First Place

“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”  Romans 1:25

     Back when I was in elementary school, one of the most coveted positions in the classroom was line leader.  Everybody wanted it.  Few got the chance.  It was the coolest job there was.  As you walked, the class walked.  If you stopped at the water fountain, all 24 of your friends did too.  Being first had power.  Head of the line meant something.

Being first was important.  

It still is.  Only now, it isn’t walking in the front of the line... it’s putting the most important thing first in your mind and heart.  We don’t have to wait for a teacher to assign it... we get to pick it ourselves!  We get to decide what leads out in our lives everyday...

Number one matters.

True commitment requires sacrifice.   When it comes to what leads our lives, this couldn’t be more true.  In order for us to commit to making God first... to lead us... to guide us... to light the way...  something/someone that isn’t God needs to be moved from the number one spot and either made to be number 2 or 3... or lower. 

Maybe money’s been your idol for awhile... directing your thoughts and actions.  Perhaps it’s ego... or family... or power... or success... or maybe for you it’s that guilt you’ve started to focus all of your attention on.  Something has been in God’s place in your life and it needs to be given it’s proper position.  I believe that if we are going to change this world for Christ... to reach our God-Potential... to fully commit to God’s plan... we need to make and keep Him first. 

God’s opinion matters... Not the opinion of those who didn’t sacrifice themselves so that I could live eternally.

God’s words are true... Not the words of those who have ulterior motives or are trying to manipulate me

God’s values are perfect... Not the values of a world who couldn’t care less about my morality or thought life.

God’s place is first... Not behind something that fades, rusts, leaves, betrays, confuses, or abandons me.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once said, ““We always pay dearly for chasing after what is cheap.”  I agree with that... time to move the cheap stuff out of the way and replace it with some One priceless.   

The Switch

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”  Romans 3:23

I read of a small boy who had been consistently late for dinner. One particular day his parents had warned him to be on time, but he arrived later than ever. He found his parents already seated at the table, about to start eating. Quickly he sat at his place, and then noticed what was set before him--a slice of bread and a glass of water. There was silence as he sat staring at his plate, crushed. 

Sometimes we make mistakes.  Sometimes we repeat the same mistakes.  Again and again and yet again.  Our plate sits in front of us... and we feel far more than hunger pains….regret.  sorrow.  guilt.  shame.  sadness.   We hurt.  

We stare at disappointment and realize that we caused it... We sinned... we did the wrong thing.  Will we hurt forever?  Will they ever forgive?  Will God ever see us the same way?  Am I broken?  Unloved?   If only we had one more chance...one last conversation...one opportunity to wind the clock back and make things right.

This young boy’s story wasn’t over...

Suddenly he saw his father’s hand reach over, pick up his plate and set it before himself. Then his dad put his own full plate in front of his son, smiling warmly as he made the exchange. When the boy became a man, he said, "All my life I’ve known what God was like by what my father did that night.

What is God like?

Sacrificial and unconditionally loving.

Full of grace...not condemning judgment

Full of hope...not unending despair 

Full of forgiveness...not relentless blame

God reaches across the table and replaces what we deserve with what we haven’t earned.   As Christ-followers, when we ask for forgiveness, He takes our bread and water... our sin... our punishment... our condemnation... our mistakes... and allows us yet another chance. 

Grace from a loving Father.

Love from a graceful God. 

Feeling discouraged by past failure?   Afraid to show your face around God’s table?

Don’t be.  

There will always be a chair waiting... plenty of food... and a warm embrace from the One who knew that you would sin and created you anyway.   

One Move

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” - Romans 8:26a

I read the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo although he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. He was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "shouldn’t I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.  On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."

What the boy had seen as his biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

You’ve lived with what you have perceived to be a weakness for a whole long time.  Anger, abuse, depression... divorced parents... migraines... OCD... doubt...  

What are we supposed to do with our weaknesses?  The Bible has a reply.

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

Scripture tells us that when we are weak... God is strong.  We shouldn’t shy away from or blame away our weaknesses... but instead... recognize them and realize that those areas of our life are where God’s power will get us through.  Is God enough to get you through those depressing days?  Does He have enough power to help you come to terms with past abuse?  Can God REALLY heal?  Can you really trust Him?  

Yes... He is more than enough... and He is always good... and He is always love... and He is never-changing... and He is forever faithful... and He is everywhere at one time... and He is the beginning and the end... and He loves you... and He will never stop... and He always knows what’s best... and He knew we’d be weak in some area... and He created us anyway... and He has a purpose for us... and He wants us to turn to Him when we run out of our own power.

God made you for a reason... weaknesses and all.  

Don’t let the devil trick you into thinking you’re broken.  Leverage that part of your life and allow God to fill those dark spaces with light.  He doesn’t love you any less because you’ve had setbacks... you are His child and He loves you with the warm embrace of a father who cares.

