Thursday, April 30, 2009

Turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones

We don't hear much about Abraham Lincoln's defeats because his victories were so notable. But for much of his life the odds were against him. His mother died when he was nine. In 1832 he lost an election to the Illinois State Legislature. In 1849 he was rejected as Commissioner of the General Land Office. He lost Senate races in 1855 and 1858, and in between failed to win a vice-presidential nomination. However, his most painful losses were the deaths of his four-year-old and twelve-year-old sons. Born in the backwoods of Kentucky, Lincoln had only a few months of "blab school" - one without books where students repeated the teacher's words. He taught himself mathematics, read the classics and worked on his writing and speaking skills using the Bible as his model. His philosophy was, "I'll study and prepare, and when the time comes I'll be ready." He told a friend, "Bear in mind, your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." His Gettysburg Address is one of the most notable speeches in history. During the darkest days of the Civil War he said, "I do the very best I know how...and I mean to keep on doing it to the end."

The Apostle Paul had some very dark and difficult days, but had this same resolution. Acts 20:17-24, tells us this story. (17) "From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. (18) And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, (19) serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; (20) how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, (21) testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (22) And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, (23) except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. (24) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy..."

Paul didn't say, "None of these things hurt me," he said, "None of these things move me." Big difference! Paul refused to let life's problems derail him. He understood that what happens in us is more important than what happens to us. He also understood that when we look to Jesus as our role model and draw strength from Him each day, He'll give us all that's needed to overcome in life.

Application: Become resolute in trusting the Heavenly Father. Be Blessed!!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Trusting God when there are no answers

Life's losses leave us hurting and wondering. Cancer takes a young mother or father. Divorce strikes your happy home. Financial ruin devastates your retirement plans. A child goes to jail, is killed or commits suicide. Such times raise questions which are difficult, if not impossible to answer. We examine the circumstances again and again. We speculate about the details, searching for clues that might make some sense and make it easier for us to bear. We turn the spotlight on ourselves, others, even God, wondering what could or should have been done differently that might have prevented this. We turn to others to comfort us and what we receive feels inadequate for our need.

When answers don't seem forthcoming and the heavens are silent, what should we do?
Here are two Scriptures to help you in such times:

(1) "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us" (Dt 29:29 NKJV). When it comes to understanding things, we have our territory, God has His. And ours is limited to what He decides to reveal. At that point we must "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Pr 3:5 NKJV).

(2) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God" (Ro 8:28). God may explain it to us, or He may not. But He's "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End" (Rev 22:13 NKJV), which means, He has a plan and He's working it out for our good and His glory. So trust Him!

I say again, "Let's trust Him"

Be Blessed......

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Rules for handling anger- Keep it non-lethal

Paul writes: "In your anger do not sin" (Eph 4:26 NIV). What do Paul's words mean? Don't let your anger escalate to the point of doing damage. Don't use your words as a weapon or a control mechanism. It's okay to express our emotions in a healthy way, but keep them in check. Our goal must be to resolve the problem and strengthen the relationship, not "sound off" and wound the other person. Is this easy to do? No. We'll need a good strong dose of grace to do it.

Words spoken in jest, sarcasm, self-righteousness or "righteous indignation" wound people, sometimes permanently. "Perverseness [of the tongue] breaks the spirit." (Pr 15:4 NKJV). "A crushed spirit who can bear?" (Pr 18:14 NIV). "The tongue can bring death" (Pr 18:21 NLT). Angry words, once unleashed, can: "Go down into a man's inmost parts" (Pr 26:22 NIV). Our words can live in the heart and memory of a person and go all the way to the grave with them.

We say, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me," but it's not true. A person can die of a crushed spirit, and the one who spoke the words can live to regret the damage they inflicted and never get a chance to undo it. On the other hand, anger properly handled never needs to be repented of.

So let's learn to differentiate between the anger we feel and the words we speak. Anger carefully thought through, can reveal important information about needed changes. Let's focus on that, and ask God to show us what needs changing in the other person - and us! Be Blessed!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

When things look bad

F.B. Meyer says: "The education of our faith is incomplete [till] we learn that God's providence works through loss...that there's a ministry to us through the failure and fading of things. The dwindling brook where Elijah sat is a picture of our lives! 'Some time later the brook dried up' (1Ki 17:7 NIV) is the history of our yesterdays and a prophecy of our tomorrows...learn the difference between trusting in the gift and trusting in the Giver. The gift may last for a season but the Giver is eternal. If the Lord had led Elijah directly to the widow at Zarephath, he'd have missed something that helped make him a better man - living by faith. Whenever our earthly resources dry up it's so we may learn that our hope and help are in God."

One author writes: "Sometimes there's not enough money to make ends meet; people tell us to budget and we chuckle. We look at the situation and say 'No way.' That's the time to trust God. Your possibilities are not limited by past or present circumstances. If there's not enough to pay legitimate expenses, do your best then let go. Trust God to supply your need, then look beyond your wallet. Look to your source. Claim a divine...unlimited supply...Do your part. Strive for financial responsibility in thought and action. Ask for wisdom and listen to God's leadings. Then let go of your fears and your need to control.

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding' (Pr 3:5 NLT). We all know money is a necessary part of living - and so does God."

