Golden Nuggets from Quarantine

Don’t take this the wrong way, please. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed the changes, interruptions and challenges of quarantine.  

This is not to diminish the pain and trauma that breaks my heart. It is unthinkable the severity of this virus and the toll it is taking on families. It is clearly an overwhelming time for all. 

But that is not what I have enjoyed – it has been seeing God working as He always is. He is not surprised or overwhelmed. He has gently reminded me in my quiet times of all He is doing for me (and you) as He has all our lives. 

I’ve had to figure out how to spend almost all my time at home. You have too. Here’s a verse that resonated with me.

Proverbs 14:14 “The backslider gets bored with himself; the godly man’s life is exciting.”

God is reminding me it’s all about priorities at the start of each new day, whether in routine circumstances or far from routine ones. If God is my first priority, my every day becomes an adventure with endless possibilities. Will I spend more time in His Word? Will I pray for others with renewed passion? Will I ask Him to show me ways to serve and care for others? Will I remember to be thankful? Will I put His agenda for my day first before my own? 

I’ve had to learn new things. I’ll bet you have too. I’m no spring chicken, but God has helped me to embrace change when my human nature really wants to have a knee-jerk response. New ways of communicating, new computer skills, new ways of completing tasks. Change is good and frankly, I needed it.

Keep changing me God! 

The Disciple-Making Dentist

Last night, I had an awesome experience. I went to a dental office for a discipleship group. Yes, you heard me right: I went to a dental office for a discipleship group. I did not go to a church, a house, or a restaurant. I went to a place where they work on teeth! In thirty years of ministry, this is the first time I have ever sat in a discipleship group meeting in a dental office. It was beautiful.

A dentist who attends the church where I pastor has taken the mission of making disciples seriously. He has decided to be obedient to Christ’s command to “make disciples.” He has eliminated a multitude of excuses and obeyed Christ’s command. Here are a few observations and thoughts from my experience with a disciple-making dentist.

Anyone Can Make Disciples! 

My dentist friend has only been a Christian for a few years, and he will tell you that he has had his ups and downs in disciple-making. He will also tell you that he is growing and trying his best to obey what Jesus commanded two-thousand years ago. Similar to a guy named Peter, my dentist friend is not letting his past mistakes be excuses for his present obedience. 

Disciples Can Be Made Anywhere! 

My dentist friend is not waiting for the perfect setting to make disciples. Actually, he has found the perfect setting for him. He is using the resources God has given him, and he is making disciples in his market place. Imagine what could happen if disciple-making left church buildings and ventured out into dentist offices, doctor offices, classrooms, fitness centers, and office complexes.

Anybody Can Be a Disciple! 

The discipleship group meeting in this dentist’s office was not what I expected. It was a mixture of men. They were different ages, races, and professions. They were all at different levels of spiritual growth as well. They had one thing in common: they all had a desire and hunger to grow. Desire is all that you really need to start making disciples. We will see what God is going to produce from this rag-tag group of guys.

I love seeing people make disciples, and I love hearing stories of disciple-makers. If you have story to share please share it with us in the comments!

That You May Know

One of the questions I have had many times in my experience as a Christian is, "Am I sure I will go to heaven?" A little context might help here...see, I grew up in a Christian home, I've been going to church as long as I can remember. I was ‘saved’ and baptized at an early age, went to Sunday school every week, went to Bible College, Seminary, and have been serving in ministry for over half my life. Basically, I feel confident that I 'know' a lot of stuff about faith, church, and the Bible. Even still, there have been times where I wondered, "Am I sure I will go to heaven?"

I am sure the Devil plants seeds of doubt in all of us, and, in these times of uncertainty and since feelings change like the weather, we need to turn to what we 'know' to be true. 

One of the early followers of Jesus, whose life was dramatically changed because of what he saw, heard, felt, and touched, basically 'knew,' as it pertains to the Lord Jesus Christ, wrote a gospel and three letters, which are part of the Bible, for the very reason..."that we may know!” His name was John.

If you were to read his writings, the Gospel of John and the First, Second, and Third Epistles of John, you would notice that he wants us to 'know' because he uses that word two, three and four times as much compared to the other gospel writers and over 30 times in his short letters. He plainly says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."

He tells us many ways we can know, such as our abiding in Christ, our walking in the light vs. darkness, the way we love God and others, and many more, which are worthy of our intent study, but one specifically he mentions is if we 'keep the commands' of God, we can know!  

So, how is your 'obedience factor?' Would you characterize your 'following of Jesus' as obedient or disobedient? Keep in mind there are always areas of our lives that we are growing in obedience. Just because you disobey and commit a sin does not mean you are not saved, just like it does not mean that a child who disobeys his parents is no longer their child! The key is, what is the pattern of your life or what is the overall characteristic?  

A mark of a follower of Jesus is obedience! Jesus himself expectantly asked, "Why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?" Obedience is required as the 'pattern' of our lives. So the next time you are tempted to doubt or wonder if you'll go to heaven, just ask some honest questions about your love for God and others, or your abiding in Christ, or your faithful fight against sin. Turn to John and read his writings. He wrote them from his own experience as one of the 12 disciples so that...you, and me, may know!

How to Battle Sin in Your Life

Sin can be a touchy subject. Confronting sin is inconvenient because it’s much easier to make excuses or ignore it. Calling out sin makes us uncomfortable, but if we don’t confront it, we accept it. 

I was in the grocery store the other day when the holiday candy had just been marked down to 50% off! I grabbed several bags because who can pass up half price chocolate? The packages were so colorful, and the candy looked tasty in my shopping cart. As much as I love candy, I didn’t need it. And honestly, I experienced buyer’s remorse later that day because I’ve been trying to take better care of my temple. It’s hard to have willpower when it comes to chocolate.

Sin can be like that too. Sin’s packaging is often colorful and attractive. Sin beckons us to taste and enjoy. Just like the discount candy, sin says, “I won’t cost much.” Unfortunately, the cost of sin can be high, and it’s payment will come due whether we’re able to pay or not.

