Victory Is Yours!

Everybody loves it when their team wins. When you’re a real fan of a team and your team has the lead, you watch the game in peace and confidence and generally find yourself in a fairly good mood. But when the other team starts coming back, that mood begins to change, and that peace you felt now becomes tension. You find yourself no longer enjoying the comfort of confidence in having the lead! If by chance, your team loses that lead, then suddenly you are ill, frustrated, and fearful the worst is going to happen…you might get defeated!  

How many times have you felt this scenario? I felt it just last week and the week before that, as I watched some of my favorite football teams lose sizable leads and ultimately lose the game. Not everyone is the same, but for me, I get ill, frustrated, and bummed out…I even get down and defeated! My wife asks me, “Why do you watch it if it's going to affect you like that?” 😳

Now the beauty of the sports scenario is that it's temporary! I mean, after all, it's just football! It's just a game! But how many times has that same scenario of defeat hit our lives spiritually? I know it has affected me. At times, I believed I was doing well spiritually. I felt strong and even confident, only to notice that my peace and confidence started slipping away and turned into discouragement and sometimes even into a feeling of full blown defeat.

I love reading the book of Psalms. The writer, David, often shares that same experience. David writes in Psalm 108:11, “God, why have you rejected us?” He wrote in other Psalms, “Where are you Lord,?” “Why am I downcast?” He knew what it was like to experience the feeling of defeat.

In Psalm 108, David prays, “Give us aid against the foe for human help is worthless. With God we will perform valiantly, he will trample our foes!” (vs.12-13) Our Enemy is the one who is defeated! He is not going to start coming back toward victory. The score has already been set. Jesus took care of that when He walked out of the tomb! There is no need to hang our heads in defeat, be bummed, or feel ill, frustrated, or fearful because Jesus is victorious and has given that victory to us!  

We can live and walk and breathe in victory, not in defeat! Too many Christians live a life of defeat and do not live as conquerors, when actually we are MORE than conquerors through Jesus (Rom. 8:37). Sometimes we live as if we cannot win because we forget the truth. “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4). The truth is that you are in an ongoing spiritual battle. There will be some wins and some losses, but you need to always remind yourself of the truth that Victory IS Yours! Enjoy the win!

Want to read more from Mike Keaton?

Check out "Your Father Knows"

It's Raining, It's Pouring

This week I stood in the doorway looking out at the relentless falling rain and was immediately reminded of an experience I had a couple of years ago. I had to run into the grocery store to grab a couple of things before picking up my son from rehearsal. It was just sprinkling, so I dashed inside. However, when I came out of the store it was pouring, and I was without my umbrella. I hesitated. Should I wait it out or make a run for it? I decided to run for it. Halfway to my car, an image flashed across my mind. It was from a rainy day when I was a kid.

My friends and I were in our bathing suits covered in mud. When the rain started, we had all run inside to put on our bathing suits and meet up for the best softball game EVER! We didn't care who won. (I know...those of you who know me are thinking, "yeah, right," but it's true!) The object of this game was not about scoring runs...it was about sliding into first (yes, I know that is not allowed), and diving to catch the ball. We were breaking all the rules that day. After all, we were outside playing ball in the RAIN! We were out to get muddy and enjoy every drop of that rain.

So when did I stop thinking rain was so FABULOUS?

Before I reached my car, I just had to stop. I held my arms out with my groceries and all and lifted up my face to really take it in. People probably thought I was CRAZY...but I didn't care. I just wanted to hit the pause button and enjoy the rain. 

One of my favorite quotes is:

"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain." 

Life is filled with storms. If you haven't experienced one, you will. Storms come in all shapes, sizes, and intensities. There are little pop up showers like a disagreement with a friend, a flat tire, or a banking error. You feel it, but it passes quickly. Then there are those storms that come into your life and turn your world upside down. You find yourself in the middle of a relational typhoon, a financial tsunami, or a health monsoon like cancer or chronic fatigue. These are the storms that knock the breath out of you and leave you struggling to stand.

One thing is certain...life is filled with storms. The question is not will we have storms, but what will we do when the storms come? Will we stop living when they come, OR do we learn to dance in the midst of the rain? I don't know about you, but I don't want to stand by waiting for the storms to pass. I want to get out there and DANCE!!!!

Next time it's raining I'm gonna

Look up, mouth open wide...

Stretch my arms out to take it in...

I may even break out in song!

One thing is for sure...

I'm gonna DANCE!

Wanna join me?

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"!

