Saw this on a post from Mark Batterson:
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.
Chase the lion.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
God is Speaking
God has given me a word tonight. I hope it blesses you as much as it has me.
God is saying to me that I am His student. I'm not placed where I am for no reason. He has a plan and a purpose. He told me that each and every moment of my life is part of my "class". Each moment is an opportunity to learn something new so that I can apply it to the next moment. He is telling me that His word is not just a collection of historical books, but rather His living, breathing Word! I am to take hold of every moment - because He has given them to me to learn and to share with the world!
"For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, 'People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flowers fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever." 1 Peter 1:23-25
God is saying to me that I am His student. I'm not placed where I am for no reason. He has a plan and a purpose. He told me that each and every moment of my life is part of my "class". Each moment is an opportunity to learn something new so that I can apply it to the next moment. He is telling me that His word is not just a collection of historical books, but rather His living, breathing Word! I am to take hold of every moment - because He has given them to me to learn and to share with the world!
"For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, 'People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flowers fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever." 1 Peter 1:23-25
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Giving God 112%
Matt 4:1 "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil."
Mark 1:12-13 "The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days."
Luke 4:1-2 "Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days..."
Recently, we have experienced a great tragedy through the death of Reggie Garrett, Jr. It is never easy to understand why things happen the way they do. This past week has been full of death and sickness. Two pastors suffer heart attacks, a player and coach died, and someone close to me suffered a stroke and died. I'm seeing people's marriages, finances, etc. being put to tests everyday. Someone recently said that after all of the bad things that are happening in Orange, they should probably move away. However, I've come to a conclusion. God is on the move!
All of these events have reminded me of the story of the temptation of Jesus. Mark says that the Spirit "compelled" Jesus to go in to the wilderness. It seems like every time God begins to move and lead his people the enemy is right there waiting to attack. Jesus was being led by the Spirit and the enemy came to attack. I find this to be very true in our lives. Whenever we start giving God 112% - putting ourselves on the front lines, we are more susceptible to attacks from the enemy!
If we are going to live sold out for God, giving him all we have, then we must be prepared to stand against the schemes of the devil. And when we do, Scripture says that if God is for us then who can be against us? He is the most powerful, smartest, loving, compassionate Commander-in-Chief we have!
Are you willing to live 112% for God?
Mark 1:12-13 "The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days."
Luke 4:1-2 "Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days..."
Recently, we have experienced a great tragedy through the death of Reggie Garrett, Jr. It is never easy to understand why things happen the way they do. This past week has been full of death and sickness. Two pastors suffer heart attacks, a player and coach died, and someone close to me suffered a stroke and died. I'm seeing people's marriages, finances, etc. being put to tests everyday. Someone recently said that after all of the bad things that are happening in Orange, they should probably move away. However, I've come to a conclusion. God is on the move!
All of these events have reminded me of the story of the temptation of Jesus. Mark says that the Spirit "compelled" Jesus to go in to the wilderness. It seems like every time God begins to move and lead his people the enemy is right there waiting to attack. Jesus was being led by the Spirit and the enemy came to attack. I find this to be very true in our lives. Whenever we start giving God 112% - putting ourselves on the front lines, we are more susceptible to attacks from the enemy!
If we are going to live sold out for God, giving him all we have, then we must be prepared to stand against the schemes of the devil. And when we do, Scripture says that if God is for us then who can be against us? He is the most powerful, smartest, loving, compassionate Commander-in-Chief we have!
Are you willing to live 112% for God?
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Presidential Leadership vs. Pastoral Leadership
A thought popped in to my head: is there anything that the President has in common with the pastoral leadership of the church? I'm sure someone has probably written a very elaborate book on this subject, but I turned to Yahoo Answers to see what others thought. Someone asked how the President makes his decisions and this was the best answer given:
A president has a group of his closest advisers--his cabinet--who advise him on what to do, each having their own specialty, each an expert in his or her own field. However, the final decision ultimately rests with him. And you'd probably be surprised what little power actually rests in the President's hands. He can suggest a bill to Congress, but so can you. He can pass or veto a bill from Congress, but his veto can be overridden by Congress. He can control the movement of troops for about 2 months, then needs Congressional Approval. He can appoint people to the Supreme Court--with congressional approval.