If sin was hideous, we wouldn’t struggle to avoid it. We would easily turn and walk away from temptation. However, Satan knows exactly how to draw us in to his trap. We must stay on guard and avoid areas of weakness. We can’t fight sin with our own power. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit on our side.

Matthew 26:41 warns us to be cautious. “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

So what can we do to fight sin’s temptation? Here are three steps to arm you in the battle.

1) Pray for Strength and Change

Christ already defeated sin through his resurrection. As Christians, we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to fight the temptation of sin. Sin’s power over us can be strong, but God is so much stronger! Pray for victories over sin in your life and be encouraged as you grow in the Holy Spirit. 

2) Pour Truth Over Your Life

The Bible is like a shield to reflect the lies of the world, but only if you read it. If you aren’t familiar with Truth, how will you know when you encounter lies? Look up verses that deal directly with your specific sin struggles. Try posting the verses on your bathroom mirror, your dashboard, or some other prominent place. Memorize verses in order to combat temptation’s attacks. Recall the verses when you are feeling tempted.

3) Set Up Strict Boundaries or Avoid the Sin Altogether

It’s no secret to me that I shouldn’t overindulge in candy. I should have recognized my trigger and turned my shopping cart around. When temptation arises, we must already have a plan in place. It sounds so obvious, but do whatever it takes to avoid the area of sin altogether. Delete apps, stop going to those places, end relationships…make the hard choices! If it’s impossible to avoid completely (i.e. a co-worker who entices you to gossip), have boundaries set up, so it doesn’t catch you off guard.

Keep in mind avoiding sin is not about being good enough for God to accept you and love you. He loves you no matter what, and nothing we do will ever be good enough to save ourselves. That’s why Jesus paid our debt on the cross.

Avoiding sin is about following God’s best plan for your life and being a witness to the power of Christ. When we avoid sin, others see the difference Christ has made in our lives and the power of the Holy Spirit at work.

Do You Feel Like It?

A few days ago, I was speaking to our church staff when I made the statement that some people, “feel their way into the grave.” I made the statement without much forethought in the moment, but as I thought about it, I realized how much truth was in it. 

The context for making this statement was regarding spending time with the Lord on a daily basis. I was saying that if we wait until we “feel like it,” we may never make the time to meet with God or read our Bibles. We meet with God and read our Bibles because it is the right thing to do, regardless of how we feel. If we wait until we feel like it, we may never grow spiritually.

There are so many examples of why waiting on your feelings before you act is the wrong thing to do. If you wait until you feel like exercising, you may never workout. If you wait until you feel like attending worship or a small group, you might never make it. If you wait until you feel like giving an offering, you could probably talk yourself out of it. 

The truth is that you can either feel your way into actions, or you can act your way into feelings. The latter is always the better option. When I workout, regardless of how I feel, I always feel good when I am finished. When I read my Bible even if I don’t feel like it, I always feel good that I have done it. After attending church, I feel great even if I initially didn’t feel like going. 

Feelings are great. God created them! However, feelings should always follow the right disciplines in your life – they should never dictate them. As a disciple of Jesus, our goal should be to follow Christ’s example no matter how we feel or don’t feel. No one ever follows Jesus’ example and regrets it. On the other hand, lots of people have decided not to follow Christ’s pattern and wish they had followed it. 

I encourage you to make Jesus the model for your life. Like Paul consistently encouraged us to do, follow the example of Jesus. You will be glad you did.

Championing and Reviving a Spirit of Joy

Have you ever thought, “Church is just boring.” No? Just me? Go ahead then, judge me, I can take it. I have sat through many services criticizing everything going on, imagining how I could do it better, and just wishing the service would end so I could leave. I was bored. It was boring. I wanted more. 

The Holy Spirit began convicting me through this season. He challenged me with the thought, “What would it look like to champion and revive a spirit of joy in you life?” I believe the local gathering of believers should be the most joyful place on earth. But that begins with me. It begins with God calling me to walk in joy through my attitudes, my speech, and my life. 

Let’s look at Psalm 84 (ESV):

“How lovely is your dwelling place,
   O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
   for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
   to the living God.

As we unpack this together, I believe Psalm 84 gives us three ways we can champion and revive a spirit of joy in our lives. 

Loving the Local Gathering of Believers

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s armies.” (NLT)

During the time that this psalm was written, there was a physical temple God had built in Jerusalem. In the temple there was a place called The Holy of Holies. It's where the Ark of the Covenant rested. On the lid of the Ark were two carved cherubim with their wings stretch towards each other. This was God’s dwelling place. This is where His presence rested. 

Today, we carry the very presence of God in us through the Holy Spirit. When we gather as local believers, the Church, God has said that He will be present with us. His presence, in that moment, being made known to everyone there. 

It’s easy for us to go to church and criticize how things are done. We say things like, “I don’t like the music. I don’t like what he’s wearing. He preaches too long. The area could use some work. I didn’t like how they did that…” We find ourselves focusing on the visual things, and we begin to criticize and tear down.

Here is where we need to remember the big picture, God is present. He is there in our midst. Instead of criticizing we should be asking, “God, what do you want to do through me in this moment?” When we ask this we go from criticizing to encouraging. We move past ourselves and see the needs of those around us. We being to love the local gathering of believers.

Having an Eager Expectation and Meeting with God

Let’s check out the first part of verse 2, “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord”

Have you ever thought, “Why we are bored with church?” Like really thought about it. I’ve read this psalm so many times, and every time I’m struck by the language of verse 2. The psalmist cannot wait to be in the very presence of God. Eugene Peterson puts it beautifully in the Message, “I’ve always longed to live in a place like this, always dreamed of a room in Your house, where I could sing for joy to God-alive!”

