What Should I Pray For?

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!  Matthew 6:7-8

“Never stop praying.”  -  1 Thessalonians 5:17

I don’t know what to pray about!

Doesn’t God already know?  Why does He need me to tell Him?

I don’t want to bother God with my minor needs... should I?

What does God do with my prayers?

     I talk with many people who struggle with these particular aspects of their prayer lives.  What do we say?  How do we say it?  Why should we share it?  Does He even hear me or care?  If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, you aren’t alone.  Strong men and women of God have wrestled with questions such as these for centuries... desperately realizing that there is a need to stay connected with God, but very little experience or information about how to do it.  

    There’s nothing overcomplicated about prayer... it’s simply a dialogue.  A conversation with your Creator that cares implicitly about the details of your life.  If this is so... why do we hesitate?

For some, the issue is vocabulary.  We simply don’t think we have the “churchy” words that God wants us to use when we talk to Him.  We don’t know Elizabethan english or  long multi-syllable words that sound holy.    I can assure you, God cares very little about the words we use.  If we choose simple words that communicate our feelings and honor Him... we are in good shape.   In today’s verse from Matthew, Jesus warns agains using words for their own sake... He calls it “babble.”  We don’t want to use words simply because they sound scriptural... we want to pick those that best convey our feelings (both positively and negatively) to the One who cares so much for our hearts.

For others, the prayer issue is that we are ashamed.   We haven’t prayed in awhile.  A long while.  We think of God like a scolding dad... ready to point His finger at us and condemn our actions.  Let me assure you this morning that just because you may have temporarily hung up the phone... God has had His to His ear the whole time.  He’s ready to listen and He’s willing to forgive.  Don’t let the guilt of your past silence the present or get in the way of your future.  Go back to prayer.  Talk with God about it.  Stomp your feet... cry... laugh... but don’t stop.  Communication is key in any relationship and the one with your Heavenly Father is no exception.  

Others of us have convinced ourselves that if we don’t reveal it to God verbally... He doesn’t know.  It reminds me of preschoolers who put their hands over their eyes and say “You can’t see me!”  Of course we can.  And so does God.  God knows our hearts...the ups and the downs... the secrets we think we keep and the emotions we outwardly show.   Why not reveal those yourself?  We serve a God big enough to deal with anything we can throw at Him... He is all-powerful, never-changing, and always able.    

I ran across this little story about prayer...   

A father, walking past his 5 year old daughter’s room one night, proudly noticed she was on her knees in prayer. Listening in, he heard this curious prayer- "abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"- repeated several times. When she was finished, he asked her what it meant: "God is really smart," she said, "when I don’t know what to pray about, I just say the alphabet and He figures it out for me"

God IS really smart.  And He’s loving, compassionate, forgiving, helpful, unrelenting, concerned, graceful, peaceful, full of wisdom, dedicated, and always there.

He knows what you want to pray about... and He’ll patiently wait until you choose to share it.  Whatever the reason your prayer life has declined... decide today to change it.  Growing relationships require honesty, trust, and consistent communication.  If we want to reach our God-potential, let’s commit today to a vibrant prayer life!

Weakness?

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5 

I think one of the most misunderstood words throughout the Bible is the word “meek.”  Most people incorrectly define it as giving out or even giving up.  Some think that meek people are doormats with little constitution to be able to withstand the strains of life.  

Does meekness equal weakness?

Look at today’s passage of scripture... Jesus Himself says that those that are meek will... “Inherit the Earth”.  Doesn’t sound like this is a bad trait to have!  But what does it mean?

The Greek word for meek means gentle and humble but strong and courageous.  It is a person who can demonstrate tremendous self control.  Meek people possess strength...and tenderness.  Power and polish.  They will inherit the earth because they are problem solvers without being bridge burners.  Tremendous ability, opportunity, and strength...while demonstrating control, discipline, and focus.

Think about the life of Christ.  He lived a life that reflected this idea of meekness.  No better is it demonstrated than this passage from the book of Matthew.  Jesus has just been arrested and is being taken for questioning by the high priest.

“Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end. Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?”  But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”  Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”

“Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!”    

Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”

• Matthew 26: 57-68

Think about that...  Jesus could have called down legions of angels... hundreds of warriors on His behalf.  He knew the hearts of every person in that room and how they truly felt about Him.  They were falsely accusing Him.  Spitting on Him.... Laughing and mocking Him.  