Okay, so the President is surrounded by people who gives him advice and information to help him make decisions. Then, he has to present that to Congress to get their approval as well. When he makes decisions, it's not just based on his opinion or what he feels is right - he seeks council. Now let's compare that to pastoral leadership. A pastor (senior, associate, youth, etc.) are the leaders of a particular group of people which make up the Church or body of Christ. One thing that I have learned over the few years I have been in one of those positions is that whenever you work with people, there is always going to be difficulties because we are all human. Just like the President, the pastor faces tough decisions all of the time. Some decisions are made in the public eye, while others are made privately.
Each time a decision has to be made, the pastor consults others. Usually it is other pastors or accountability partners, but most importantly the counsel of the Holy Spirit. That have be anointed and appointed by God to serve the people just as the President was elected by man to serve man. Hebrews 13:17 says "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." Sometimes we don't understand why the President makes the decisions that he does and the same goes for the church leadership. But if God has placed them in the position, we must trust that they are following His leading, even when they mess up and make mistakes.
12 foundations of Christian leadership:
1. Relationship with God - your walk with God is your rock-solid foundation
2. Character - who you are is more important than what you do
3. Vision - you can only travel as far as you can see
4. Attitude - the mind you lead with will determine the distance you travel
5. Influence - you can only lead if people are following
6. Servanthood - the leader must serve before he is served
7. Multiplication - leadership with only one ripple is not leadership
8. Motives - the why of leadership is as important as the how of leadership
9. Maturity - your standard of leadership will result in respect for your leadership
10. Commitment - perseverance and consistency precede every great victory
11. Fruit - that which lasts the test of time is the true measure of leadership effectiveness
12. Eternal Significance - Significant leadership encompasses the significance of eternity
A president has a group of his closest advisers--his cabinet--who advise him on what to do, each having their own specialty, each an expert in his or her own field. However, the final decision ultimately rests with him. And you'd probably be surprised what little power actually rests in the President's hands. He can suggest a bill to Congress, but so can you. He can pass or veto a bill from Congress, but his veto can be overridden by Congress. He can control the movement of troops for about 2 months, then needs Congressional Approval. He can appoint people to the Supreme Court--with congressional approval.
Okay, so the President is surrounded by people who gives him advice and information to help him make decisions. Then, he has to present that to Congress to get their approval as well. When he makes decisions, it's not just based on his opinion or what he feels is right - he seeks council. Now let's compare that to pastoral leadership. A pastor (senior, associate, youth, etc.) are the leaders of a particular group of people which make up the Church or body of Christ. One thing that I have learned over the few years I have been in one of those positions is that whenever you work with people, there is always going to be difficulties because we are all human. Just like the President, the pastor faces tough decisions all of the time. Some decisions are made in the public eye, while others are made privately.
Each time a decision has to be made, the pastor consults others. Usually it is other pastors or accountability partners, but most importantly the counsel of the Holy Spirit. That have be anointed and appointed by God to serve the people just as the President was elected by man to serve man. Hebrews 13:17 says "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." Sometimes we don't understand why the President makes the decisions that he does and the same goes for the church leadership. But if God has placed them in the position, we must trust that they are following His leading, even when they mess up and make mistakes.
