(2 Kings 5:1 NLT) The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.
As with Naaman I have tasted victories, I have seen what it is like to lead God’s people in a very small way, I have been given opportunities and advancements and I have seen God’s blessing upon my life but as with Naaman I was hiding something that could have destroyed me. I am not currently in a leadership position and there have been times when I have wondered if God will ever use me again like He once did. However, my heart is encouraged by this – I know God is bringing about an inner healing, He is teaching me the finer points of things unnoticed (or overlooked) before and when all is said and done I am His! My spiritual health is more important than my trophies and accomplishments, my value comes not from what I have done but who He says that I am! This road to healing is also preparation for the future, whether God uses me again in a leadership position is not my concern. The only thing that matters is that I grow in relationship with Him, that I learn for His Word, am led by His Holy Spirit, and am obedient in faith and if I know God when those things become second nature He will use me once again.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Are you feeling inadequate?
(2 Corinthians 3:5 NLT) It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.
Most see any feeling of inadequacy as a negative but is it really? Could it be that we feel inadequate because we were never meant to go it alone? God has given each of us purpose and to fulfill that purpose we must depend upon and draw your strength from Him who gives it. You see if a child is to grow and learn from his father, then the father will invest time and resources into that child. As the child grows the father gives him more responsibility – to the point of stretching his ability but the father is there each step of the way. In this way the relationship between the two is strengthened and the child learns from the father until one day the child becomes a man and the man becomes a father and the process is passed on to the next generation. There are many similarities between children and parents and believers and Father God. When we are saved we are as babes and as we grow in the Lord we are given responsibilities that point to our purpose. Some call it a dream or a vision but whatever you call it you’ll know it’s from God when it requires more of you than you can give (it will also lines up with scripture – see April 9,10 and May 4th). The Dream will require seeking God and a willingness to depend upon Him greatly and as you do He will give you the ability to do it. In that we learn to be more like Him until one day we are able to help younger Christians seek God in the same way but we never become too old or too experienced that we don’t depend upon God any more. If we are not being stretched then most likely we are not listening to God’s instructions for our lives. This life is a race that is to be ran, a strong start is great but a triumphant finish is what is required!
Most see any feeling of inadequacy as a negative but is it really? Could it be that we feel inadequate because we were never meant to go it alone? God has given each of us purpose and to fulfill that purpose we must depend upon and draw your strength from Him who gives it. You see if a child is to grow and learn from his father, then the father will invest time and resources into that child. As the child grows the father gives him more responsibility – to the point of stretching his ability but the father is there each step of the way. In this way the relationship between the two is strengthened and the child learns from the father until one day the child becomes a man and the man becomes a father and the process is passed on to the next generation. There are many similarities between children and parents and believers and Father God. When we are saved we are as babes and as we grow in the Lord we are given responsibilities that point to our purpose. Some call it a dream or a vision but whatever you call it you’ll know it’s from God when it requires more of you than you can give (it will also lines up with scripture – see April 9,10 and May 4th). The Dream will require seeking God and a willingness to depend upon Him greatly and as you do He will give you the ability to do it. In that we learn to be more like Him until one day we are able to help younger Christians seek God in the same way but we never become too old or too experienced that we don’t depend upon God any more. If we are not being stretched then most likely we are not listening to God’s instructions for our lives. This life is a race that is to be ran, a strong start is great but a triumphant finish is what is required!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Paul's thoughts on temptation
(1 Corinthians 5:7 NLT) Get rid of the old "yeast" by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.
Yeast causes bread to be puffed up and just like it pride inflates our ego. In first Timothy chapter three, verse five we are warned pride comes before a fall. Further more, a little yeast affects the whole loaf of bread and in the same way one wicked person will impact a whole group of people. Therefore, Paul says do not associate with this type of person but keep yourselves set apart for God’s purpose, which is why you were created! God paid a great price so that nothing can keep you from Him. Don’t throw away what He has done by being puffed up with pride. We need to understand this life was not given to us so that we can satisfy self-indulgences but to bring glory to our Lord and Savior. Know this, God’s grace is sufficient for you and me and though forgiveness is ours for the asking our choices carry the weight of consequences, meaning God will allow us to feel the impact of what we have sown so that we may learn to choose righteousness over evil. You see difficulties here in this life will either destroy us or bring us closer to God. Pride will keep us from God but a heart of purity will bring us closer to our only hope of salvation!