What would you have done?  Does peaceful resolution come to mind?  How about revenge?

Jesus chose meekness.  

He knew the true definition of the word... Meekness means giving up what we want and giving in to full submission to God’s will.  It didn’t mean that He was incapable of defending Himself... it simply meant that He was unwilling to disobey God’s will for the sake of winning. 

Meekness isn’t weakness.  It is an act of obedience.   I want to challenge you... as you face the trials and discouragement of the world, I want you to follow the example of Christ.  

Choose meekness.

Can you solve the situation forcefully?  Maybe.  Choose to be meek and follow God’s direction in how to handle it.

Do you know more than they do?  Possibly.  Decide to be meek and allow God to change the hearts of those intimidating you.

Does the situation you find yourself in have a solution that would NOT honor God?  My bet is that it does... and it might seem like the easier route...

Choose meekness.  Harness your strength... demonstrate self-control... live out your faith... and follow God’s direction.  

Remember meekness isn’t about rolling over or giving in... it’s about giving up control.  It’s not about what we want or can do... it’s about what God wants to do in and through us as He builds our character!

To Be Honest

[From "In The Garden With Jesus," a children’s devotional written by Tiziana Ruff.]  

Once there was an emperor in the Far East who was growing old and knew it was coming time to choose his successor.  Instead of choosing one of his assistants or one of his own children, he decided to do something different.  He called all the young people in the kingdom together one day.  He said, "It has come time for me to step down and to choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you."

The kids were shocked! 

But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. 

One seed. It is a very special seed. I want you to go home, plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring to me, and the one I choose will be the next emperor of the kingdom!" 

There was one boy named Ling who was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed.  He went home and excitedly told his mother the whole story. She helped him get a pot and some planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. 

After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.  Ling kept going home and checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by. Still nothing. By now others were talking about their plants but Ling didn’t have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by, still nothing in Ling’s pot. 

He just knew he had killed his seed. 

Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. 

Ling didn’t say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow.  A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she encouraged him to go, and to take his pot, and to be honest about what happened. Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he trusted his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace.

When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by all the other youths. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes.  Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kids laughed at him.  A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey, nice try."  When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. 

Ling just tried to hide in the back. 

"My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!"  All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot.  He ordered his guards to him to the front.  Ling was terrified.  "The emperor knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. 

"My name is Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!"  Ling couldn’t believe it.  He couldn’t even grow his seed.  How could he be the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today.  But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!" 

You will see others being dishonest.  They will appear to be successful...thriving...passing you by.   

You will obey and wonder.  

They will deceive and temporarily prosper.  

Don’t give up... God will make things right.

“Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
    Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
    speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

Those who refuse to gossip
    or harm their neighbors
    or speak evil of their friends.

Those who despise flagrant sinners,
    and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
    and keep their promises even when it hurts.

Those who lend money without charging interest,
    and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.”   Psalm 15

Be honest.  You will stand firm forever.  Unshakeable.  Rewarded.  Blessed.  

It’s always worth it.

Where We Are

A pilot always looked down intently on a certain valley in the Appalachians. "What’s so interesting about that spot?" Asked a fellow pilot. "See that stream? Well, when I was a kid I used to sit down there on a log and fish. Every time an airplane flew over, I would look up and wish I were flying... Now I look down and wish I were fishing."

Why does it seem that no matter where we are... we want to be somewhere else?

Then when we get there... we either want to go back to where we just came from... or somewhere new.

Never satisfied.

Ever felt that way?  Ever wonder why you are where you are... Ever sit and think about how great it could be if you were in place A or with person B?   Ever have a longing to be someplace...get there...and wish you had never left the first place?  That feeling of dissatisfaction and regret can sting... and if we’re not careful... that simple question “what if” can derail us from a fulfilled life.

The Apostle Paul dealt with that... but he didn’t let it control him.   He figured out a way to be satisfied where he was...

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  Phil. 4:11-13

Paul’s “secret” to living in every situation?  Contentment through Christ.  Commitment not abandonment.   Pushing through not giving up.  Seeing adversity as an opportunity to trust God and not as an obstacle.    

Today you might be facing the giant of dissatisfaction.  You have the choice... sit in neutral, look out the window, and daydream about what it would be like to escape where you find yourself... Or pray and ask God to reveal to you how to make the most of where you currently are.  Contentment doesn’t mean that everything is perfect... it simply means that you realize three things:

1. God is in control. 
2. You won’t be where you are forever.  
3. There is something you will learn in your current situation that you couldn’t get any other way.

The grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence.  It’s greener where it’s watered.    You have to make the intentional decision to carry the water with you.  The Living Water (John 7:37-39).   Not wait to see if things improve... not grumble when they don’t change right away... but make the best of the situation you’re in.  Learn from it.  Seek God in it.  Dare to rise above your circumstances and praise God in spite of how the world tells you to react.   God has given you an incredible life... don’t waste a second of it wondering “what if”.   Instead... focus on what’s in front of you and keep moving forward.  

Even baby steps will get you to where you need to be eventually.  

Volcano

People get angry.  A lot.

One anger management firm stated that “one out of every five Americans has an anger management problem.”

Anger related violence is the reason stated for 22% of divorces of middle-class marriages.

Studies show that 79% of violent children witnessed some form of violence between their parents.

There are as many clients seeking mental health services for anger as there are clients seeking services for depression and anxiety. 

Anger is everywhere... and you’ve probably seen it lately.  Yesterday on the road... a week ago in your boss’ office... maybe even across the dinner table last night.  There doesn’t seem a way to avoid it... people get angry.  And you have to take it... right?

Far too many of us say yes to that question.  

We spend another day making excuses for a person... defending the “way they are wired”... cowering in a corner... allowing those that are bubbling over to ruin our day with their venom.   A boss, a wife, a child, a husband, a teacher, a parent, or an in-law... all angry... all volcano people... 

The volcano needs boundaries.  We may not get to control how they display their emotions, but we do get to decide how much we will let it influence our lives.  Not sure how to deal with someone who is challenged with anger issues?  Read on.

Here are a few tips that may help you establish the all-important boundary with the volcano person in your life:

1. Don’t get angry in return.  

“People with understanding control their anger;

    a hot temper shows great foolishness.”  Proverbs 14:29

Getting angry back simply escalates an issue that could be solved through other means.   Angry volcanic people are looking for a fight... when we give in and give it to them, we play right into their hands.  This includes throwing back insults, condescension, sarcasm, and the like.  Don’t let people manipulate you into conflict.  Gentle words minimize tension and allow time for rational thinking.

2.  Don’t tell them to “relax”

When volcanos are erupting with anger... they don’t take commands well.  Have you noticed this during an argument?  If somebody is melting down... let them get through it.  Even the hottest fires burn out eventually.  Remember:

“A gentle answer deflects anger,

    but harsh words make tempers flare.”  Proverbs 15:1

3.  Don’t insult them.  

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  Proverbs 12:18

Oftentimes, people get angry because they are insecure for one reason or another.  Insulting them causes their anger to increase...the insecurities to be validated... and the tension to escalate.  

One of the greatest Biblical examples of an effective boundary against anger was David’s.  In the book of 1 Samuel, he and his men returned to their hometown of Ziklag to find that all of their wives and children had been captured by the Amelekites.  Rather than get mad at the attackers, the men chose to focus all of their rage against their leader, David.  

(Isn’t that the case with volcano people?  Sometimes they might be angry... but we aren’t the cause... we are just the closest available target.)

Instead of David cowering in fear, giving in, or striking back... He simply does this:

“But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”  1 Samuel 30:6

Your greatest answer for the angry people in your life is your relationship with God.  He will give you the words you need, the nudge if you need to retreat and take a breath, the reminder that the anger will pass, the wisdom to know when to intervene, and the strength to confront if it’s unavoidable.   

You do not have to put up with anger in your life.  You were not created to be a verbal punching bag... a target for sarcasm... or the victim of somebody’s inability to cope with life.  You are strong in Christ... a precious and protected child of our intentional Creator.  Decide today that you are going to stay strong, set some boundaries, and reclaim your life from the angry and insecure.   

Restoration

“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’”  Jeremiah 30:17

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”  Psalm 51:12

“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”  Job 42:10

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”  Psalm 23:1

“Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.”  Mark 8:25

“obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you”  Deuteronomy 30:8-10

God makes things right.  

He heals the hurts.

He fixes what we think is irreparable.

He loves those the world calls unloveable.

He turns tragedy into triumph.

He mends relational fences.

He sees the tears you cry...and quietly whispers to your soul...

