Sunday, February 18, 2007
Think Outside The Box!
Waters to swim in.
Ezekiel 47:1-5
Have you heard about the frog that was born at the bottom of a well? He thought life couldn't get any better till one day he looked up and saw daylight. Climbing up to investigate he was amazed to find a much larger pond than the one he lived in. And going further afield he discovered a lake that was bigger again. When eventually he came to the ocean and all he could see was water, it dawned on him just how limited his thinking had been. He thought everything he needed was down in the well, but that was a drop in the bucket compared to the things that were out there for him to enjoy.
Maybe you're living today in your own little "well," reluctant to leave your comfort zone, settling for a limited and safe existence while God has rivers "deep enough to swim in." Wouldn't you like to step out in faith, experience new depths in Him and go where you've never been before? Remember, the enemy will do everything he can to keep you focused on your background, your lack of formal education, your appearance and your limited resources. But Bruce Wilkinson says, "It doesn't matter whether you're short of money, people, energy, or time. What God invites you to do will always be greater than the resources you start with."
You don't have to let fear limit your vision when God is your source, because His supply is unlimited! One idea from Him, just one, can change your life and the lives of others. He's got great things in store for you today - so start thinking outside the box!
Ezekiel 47:1-5
Have you heard about the frog that was born at the bottom of a well? He thought life couldn't get any better till one day he looked up and saw daylight. Climbing up to investigate he was amazed to find a much larger pond than the one he lived in. And going further afield he discovered a lake that was bigger again. When eventually he came to the ocean and all he could see was water, it dawned on him just how limited his thinking had been. He thought everything he needed was down in the well, but that was a drop in the bucket compared to the things that were out there for him to enjoy.
Maybe you're living today in your own little "well," reluctant to leave your comfort zone, settling for a limited and safe existence while God has rivers "deep enough to swim in." Wouldn't you like to step out in faith, experience new depths in Him and go where you've never been before? Remember, the enemy will do everything he can to keep you focused on your background, your lack of formal education, your appearance and your limited resources. But Bruce Wilkinson says, "It doesn't matter whether you're short of money, people, energy, or time. What God invites you to do will always be greater than the resources you start with."
You don't have to let fear limit your vision when God is your source, because His supply is unlimited! One idea from Him, just one, can change your life and the lives of others. He's got great things in store for you today - so start thinking outside the box!
Footprints
I will never leave you or forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5
Take a moment and reread these timeless words by Margaret Fishback Powers: "One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand.
One belonged to me and other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the lowest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.
'Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You, You would walk with me all the way. But I notice that during the worst times in my life there was only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times when I needed You most, You should leave me.'
The Lord replied, 'My child, I love you and would never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints… they were Mine. It was then that I carried you!'"
Need reassurance?
"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8 ).
Need more reassurance?
"For He has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.'
So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6 ).
Today you're not alone - God is with you!
Hebrews 13:5
Take a moment and reread these timeless words by Margaret Fishback Powers: "One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand.
One belonged to me and other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the lowest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.
'Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You, You would walk with me all the way. But I notice that during the worst times in my life there was only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times when I needed You most, You should leave me.'
The Lord replied, 'My child, I love you and would never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints… they were Mine. It was then that I carried you!'"
Need reassurance?
"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8 ).
Need more reassurance?
"For He has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.'
So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6 ).
Today you're not alone - God is with you!
Aim Them In The Right Direction (1)
Train up a child... in keeping with his individual gift or bent.
Proverbs 22:6
As a parent, you either accelerate or stifle your child's giftedness. They will spend much of their life benefiting from, or recovering from, your influence. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." That doesn't mean "If I put my children on the right path, they'll never leave it." No, salvation is the work of God (1 Corinthians 3:6). So what does this passage teach us? To view your child as a book - not to be written, but to be read.
The Amplified Bible reads, "Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it." Note the word "bent." You hold the bow, your child is the arrow. Aim him (or her) "in the way he should go." God prewired your infant. He preprogrammed your toddler's strengths. He set your teen on a trajectory. God gave you an 18-year research project. Ask yourself, "What sets this child apart?" Childhood tendencies forecast adult abilities. Read them. Discern them. Affirm them. Encourage them.
Look at Joseph. At 17 he saw dreams and envisioned himself as a leader (Genesis 37:2-10). As an adult he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh and led the nation (Genesis 40 - 41). As a boy David displayed two strengths: fighting and music. He killed a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37) and played skillfully on the harp (1 Samuel 16:16-18). And what two activities dominated his adult years? Fighting and music. Think about it!