Why do we have weaknesses?  To show God’s power in and through them.  And once we persevere through the trials... we are able to assist others through those same issues in their own lives.   We may be weak in the situation... but the pain becomes useful when we help others realize that they aren’t alone... and remind them that they will get through it... and that God still does what seems impossible.

Sounds like strength to me.

Still

“Be still, and know that I am God!”  Psalm 46:10a

There may be no greater killer of happiness that stress.  Busyness and fatigue lead to discouraging thoughts and eventually affect your health in adverse ways...

But this is unavoidable, right?  Stress is just built into everyday life...isn’t it?

Is there any hope for peace?  Is a stress-controlled life possible?

Take some time during your week to pray... meditate on scripture... take a deep breath... get alone... 

Even Jesus did this.  He knew the value of getting away and regrouping.   I can already hear you screaming at your iPad... “Pastor.. my day is WAY too hectic for meditation or solitude”  

Then I would say that your day is way too busy.  

I have found in my 20+ years of ministry that people do what they want to do.  If they think it’s valuable enough, they’ll make the time no matter what they have to adjust.  You must first value “being still” before you’ll make it part of your day.  Trust me... once you start, you’ll wonder what took you so long.   Remember, as I’ve said before in my teachings, life is rhythmic.  There are notes and rests... and if you only play all fast notes... the music of life becomes just noise.  Rests are as important in beautiful melodies as tones... play both.  

Take some time today to “be still” and listen for God... you’ll hear things from Him that only patient and expectant silence will allow.  

Keep Walking

It didn’t matter what the weather was in Detroit… financially-challenged James Robertson did what he did every other day.  He hit the alarm clock and went to work.  But James’ story was a little bit different.   You see, James didn’t have a car.  No problem… take the bus, right?  Nope.  No bus routes were even close.   So Mr. Robertson did the unthinkable…. he walked.  Every single day… regardless of the weather… James Robertson traveled the 21 miles round trip on foot.   For 10 years, James did whatever it took to get him to his job… in fact, he had perfect attendance!

One day, financial executive Blake Pollack had seen enough.  He had passed James every day on his way into the city and made the decision to do something to help him.  He started picking him up and taking him to his job each day.  Pollack shared the story with a friend of his, Evan Leedy… and together they started a GoFundMe page on Robertson’s behalf.  Hoping to raise the $5000 needed for a used car… the result surpassed even their wildest dreams.  They didn’t raise five thousand to help James… they raised $300,000!  Just recently they presented the car of James Robertson’s dreams to him… a 2015 Ford Taurus.   James said he loved that car because it was “plain on the outside and tough on the inside…just like him.”  The rest of the raised money was given to Robertson as a reward for his decade of diligence and great work ethic.  

Total strangers reaching out to reward the faithful diligence of someone they didn’t know.  

Now take a minute today and imagine your situation.  You may feel like James Robertson.  You’ve been working hard… plugging away… staying faithful when those around you have quit.  You spend your weekends serving and your nights making ends meet at a second job.  Your month seems to last longer than your money… your children are draining your patience and your health isn’t what it used to be.  Yet you keep on walking.  You keep getting it done.   You won’t accept not having something as an excuse to not get where you need to get in life.  

If that’s you… keep going.  God’s got you.

Keep honoring God with your resources… keep sacrificing temporary comfort for long-term gain.  Keep pouring out love and forgiveness to others when they haven’t earned it or deserve it.  

Keep going.  Regardless of the weather… keep going.  I can promise you this… someone is noticing your efforts.  Someone has been driving by and sees you climbing yet another mountain on your way to your destiny.  Someone has been walking by you and taking notes.  Someone sees the tears of frustration and lifts you up.   Someone you already may know. 

It’s God.

God knows.  He sees you.  He will provide a way.   He will provide reward.  He will make things right.

You just can’t give up.  

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9)

James Robertson walked to work for 10 long years.  That’s 54,600 miles before his situation changed… 

Every day wondering if it was worth it.  Each footstep crying out for him to turn back.  But he kept on.   It’s time for you to keep going too.  You may be facing the blizzard of divorce… or the flood of financial instability…. or the hailstorm of bad relationships… or the blistering heat of loneliness and isolation.   

Keep on.  One foot in front of the other.  

God is sending a driver to pick you up soon.  

His blessings are on the way.  

Breakthrough is coming.  

You just can’t quit.   

Walk on friend.  Walk on.  For someday the journey will shorten but the character built by the trials will last forever.  

Love Others

Leonardo Da Vinci, just before he started work on his "Last Supper" had a violent argument with a fellow painter. Leonardo was so bitter that he determined to paint the face of his enemy, the other artist, into the face of Judas, and thus take his revenge by handing the man down in infamy and scorn to succeeding generations. The face of Judas was, therefore, one of the first he finished. And everyone could easily recognize it as the face of the painter with whom he had fought with. 