It’s going to be ok.  

I’ve got it.  

God watches over us.

God cares about us.

God restores us.  He heals our wounds... both physical and emotional (Jer. 30:17)

God restores us.  To spend eternity with Him... our eternity is secure (Psalm 51:12)

God restores us.  He’s generous. He provides more than was taken from us (Job 42:10)

God restores us.  He rejuvenates a dry soul.  (Psalm 23:1)

God restores us.  We can see things clearly after He touches us (Mark 8:25)

God restores us.  When we are obedient to Him...He blesses us (Deut. 30:8-10)

Feeling broken?  Hurt?  In pieces?  

God restores.

He will put you back together... never give up.... 

He loves you and He’s not done in your life. 

You matter.  Stay strong.  

You are loved.

God restores.

Opportunity

Some years ago at a Resort Area along the East Coast, a small community was having an open town meeting about some financial problems that they were facing.  Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was apparently visiting in that area & had just dropped in on the meeting.  He started to make a comment once as various projects were considered, but he was interrupted; so for the rest of the time, he kept still, and he left early.

Just as he went out someone arriving late came in, and said breathlessly, “What was he doing here? Is he going to help us?”  The rest of them said, “Who are you talking about? Who was that man?” 

The person who had just arrived said, “You mean you don’t know? That was John D. Rockefeller.  His yacht is in our harbor!  Didn’t you get his help? 

In despair someone said, “No, we didn’t get his help; we didn’t know who he was!”

Adjusted for inflation... John D. Rockefeller is considered by many to be the richest man (other than King Solomon) who ever lived.  

Have you ever missed an opportunity?  Kicked yourself for letting something (or someone) get by you?  Done something that ruined a chance to move forward or be rewarded?  If so, you aren’t alone.  Let’s take a look at one example from scripture... this one from Moses:

“In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried.

There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers!  Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock?  Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”

   So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord.  Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?”  Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”  This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.”  Numbers 20: 1-13

God wanted Moses to speak to the rock to produce water...

Moses struck it.

Game over.  Moses would never see the land that God had promised.  Opportunity missed.  Never to return. 

Unfair?  Many might think so.  After all, wasn’t the result the same?  Yes, water did pour from the stone... but the end doesn’t justify the means.  Moses blew it... and as a result would miss out on what he had dreamt about for 40 years... the promised land.

A textbook case of disobedience to God.   Moses was told something... had the opportunity to obey and follow through... and chose to do what HE wanted instead.  He  wasn’t the victim of circumstance... or had bad luck... or in the wrong place at the wrong time...  He CHOSE to disobey.  And because of that choice, he lost the opportunity for God to do something truly special through him.  

Do we do the same thing?  Do missed opportunities happen because we aren’t prepared or don’t do what we know we should?   Let’s look at a few scenarios:

What if I meet a man/woman?... What are my standards?  What will I do or not do that will honor God?

If someone I met today asked me how to have a relationship with Jesus... would I be able to explain it clearly?  

What does God want me to do in my family?  Have I shared Christ with all of them (even those hostile to the very thought of “religion”?)

Am I taking care of myself physically so that I can be fit enough to help people in and through my retirement years?  

Do I continually read, study, and grow by studying God’s Word?  What if I am in trouble... will I even know what God wants me to do?  

People pass away, circumstances change, aging happens, spiritual lives grow stagnant... and ultimately...  opportunities are missed forever.   But it doesn’t have to be that way for you.

Here’s are a few quick things I ask myself when figuring out how to not miss an opportunity:

1. Is this something God wants me to do or is it something that I want to do.  God’s requirements always take precedent over my own.  If it is something God wants me to do... I move to step 2.
   
2. What is God asking of me?   Is it clear what my objectives are?  Do I know what He requires?  I do this through prayer, the counsel of very close Christian friends/family, and my own understanding of scripture.
   
3. What do I need to change, give-up, alter, put on hold, or sacrifice in order to do what  He’s asking me to do?  Am I willing to pay the price that obedience requires?

I find that when I run life through this filter, I am able to better seize opportunity and be obedient to God in the process.  I pray that today, when a chance to honor God comes, you will be able to do so.  Regret hurts... guilt lingers... disappointment will swallow you up.  

But those things are preventable.  

Live life... don’t just react to it.  Look for chances to let God shine through you.  Stay in tune to His nudges... and before long you will yourself blessed beyond belief and an expert in making the most of every chance.

