it. As the amounts go up, give yourself some more time.
We have all heard the definition of insanity… “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get the same results.” We are trying new things over the month in our “LO$T- In Our Finances.” Hope you can come Sundays and also to our brand new small group series called “Finances God’s Way” through Crown Ministries…check the link out...
http://www.crown.org/Cart/Church/ManagingGodsWay.aspx
Lots of people in America are pretending to be rich. Many of us have chosen to have the nice homes, cars, and stuff and yet are in over our heads in debt and we have become what Solomon talks about “a slave to the lender.” It is often said there are two kinds of people “the have’s” and “the have not,” but the reality is there is a third group “the have not paid yet” people. Pretending to live a lifestyle they cannot afford. Proverbs 13:7 says “One man pretends to be rich, but in truth has nothing…”
Somehow we have bought the lie that debt is ok, when Proverbs tell us it is slavery (we are a slave to the lender). It is interesting to note that in 1929 only 2% of homes had a mortgage against them. Forty years later only 2% didn’t have a mortgage against them. What changed in our thinking?
We are asking wrong questions like:
“How much $ down is this going to take?”
“How much is it going to cost a month?”
“What is the most I can get for the least down?”
Instead we need to start asking ourselves the right questions. Is your marriage going to be stressed because you are fighting and worried about money? Are my kids going to miss out because we bought things we didn’t need, with money we didn’t have, to impress people we didn’t know. There is a hidden cost of unbiblical stewardship.
“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28)
Try doing this instead to reverse the consumption mentality and debt cycle. Next time you see that brand new coffee maker at Walmart and you think “my life has not been full without this coffee maker, and if I buy it today by opening up a new credit card I can save 10%.” Consider putting it back on the shelf (I know, I know…it’s hard but you will live). Then pray for three days and if you feel you still need it, buy it. As the amounts go up, give yourself some more time.
We have all heard the definition of insanity… “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get the same results.” We are trying new things over the month in our “LO$T- In Our Finances.” Hope you can come Sundays and also to our brand new small group series called “Finances God’s Way” through Crown Ministries…check the link out...
http://www.crown.org/Cart/Church/ManagingGodsWay.aspx
Friday, February 12, 2010
Are you lost financially?
Have you ever asked yourself if you are lost financially…these statements should give you a good idea if you are (taken from Andy Stanley’s series “Lost).
1. If you spend more then you make you are lost
2. If you don’t know if you are spending more then you make- you are lost
3. If you don’t care whether you are spending more then you make- you are lost
4. If you are spending more on your car, then your car is worth you are lost.
5. If you don’t know how much you owe on the car you are lost.
6. If paying the minimum on your credit card is a way of life you are lost.
7. If you think that is good financial planning you are lost.
8. If you are not saving, or not sure if you are saving enough you may be lost.
9. If you don’t know how much you owe, you are lost
10. If you have no way of tracking where your money goes, you are lost.
11. If you got a financial dream but no plan you are lost. If we don’t plan, we plan to fail.
12. If you make over 75000 a year and you feel financial pressure you are lost. You are one of the wealthiest people in the world (top 1%). Everyone in the world would look at you and say “what???”. You have created an unrealistic lifestyle.
13. If you make decision that you hope your spouse never discovers, you are lost
No one plans to get lost but somewhere along the way you did.
Let me make a bold statement: “you can not wholeheartedly follow Christ and stay lost financially.” Why? Because Jesus simply said too much about money. He talked about it more then heaven, hell, salvation, faith, and prayer. What did he conclude?
1. Our heart follows our treasure (money) Matthew 6:21. If you are lost financially your heart will get wrapped up somewhere in it.
2. We can’t serve both God and money (Luke 16:13). If you asked God what is the #1 competition he faces for our heart, it is our money and our stuff that steals it.
3. Debt is bondage just as great as any addiction (ok Jesus doesn’t say this outright but Solomon did). Prov 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.” How can you wholeheartedly serve Christ and be a slave to the lender (think about it). Let’s be honest most of us are in serious debt…random stats: Average 28 year old has $66,000 of debt, for every $1 we get we spend $1.22, our national budget this year had 3.8 trillion dollars of new debt.
Wouldn’t it be great to be free! It's possible. Instead of being in bondage to debt, not giving … don’t have money, not serving… don’t have time, not doing things you have dreamed of …can’t afford it. How about beginning to get “unlost.” To get there it has to start with you finding out where you are. You have to track where the money is going and determine where you want to be. Hopefully it will begin with you determining that debt is not ok, it is not God's best, and God has a better way. Come and join us for our new series "LO$T" and hopefully it will revolutionize your finances!
1. If you spend more then you make you are lost
2. If you don’t know if you are spending more then you make- you are lost
3. If you don’t care whether you are spending more then you make- you are lost
4. If you are spending more on your car, then your car is worth you are lost.
5. If you don’t know how much you owe on the car you are lost.
6. If paying the minimum on your credit card is a way of life you are lost.
7. If you think that is good financial planning you are lost.
8. If you are not saving, or not sure if you are saving enough you may be lost.
9. If you don’t know how much you owe, you are lost
10. If you have no way of tracking where your money goes, you are lost.
11. If you got a financial dream but no plan you are lost. If we don’t plan, we plan to fail.
12. If you make over 75000 a year and you feel financial pressure you are lost. You are one of the wealthiest people in the world (top 1%). Everyone in the world would look at you and say “what???”. You have created an unrealistic lifestyle.
13. If you make decision that you hope your spouse never discovers, you are lost
No one plans to get lost but somewhere along the way you did.
Let me make a bold statement: “you can not wholeheartedly follow Christ and stay lost financially.” Why? Because Jesus simply said too much about money. He talked about it more then heaven, hell, salvation, faith, and prayer. What did he conclude?
1. Our heart follows our treasure (money) Matthew 6:21. If you are lost financially your heart will get wrapped up somewhere in it.
2. We can’t serve both God and money (Luke 16:13). If you asked God what is the #1 competition he faces for our heart, it is our money and our stuff that steals it.
3. Debt is bondage just as great as any addiction (ok Jesus doesn’t say this outright but Solomon did). Prov 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.” How can you wholeheartedly serve Christ and be a slave to the lender (think about it). Let’s be honest most of us are in serious debt…random stats: Average 28 year old has $66,000 of debt, for every $1 we get we spend $1.22, our national budget this year had 3.8 trillion dollars of new debt.
Wouldn’t it be great to be free! It's possible. Instead of being in bondage to debt, not giving … don’t have money, not serving… don’t have time, not doing things you have dreamed of …can’t afford it. How about beginning to get “unlost.” To get there it has to start with you finding out where you are. You have to track where the money is going and determine where you want to be. Hopefully it will begin with you determining that debt is not ok, it is not God's best, and God has a better way. Come and join us for our new series "LO$T" and hopefully it will revolutionize your finances!
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