Sunday, June 30, 2013

Giving Up

The Bible is a wonderful source of guidance and inspiration. It will tell us the truth and encourage us even with life's tough issues.

Do you find yourself being overwhelmed on a regular basis?

Do you feel sometimes that you just can't get ahead or even keep up?

The prophet Micah felt this way. I recently saw this version from the Message “I’m overwhelmed with sorrow!  Sunk in a swamp of despair!    But me, I’m not giving up.  I’m sticking around to see what God will do.  I’m waiting for God to make things right.”  Micah 7:1 & 7

Pushing through the hard things in life is sometimes the only way to get through them. Remember that you never have to go through life's storms and valleys alone! Jesus will not only endure with you, but has something spectacular waiting for you at the end of the tunnel.

Be wise today and always - be secure as you endure - God wins at the end every time.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Two Becomes One

Today I am officiating at a wedding in upstate New York. It's really cool to see how God brings people together. Genesis 2:24 says, Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Believe, leave, and cleave are three essential elements to any relationship.

Believing in Christ and becoming the man or woman of God that He intends for you to be. Until you achieve that you will never be the spouse, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or friend that you should be for others. I am

Leaving in this case does refer to growing up and becoming and adult. Taking on the responsibilities of honoring God in your relationship. Looking upward and forward - not behind!

Cleaving means literally two becoming one. I look at this as a mandate to all believers. When people see us they should be looking at someone who has "put Jesus on" and is now a new creation. The old is gone, and in it's place is one who honors God in all they think, say, do, and believe.

Be wise today and always - Believe in, Leave the old, and Cleave to your new life in Christ.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Appreciation

I was watching one of those swamp people - alligator shows the other day. One of the trainers/handlers of a over 100 gators said this;   Alligators never show affection or appreciation they're so mean - you can be feeding them and they'll try to bite you!

Have you ever felt like that?

Have you ever tried to love, care, and nurture someone only for them to cause you harm?

If you've ever been in ministry or Christian service you know what I mean. Sometimes it is the people closes to us that try to "take a bite" out of you! But, before we start throwing a pity party let's look at it from God's perspective.

How many times have we hurt Him or not shown our appreciation for all He does for us?

I'm glad He keeps loving and feeding us. Don't you? Jesus said the greatest thing we can do is to love God with all we have. That includes showing our gratitude to Him, and those whom helped us along our Christian journey.

Be wise today and always - Tell Jesus and someone else today how much you appreciate them, and maybe apologize for the times you "snapped" at them.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Contribution

Many times after after Jesus had performed miraculous signs in people's presence, they still would not believe in him.

We have accepted Christ as our Savior, and committed our lives to Him.
Do our lives and churches look any different?

Here are some Passions and Attributes of a Spirit filled Church and Life

Intimate Worship
Faith-Based conversations
Intentional Spiritual Growth
Servanthood
Resource development
Spiritual Friendships
Family Faith

What is your passion?

What do you contribute to the Kingdom?

Be wise today and always - check you passion for God levels today.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Bridges

In John 4:19-26 Jesus is revealing Himself as Messiah to the Samaritan woman. It is our responsibility to reveal Jesus to people we come in contact with every day.Bridges and walls are both necessary and both serve very different purposes. Walls divide. Bridges unite!

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,”Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”  26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

The Bible says, "We love because He first loved us," when we were still sinners! Pick up your cross. The Holy Spirit is the key. As we live obediently and intimately with Him, we will surely learn to love others, accepting them, as we radiate the love of Christ that we ourselves have experienced.

Be wise today and always - build a relationship bridge and share the Good News. 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Healing

If you’ve ever had a sick child, you can identify with this story. Here was a man whose child was sick, but who found his own superficial faith developed into genuine faith in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.  48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,”
Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” 49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed. - John 4:47–53

Notice three things that occur here: A Crisis, A Command, and A Commitment.

The word of Jesus is enough to heal sickness and increase your faith.

Be wise today and always - trust in God’s Word to make you “well”.

Monday, June 24, 2013

House Divided

The divisions that Jesus caused reach all the way to the leaders of the church, the Sanhedrin. The Pharisees thought the opinion of the religious leaders was unanimous in its opposition to Jesus. Nicodemus reminds his colleagues of an important principle of law they arrear to be overlooking.

“You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?  No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”  Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” Then they all went home, - John 7:47-53

The response of the Pharisees can be interpreted in two ways:
1.     They may be urging Nicodemus to search the Scripture and see that no prophet had ever appeared in Galilee.
2.     They could be asking is Galilee the kind of place to produce a prophet.