I desire for everything in me to feel this way! I ask myself, “Do I have an eager expectation to meet with God? Do I expect to open up God’s Word and that He’ll speak to me? Do I expect that God wants to speak in the moments when I meet with other believers?”

Things in our lives become mundane too easily, and we start to go through the motions. We have moments when reading the Bible feels like a duty instead of an opportunity for God to speak. We have seasons where praying feels like a chore not a conversation. But let’s take a moment to remind ourselves we get to meet with the God of the universe! The one who created us, breathed life into our lungs, knew us before we were formed, and says “I love you, and I’ve adopted you as my son or my daughter.” We are meeting with the God who spoke things into existence. The God who pursues me. The God who pursues you. 

This reminder should change things for me. I should have an eager expectation in my life. I should have a longing to meet with God. 

I’ve changed behaviors and language in my life because of this. My “quiet time” is now “the speaking place” because I believe that God will speak to me in those moments. I step into every service with an expectation to hear from God. I ask myself continually, “Am I going through the motions, or am I longing to meet with God?”

Our Whole Being Praising God

The last part of verse 2 says, “my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”

My heart and my flesh - This one is challenging for me. 

Have you ever had moments where your heart feels it, but your body is not acting with it? Or the opposite, where your body is singing out, but there is little to no joy in your heart? I’ve been there. I still am there. I find myself in the tension of believing in my heart yet feeling nothing outwardly. Or outwardly praising yet feeling empty inside. The psalmist reminds us our whole being needs to be praising God. 

In life, we can’t praise God just when we feel like it. Whatever we do, we do with whole being for God. The reality is that our whole being should be into praising God. We praise Him because of who He is. We praise Him because of what He’s done. We praise Him because of what He will do. We praise God with our heart and body. Everything in us should be shouting His praise.

If we believe in Jesus we have gone from death to life! The church should be the most joyful place on earth. Our hearts should be so full of joy we cannot help but sing to God. 

So why am I bored with church? Why do I leave a gathering feeling empty? I don’t want to anymore. I want to be a person championing a spirit of joy! I want to be known for loving the local church, having an eager expectation to meet with God, and praising God with everything in me.

5 Ways to Practice Spiritual Disciplines

As we learn what it means to follow Jesus and how to be more like Him, it can be difficult to know how to put it into practice. It’s usually said that we should read our Bible and pray, but what are some more practical ways to connect with God? 

There are effective spiritual disciplines that we can practice that will help us to become the person God has called us to be. The more ways that we connect with Him, the more that we can understand where He is leading us. Sometimes, it can be difficult to hear from God and know how to pursue Him. 

Richard Foster gives a great guide on spiritual disciplines in his book, Celebration of Discipline. Let’s take a look at some of the disciplines that he suggests. These help me so much when I feel like I’m in a “spiritual rut.”

Prayer

We know that we are supposed to pray, but how can we practice prayer? A great way to start is to dedicate a time each day to pray. Grab a journal or turn on some worship music to get focused. If I pray without writing it out, I get distracted, so I usually use a journal to help.

If it’s difficult for you to remember to stop and set aside 30 minutes or so to prayer, set a reminder on your phone and schedule it into your daily activities! It’s okay to schedule prayer. It’s a discipline!

If you need help knowing what to pray about each day, maybe just choose a topic: friends, family, your community, your church, your country, your world…There are so many things that we can pray about! I personally like to start with just telling God about my day and processing life with Him. He speaks so much when we dedicate that time to Him.

Fasting

These days, fasting sounds old school. Fasting seems like something that was done in the Bible and that shouldn’t be a priority today. But fasting is another discipline that we can learn. Again, we are dedicating our time and needs to God. When we dedicate important parts of our lives to Him, it draws us closer to Him, and He speaks in crazy ways!

Fasting may include many different things. Some people fast from foods, others from social media, and even from certain music. For me, I can’t fast from all foods all day because my blood sugar will get all messed up, but I can fast from some foods or other things that I feel may be keeping me from connecting to God more.

What is something that may be keeping YOU from connecting with God? Think about how you could fast from it. 

Solitude

One of the best experiences that I ever had was a particular time when I was assigned to practice solitude. I was attending a Christian leadership program, and every student was asked to spend five hours of solitude in the middle of the woods. We were on a hiking trip, and each one of us got dropped off at a different place, left in the silence of the woods by ourselves. I didn’t know what to expect, and I was honestly not very excited about it! I couldn’t imagine being confined to a certain spot with one book and one journal for five hours. 

Today, I am so happy that I had the opportunity to do that! It was difficult to figure out what to do at first, but as time went on during those five hours, I learned so much about myself and my relationship with God. When you dedicate your time and your focus to God, He doesn’t let that return void.

You may be thinking, “When in the world am I going to find time to have five hours of solitude?” But you don’t have to do five hours! You can do 30 minutes. Give whatever amount you can to dedicate your time and all of your focus to Him. There are always going to be reasons for us to avoid practicing this spiritual discipline, but we should really be carving out time for it regularly.

Simplicity

Practicing the discipline of simplicity means to first focus on the purity of your heart and then live out a lifestyle of simplicity. Without a change of heart and without knowing your identity in Christ, you will really struggle to live the simple lifestyle. Living in simplicity means living without fear and obsession of status. 

In our culture, everything revolves around living a certain lifestyle and upholding that lifestyle. Without the certain looks and the certain nice things, we are frowned upon. Jesus asked us to give things up for Him. It’s easy to try to live up to the standards of our culture and forget about the standards of the Bible.

Celebration

One of the spiritual disciplines that I think we forget about the most is the discipline of celebration. Celebration basically means joy, according to Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline. Don’t the words “celebration” and “joy” make you smile when you think about them and the things in life associated with them? That’s the kind of feeling in your heart that makes you stronger and energized! Why would we not want to feel this way all of the time? That’s why it’s so important to practice thoughts of joy. 