Today

Today is exactly 86,400 seconds long.... and it will go by in the blink of an eye.

Look at your day so far... you’re awake... maybe you’ve made some coffee... or a lunch appointment for later.  Maybe you’ve already checked your email, scanned twitter, and clicked the bookmark to join us here on my Facebook page.   Or perhaps it’s much later in your day and you’ve chatted with a client at lunch...or it’s night and you just put the kids to bed.

In any case... time hasn’t stopped or slowed down.  Not even once.  The sun blazed it’s path across the sky at the same rate it always does (except that once in Joshua 10:13).  

My point?  Today’s 86,400 seconds represent more than just things that happen to you. Your day is about more than handshakes, heartbreaks, and YouTube.  Your day was created special... by the Master Day-maker... by the One who cares more about you than anyone... by God.

Just for you.

Nobody on this whole planet has a day like you do.  The faces you’ll see... the words you will say... all unique to you.  Each experience hand-crafted to teach you something, remind you that you are loved, or present you with something that only you can grow from. 

What’s that “something”?  Opportunity.  What will you do with your opportunity today?

Make the most of life?

“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.”  - Colossians 4:5

Do good for others?

“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:10

Be positive?  Teach someone something? Comfort a friend?  Confront someone lovingly?  Cease a relationship?  Start a new one?  Launch a business?  Take a class?  

You have 86,400 seconds a day to make the most of the opportunities that God has placed on your heart.  Some you will know are coming and you can prepare for... others you will be forced to handle on the spot.  In either case, your decision will move you closer to your God-potential or draw you further away... There are no neutral choices.  

The challenge with opportunity is that we think we have to wait for it to arrive... We’re ready for the thing we think is best for us... standing at the dock waiting for that ship to come in!  Unfortunately...many times while we wait for that ship, opportunity arrives on a plane at the airport.  

And we have to adjust.  And we think we miss it.  And life doesn’t go as we want it to.  And we aren’t ready.  And we think God’s mad at us.  And we think we deserve it.  

God doesn’t see it that way.

Tomorrow morning, God is going to reset the timer and you’re going to get another 86,400 seconds to love, protect, trust, obey, serve, give, cheer, be brave, dive in, high-five, cry, laugh, defend, and follow through.  There might be someone in your path that needs to hear about Christ... or someone who needs to see it modeled in your behavior.  Maybe what you’ve been praying for will come to fruition...or maybe it’s another day when God tells you to patiently wait because He has something better for you.  

Tomorrow you may get the opportunity to break the cycle and be the dad you didn’t have... or you’ll spend your seconds being both mom and dad to your kids.   I don’t know what opportunity you’ll have when God wakes you up in the morning... or even the ones He has planned out for the rest of your today...

What I do know is that you’ll have them... and that 95% of your success in those opportunities... the way you can truly honor God with the way you handle them... is in your perspective.  Winston Churchill said it this way:

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”  

What do you see ahead?   Walls or windows?  Challenges or chances?   A way to feel sorry for yourself or a way to trust God because you don’t understand?  Sometimes we want to see life-events as punishment for our sins when all God means them to be are chances to grow.  The way we view what happened or what will happen to us can dramatically alter the way we see the size of our God.  

God is NEVER small.  He is all-powerful.  He is all-knowing.  He is everywhere at one time.  

And He has put together a day of chances and challenges that can draw you closer to Him and His will for your life.  It just takes the right perspective and an unflinching focus on loving Christ and loving those He has put in our path.  

The clock is ticking.   Make every second (and every opportunity) count.

Being There

“A friend is always loyal, 

      and a brother is born to help in time of need.”  Proverbs 17:17

     I’ve never jumped out of a plane.  Never actually wanted to.  Sure it looks like fun, but why jump out of a perfectly good aircraft?  I have been in one of those wind tunnel free-fall sky diving simulators though.  I put on the flight suit, got my “pre-flight” briefing and entered the chamber.  There are certainly a lot of things to remember when you’re in the air!  The angles of your legs matter... your arm position matters... if you make a mistake, your body speeds up its descent toward the ground and you sink like a stone.   

    While I was in the simulator I couldn’t help but think that if this were a REAL jump from a plane, we’d need someone even more important with us.  Someone who, besides the pilot, would have an impact on my experience in a profound way.  That person?  The parachute packer. 