(Romans 12:3 MSG) I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
Yeast causes bread to be puffed up and just like it pride inflates our ego. In first Timothy chapter three, verse five we are warned pride comes before a fall. Further more, a little yeast affects the whole loaf of bread and in the same way one wicked person will impact a whole group of people. Therefore, Paul says do not associate with this type of person but keep yourselves set apart for God’s purpose, which is why you were created! God paid a great price so that nothing can keep you from Him. Don’t throw away what He has done by being puffed up with pride. We need to understand this life was not given to us so that we can satisfy self-indulgences but to bring glory to our Lord and Savior. Know this, God’s grace is sufficient for you and me and though forgiveness is ours for the asking our choices carry the weight of consequences, meaning God will allow us to feel the impact of what we have sown so that we may learn to choose righteousness over evil. You see difficulties here in this life will either destroy us or bring us closer to God. Pride will keep us from God but a heart of purity will bring us closer to our only hope of salvation!
(Romans 12:3 MSG) I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Don't strike back
(Matthew 5:38-39 NLT) “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.”
Do you ever stop to wonder why it is so easy to react in anger over the slightest wrong? As Christians we are led by the Holy Spirit of God, if we reject His direction the consequence comes in the form of conviction. Conviction easily turns to condemnation and condemnation to resentment. We start to blame others, the tired husband leaves something for his wife to do when but instead of feeling better he is convicted because he was not obedient to the direction of the Holy Spirit. He then reacts in anger towards her.
Anger can come for unrecognized pain too. People who hurt us cause the initial sting but we are the ones who allow the stinger to remain by not confronting them, in love. When we pretend it didn’t bother us it may stay hidden for a while but it begins to show up in different ways, being easily angered is one of them. Bring your hurts to Jesus and allow Him to heal your wounds so that you may have your life back.
Jesus I know I have been striking out at people for the smallest things lately, I am broken, please forgive me. Please show me why I’ve been acting this way. My heart is heavy and I’ve been hurt. You tell me that you were beaten and whipped so that I might receive healing, sometimes that is a physical healing but today I need your healing touch to heal me emotionally. Please help me not to hide my feelings from you but quickly lay them before you so that I might be healed. When others attack me it is not because I deserve it but help me to realize they are hurting also. Lord, I don’t want to react in anger any more, help me love my brothers and sisters, as you love me so that you might be glorified through my life.
I have prayed in this manner many times and it is because of Jesus that I can live life whole today instead of broken and crippled with strife, envy, and hatred because past wrongs done to me. Still I have my days, all I can say is Jesus is still working on me and I know one day trials and test will be no more and the race will be ran. Many times we fail and often we are judged by our cover but God looks at the heart, keep it clean before Him and He will light your path.
Do you ever stop to wonder why it is so easy to react in anger over the slightest wrong? As Christians we are led by the Holy Spirit of God, if we reject His direction the consequence comes in the form of conviction. Conviction easily turns to condemnation and condemnation to resentment. We start to blame others, the tired husband leaves something for his wife to do when but instead of feeling better he is convicted because he was not obedient to the direction of the Holy Spirit. He then reacts in anger towards her.
Anger can come for unrecognized pain too. People who hurt us cause the initial sting but we are the ones who allow the stinger to remain by not confronting them, in love. When we pretend it didn’t bother us it may stay hidden for a while but it begins to show up in different ways, being easily angered is one of them. Bring your hurts to Jesus and allow Him to heal your wounds so that you may have your life back.