The leaders were not interested in determining the truth. They wanted to discredit Jesus any way they could. With their plot frustrated and group divided “everyone went to his own home”. No change of heart or mind, but intent with doing things their own way regardless of the facts.

How should we deal with division?

 How would Jesus?

Be wise today and always - live by God’s truth not man’s (it’s always changing).

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Being Heard

Do you ever feel that no one is listening to you? Maybe you've felt that what you have to say is not important? Take heart! God hears you, and He wants to hear what you have to say.


Jesus said in John 11:41-42 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”


Not only is God an active listener, but He has things to say that we need to hear.


Are you listening?


Be wise today and always - pay attention to what God is telling you.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Faithfulness

Being faithful to God's Word and call on your life is essential to living a Christian Life. Read and take to heart what God's Word says about it.

“I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do. ”John17:4      
                   
“The one thing required of servants is that they be faithful...” 1 Corinthians 4:2

“Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

“He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians.Hebrews 6:10

Be wise today and always - be faithful to the One who is always faithful.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Where Are You Going?

I heard recently that, If you don’t know where you started from you’ll never know how far you’ve come. I believe that we all need to remember where we started out from. From your birth, family, home, and the day you accepted Christ as Savior. Praise God He has prepared the way for us.

“We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good  works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

We need to turn to Jesus to keep us on the right path of this life. If you keep turning the same way in life you’ll just be going in circles!

He has so many experiences in store for his children. Our duty is to be faithful, trusting, and obedient. The “reward” will come on that day we meet Him face to face. Everyone’s goal should be to please the Lord, so one day you’ll hear,

“'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things so; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!Matthew 25:21

Be wise today and always - follow the Lord all the days of your life.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Stupid is as...

There is great movie line that says stupid is as stupid does. I see this acted out almost every day. People can't seem to stop making fools out of themselves. You think we would have "wised up" by now. I have a friend who sums up this part of our human condition with, You can't teach common sense and you can't fix stupid!

We see in the Bible where Jesus asks his disciples why were they so  dense? Again it is a case of being our own worst enemy. It doesn't have to be that way. All the knowledge, direction, and wisdom of God are available to us through the Holy Spirit and God's Word.

Do you know the Bible? Are you plugged in to the Jesus?

It will help your common sense and it certainly can cure foolishness.

Be wise today and always - seek God's counsel before you act..

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Work

During the summer we tend to slack off a bit. I believe vacations, leisure, and down times are important, but let's not lose sight of the work God has for us. Paul gives this great advise and warning in 1 Timothy 4:1-16:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Be wise today and always - be a worker approved of God.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Choices

Any advice about making wise choices should be readily received. There is no better wisdom than from Jesus in Matthew 6:19-24 where He gives us contrasts, warnings, and a choice.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

A contrast: About two kinds of riches
Earthly riches and Heavenly riches

A warning: About two kinds of hearts
A good heart: like a good eye and A bad heart: like a bad eye

A choice: About two kinds of Masters
Either hate or love - Either leave or cleave

The choice: serve God or material things

What’s your choice?

Be wise today and always - make your choices with Godly wisdom.

Monday, June 17, 2013

A Friend

We all need friends. Did you know the Bible gives us advice on friendship? A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18:24 I hope you know that Jeus is your friend, but God desires us to have Godly friends in the flesh as well. I preached these points years ago,and it's a good reminder on what to look for in a friend.

A Good Friend Will Give You:

Good Cheer - brings joy
A Listening Ear - take time to understand
A Sensitive Tear - compassion
A Kick in the Rear - when we need one
Truth Without Fear - speaks honestly

A true friend will know when you need each one!

Be wise today and always - be a Godly friend to someone.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Father's Day

Dear Dads,

Happy Father’s Day 2013! I want to encourage you to be all God has called you to be. We have one of the most important jobs on earth, and God has a special plan for all of us. He desires us to be Godly men. We cannot be the best Dad, husband, son, brother, or friend until we put things in their proper order. God must come first in every avenue of our lives, and we have the privilege of modeling this to our families and the world around us.
Do we teach them by spending time in God’s Word and prayer daily?
Do we place worship and church fellowship as a high priority? Does the world see us as giving financially to God’s work through His church? (We can look at our checkbook and schedules to see where our priorities are.)

Trust in God, and be about His purposes. You can do it with His guidance.


Be wise today and always - love your Father. 