What are some things that you can celebrate right now? A great way to keep track and remind yourself is to write them down. Look at them daily and come back to them when you’re in need of some celebration. In her book, One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp was dedicated to writing out even the tiniest of things that bring her joy, making a list of 1,000.

Ultimately, when it feels like there’s nothing else to celebrate, as Christians, we always have the celebration of what Jesus has done for us and that God is actively present in our lives! If you’re having trouble seeing that, spend time in one of the other spiritual disciplines to give opportunity for God to speak to you in new ways.

To find all of the spiritual disciplines that Richard Foster talks about, check out his book, Celebration of Discipline! I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who is looking to grow spiritually. It is very helpful and gives a great path on how to connect with God in practical ways.

15 Books for Spiritual Growth

One of the best ways to grow spiritually is to read! Books for spiritual growth offer unique perspectives and encouragement. There are so many choices of books, and it can be very intimidating! To help narrow down the choices, our staff put together a list of some of our favorite books for spiritual growth. Take a look at this list and choose a book to read over the next couple of months. You won't regret it!

1. Growing in Christ by J.I. Packer

2. The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

3. Unseen by Sara Hagerty

4. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

5. Keys to Spiritual Growth by John MacArthur

6. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Don Whitney

7. Attributes of God by Arthur Pink

8. God: As He Longs for You to See Him by Chip Ingram

9. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala 

10. Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby

11. Root of the Righteous by A.W. Tozer

12. Wide Awake by Erwin McManus

13. Love Works by Joel Manby

14. Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

15. If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg

 

What are some of your favorite books for spiritual growth?

Let us know in the comments!

The Problem with Pride

People have pride in a lot of things - our families, our work, our possessions, and even ourselves. We are taught to be proud of who we are and what we do. It is what motivates us to do good work. My name is going to be on what I do, so I am going to do it with all I have. A job well done means I can take pride in my work.  

While there are a lot of good places that we see the presence of pride, there is a problem with pride that we must look at. Pride is defined as a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. At its core, pride is at odds with the gospel. This is a problem, and, although we tend to praise pride in our lives, we need to make sure that we keep it in check and call it what it is…sin.

4 Common Problems with Pride

1. Pride Breeds Self Righteousness

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 18:9-14 

Everyone would condemn the Pharisee for his pride. It’s so obvious and ugly. We see the sin so quickly in it. But if we are honest with ourselves, how often should we condemn our own thoughts and actions? Maybe our pride sounds like, “God I am so thankful that my marriage is not falling apart like those people,” or perhaps, “I am so thankful my business is doing well because I am so smart and savy,” or even, “I'm a good Christian because I serve once a month in children’s ministry, and I attend church when I'm not out of town.” Pride is a problem!

2. Pride Puffs Up

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. 1 Corinthians 8:1-2

What you know should never become a source of pride. Convictions and beliefs are important and necessary for everyone. But becoming prideful in what you know only puffs you up and makes you feel like more than you really are. 

Love humbles us. Love requires that we count others more important than ourselves, and as the Scripture says, love builds up. I don’t know about you, but I would rather be known as a builder than a person who is puffed up.

3. Pride Leads Us to Worship Our Achievements

7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? 1 Corinthians 4:7

All of our achievements and accolades are a direct result of some ability or skill God has given us. We have only used what He has given. We must be careful here! If we worship our achievements and do whatever it takes to gain recognition, we sin. This sin can be so alluring that we honestly see it as beautiful and something to applaud.

4. Pride Breeds an Independent and Unteachable Spirit

As a younger man I bucked authority and did not see it for what it truly is. My pride in my abilities and wisdom was misplaced. My independent and unteachable spirit caused me to miss the fact that people older than me or with more responsibility than me were doing what they believed was best and sharing their wisdom for my benefit.

You are not called to like every authority in your life, but it is wise and in line with scripture to honor and follow those in authority. 

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17  

Pride is a sin. We don’t want it to be a sin, but it is. Take stock today of where you see pride in your life. Confess it and change the way you think. Speak to others in love. Treat those around you and over you as the scriptures encourage and let the Lord show you his favor as you do! Freedom is the result that waits for you. James 4:6, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Finding Your Spiritual Gifts

Recently, I was having a conversation about spiritual gifts with my small group. As I described the different spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, many of my small group members began giving me the same look I give the car repairman when he is describing car parts and all that he did to repair my vehicle. I was surprised to learn that many in my group were not familiar with the spiritual gifts the apostle Paul describes in his New Testament letters.

Now concerning your spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 1 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV)

How about you? If someone were to ask you what your spiritual gifts are, would you be able to respond? What would you say? Some believe that God-given spiritual gifts are simply the fruit of the Spirit, but the New Testament makes mention of 18 specific and actionable gifts apart from Paul’s famous writing in Galatians. In his letters to the churches in Rome, Ephesus, and Corinth, Paul describes spiritual gifts such as shepherding, evangelism, discernment, or mercy-showing…which gifts belong to you?

Every Christian would be wise to determine his or her spiritual gifts. Knowing the gifts that God has given you helps you find the best fit for serving in the church. Fortunately, we can help! Follow this link to take a spiritual gifts survey:

The knowledge of how God has gifted and wired you will inform and enhance your obedience for the rest of your life. Find out what your gifts are and ask God to give you opportunities to serve and glorify Him doing what you do best!

Find out more about Summer Test Drives HERE

The Discontentment of a Pastor

How about that title for an attention grabber? Yes folks, it is true that even pastors experience discontentment. That is not to say that it is right to be discontent. Actually it is quite the opposite. It is sin, and one that we all too often excuse and even embrace. In my life, I have seen how sinful and troubling discontentment can be. See if this resonates with you.

Anxiety Starts It All

I have anxiety when I worry about the uncertainty of the ministries I lead. Will people sign up for events? Will folks come to church? Will the folks I lead day-to-day follow where I am trying to lead them? All these are my fears and my sinful worrying over things that I have no control over and have not even happened yet. God speaks directly to this in 1 Peter.  