Yes... the one who would put that nylon piece of cloth into my backpack just right.  He would literally have my entire life in his hands.  If he mis-packed it... or didn’t check the releases... or neglected to close the bag correctly... I was in trouble.  My parachute tech would need to be there for me and make sure my jump was a successful one.  

When I successfully landed on the ground, he’d be the first hand I’d like to shake.   

Why?  Because he was there for me when I needed him.  He had allowed me to get through a scary time simply by being there for me and doing what he needed to do for me to be successful.

So here’s my question for you today... who is packing your parachute?  Who is it that is there for you when you need them?  Who is making sure you are ok when life scares you or makes you wonder.  Do you have someone in your life that is taking care of you?  Holding you up?  Ensuring you will land ok?  If so, count your blessings. That person is who the Bible is talking about in today’s verse:  “A friend is always loyal....”  Friends are to be treasured, appreciated, and loved.  People say that if you have 5 great friends over the course of your lifetime you are lucky.  I say think bigger.  Hang around with people that honor God with their lives, will be there for you, honor you with their words and actions, and challenge you (in love) if the need arises.  

Which brings me to my final question of the day.... Who’s parachute are you putting in the bag?  Do you have people in your life that trust you?  Is there someone counting on you to be there for them in crisis?   Honor that commitment!  Christ wants us to be that type of friend to others:  trustworthy, loyal, and loving... just like Him.  

Click

      Harry Houdini, the famed escape artist issued a challenge wherever he went. He could be locked in any jail cell in the country, he claimed, and set himself free quickly and easily. Always he kept his promise, but one time something went wrong. Houdini entered the jail in his street clothes; the heavy, metal doors clanged shut behind him. He took from his belt a concealed piece of metal, strong and flexible. He set to work immediately, but something seemed to be unusual about this lock. For 30 minutes he worked and got nowhere. An hour passed, and still he had not opened the door. By now he was bathed in sweat and panting in exasperation, but he still could not pick the lock. 

Harry Houdini was trapped.  The clock was ticking....and he was genuinely scared.

The mind is a powerful thing.  For some of us, we’ve been trying to figure out how to be happy... how to break free... for a long time.  Every time we think we have it solved, we struggle with the lock... and hear the sound... 

click.  

We try something new... we beg God... we act nicer... we treat people a little better... all trying to somehow impress God so He will lift the burden of the prison we’re in.

click.  Still locked.

Anger, frustration, and doubt all begin to replace what little hope we had left.  We are in prison... and it seems that it is where we are bound to stay.  That bad decision, word that was said, past discrepancy... all gatekeepers to a cell that seems permanently sealed.  The lock won’t budge... and whatever happiness we may have once had is a memory. 

Is there a way out?  What will set us free? 

What does God suggest we do about it?  

Before we discover that... let’s go back to our story of Houdini:

Finally, after laboring for 2 hours, Harry Houdini collapsed in frustration and failure against the door he could not unlock. But when he fell against the door, it swung open! It had never been locked at all! But in his mind it was locked and that was all it took to keep him from opening the door and walking out of the jail cell.

Houdini escaped the cell because he stopped struggling with the lock on a door that wasn’t locked to start with.

We do the same thing every day.  Our mind holds us prisoner in a cell that isn’t locked.  

God tells us to handle it this way: 

Psalm 46:1 “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’”

Be still.  Hardly our first reaction to being locked down...beaten up... or shaken.  

Ever used a finger prison?  Those gags where you put the tips of your index fingers into the ends of a braided paper cylinder.  When you tug on them, you can’t get your fingers loose.  The trick?  Don’t tug.  Relax and slowly remove each finger individually. 

When we quit struggling... when we stop pushing... when we cease trying to force it... when we let God be God... He reveals that what is holding us back isn’t our circumstances, it is our perception of the power of the lock.  

In fact, if you look closely at the lock, you can see the manufacturer.  Can you see it?  It isn’t Master or Yardley or even Black & Decker.

It says Satan on it... and he wants you to think it’s the strongest lock ever made.  What you did is unforgiveable... who you are is unchangeable... what happened is irreversible.  

Not true.  

God wants to be God in our lives.  He wants us to relax...refocus...and realize that He is working ahead of things... that Grace is for us too... and that He is key to our happiness.