Jesus I know I have been striking out at people for the smallest things lately, I am broken, please forgive me. Please show me why I’ve been acting this way. My heart is heavy and I’ve been hurt. You tell me that you were beaten and whipped so that I might receive healing, sometimes that is a physical healing but today I need your healing touch to heal me emotionally. Please help me not to hide my feelings from you but quickly lay them before you so that I might be healed. When others attack me it is not because I deserve it but help me to realize they are hurting also. Lord, I don’t want to react in anger any more, help me love my brothers and sisters, as you love me so that you might be glorified through my life.
I have prayed in this manner many times and it is because of Jesus that I can live life whole today instead of broken and crippled with strife, envy, and hatred because past wrongs done to me. Still I have my days, all I can say is Jesus is still working on me and I know one day trials and test will be no more and the race will be ran. Many times we fail and often we are judged by our cover but God looks at the heart, keep it clean before Him and He will light your path.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Make yourself at home Lord
(John 15:9 NLT) "I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love.
As much as you long to have relationship with God, He desires it even more with you. Because of our own knowledge of how we daily fall short of perfection we, not God, hold back from relationship. I don’t understand how but God sees through our failures into the very heart of who we want to be, who he has made us to be. Think about it, what is your idea of a prefect friend – someone who loves you unconditionally, who sees not only who you are now but who you could be and causes you to be a better person when they are around. God is that and so much more! Somehow our view of God gets so twisted that we cannot enjoy being in His presence for very long. I’m guilty of it and I often have to confess before God that I have allowed fear to take control. My heart longs for Him but everything I’ve ever experienced tells me it’s not possible. How could the almighty God love me in spite of the things I’ve done? Though I need Him at times I push away, I think many times for fear that I’ll be rejected. It’s through study, prayer, and worship that His small still voice whispers the truth to my heart and though the storm of my thoughts and emotions surround me His whisper breaks through telling me that He loves me and cares for me regardless of what I have done or haven’t done. Matter of fact there is absolutely nothing that can separate me from the Father’s love. It is then I ask the Lord if I might have a glimpse of what He sees. He then encourages me by telling me who I am in Him. You ask why do I keep coming back to study His Word? Because of His great love and my desperate need for Him, therefore I will remain in His love for me.
Lord, thank you for loving us more than we can comprehend. Let your people see just how much they are loved today and encourage their hearts. Often we allow failure to turn our faces from you but it is when we fall that we need you the most. Teach us not to turn away from you. Whatever stands in the way of us having a clear view of who you are, would you take it from us this hour? You said that nothing can separate us from your love and by faith we accept that and cling to it, for we are desperate for your kindness and Lord help us not forget what you have done for us so that we may freely give your love to others. May you be blessed Lord as we imitate your kindness and give away that which you have given us! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
As much as you long to have relationship with God, He desires it even more with you. Because of our own knowledge of how we daily fall short of perfection we, not God, hold back from relationship. I don’t understand how but God sees through our failures into the very heart of who we want to be, who he has made us to be. Think about it, what is your idea of a prefect friend – someone who loves you unconditionally, who sees not only who you are now but who you could be and causes you to be a better person when they are around. God is that and so much more! Somehow our view of God gets so twisted that we cannot enjoy being in His presence for very long. I’m guilty of it and I often have to confess before God that I have allowed fear to take control. My heart longs for Him but everything I’ve ever experienced tells me it’s not possible. How could the almighty God love me in spite of the things I’ve done? Though I need Him at times I push away, I think many times for fear that I’ll be rejected. It’s through study, prayer, and worship that His small still voice whispers the truth to my heart and though the storm of my thoughts and emotions surround me His whisper breaks through telling me that He loves me and cares for me regardless of what I have done or haven’t done. Matter of fact there is absolutely nothing that can separate me from the Father’s love. It is then I ask the Lord if I might have a glimpse of what He sees. He then encourages me by telling me who I am in Him. You ask why do I keep coming back to study His Word? Because of His great love and my desperate need for Him, therefore I will remain in His love for me.