Proverbs 22:6
As a parent, you either accelerate or stifle your child's giftedness. They will spend much of their life benefiting from, or recovering from, your influence. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." That doesn't mean "If I put my children on the right path, they'll never leave it." No, salvation is the work of God (1 Corinthians 3:6). So what does this passage teach us? To view your child as a book - not to be written, but to be read.
The Amplified Bible reads, "Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it." Note the word "bent." You hold the bow, your child is the arrow. Aim him (or her) "in the way he should go." God prewired your infant. He preprogrammed your toddler's strengths. He set your teen on a trajectory. God gave you an 18-year research project. Ask yourself, "What sets this child apart?" Childhood tendencies forecast adult abilities. Read them. Discern them. Affirm them. Encourage them.
Look at Joseph. At 17 he saw dreams and envisioned himself as a leader (Genesis 37:2-10). As an adult he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh and led the nation (Genesis 40 - 41). As a boy David displayed two strengths: fighting and music. He killed a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37) and played skillfully on the harp (1 Samuel 16:16-18). And what two activities dominated his adult years? Fighting and music. Think about it!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Be Enthusiastic!
Serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Romans 12:11
Life can become humdrum and wear you down. For example, a job that once challenged you can get monotonous, a relationship that was exciting and fresh can grow stale, and a daily walk with God that once elated and inspired you can feel like you're going through the motions.
Enthusiasm comes from a Greek word meaning "inspired by God."
Just as the Israelites had to gather fresh manna every morning in the wilderness, you need a daily infusion of God's Spirit to "fan into flames the… gift [He] gave you" (2 Timothy 1:6 ).
Even when things aren't going especially well, Paul encourages us to "serve the Lord enthusiastically," adding, "It is good to be zealous [passionate and fully committed] in a good thing always" (Galatians 4:18 ).
So instead of going around complaining, put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
It's amazing how "lucky" you get when you change your attitude and approach! Sheldon Vanauken says: "The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians - when they are somber and joyless, when they are self righteous and smug in complacent consecrations, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths."
Life wasn't meant to be a journey to the grave with the goal of arriving safely in a well-preserved body, but rather a race to the finish line, used up, totally fulfilled, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a ride!" Poet Maya Angelou says, "Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, 'I'm with you kid. Let's go!'" We should be the most enthusiastic people in the world, because not only have we a great future, we have "abundant life" now!
Romans 12:11
Life can become humdrum and wear you down. For example, a job that once challenged you can get monotonous, a relationship that was exciting and fresh can grow stale, and a daily walk with God that once elated and inspired you can feel like you're going through the motions.
Enthusiasm comes from a Greek word meaning "inspired by God."
Just as the Israelites had to gather fresh manna every morning in the wilderness, you need a daily infusion of God's Spirit to "fan into flames the… gift [He] gave you" (2 Timothy 1:6 ).
Even when things aren't going especially well, Paul encourages us to "serve the Lord enthusiastically," adding, "It is good to be zealous [passionate and fully committed] in a good thing always" (Galatians 4:18 ).
So instead of going around complaining, put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
It's amazing how "lucky" you get when you change your attitude and approach! Sheldon Vanauken says: "The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians - when they are somber and joyless, when they are self righteous and smug in complacent consecrations, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths."
Life wasn't meant to be a journey to the grave with the goal of arriving safely in a well-preserved body, but rather a race to the finish line, used up, totally fulfilled, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a ride!" Poet Maya Angelou says, "Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, 'I'm with you kid. Let's go!'" We should be the most enthusiastic people in the world, because not only have we a great future, we have "abundant life" now!
Aim Them In The Right Direction (2)
Train up a child... in keeping with his individual gift or bent.
Proverbs 22:6
Raising your child "in the way he should go" means recognising four things:
(1) Strengths. At two, Van Cliburn played a song on the piano as a result of listening to teaching in the adjacent room. His mother noticed, gave him lessons, and the child from Kilgore, Texas won the first international Tchaikovsky piano competition in Moscow.
(2) Topics. John Ruskin said, "Tell me what you like, and I'll tell you what you are." What do your children like? Numbers? Colours? Activities? Study them! The greatest gift you can give them is not your riches, but revealing to them their own.