When Christ resurrected, the door to every cell in every prison in every mind sprung open.  Don’t focus on the lock of your circumstances... push on the door.  It’s open.  God made sure of it.  If you’ve been bound... stop struggling.   Give those heavy chains to God and gently push against what seems to be permanently holding you in.

Trust me... that door will open and you will be released.

Released from pain, guilt, inadequacy, low self-esteem, past failure... Does the pain go away?  Not immediately, but the only way to start the process...the first step to true freedom from what has held us in... is the release from the unlocked prison.  

I can hear doors swinging open all over the world.  Let the healing begin.  

The Rest

“The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.”  Mark 6:30-32

You can imagine the scene.  Every city they entered...crowds gathered...waiting for hope and healing.   Jesus told them to take care of the people...  cast out demons, heal them from their sicknesses, and preach the good news to all who would listen.  And they did.  With everything they had!  Jesus’ chosen disciples were changing the world one miracle at a time.  Excited, they sprinted back to their Teacher to tell Him the great news.  They eagerly shared...waiting for a jubilant pat on the back or the call for a party.  Jesus‘ replied... but not in a way that many would understand. 

Jesus told them to rest.  Rest?  But Jesus... there are thousands who are sick!  There are hundreds who need to hear your message of salvation!  Dozens of hurting and hungry children!  Jesus... are you sure you want us to rest?

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing.  He knew the value of pace.   Of rest.   Of being healthy to be effective.   Christ heard their stomachs growling... He heard their words and looked into their tired eyes.  The Lord knew that there would always be people in need... but a group of exhausted shepherds would do them little good.  They wanted to keep pushing... Jesus knew what was better for them.  He understood a truth that many today do not.

Rest is a spiritual discipline.  

“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”  Psalm 127:2

“So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.”  Hebrews 4:9-11

Lots of resting in scripture.  But don’t confuse resting with laziness...

“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”  Proverbs 24:30-34

The discipline of resting isn’t meant to replace hard work.  It isn’t an excuse to abandon the needy... or avoid your calling.  It’s not an off-ramp... leaving the hard work highway....

Rest is pulling over to the roadside and replenishing.   It’s reflecting on what you’ve done.  Pausing long enough to gain perspective, rejuvenation, and renewed focus.  The devil will try to convince those alongside the road that their delay means that they’re lazy.  He’ll argue that if you truly loved people you’d just keep going.  

The devil is a liar.

God the Father rested.

Jesus rested.

The disciples rested.

Pushing past your threshold doesn’t make you more spiritual... it tends to make you less effective.  It abandons the model that God gives us.  It buys in to the myth that the truly Godly people are the ones that are dead on their feet.  Untrue.  Tired people make foolish decisions.  Exhausted people are far more susceptible to temptation.   

Why did Jesus make His disciples take a break?  

Because He knew that life has a rhythm.  It has notes and rests... purposeful pauses that help us stay our sharpest.  Find yourself too busy to stop once in awhile?   Re-evaluate your priority list and work in some time to recharge.  Not only will you be better at what you do... able to help more people... serve with renewed vigor... you will be modeling the One who breathed life into you.  Now go get some rest... :)

Training for Gold

In the last Summer Games (2012), Kim Rhode won the gold medal in skeet shooting making her the first American to win 5 Olympic medals in 5 consecutive Olympic games. That’s a span of 20 years and not her only distinction. In the 2012 games, she hit 99 out of 100 skeet setting a new Olympic record and tying the world record for the event. As if that wasn’t accomplishment enough... her first medal was in the 1996 Summer Games making her the youngest female gold medalist in Olympic shooting.

How does this happen?

In an interview with the New York Times, Rhode answers the question of how. She shoots anywhere from 500 to 1,000 rounds every day of the week year around. To save you the math, this is 3,000,000 plus shots with a shotgun. That’s 600,000 rounds per medal. Over three million practice shots. Time after time. Every single day on her calendar.

Kim would be the first to tell you... it’s all about the preparation. What you do on your own time is as important (if not more so) than what you do in the spotlight. Her excellence on the range is due to her diligence, discipline, and perseverance. In other words... there are no shortcuts. Gold medals don’t hang around the necks of those that wing it... that hope for the best... that count on good fortune or a favorable breeze. Champions don’t materialize... they are made.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul talks about this type of preparation.