1 Peter 5:6-7  6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Anxiety Leads to Frustration

I am frustrated when my hopes and dreams don’t pan out. I find my mood and attitude towards the rest of life is dictated by circumstances that I don’t always have control over. All of this frustration is rooted in my desire to please men. I am not seeking to please God first when these frustrations rule my life. I want to be seen as important. I want to be someone that leads big things. I want to be exalted. I want to have no weakness and no difficulty. That is the essence of sin! God speaks directly to this as well.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10  7 So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Frustrations Left Unchecked Create Discontentment

At times I live in the mire of discontentment. I forget to cast my anxiety on God with my job, my family, my friends, my hobbies; you name it, I have been discontent with it all. Unless I confess my fears and my frustrations, I will never see a way out of this discontentment.

What about you? What are your fears? Those fears lead to frustrations when what you hope would happen doesn’t happen. Maybe you have to kill yourself to get the job done, the promotion you are wanting doesn’t come, you don’t have the money and the bills are coming in, you don’t know what to do in a tough time in your marriage, you feel set aside by folks that you want to be closest to. You have to think through these questions. You have to deal with what is really going on in your heart. If you cannot do that, pray what the Psalmist prayed.  

Psalm 139:23-24  23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

When as children we were afraid of the monster in our closet, we were comforted by the words of our parents assuring us there was nothing to fear. When as children we were frustrated over some disappointment in our lives, it was the assurance and love of our parents that showed us there would still be tomorrow and that perhaps God had another way. In the same way, we must listen to the words of our heavenly Father.

Dear friend… You must understand that lasting contentment will never be found in your desires or in your ability to avoid frustration. It will only be found when your desire is for God’s will. Discontentment will always be our problem when we refuse to hear what our loving heavenly Father says to dispel our fears and frustrations. We must begin to see past what we want to what God is doing in our lives.  

Philippians 4:11-13  11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Are you discontented? Do you feel like I have felt? Discontentment is a sin because it takes our eyes off of the eternal truth that God is sovereign and is at work in His world. Your circumstances aren’t random, and they are not a surprise to God. Your path to freedom today begins when you confess and receive God’s grace in forgiveness. Then you begin to obey what we see in God’s word and joyfully follow your loving Father in His plan and work in His world.

Read more from Matt Smith HERE

Disciples Never Graduate

This is the time of year when students are graduating. People at all levels of education are “walking,” as they say, and receiving their diplomas. As graduations take place all around me, the thought occurred to me that disciples never graduate. Learning never stops in the school of discipleship!

On this side of eternity we will never figure it all out. We will never understand it all. We will never finish the course. We will never arrive spiritually. We are forever in the school of learning what it means to live like Jesus.

Character and conduct require a lifetime of continual development. All the discipleship notebooks in the world won’t get you to a place where character development is complete. All the fill in the blank outlines will never bring you to a point where your conduct is fully transformed.

For the rest of your life you will need the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the People of God to help you become more like the Son of God. Stay committed to the classroom of discipleship!

If you have grown tired of small groups, accountability, scripture memory, Bible discussion, outreach projects, and prayer–it is time to re-enroll. The disciples of Christ never graduated. They never ceased to grow and learn how to be disciples and how to build more disciples.

Someone once said, “The best time to grow an oak tree was ten years ago. The next best time is today.” Don’t waste ten years, one year, or even a day not being in an environment of growth. Make a commitment today to be part of a disciple-making small group.

One day you will “walk.” Let that day be the day you enter into eternity. Until then, keep learning and growing and stay enrolled in the school of discipleship.

Looking on the Inside

The Bible tells us that believers have God’s power to overcome the world (1 John 5:4). By overcoming the world, Christians should have different standards by which we live or treat others. For example, if the world equates outward beauty with acceptance and worth, then we should strive to see people God’s way, by looking on the inside. 

Growing up, I loved to hear my grandma recall a story about how she went to a fancy dress shop one day with a pocket full of cash to purchase a new dress. She was in a hurry after working in the yard. Her hair was not styled, and she wore an old cotton dress, her typical work clothes. But she “went to town” anyway because she needed that dress.

However, she left the boutique that day with her stack of money and no dress. The fashionable ladies who worked in the shop refused to assist her. They turned up their noses at her unkempt appearance assuming she couldn’t afford to purchase their clean, crisp couture.

Her story did not end there. Having all but forgotten about her previous experience, several months later she returned to the shop. This time, however, she went to browse. She had no money to spend, and her pockets were empty. Since she was “going to town,” she set her hair, applied her bright red lipstick, and donned the nicest thing she owned: a long, brown coat with a mink collar.

The attention she received at the boutique this visit was quite different. The sales ladies fawned over her, offered her a seat, and even brought her some hot tea. Little did they know, she was broke and had no money to spend at all.

How often are we like the ladies in the boutique? How often do we assume others are not worthy because their lives are messy, unkempt, and not like ours? It’s difficult to see others outside of our own experience “glasses,” but thankfully God doesn’t operate that way.

In 1 Samuel, God sends Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel. But even Samuel, God’s prophet, falls into the trap of looking at the most attractive and strongest as the best when he sees David’s older brother, Eliab. 

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

People come and go in our lives. How many times have we discounted someone because of an unattractive appearance? A disability? Poor hygiene? An unfamiliar accent? The list could be endless. We may have missed a huge blessing from God because we avoided a person with tremendous wisdom or gifts that God meant for us to receive.

Or on the flip side, how often have we seen ourselves as unworthy because we didn’t “fit the mold?” Have you believed God could not use you, or people wouldn’t accept you in a certain ministry role based on your outward appearance or affliction? How many opportunities to do a great work for the Lord were missed because of your own perceived limitations?

I’m grateful God looks on the inside. I’m so thankful He doesn’t look at us through worldly lenses. Let us all aspire to look past the world’s standards and into the heart of each person we meet.