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Be Passionate

In Acts 26:19-23, Paul spoke boldly before King Agrippa. He never lost sight of what sharing Jesus with the world is all about. Paul models the passion of fulfilling the Great Commission in sharing God’s plan of salvation with those who are in front of us.
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
 Here are three questions we can ask ourselves when the flame of passion for our witness needs to be rekindled.

What has God called me to do specifically for Him?

How am I sharing the Word of God to those before to me?

Do I ask for God’s help daily to achieve the impossible task set before me?

Be wise today and always - be passionate about changing the world - one person at a time.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Heart Answers

God promises to walk with us in our pain and suffering, if we will let Him. - This is what God the Lord says - he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people and life to those who walk on it: I will take hold of your hand.”-  Isaiah 42:5

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God.”. - Isaiah 43:1-3

This takes us back to:

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Jesus is the answer.

Let Him walk with you through life. He will be there during your pain and suffering. He’ll never leave you or turn His back on you.

Can you make the same promise to Him?
 
Be wise today and always - give your whole life to Jesus - even your suffering.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Closer to Christ

We all go through suffering in life, but you get to decide whether your pain is going to harden you or soften you.

Do your hardships bring you closer to Christ?

The problem is that we have to small of view or understanding. God sees our situations from an eternal aspect.

1 Corinthians 2:9  However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him.

Don't you think trusting and having faith in the God of yesterday, today, and the future is a good thing to do?

Be wise today and always - today consider your life through the eyes, heart, and mind of Christ. It will change your perspective.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Judgement of Evil

As we study the God Questions, how a good God could allow evil remember the day is coming when suffering will cease and evil will be judged.
Revelation 21:4; 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 20:1-4; And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Any suffering we experience in this life pales in comparison with the good God has in store for His followers. Paul wrote:

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  

At the same time he wrote:
2 Corinthians 4:17; For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Romans 8:18, 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Be wise today and always - choose what is right and honoring to God.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Purpose of Suffering

Though suffering is not good, God can and does use it to accomplish good. The meaning and purpose of suffering in history is that it leads to repentance. Only after suffering, only after disaster does Israel, do nations, do individuals turn back to God. Suffering brings repentance. We humans tend to learn the hard way.

A. God can use pain to draw people to Himself. God whispers to us in our pleasures, He speaks to us in our conscience, but He shouts to us in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. - CS Lewis

B. God can use trials to sharpen the character of His children.  

Romans 5:3-5,  3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Jesus knows of our sufferings in this life.

Hebrews 5:7-9, 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

C. God sometimes disciplines His children to teach us the right path to take.

Hebrews 12:10-11, 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. God has the big picture of life - we don’t! We must trust and have faith.

Romans 8:28 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

D. God uses bad circumstances to bring about good ends.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.“  Genesis 50:20

Be wise today and always - learn from your mistakes.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Good or Bad?

The source of disorder, chaos, and suffering is not God, but from man's sin.

Read the account of Genesis 1 in the Old Testament, and look throughout the chapter. After every day of God’s creation He said, “It was good.” But that all changed after Adam and Eve sinned.
Genesis 3:17-18, 17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground,  since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Romans 8:22  22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Be wise today and always - choose what God has said is good.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Head Answers

Today we'll continue to look at the God Question of Why is there evil? The truth is that God is not the creator of evil and suffering.

Some ask, Why didn’t God create a world where there was no suffering?
He Did! Remember the Garden of Eden?

 Man’s sin took that away. God gave us “free-choice”.  It is impossible to truly love unless you have a choice. God loves us that much.

There are two kinds of evil in this world. 

A. Man-made evil, where we do things that hurt others.

Some estimate that 95% of all the pain and suffering in this world is the result of things we do to each other. For instance, we see pictures of a famine the world and we say to ourselves, “How could God allow that?” And yet every year we produce enough food on the planet to feed every man, woman, boy and girl 3,000 calories a day.

It’s not fair to blame God for our negligence

B. Natural evil. Things like earthquakes and tornadoes and outbreaks of disease and such.

And as odd as it sounds initially, natural evil is a result of sin having been allowed in the world through free choice as well. One author put it this way:

When we humans told God to shove off, He partially honored our request. Nature was cursed. Genetic breakdown and disease began. Pain and death became part of the human experience.

Be wise today and always - realize love and salvation are found only in Christ.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Hard Answers

Today we will start to answer the God Question, If God is so good, why is there so much bad in the world? There are two things that we must wrap our minds around:
 
1.      Some of the harsh things in this world are initiated by a God who is enforcing justice. Will not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25

What attributes would you give to a “good” judge?

 One attribute would have to be that he applies justice. Part of justice is punishment for breaking the law.