Lord, thank you for loving us more than we can comprehend. Let your people see just how much they are loved today and encourage their hearts. Often we allow failure to turn our faces from you but it is when we fall that we need you the most. Teach us not to turn away from you. Whatever stands in the way of us having a clear view of who you are, would you take it from us this hour? You said that nothing can separate us from your love and by faith we accept that and cling to it, for we are desperate for your kindness and Lord help us not forget what you have done for us so that we may freely give your love to others. May you be blessed Lord as we imitate your kindness and give away that which you have given us! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The oil flows down
(Psalms 133:1-3 NLT) A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced His blessing, even life everlasting.
The oil represents approval and blessings, do we live to please God or people? David recognized God’s blessings because he knew and understood God’s precepts and promises. We can gain approval from our piers and those under our authority but it means nothing until we have the approval of those over us. That is what is meant by “the oil or blessing flows down.” A wise person will subject him or herself to wise godly counsel. Do you want to do something great for God? Then look for a mentor who is currently doing something for God but remember God is the one you please not man. God will use mature Christians to train the young and inexperienced so that they might also be mature in Christ Jesus but as we learn from godly mentors always keep in mind God’s supreme authority and honor Him and the oil that flows on your life will be from God!
The oil represents approval and blessings, do we live to please God or people? David recognized God’s blessings because he knew and understood God’s precepts and promises. We can gain approval from our piers and those under our authority but it means nothing until we have the approval of those over us. That is what is meant by “the oil or blessing flows down.” A wise person will subject him or herself to wise godly counsel. Do you want to do something great for God? Then look for a mentor who is currently doing something for God but remember God is the one you please not man. God will use mature Christians to train the young and inexperienced so that they might also be mature in Christ Jesus but as we learn from godly mentors always keep in mind God’s supreme authority and honor Him and the oil that flows on your life will be from God!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Accept your limits
(Deuteronomy 2:2-3 MKJV) “And Jehovah spoke to me, saying, You have gone around this mountain long enough. Turn northward.”
This might be an unpopular subject but I believe today’s message is in line with the Word of God and very relevant for today. We are given limitations for our own good and for the good of others, let me explain. Though we have been given purpose and a dream that will stretch us we are not able to do everything. You may have heard it said before but it is true, “Pick one thing and do it well.” If that one thing is teaching or the ministry of helps or being an evangelist or pastor then give it all you have and stay on track. Don’t let other things distract you from that purpose. Too often the “good” can and does get in the way of God’s “best” for our lives. It has been said that in any volunteer organization eighty percent of the work gets done by only twenty percent of the people and from my experience I have seen no reason to doubt that but often those who are willing to do the work get loaded down by team leaders and in the case of church spiritual leaders i.e. pastors. Please if you are a pastor don’t be offended. A good pastor is instrumental in guiding us in understanding God has purpose for our lives but did you know it is not the pastor’s job to tell us what our dream is? Sometimes the lines get confused and yes there is much to be done but instead of putting more on the twenty percent the leaders are to bring more of the eighty percent on board. Let me say it again God does not intend for you to do everything, even if you could do you think that would be best? I say no! What would you become if you were able to do everything? In a very small way I have experienced this as I volunteered in the training and leading of a team of volunteers I found myself being depended upon beyond what was healthy. My constituents, even though they had been trained and tested were not comfortable making decisions on their own. So what did I do? As God allowed me to recognize what was happening He also opened a door for me to give them full responsibility while I went to another church to train a new team. I gave my team support and my cell phone number but you know what when I returned they didn’t need me as much and I believe God did something in their hearts because they no longer were just helping because it was good or fun but because they had ownership in the ministry! Was it difficult? You bet! When I am weak I find it easier to do things myself than teach someone else to do it but that is not what God’s best. In doing this I had to understand where my value came from – it wasn’t in the service I provided but that I am a beloved child of God, in Christ alone does my life mean anything!