Firm and Secure

The two words, Firm and Secure, remind me of a particular trip with my family. We were camping in the North Georgia Mountains and decided to go hiking. We were walking through this area and then all of a sudden the terrain changed, and we found ourselves amongst boulders of granite as big as homes and cars. We were so amazed and excited that we did what everyone does when they see big rocks...We starting climbing all over them! Of course we had to get to the top of the biggest one, right!?

I don’t mean to make myself sound all spiritual, but to be honest, in that moment I did think of the Scriptures that describe God as our rock and refuge. I had my wife take a picture of me standing on the rock as I held my walking stick over my head like I was the victor! This was personal because, to be honest, I was at a low point in my life where I did not feel like I was strong or the winner of anything! I wanted a picture to always remind me of the truth that God is my Rock.

Just this morning I read Hebrews 6 and the words “Firm and Secure” jumped out to me from verses 18-19. “…we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul," ‘Firm and Secure’…

These two words describe our hope and faith! The writer to the Hebrews wanted them to be strong in their faith and to not waiver or “fall away” from the truth of who Jesus is and what He had done for them. Honestly, there are times, and probably will be times ahead of each of us, when our faith is challenged, and, if we are dependent upon ourselves and our own footing, we will most likely slip and fall. But here’s the beauty of it…our faith is “Firm and Secure,” not because of our strength but because of who our God is. He is our Rock! The Bible says in Psalm 18:2  - “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (CSB)

Psalm 9:10 says, “Those who know your name trust in you…” (CSB). One of God’s names is El Sal’i, God my Rock! The more you get to know someone the more you will trust that person, and that's the simple truth of Psalm 9:10. Get to know your God, and you will trust Him because of who He is…your Lord is El Sal’i, your rock! The next time you see a rock, big or small, remember…because of who He is, you are and can always be…”Firm and Secure!”

The Weeds of Anger

Well it’s spring time, and if your yard is anything like mine, you are looking at a bunch of weeds. The overwhelming urge is to just crank up the mower and chop them up quickly and easily, but the weeds will only keep popping up unless they are pulled up by the roots. Anger can be the same way. What happens when we don’t dig deep enough and get to the roots of our anger? We will deal with troubling and noxious weeds in our hearts and minds for a long time.  

Anger is defined as a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong, wrath, or ire. The wrong that we suffer requires forgiveness to move past it. Without forgiveness the strong feelings we have will not go away.

“Anger is never static. If it is not dealt with, it will grow…” – Jerry Bridges (Respectable Sins). Anger will grow like weeds. It will spread places you don't want it and will multiply faster the longer it's allowed to stay.  

Anger Becomes Resentment

Unresolved anger becomes resentment. We resent people because we don't speak of our anger and deal with it. That may be because of fear, it may be because we do not care enough to do it, or it may be because the offender isn't around or close enough to confront. No matter the reason anger develops and grows…  

Resentment Progresses into Bitterness

Resentment progresses into bitterness when we do not resolve our issues with the wrong doer. Bitterness is different from resentment because as it grows it shows up as inactions. We avoid someone with whom we are bitter. They have become more than a hurt, they are now an enemy. Our anger has now grown to where someone that we should call our brother or sister is now our adversary...

Bitterness Becomes Hostility

When bitterness is left to grow it becomes hostility. This is where we see our hurt feelings take action. You're holding a grudge, which leads to actual plans to retaliate or get revenge. This action leads to strife among friends and family. All of this is traced back to your unresolved anger and escalates from a simple feeling to actions that wound others who may not have even been involved.  

I know this chain of events personally, and I'm willing to bet that you do too. My hurt causes my anger, which grows into resentment and leads me to become bitter. It eventually makes me hostile in my nature towards anything that feels like the original pain. It is wrong and sinful. My anger is a sin and should be dealt with. I may never get the response I desire from those that have wronged me, but that doesn’t change the fact that I must confess my anger and grant forgiveness full and free.

How Did Joseph Deal with Anger?

Beginning in the 37th chapter of Genesis, we have the story of Joseph--a man we should identify with on this subject.

• Sold by his brothers into slavery (only because one brother was too scared to kill him) for being an annoying favored younger brother (not his fault, just who he was).
• Accused of rape by his master’s foul temptress of a wife. Sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
• Forgotten in prison by men who swore to plead his case with the authorities.
• We don’t specifically see in scripture that Joseph remained calm and always tender towards his wrong doers but can see that he was a trusted man, and his actions reflect someone who was not bitter or driven to revenge.  

Joseph must have been angry, but he found some way to keep the weeds of anger from filling his life. I believe it was his deep love for God that allowed him to lay aside anger. His love for God overshadowed all the wrongs that could happen to him. His desire to honor and serve God was larger than his desire to exact revenge on those who had wounded him. And he did not have the benefit of the full scriptures that we now have. If you are dealing with this issue in your life listen to scripture and do what it says.  

Ephesians 4:25-32  

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Let Go of Your Anger

Right now, before you close this tab on your browser, write down what you are angry about. Confess it to God first. Then take time to think about how you can speak the truth to your neighbor, not lashing out in hostility, and express your problem with him or her. Give forgiveness no matter the response and walk away free from the weeds of anger in your life. It is so much easier to hold on to your rage and anger, but the hard work of confessing and dealing with our sin is life giving. Trust God and deal with it today!

[Dr. Jerry Bridges' book, Respectable Sins, is a work that every believer should at some point pick up and read. I owe much of what I wrote today to his work because it changed my life and how I view sins that I once excused. This post was written in light of what I learned, and I hope that it encourages you as well.]

Worship with Your Whole Heart

"I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol." -Psalm 86:12-13

The Psalmist says that he gives thanks with his WHOLE heart! Compartmentalizing and thanking God in part is not an option for David. If we hold back a portion of our heart as we approach the Lord with thanksgiving, we are clearly communicating that we disagree with or do not appreciate something that has taken place in our lives. That is the root issue—sometimes we believe that we would be more effective “gods.” We buy in to the lie that we know what is best for us. As a result, our worship is half-hearted...crippled.