12 foundations of Christian leadership:
1. Relationship with God - your walk with God is your rock-solid foundation
2. Character - who you are is more important than what you do
3. Vision - you can only travel as far as you can see
4. Attitude - the mind you lead with will determine the distance you travel
5. Influence - you can only lead if people are following
6. Servanthood - the leader must serve before he is served
7. Multiplication - leadership with only one ripple is not leadership
8. Motives - the why of leadership is as important as the how of leadership
9. Maturity - your standard of leadership will result in respect for your leadership
10. Commitment - perseverance and consistency precede every great victory
11. Fruit - that which lasts the test of time is the true measure of leadership effectiveness
12. Eternal Significance - Significant leadership encompasses the significance of eternity
Friday, September 3, 2010
Following In The Footsteps of Jesus
If you want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, observe the following things about Him: (1) He never acted in haste. He didn’t make decisions in response to the pressure tactics of others. Skilled negotiators know that waiting is a weapon; whoever is the most hurried usually ends up with the short end of the deal. Waiting reveals the weakness in any plan, plus the motives of those around you. Your greatest mistakes will often happen because of impatience, so think long term. (2) He knew when to work and when to rest. In the storm on the Sea of Galilee the disciples sweated, but Jesus slept. In the garden of Gethsemane the disciples slept, but Jesus sweated. That’s because He knew when to work and when to rest. Knowing when to act and when to trust, what to give your attention to and what to leave in God’s hands, is a secret you must learn if you’re to do God’s will and not burn out. Nobody was busier than Jesus. Everybody wanted something from Him. The more successful you are the more people will reach for you. Jesus separated Himself in order to receive. He understood that you can’t give what you don’t have. Work means giving; rest means receiving. Jesus understood the balance; that’s why He accomplished so much in three short years. When you’re rested you think more clearly, you make better decisions, you see life through confident eyes, you accomplish more in less time, and what you build is built to last. So stop your frantic rush. Following in the footsteps of Jesus means being led, not driven!
“You should follow His steps.” 1Pe 2:21 NKJV
Jesus knew He didn’t have to prove Himself. At the cross, skeptics said, “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Mt 27:40). His reaction? He refused to let their comments intimidate Him or alter His plans. He didn’t need their approval; He already had His Father’s: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17). Jesus didn’t waste time answering His critics. “Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor” (Mt 27:14 NIV). Jesus responded to hunger, to need, to seekers, but not to people trying to trap Him. You owe nothing to a critic. “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words” (Pr 23:9). Do you know why there’s never been a monument built to a critic? Because critics are spectators, not players! Jesus didn’t focus on the past, but the future. His mother was pregnant with Him before she was married. Only a few people knew the truth. Jesus grew up with this, yet He didn’t feel the need to explain it. Stop complaining that your family was poor, or talking about your limited education, or repeating stories of those who failed you, or advertising your pain, or meditating on your flaws. All of us are challenged in some way. “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing” (Isa 43:18-19). Satan discusses our yesterdays; apparently that’s the only information he has about us. Jesus discusses our tomorrows. So if you want to follow in His footsteps, focus on what’s ahead.
-taken from The Word For You Today, Community Church Devotional
“You should follow His steps.” 1Pe 2:21 NKJV
Jesus knew He didn’t have to prove Himself. At the cross, skeptics said, “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Mt 27:40). His reaction? He refused to let their comments intimidate Him or alter His plans. He didn’t need their approval; He already had His Father’s: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17). Jesus didn’t waste time answering His critics. “Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor” (Mt 27:14 NIV). Jesus responded to hunger, to need, to seekers, but not to people trying to trap Him. You owe nothing to a critic. “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words” (Pr 23:9). Do you know why there’s never been a monument built to a critic? Because critics are spectators, not players! Jesus didn’t focus on the past, but the future. His mother was pregnant with Him before she was married. Only a few people knew the truth. Jesus grew up with this, yet He didn’t feel the need to explain it. Stop complaining that your family was poor, or talking about your limited education, or repeating stories of those who failed you, or advertising your pain, or meditating on your flaws. All of us are challenged in some way. “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing” (Isa 43:18-19). Satan discusses our yesterdays; apparently that’s the only information he has about us. Jesus discusses our tomorrows. So if you want to follow in His footsteps, focus on what’s ahead.
-taken from The Word For You Today, Community Church Devotional
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