That puts an entirely different perspective on life. If you are of that twenty percent, then God’s message to you is – stop striving, I love you for who you are not for what you do. I have called you to lead others in the area that I have gifted you. The question is not how much can you do but are you discipling others. If you are part of this group then there is a passion inside of you that others need to know. If anyone could have done everything on their own it would have been Jesus but instead we see him investing into his disciples right up until it is time for him to leave. Yes, we have been given limitations not only for our good but the good of others and we should embrace these boundaries for that is God’s plan.
If you would like to know more about what accepting your limits looks like I wrote a handbook for my constituents to use in my absence and I will email it to you just email me at prosound@cinci.rr.com and mention the Production Team Leader Handbook. It does not talk as much about technical skills as it does leadership and empowering others. It took a year to complete and as I look back I realize it was from God’s heart because I still have trouble getting it sometimes. No matter what I do in this life I will never forget that experience but still I look forward with anticipation of what is yet to come because I know I belong to Him and His heart is passionate for me and as I travel from one promise to the next I have learned not to hang on too tightly for all my hope and value is in Him!
This might be an unpopular subject but I believe today’s message is in line with the Word of God and very relevant for today. We are given limitations for our own good and for the good of others, let me explain. Though we have been given purpose and a dream that will stretch us we are not able to do everything. You may have heard it said before but it is true, “Pick one thing and do it well.” If that one thing is teaching or the ministry of helps or being an evangelist or pastor then give it all you have and stay on track. Don’t let other things distract you from that purpose. Too often the “good” can and does get in the way of God’s “best” for our lives. It has been said that in any volunteer organization eighty percent of the work gets done by only twenty percent of the people and from my experience I have seen no reason to doubt that but often those who are willing to do the work get loaded down by team leaders and in the case of church spiritual leaders i.e. pastors. Please if you are a pastor don’t be offended. A good pastor is instrumental in guiding us in understanding God has purpose for our lives but did you know it is not the pastor’s job to tell us what our dream is? Sometimes the lines get confused and yes there is much to be done but instead of putting more on the twenty percent the leaders are to bring more of the eighty percent on board. Let me say it again God does not intend for you to do everything, even if you could do you think that would be best? I say no! What would you become if you were able to do everything? In a very small way I have experienced this as I volunteered in the training and leading of a team of volunteers I found myself being depended upon beyond what was healthy. My constituents, even though they had been trained and tested were not comfortable making decisions on their own. So what did I do? As God allowed me to recognize what was happening He also opened a door for me to give them full responsibility while I went to another church to train a new team. I gave my team support and my cell phone number but you know what when I returned they didn’t need me as much and I believe God did something in their hearts because they no longer were just helping because it was good or fun but because they had ownership in the ministry! Was it difficult? You bet! When I am weak I find it easier to do things myself than teach someone else to do it but that is not what God’s best. In doing this I had to understand where my value came from – it wasn’t in the service I provided but that I am a beloved child of God, in Christ alone does my life mean anything!
That puts an entirely different perspective on life. If you are of that twenty percent, then God’s message to you is – stop striving, I love you for who you are not for what you do. I have called you to lead others in the area that I have gifted you. The question is not how much can you do but are you discipling others. If you are part of this group then there is a passion inside of you that others need to know. If anyone could have done everything on their own it would have been Jesus but instead we see him investing into his disciples right up until it is time for him to leave. Yes, we have been given limitations not only for our good but the good of others and we should embrace these boundaries for that is God’s plan.
If you would like to know more about what accepting your limits looks like I wrote a handbook for my constituents to use in my absence and I will email it to you just email me at prosound@cinci.rr.com and mention the Production Team Leader Handbook. It does not talk as much about technical skills as it does leadership and empowering others. It took a year to complete and as I look back I realize it was from God’s heart because I still have trouble getting it sometimes. No matter what I do in this life I will never forget that experience but still I look forward with anticipation of what is yet to come because I know I belong to Him and His heart is passionate for me and as I travel from one promise to the next I have learned not to hang on too tightly for all my hope and value is in Him!
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