(3) Optimal conditions. A cactus thrives in different conditions than a rose bush. What soil does your child grow in? Some children love to be noticed. Others prefer to hide in the crowd. Some do well taking tests. Others excel with the subject, but stumble through exams. Winston Churchill repeatedly failed tests in school. We each have different optimal conditions. What are your children's?
(4) Relationships. What phrase best describes your child? "Follow me, everyone… I'll let you know if I need some help… Can we do this together?… Tell me what to do and I'll do it." Don't characterise loners as aloof, or crowd seekers as arrogant. They may be living out their story.
What gives your children satisfaction? What makes them say "Yes!" Do they love the journey or the destination? Do they like to keep things straight or straighten things out? What thrills one, bothers another. Parent, resist the urge to label before you study.
Understand the uniqueness of your child!
Proverbs 22:6
Raising your child "in the way he should go" means recognising four things:
(1) Strengths. At two, Van Cliburn played a song on the piano as a result of listening to teaching in the adjacent room. His mother noticed, gave him lessons, and the child from Kilgore, Texas won the first international Tchaikovsky piano competition in Moscow.
(2) Topics. John Ruskin said, "Tell me what you like, and I'll tell you what you are." What do your children like? Numbers? Colours? Activities? Study them! The greatest gift you can give them is not your riches, but revealing to them their own.
(3) Optimal conditions. A cactus thrives in different conditions than a rose bush. What soil does your child grow in? Some children love to be noticed. Others prefer to hide in the crowd. Some do well taking tests. Others excel with the subject, but stumble through exams. Winston Churchill repeatedly failed tests in school. We each have different optimal conditions. What are your children's?
(4) Relationships. What phrase best describes your child? "Follow me, everyone… I'll let you know if I need some help… Can we do this together?… Tell me what to do and I'll do it." Don't characterise loners as aloof, or crowd seekers as arrogant. They may be living out their story.
What gives your children satisfaction? What makes them say "Yes!" Do they love the journey or the destination? Do they like to keep things straight or straighten things out? What thrills one, bothers another. Parent, resist the urge to label before you study.
Understand the uniqueness of your child!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Prayer Is More Than Just Words
When you pray... close your door.
Matthew 6:6
Jesus said "when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:6 ). With these few words, Jesus set the common perception of prayer on its ear. He said prayer was not to be a public demonstration of how "Spiritual" we are. No, the intimate nature of our communication with God calls for getting alone, away from all interruptions and distractions. Why? Because it's just you and your Father in a family discussion.
When people say they don't know how to pray, what they usually mean is that they don't know how to pray like some of us. They don't know how to use our "Christian jargon." Jesus said you don't need to worry about getting all the words right because "your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8 ). God's listening to our heart more than our words. We don't have to be self-conscious about our praying; God isn't grading us on how well we express ourselves.
Again, compare prayer to breathing. Our breathing is done without our conscious attention to it, or even awareness that we're doing it. It is the natural expression of our moment-by-moment dependence on oxygen. That's how God wants us to treat our communication with Him. He wants prayer to be the air we breathe, the environment in which we live. Isn't that wonderful? Through prayer we can live in continuous contact with God. Just think how much that can change us and improve the quality of our lives.
Matthew 6:6
Jesus said "when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:6 ). With these few words, Jesus set the common perception of prayer on its ear. He said prayer was not to be a public demonstration of how "Spiritual" we are. No, the intimate nature of our communication with God calls for getting alone, away from all interruptions and distractions. Why? Because it's just you and your Father in a family discussion.
When people say they don't know how to pray, what they usually mean is that they don't know how to pray like some of us. They don't know how to use our "Christian jargon." Jesus said you don't need to worry about getting all the words right because "your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8 ). God's listening to our heart more than our words. We don't have to be self-conscious about our praying; God isn't grading us on how well we express ourselves.
Again, compare prayer to breathing. Our breathing is done without our conscious attention to it, or even awareness that we're doing it. It is the natural expression of our moment-by-moment dependence on oxygen. That's how God wants us to treat our communication with Him. He wants prayer to be the air we breathe, the environment in which we live. Isn't that wonderful? Through prayer we can live in continuous contact with God. Just think how much that can change us and improve the quality of our lives.
The Power Of God's Word
There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation.