Here's to Being Intentional

Did you make New Year goals this year? I didn’t...because it seems like every time I make these goals, I stop thinking about them way before March. So this year, I am going to be INTENTIONAL. Let’s be honest. To set goals, or resolutions, one must be intentional to see them through. Being intentional is the hardest part. So instead of actually writing goals for this year, let's focus on three areas where we can be intentional in order to mature as disciples of Christ.  

To be intentional as described by dictionary.com is to be done on purpose, deliberately. Three key areas to be intentional are spiritual growth, personal health and finances. Growth in each of these areas will allow us to mature as disciples in Christ by becoming better managers of our time, temples, and treasures. I know what you're thinking, "Those are large areas in my life. How will I be able to measure my growth?" You thought right. So how can these areas be measured? With Truth! What does Truth tell us about these areas, and how can we grow?

Spiritual Growth

How can someone experience growth in spirituality? Well, first you have to be INTENTIONAL. Let's use Jesus as our model. First, you need to evaluate how you did last year. Looking at Jesus as the model, you will notice that Jesus got up early and withdrew to a solitary place to be with the Father (Mark 1:35). One way to be intentional in spiritual growth is to spend time with Jesus early in the morning. Personally, I don’t think the specific time of personal time with the Lord matters. However, if Jesus modeled the time to be the first thing of your day, then that is what we should strive for.

One way to be intentional in spiritual growth is rising early each day to spend time with the Father. This will allow a personal connection with Jesus at the start of your day and will truly set the tone for the rest of the day! If you manage your time around Jesus, you're honoring the time He has given you. He will bless the additional time in your day to be productive.

You may be saying, “I already rise early and spend time in the Word.” Great! Continue to model Jesus! I would encourage you to strive for something that maybe you haven’t accomplished like reading through the entire Bible, studying the Bible, going deeper into the Truth. Again, time with the Lord will provide a foundation that won’t fail.  

Related: "Seven Steps - Change Your Life One Step at a Time"

Personal Health

Growing in personal health needs to be, well...you guessed it, INTENTIONAL. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are provided with self-control. Self-control is to have restraint over desires. In the flesh, self-control is challenging...do you know why? Because we are human! Look at Adam and Eve in the Garden. If self-control was easy, Eve wouldn’t have been deceived, and Adam would have had the self-control to resist the temptation.

With the power of the Holy Spirit, we are provided with the Fruit of the Spirit, one of which includes self-control. Self-control is given to help us resist temptation. Truthfully, if you do not make your personal health a priority, you're going against the Lord. We have to remember that our bodies are given to us on loan from Him. We need to be good managers of the Lord’s temple He loaned us.

Some ways for you to grow in your personal health could be eating the right food, drinking plenty of water, getting up and moving (not just walking around the office either). Really being active 4-5 days a week. All of these will require being intentional and leaning on the Holy Spirit to resist the temptation of bad habits. We can lean on the Holy Spirit and pray when we struggle with temptation. Look at Jesus as the model in Matthew 4. Jesus is being tested in the wilderness, but living on every word that comes from God. The Father has to be at the center of our lives to overcome any temptation whether it is food or something else in your life.  

Finances

Before really focusing on your finances, you should ask yourself, "Where is my treasure? Is my treasure in the world, or stored up in Heaven?" Being intentional in your finances will be no walk in the park. It takes work. If we try to do any of this on our own, we will not be successful. Through the power of Jesus you can overcome debt and begin living freely through your finances.

For my family, we have gained power through the Financial Peace University course. This course uses biblical Truth as the foundation. Build your foundation on rock! Need I say more? I would encourage you to pray about taking the FPU course and lay the right foundation for your finances. This course will change your life and your future!

Being intentional in your time, temple, and treasure will set 2018 apart from every other year. Is it going to be easy? Absolutely not! But having the strength of the Spirit of God is having a foundation that will not crumble under pressure. Here's to being intentional this year! 

Related : "Count the Cost" by Patrick Brannon

Seven Steps

I love the New Year! I love the New Year because it is filled with possibilities and potential. I get excited when the blank page of a New Year is ahead of me waiting to be written on. So much opportunity exists as the old year rolls into the new, and people begin making changes and taking on new adventures. 

I always think of the New Year as a chance to help people make desired changes in their lives. I see part of my role as a spiritual leader as helping people discover the adventure of walking with God. I always feel like part of my job is to help people take steps each year in becoming the disciples they were meant to be. This year is no different. As much as anything else I do as a Pastor, I would love to see every person in our church take as many steps as possible in their walk as a disciple of Christ. 

One of the first steps I would love to see people take is the step of membership in a local church. Membership gets a bad rap these days, but it is still important and still a much needed step in our spiritual growth. People who bash the idea of membership these days ought to ask a believer in first century Jerusalem if it was important. 