2. God does not violate the law of the harvest. Our choices have consequences. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7
 
"Sin will not only "eat you up", but you will get what you deserve if you are treated fairly. Another way to put it is, "Don't be surprised if you sleep with the dogs that you wake up with fleas!"
 
Yes we all reap what we sow.
 
Be wise today and always - think before you act - it will have consequences.
 
 

Friday, June 7, 2013

Good vs. Evil

This past Sunday we finished our the God Questions series by looking at the question, God is So Good, Why Is There So Much Bad in the World?

God Questions can only be answered with God Answers found in the Word of God. Let me assure you that Jesus is not surprised by evil and suffering, but He does have some good news.
 
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”    -    John 16:33

Over the next few days we will attempt to answer this question using the Bible. There will be Hard Answers -might not be too popular, Head Answers -those that make logical sense, and  Heart Answers to this question that might make you feel better about the pain you’ve experienced.

Be wise today and always - seek your answers from the One who knows and is truth.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Onions

I was watching this show about a woman who was going through many trials. She started dealing with her problems one at a time. After a while though she just had a breakdown. The therapist said she was like an onion. After peeling away the layers of her hurt she got down to the part that makes you cry.

Have you ever felt like that?

You just can't take any more hurt, pain, or change in your life. I think we all have. Maybe you feel like that now. David in the Bible did, but he came to this freeing truth.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. - Psalms 68:19
 
Be wise today and always - give your burdens God.


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Remembering

 I have gone to a lot of conferences and heard many different speakers. I will take a lot of notes, but have you noticed it usually can be summed up with one well formed phrase. Today I'm sharing some from three of my favorite speakers.

Andy Stanley:
 
“Past boldness is no assurance of future boldness. Boldness demands continual reliance on God's spirit.”

What you fear most will determine whether you merely save for the future or give for the future.”

Chris Brown:
 
Seek to fulfill your calling, not your potential.

Let me ask you a simple question: If the Holy Spirit left your ministry today, how long would it take for you to find out?

Bill Hybels:

God's presence is with you, but you have to make a choice to believe - and I mean, really believe - that this is true. This conscious decision is yours alone.
 
Be wise today and always - be moved from your potential in to your calling.
 

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Quotes

Everyone loves a good quote. These are from some of this year's Summit speakers;

Colin Powell:

·          “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

Patrick Lencioni:

·         “If everything is important, then nothing is.”

·          “Trust is knowing that when a team member does push you, they're doing it because they care about the team.”

Dr. Henry Cloud:

·         Address the issues of today rather than obsessing about yesterday or hoping for rescue tomorrow.”

Bob Goff:

·         “I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I'm more afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter.”

Be wise today and always - allow someone's words stir your heart for God.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Leaders

Leadership is such a key component in our lives, but we often don't treat it that way. We expect someone else to plan, act, do, or lead.

The truth is:
Everyone is a leader.
You need to lead where you are.
Everyone wins when a leader gets better.

These quotes are from Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit. This year the conference will be August 8 and 9. I encourage you to try to attend one of the 120 different venues around the country. The closest on to me is Ocean Grove, NJ.

Be proactive in growing as a leader. Read, sit under good leaders, be active, and remember that God has a plan to use you. If you let Him.

Be wise today and always - grow as a leader in Christ.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

They Know

Years ago I went on a mission trip to a very remote part of Thailand. It was up in the northern mountains where the tribal people had never seen anyone outside their village. No TV, radio, or outside influence had reached them before our trip.

Based only on their observation of nature, each other, and the knowledge God puts in all people, they came to several conclusions.

1. There were good and evil spirits at work in this world.
2. There is a God who created everything.
3. God was still involved in their lives.

Amazing! Once we got past the differences in language it was easy to witness to them. They wanted to know about God's plan for them, and how to fight evil. Before we left over 90% had accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

Be wise today and always - people know there is evil, share the goodness of God with them today.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Except Through Christ

Jesus explained why He had to be sacrificed on the cross during Last Supper. He had to pay the price for our sins in order for humanity to be reconciled back to God. He was asked how was one able to get to heaven. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6  

Quite the claim in a world that 70% of the population does not believe in Christ. It's not the only time this claim was made. Jesus shared how difficult it was, and there is only one way.        
 
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14
 
A bold and potentially offensive assertion. But a question that everyone human being asks in their minds and heart. The Bible makes the answer clear - Jesus does provide a way to heaven.

12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." – Acts 4:12 

Be wise today and always - praise God for His love and sacrifice.