2 Timothy 3:15
The crew of HMS Bounty seized control of the ship. Goaded by the cruelty of Captain Bligh, they gave him and his faithfuls a boat, a push, and watched them float out to sea. In the spring of 1789 the mutinous sailors settled on Pitcairn Island, a tiny dot in the South Pacific. They burned the ship, took Tahitian wives and recruited Tahitian workers. It had all the makings of a tropical paradise. But they turned it into a living hell, a cesspool of adultery, violence and drunkenness. Within a decade the natives attacked the settlers. Only one survived: Alexander Smith. Left on a five square kilometre island, surrounded by natives and half-breed children he did something remarkable. He began to read a Bible crew members had salvaged from the Bounty. "When I came to the life of Jesus," Smith later explained to his superiors, "my heart began to open like doors swinging apart.
Once I was sure that God was a loving and merciful Father to them that repent, it seemed to me I could feel His very presence, Sir, and I grew more and more sure every day of His guiding hand." The Scripture transformed not just Alexander Smith, but the entire island. When the British Navy discovered Pitcairn Island in 1808, its order and decency astonished them. Smith was spared, and the name Pitcairn became a byword for piety. From immorality to piety. What made the miraculous difference? The Bible! "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 3:15
The crew of HMS Bounty seized control of the ship. Goaded by the cruelty of Captain Bligh, they gave him and his faithfuls a boat, a push, and watched them float out to sea. In the spring of 1789 the mutinous sailors settled on Pitcairn Island, a tiny dot in the South Pacific. They burned the ship, took Tahitian wives and recruited Tahitian workers. It had all the makings of a tropical paradise. But they turned it into a living hell, a cesspool of adultery, violence and drunkenness. Within a decade the natives attacked the settlers. Only one survived: Alexander Smith. Left on a five square kilometre island, surrounded by natives and half-breed children he did something remarkable. He began to read a Bible crew members had salvaged from the Bounty. "When I came to the life of Jesus," Smith later explained to his superiors, "my heart began to open like doors swinging apart.
Once I was sure that God was a loving and merciful Father to them that repent, it seemed to me I could feel His very presence, Sir, and I grew more and more sure every day of His guiding hand." The Scripture transformed not just Alexander Smith, but the entire island. When the British Navy discovered Pitcairn Island in 1808, its order and decency astonished them. Smith was spared, and the name Pitcairn became a byword for piety. From immorality to piety. What made the miraculous difference? The Bible! "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
After You've Failed
When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
Luke 22:32
God can turn your failures into stepping stones to success. Look at Peter. Jesus told him, "Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32 ).
Notice:
(1) Christ warned him about it but He didn't stop it from happening. There are certain things we only learn the hard way.
(2) Jesus told Peter that he'd deny Him, not once, but three times. Most of us are stubborn; we don't get it the first time.
(3) Peter thought he was stronger than he was: "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death" (Luke 22:33 ). We usually start out with an exaggerated opinion of our own strength.
(4) Jesus told him, "I'm praying for you that your faith may not fail." Isn't that amazing? When we're so low that we can't pray for ourselves, Jesus handles the enemy and intercedes with the Father on our behalf. What did Jesus pray for? Peter's faith! Faith in God's grace is the rope that pulls us back up again.
(5) Jesus believed in Peter even when Peter didn't believe in himself. That's because we evaluate ourselves by our present circumstances, but Jesus sees us in the fullness of our potential. So He tells Peter, "When (not if) you get back on track, do something good with what's happened."
Now, if temporary failure happened to Peter, how much more likely is it to happen to you? And when it does, what do you suppose the Lord wants to accomplish through it?
Luke 22:32
God can turn your failures into stepping stones to success. Look at Peter. Jesus told him, "Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32 ).
Notice:
(1) Christ warned him about it but He didn't stop it from happening. There are certain things we only learn the hard way.
(2) Jesus told Peter that he'd deny Him, not once, but three times. Most of us are stubborn; we don't get it the first time.
(3) Peter thought he was stronger than he was: "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death" (Luke 22:33 ). We usually start out with an exaggerated opinion of our own strength.
(4) Jesus told him, "I'm praying for you that your faith may not fail." Isn't that amazing? When we're so low that we can't pray for ourselves, Jesus handles the enemy and intercedes with the Father on our behalf. What did Jesus pray for? Peter's faith! Faith in God's grace is the rope that pulls us back up again.
(5) Jesus believed in Peter even when Peter didn't believe in himself. That's because we evaluate ourselves by our present circumstances, but Jesus sees us in the fullness of our potential. So He tells Peter, "When (not if) you get back on track, do something good with what's happened."
Now, if temporary failure happened to Peter, how much more likely is it to happen to you? And when it does, what do you suppose the Lord wants to accomplish through it?
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