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

All of us run the race of life. We lace up our shoes each morning, get on a bus or in a car, and head somewhere that requires us to make a difference. We make decisions, contribute to relationships, communicate ideas, raise children, and live out the life that unfolds in front of us. But are we successful? Do we make the most of every opportunity or do we find ourselves reacting... flat-footed. Underprepared for the challenges...

Which brings us to the next important question... how much training do we do? How much of our day is preparation? How many minutes are spent intentionally trying to better ourselves? Are we living on purpose?

- How much time is spent reading and meditating on the scriptures? How many Bible verses have I memorized and keep on my heart?

- How many people do I hold grudges against? Why haven’t I forgiven them?

- Am I raising my children in a way that honors God? How much quality time do I spend with them? Do they know God?

- Am I being the husband/wife that God wants me to be? Is most of my energy spent trying to change my spouse or is it spent becoming a better one?

- Do I spend my day blaming others or confessing my shortcomings to God?

- When was the last time I asked for forgiveness? Given forgiveness?

- Am I living out what I claim to believe? Or do I tell people I believe it because that’s what they expect me to say?

We can avoid these questions or we can run toward them. Don’t settle. Bronze is a beautiful color... but you were created for gold. The eternal prize Paul was talking about? The everlasting salvation found in Christ...making a Kingdom difference in the lives of those around you... changing the destiny of someone bound for eternal separation from God into a life-changing eternal relationship with Him. Growing in Christ... Not surviving life but really living it to its fullest. That’s what we’re after. That’s why we train. To reach the potential that God has placed in our hearts... to fulfill our destiny... to become the men and women that change the world.... and give all glory to God in the process.

But we can’t do it if we aren’t prepared. It isn’t easy. Christ never promised us ease of lifestyle... He promised eternal reward. The challenges will be hard... the competition fierce... and the opposing team? An enemy that prowls like a lion just waiting for us to stop growing and start settling. Ready to win? Every race... every result... the path to every gold medal was all began the same way.

Deciding to start.

The Word

Do you remember the “Peanuts” cartoon strip?   One of the recurring scenes had a determined Charlie Brown trying to kick a football held by Lucy.  Time after time he’d run at the ball... and at the very last minute Lucy would snatch it away and Charlie would go flying past.  Lucy would apologize and Charlie would accept... draw back.. and run at the ball again only to find the same outcome.  

Flat on his back.  No football.  Only air.  

Why did Charlie Brown stay at it so long?  Why repeat the same behavior again and again with the same outcome?  He knew it was never going to change if he kept on doing it the same way... why didn’t he adjust?  Why didn’t he change his ways?  Why didn’t he do something to make things different?  Young Mr. Brown forgot a simple truth that so many of us do...

It’s one thing to know something’s not working... it a whole other thing to actually do something about it and make a change.   Knowing isn’t enough.  

The Bible addresses this.  Let’s look at what James says about this in Chapter 1 and verses 22-25.

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:22-25)

We read so much in scripture that guides us toward our God-potential...

Love God first

Love your neighbors

Control your anger

Give to those that need

Don’t worry

Trust when you don’t see it

Serve others with your talents...

We know what we need to do... but is it happening?  Are we living it out?  

The Bible is a life-changing book.  But knowing what the Bible says is only half of what’s necessary.   We’ve got to apply it.  Ever feel like Charlie Brown?  Ever wonder why things aren’t changing?  Why the scenario isn’t playing out like you hoped it would?   

In many cases it’s simply a matter of living out what we read... adjusting our lives to God’s plan rather than asking Him to approve our own.   

We can quote scripture... have highlighted key passages in our Bibles... take pages of notes during the weekend teaching... but if we fail to apply it, make some changes, and actually live out God’s word... we find ourselves flat on our back.   Again.  

The Bible’s not just informative... it’s transformative.   It gives us hope, strength, the power to endure, wisdom, creativity, changes our perspective, teaches us right and wrong, and is the textbook on how to love God and others.  

In printed form it’s powerful.  When it’s lived out by those that read it... it’s world changing.   

It’s time to stop seeing the Bible as an ancient book of advice meant for others to follow.  It’s God’s love letter to us... His directions... His plan for success... His reminder that we are His masterpiece and He wants what’s best for our lives.  It is as relevant today as it has ever been.

 God has huge blessings for those that are committed enough to read, internalize, and actually do what He tells them to.  Are you ready to change the world?   We have God’s plan... let’s make the adjustments... live out every word... and go for it!