"Happy is he...whose hope is in the Lord." Psalm 146:5 NKJV

Monday, April 13, 2009

Seeing God in your situation

When you are in a crisis it's easy to lose perspective. It happened to Jesus' disciples on the Emmaus Road. Discouraged about His death, they were "going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their...questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was" (Lk 24:15-16 TM). When you take your eyes off Jesus, you begin to feel helpless about things.

Dr. Michael Youssef says: "Facing a major crisis... I tend to be the kind of person whose vision becomes blurred...my perceptions are shot...my contemplations one-sided...and I often shut out the very people who can deliver me...just like these two disciples...Their vision was blurred about the very person who was walking with them and talking to them. The One whose death they were mourning was alive...but they didn't realize it because their focus was on the wrong thing."

But everything changed the minute they recognized Him. "Within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There...the two...told...how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread" (Lk 24:33-35 NLT). Notice the words "within the hour." In an instant they went from fear to courage, pain to joy, and despair to hope. And that's the story of Easter. No matter how bad things may appear to be, when you set your eyes on Jesus He will fill you with hope. So Paul writes: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened."

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Wanna be First, Anyone?

As Dan Mazur led his team of climbers up Mount Everest the conditions were ideal for reaching the summit. Then two hours from the top they came across Lincoln Hall, a climber who'd collapsed the day before on his way down. Alone and hallucinating, he had no equipment and was suffering from frostbite and dehydration. (They later learned Hall's team leader had called his wife to say he was dead!) Without hesitation they gave Hall their oxygen, food and water, and by the time help arrived, reaching the peak was out of the question. They sacrificed years of planning, weeks of climbing, and their lifelong dream to save another climber. Not surprisingly, today Mazur helps build schools and hospitals in parts of Nepal without roads, electricity, phones and running water. That's the kind of person he is.

Would you give up your dream to save another person? Ordinary people do it every day: moms and dads working two jobs to feed and clothe their kids; parents who turn down job transfers rather than uproot their families; round-the-clock caregivers whose loved ones are depending on them.

In God's kingdom, things are different. Jesus said:
If anyone wants to be first, he must [put himself] last. (Mark 9:35)
The least are considered the greatest (Luke 9:48).
The most honorable seat in the house is for the one we overlook (Luke 14:8-9).
We esteem others more highly than ourselves (Romans 12:10 & Philippians 2:3).
We give up our coat and go the extra mile (Matthew 5:40-41).
John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less" (John 3:30).

Still wanna be first?

Friday, April 3, 2009

Succeeding at home

Building a good relationship at home is like building a wall: It's done brick by brick. And the mortar that holds it together is unconditional, un-condemning, unselfish love. The only way you'll know how good a job you've done is when it's tested by the storms of life. One of the most important keys to succeeding at home is - communication. So:

(1) Become creative. Spend time together as a family. Call your mate during the day and try to meet sometimes for lunch. Drive your kids to school or soccer practice so you can talk to them. Communication can happen anywhere, but it won't happen unless you make it a priority.

(2) Identify communication killers. Internet, cell phones and TV are the chief culprits. The average couple spends less than one hour a week in meaningful communication; they spend five times more each day watching television. This is a "screen test" you'll have to pass if you want to succeed at home.

(3) Encourage every member to speak their mind. And when they do, don't criticize or retaliate. Differences of opinion are healthy. Handled right, they can make things better.

(4) Be conscious of how you interact with your family. You may have unwittingly adopted a style that stifles communication. Stop and consider; do you:
(a) retaliate - that has a degrading effect;
(b) dominate - that has an intimidating effect;
(c) isolate - that has a frustrating effect.
(d) cooperate - that has an encouraging effect.

If you're in the habit of using any communication style other than a cooperative one, start working immediately to change it. You'll have to, if you want to build a good relationship with your family. God's word says, "Through wisdom a house is built." (Proverbs 24:3 NKJV) Let's use wisdom and start the building or in some cases re-building process.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

"Above and beyond"

In Roman times soldiers could make Jewish citizens carry their gear for a mile. But Jesus says: "If someone forces you to go one mile, go...two." Max Lucado writes: "We've a second-mile servant in our church. By profession he's an architect; by passion, a servant. Prior to each worship service he does his rounds through the men's restrooms...wipes sinks, cleans mirrors, checks toilets and picks up paper. He tells no one and requests nothing in return...

Let me tell you how to spot [second-milers]. They don't wear badges or uniforms; they wear smiles. They've discovered ...joy in the extra effort...satisfaction in helping others...that the real reward rests at the base of the second mile-post... Why? Liberation! They've passed from slave to volunteer. When 'Mary anointed Jesus' feet,' one-milers like Judas criticized the deed as wasteful. Not Jesus. He received the gesture as a demonstration of love, a friend surrendering her most treasured gift.

There's an elderly man in your community who just lost his wife. An hour of your time would mean the world to him. Some kids in your city have no dad to take them to movies or baseball games. Maybe you can. They can't pay you back but they'll smile like a cantaloupe slice at your kindness. How about this one? Down the hall is a person who shares your last name. Shock them with kindness...your homework done with no complaints...coffee served when they awake...a love letter written for no special reason. Alabaster poured out 'just because.'

Jesus chose the servants' quarters. Can't we?" John Gardner said, "When people are serving, life is no longer meaningless." You're not called to "get by," you're called to go "above and beyond." What an incredible challenge. Jesus said, "If someone forces you to go one mile, go...two." (Matthew 5:41 NIV) Find a place to be a second miler today. You will find you've moved from slave to volunteer.

Be blessed and we will see you on the weekend.