But when he came to paint the face of Christ, he could make no progress. Something seemed to be baffling him, holding him back, frustrating his best efforts. Finally he came to the conclusion that the thing that was frustrating him was that he had painted the face of his enemy onto the face of Judas. He painted out the face of Judas and was then able to resume his work on the face of Jesus and this time did it with the success that the ages have acclaimed. 

Sometimes negative feelings can hold us back from where we desire to be in life.  Like Leonardo, maybe it’s the spirit of revenge... or perhaps it’s anger, jealousy, or spitefulness.  God’s plan for our lives doesn’t revolve around any of these.   In fact, those reactions that we feel entitled to actually get in the way of our obedience toward Him... and His blessing on our lives.  God has a much better idea...

Love others

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”   Matthew 22:36-40

The second part of the verse we looked at yesterday unlocks another clue as to how to be obedient.   Loving others.  This is not a suggestion or an option.  If we are Christ-followers we are told to love those that He has placed around us.  Friends... enemies... those that encourage AND those that tear us down.  Not an easy task... but one that we must figure out to be obedient.  How do we do that?  How can we love those that we don’t even like?

 Recognize that our lack of love for them is sin.  Confess it... and ask for God to remind us of how He loves us (even in our broken and sinful condition).  We tend to expect God’s love but struggle to pass it along to others.

Choose not to be controlled by feelings.  You can’t force yourself to feel love... but you can CHOOSE to love in spite of the negative feelings.  It’s will over want.  (Matt. 5:43-44)

Trust God to help you love them.  What we cannot do ourselves... the Holy Spirit can do within us.  God’s word says to do it... so it can’t be impossible.  We can count on God to provide the strength and will we’ll need to love even the most unloveable.  

 Pray for them... not that they’ll change... but that God would help you see them differently.  Pray for their success...that they would grow and thrive... that God would bless them.  He may not change them but the exercise will DEFINITELY change you.

Today’s devotional is the type that many will dismiss as impossible.  Or unfair. It just doesn’t seem right to have to love someone who treats us poorly or gives us no love in return.   But remember, God’s thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8).  He died for the world.  Everyone.  Not just the nice... or the semi-perfect... or the put together... He sacrificed Himself for everyone.  There will be people in this world that you might not like to be around... but they can be loved because they are His creation too.  God loves them just as much as He loves you.  

Spend a few minutes and take some inventory.  Are there people you have labelled as unloveable?  Pray for them today.  Not that God would change them... but that He would give you some fresh insight... a renewed heart... a different way of seeing the world.  Your life will never be the same.  When we obediently love God and love His creation... we are blessed... and we take steps toward our God potential.  

Love Him

I am often asked... 

“Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?”

“What does God want me to do with my life?”

“Why won’t God give me clarity?”

“When are things going to get easier?”

“Why don’t I get the same blessings as my friends?”

 My answer is always the same.  It’s one little word that, when lived out, changes things.  God blesses us... our lives move forward... we gain lucidity...  and our life’s purpose and direction come into focus.  Nine letters that are easy to say but challenging to commit to.  That word:

obedience.

John Newton, the writer of the most popular hymn in history, "Amazing Grace" said:

"… if two angels in heaven were given assignments by God at the same time, one of them to go and rule over the greatest nation on earth and the other to go sweep the streets of the dirtiest village, each angel would be completely indifferent as to which one got which assignment.

It simply wouldn’t matter to them. Why? Because the real joy lies in being obedient to God. For a Christ follower, the important thing isn’t what God has us doing; the important thing is that we’re doing what God wants us to do." 

(Lee Strobel, God’s Outrageous Claims, 93)

Regardless of our profession, income, or social status...God wants us to live our lives in a particular way.  When we do, He blesses us.  When we don’t, we struggle.  It’s not God being mean... it’s us missing the mark.  It’s not because we don’t know what He wants from our lives... it’s because we decide daily to simply not do them.  So what does obedience look like?  What does it take to please God.   There are several ways... but we’ll start with the most important two...

Love Him

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”   Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus said that the first step of obedience is loving God.  Always putting Him first.  It means maintaining a growing and thriving relationship with the One who created us.  This includes putting His agenda above our own... consulting Him and allowing Him to guide decisions... reading scripture and actually living out the words therein.  Loving God means affection for Him... expressing our genuine love with our whole heart.   We must be loyal to Him... protect His name and speak it often... spend time with Him... listen for His voice... talk to Him... honor Him... brag about Him... and so much more.    Obedience begins a commitment (or re-commitment) to love God first and above all others.  If He isn’t our first and most important influence... we have someone (or something) in the wrong place. 

Take a few minutes today in prayer and tell God how much you love Him... write it in your journal... tell a close friend... and never forget that as much as you love Him...

He loves you more.   And He always will.  

Join me tomorrow and we’ll look at the second way we can please God...