So here is the question- If our WHOLE heart is required to be biblically, and truly grateful, then what is the condition of our hearts? Are we worshiping and thanking God with a heart that has been beat down, ripped apart, broken, poisoned, abused, or mishandled? God is the one who has the ability to restore the condition of our hearts. If we allow Him to, then we are able to truly love and thank Him with our "made WHOLE again" hearts. So as we grow in faith, in order to experience the fullness of gratitude, the challenge is to give God space to work in us...to restore what needs restoration, to heal what needs healing.

Space means solitude, silence... The distractions of our fast-paced way of life make connecting with God nearly impossible. How can we engage with God if we are always connected to a million other things? God is omnipresent, we are not. I would challenge you to make an intentional decision to disconnect, so that you can connect with your creator, savior, and friend. Put down the phone, the computer, or whatever is keeping you connected to thousands of people and intentionally create space for God to speak to you.

God's love for us is steadfast; it will never change, it will never fail. And if that is not enough to evoke worship in our hearts, the last part of Psalm 86:13 says, "you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol."  Sheol is death or Hades. David understood it to be a "place of darkness to which all the dead go, both the righteous and the unrighteous, regardless of moral choices made in life, a place of stillness and darkness cut off from life and from God." For those who believe in Jesus, they have been saved from Sheol-- from darkness and separation from God. So THANK HIM! With your WHOLE, healed heart. He is worthy of praise and gratitude.

Be Still and Know

I am a worrier. I have always been a person who worries. Once I became a mom, my worry hit a whole new level. I think about the bad that can happen, and many times it truly ruins my day. Do you do that? Do you worry to the point of taking the joy out of the day? If so, you know exactly what I am talking about.

As I have grown deeper in my relationship with the Lord my worries are less frequent, but Satan, the prowling lion, waits until I am vulnerable and pounces. That's how Satan works. He waits until you are vulnerable, and then he strikes. But lucky for us, the Lord has already won!  

In the midst of our vulnerability we must remember Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” Why must we Be Still? In order to hear from the Lord, you must listen. You can't hear in the chaos; you need to be still.  The Lord can't speak to you when your complete attention is on something else...whether it be work, social media, simple everyday tasks, or just being plain busy. When we are focused on the day-to-day grind, we lose sight of the Lord. Satan gets us where he wants us. That's the perfect time for the worry to strike, or maybe for you, it's not worry but stress, or anxiety, or temptation. Whatever it may be, you are under attack. You lose sight of what the Lord has already done and will continue to do for you.  

So how can we be still? Remember how I said the closer I am to the Lord the less I worry? That's the key - your relationship with the Lord. Make time daily for the Lord. Spend time with the Lord, read His word, pray and disconnect from the distractions for a little bit. Allow this to be the time that you are still and listening. To be still is to stop, to be quiet, to be patient, to wait and listen.

We can't forget that our Lord is the Creator, the one who has numbered every hair on our heads. Talk to the Lord during your stillness and remember during this time you are building your relationship with Him. No relationship is going to be successful with one way communication. I guess I should go ahead and say, sometimes even when you are still and listening, the Lord won’t answer right away. The answer could possibly be found in the waiting or maybe just knowing He is the Almighty is enough.

This brings me to the next part of the verse. "And Know!…Know that I am God." God created the world for us. Then He created you and He created me in His image. Not because He didn’t care, but because He cared so much for you to have a relationship with Him. He values knowing you, and He desires for you to know Him. In order for you to know God, you must realize how valuable you are to Him. We are so valuable that He sent His one and only Son to DIE on a cross to save US from the sin of the world.

God is with us, and He never leaves us nor forsakes us! During points in life there are both mountain peaks and valleys. God is there through it all. Knowing Him is trusting Him, knowing is having faith that can’t be shaken. In your times of vulnerability you must be still and know. To know is to realize that God is larger than this world and has overcome the battle of death, so you may have eternal life with Him.

Proverbs 3:5 tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Trust God in this journey and know that He is for you. I encourage you today to take time to Be Still and Know. In the busyness, Be Still and Know. In the chaos, Be Still and Know. 

Living a Spirit-Filled Life

Today is a new day! A new year is underway, and it is filled with potential as each new day brings a fresh start….a reset…a time to pause and allow the Creator of all things, God, our heavenly Father, to transform our lives one morning at a time. I’m talking 365 days a year.

A day becomes a week, becomes a month, becomes an entire year of seeking God and experiencing the transforming power of His presence 24/7…365. Can you imagine the possibilities? Every time I begin to imagine the possibilities of what God can do in my life, I am reminded of what it says in Ephesians 3:20.     

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Where do you need to see the power of God displayed in your life? What would happen in your broken relationships? Do you need a plan for your finances? Where are you struggling? Are you just going through the motions lost without purpose? Do you want to change, but just don’t know where or how to start? 

The great news is that you aren’t alone! God is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine. That is an incredible promise straight from God’s word. As a child of God, His power (the Holy Spirit) is at work within you. If that doesn’t fill you with hope, I don’t know what will.  

Too many times we live a defeated life because we simply refuse to unleash the power of the Holy Spirit in our every day lives. We look to God and call on Him for the really BIG things, but when it comes to our everyday lives, we approach it with an "I’ve got this" attitude. I don’t know why we do this, but, before you know it our prideful, self-sufficient attitude gets in the way and keeps us from experiencing immeasurably more that we could ask or imagine. 

It’s time we set our pride aside…no, it’s time we hand our pride over to the Holy Spirit and exchange it for humility. We need to come humbled before God, and ask Him to take not just the big things but our moment-by-moment everyday lives also. Here are some passages of scripture I’ve incorporated into my time with God to help me become less self-sufficient and more God dependent.

• Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:8
• Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Psalm 143:10
• Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8
• Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

Each day is filled with possibilities. Where we end up this year is determined greatly by how we begin each day. Will we set our hearts and minds on God, surrendering to His Holy Spirit, or will we let pride and self-sufficiency continue to reign over our lives? My prayer is that this year will be a year yielded to the Holy Spirit fulfilling the purposes of God in my life. What about you?

Taste the Goodness of God

On a recent visit to my childhood home, I found myself over-enthusiastically sharing some of my favorite things and memories with my husband. My eyes widened as we approached a chocolatier that I frequented when I was young. A flood of “sweet” memories immediately came to mind. This place served the best chocolate covered popcorn I had ever tasted! What made it even more magical when I was a child was that they gave me FREE SAMPLES of one of my favorite treats! Needless to say, as an adult, I was so excited to share it with someone else (especially someone with a strong affinity for sweets), so he could experience the same delight. 

As I experienced all of the emotions of sharing the special landmarks and food spots, I began to think about how this same idea applies to our relationship with God.  

Psalm 34:1-2 (ESV)

"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.”  

David is describing his commitment to verbally communicate the truth of God’s goodness. The same way that I constantly talk about and praise some of my favorite things, David delights in and enjoys God so much that he can’t help but talk about Him! Verse 8 says, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” The goodness of God is real to David - as real and exciting as those places and things I was so eager to share. The same way I urged my husband to taste and see how good the chocolate covered popcorn was, David is urging us to experience the goodness of God. 

So how do we know that God is good and that He is worth sharing? David himself answers this question.

Psalm 86:5, 10-12 (ESV)

“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” 

He loves you! And His word and the Christian community are full of the proof that He has done great and wondrous things. There’s nothing that we could taste, see, or experience that deserves our praise and affection more than the God that David so beautifully describes.

A friend told me a couple of weeks ago that she had the opportunity to go to an evangelism seminar, and at the end of it, they went out into their community to share the gospel. She explained how nervous she was and how she felt like she would fail at sharing her faith. As I talked to her, a story came to mind.

I was sitting in my favorite restaurant (one that I had successfully brought every single one of my local friends or visiting friends to) and a stranger began a conversation with me. Apparently, she had already identified my enthusiasm for this restaurant and thought that I would be the person to ask for help before she ordered. I proceeded to share all of my favorites, telling her the things that she absolutely had to try, and she smiled at my excitement.

As I talked to her, I realized how much the Kingdom would grow if we all had as many passionate conversations about the Creator as we do about His creations. True, it might be easier to convince someone to try something at your favorite restaurant than it is to convince them to take a step toward Jesus, but the good news is, you don’t have to persuade or convince, you just have to be a witness to the sweetness of who our Father is.

Count the Cost

2018 is here, filled with possibilities! Opportunity and a fresh start are the values we find in the coming of a new year, but really every new day offers the same promise. Any chance we get to move forward and leave the past behind is a path worth taking, and the option is given to us each day.

What are your goals?

It seems everyone is looking for motivation and inspiration to accomplish their goals and objectives this year. Surely you have considered areas of your life that need improvement, steps you should take in your growth journey with the Lord, and ways to love and lead your family better. You may also have occupational targets you want to hit, physical wellness milestones to reach, and perhaps a new hobby or recreational activity you’d like to pursue.

Every time I set new goals for myself, I tend to be ambitious. I believe I can accomplish anything I set my mind and heart to, and I believe in my God who is for me. Philippians 4:13 serves as a constant reminder of our potential with Jesus as our strength. However, around this time of year, I am also reminded of what the word potential really means. As an influential leader in my life says, “Potential just means you haven’t done squat yet.”

How will you accomplish those goals?

In order to accomplish the goals and objectives you have for yourself, you actually have to put in the time, energy, and effort necessary to achieve desired results. It will not be easy because life never gets easier, but anything can be done with the strength of Jesus and unwavering determination to make this year different. The hope of better, not easier, is the promise of Jesus in John 16 when he assures his disciples that he will send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to be their peace and their guide.

It is never easy to change, but it is always necessary. No one is ever meant to stay the same. Some people tend to resist change while others thrive on it. I think we can all agree change sounds good at times, but we ultimately end up resisting or quitting when difficulty and unwillingness emerge. Another quote I read recently reminded me of what’s really going inside of us when necessary changes become apparent:

“It costs what it costs. Greatness never goes on sale.”

Is it worth the risk?

You have the desire, God is on your side, and the new year presents a clean slate. However, any change, any desired result, any step of growth, any new commitment – they all have price tags. It will cost you. It may be more than you’re willing to pay, and the price is never reduced. With every goal you set, you have to weigh the real costs involved.

If you truly want to grow spiritually this year, that goal will cost you all the selfishness that held you back last year. If you truly want to see your body change, that goal will cost you the laziness and lack of discipline that has hindered your results in the past. If you want to be a better husband, a better mother, a better friend, or a better leader, you will have to give up the attitudes and behaviors that have derailed your progress time and time again.

You don't have to do it alone!

One of the great mysteries of the gospel is that God never forces us to do anything. The opportunity to choose Him and to choose His will for our lives is a precious gift, but it’s a gift we often mismanage. It would be easier if we had no decisions to make and God forced us to live in a way that pleases Him. Nevertheless, He allows us to choose, and it’s always easier to pick ease and comfort over surrender and uncertainty.

God never shows us everything that’s ahead, and the path towards His plans and purposes for our lives is never the smoothest option. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us about how to respond when we are forced to lean on God and trust His character and nature over our insecurity and doubt.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

It’s a new year. Change is inevitable. Plentiful opportunity lies before you. Worthwhile change will cost you. Pay the price, whatever it may be. Goals that come with a cheap price tag are not goals worth having. God will be glorified, and you will be satisfied in the choice to honor Him. Live an obedient, surrendered life this year. Commit your activity to the Lord and your plans will succeed. You will never regret living God’s way.

Looking for more inspiration for the new year?

Check out "Here's to Being Intentional"!