Another step I would love to see people make is becoming a consistent magnifier of Christ. Being a consistent magnifier simply means being a person that worships both privately and publicly. Never underestimate the importance of what a commitment to personal and corporate worship will mean to your spiritual growth.

The next step I pray that people will take is a step into maturity. Maturity is the process of growing from an infant in the faith to an adult in the faith. This growth or maturity process does not happen by accident. It takes an intentional plan and an environment like a small group to grow and get deeper in your walk with God.

A fourth step I hope people will take is the step of ministry. Wow! Imagine what could happen if the majority of people in our church took a step onto a ministry team? It would be incredible to see everyone in our church doing something, big or small, to serve God. I have to think Jesus would be pretty honored by that.

The fifth step I would love to see people take is the step into managing. In other words, being a good steward of what God has given them. If everyone decided to be a better manager of their time, their money, their bodies, or their abilities, it would make a huge difference in the growth of God’s kingdom.

A sixth step I encourage people to take is the step of becoming a messenger. If everyone in our church shared Christ with someone else in the coming year that would be incredible. Being a messenger just takes a willingness to let God use you to share with someone else.

The last step is to take the step into multiplication. A multiplier is someone who makes a disciple that makes another disciple. When we have a church filled with multipliers, Satan starts trembling in his boots. I would love to see more people making disciples than ever before.

So, what about you? Are you ready to take a step? Would you be willing to take more than one? Let this be a year of growth for you. Don’t keep crawling when it is time to start walking!

Where Are We Going?

I don’t like driving behind big trucks or really any vehicle that is bigger than mine! I don’t have a complex, I just like to be able to see what’s up ahead, what’s coming my way, and where I’m going. 

Most of the time I just want to know the big picture! If only the Lord would give me a download of the master plan, right?! Truth is, I just want to know if I’m going in the right direction and if I’m doing things right!

I usually take some time off between Christmas and the New Year. This time of year is perfect for spending some time reflecting on the past 365 days to see if “I’ve been doing it right,” and anticipating the next 365 days, so hopefully, I can go in the right direction!

Two healthy spiritual disciplines are looking back and “remembering” (Ps. 78, 105:5) the happenings of the previous year and spending time looking forward (Proverbs 4:25-27). There is a reason why the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror…just sayin'!  

To determine where we are going, we have to know where we are, and where we are is largely determined by where we’ve been! I encourage you to engage in this discipline this week and as you do, here are a few suggestions to help you:

1. “Remember” ‘the works of the Lord’ from the past 365 days.

Write down as many things as you can recall that God did in your life, lessons learned, challenges, and most importantly, blessings!

2. Set some “F.R.E.S.H.” goals.

Write down two or three “where I would like to be” goals in each of the following areas: Family, Relationships; Emotions; Spiritual life, and Health. These will help keep you FRESH as opposed to living tired, stressed, and by pressure vs. priority.

Truth is, most of us wish the Lord would just tell us what His plans are. I have found He doesn't usually work that way nor would it require faith or dependence from me. We are on a journey, and we get to walk with the Lord. He tells us in His Word that He has a plan for our lives, and He will be the one who brings it to pass. He is a good Father, and He knows where we are going! Along the journey, we just have to show wisdom and be good stewards of each day (Psalm 90:12). In so doing, we end up being right where He wants us!! 

Related : "Fogged In" by Robbie Roberts

 

Hungry for God's Word

Do you have a certain food that you absolutely hate? We all have that one thing that it doesn’t matter who brings it to us or what the circumstances are, we are not touching that food. For me, it's most things green. I know what you are thinking, but yes, just about anything green is the worst food ever to me. But no matter how much I hate green foods, once I reach a certain hunger level I'm grabbing whatever I can find. We have all experienced this; the moment when you never would have eaten at that restaurant because of its reputation, or the food you swore you wouldn’t eat because you're trying to be healthier, but because you were hungry, you settled.

The same principal is true for your spiritual life. When you are hungry, you will settle for almost anything. Think about it. When we look back at past regrets, most of them were not made over night. No one wakes up one day and decides to make a decision that will ruin their lives. No, it starts small. Small compromises to go to that place but not partake. Small steps towards settling to just go on a date with that guy, despite his reputation, because after all, it's just a date.

How can we tell though when these moments are coming? Because if it starts small, that means we need to be able to see the small things heading our way. I believe it all begins and ends with God’s word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New Living Translation (NLT)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

This means that when we are focused on what God has to say, it's easier to see when our thoughts and the words from others don’t line up with His truth. All of God’s word is here for us. Not to be a book on our shelf, but a word that we store in our hearts. It helps us realize what is wrong, and it teaches us to do what is right. This isn’t condemnation; this is loving correction from a loving Father who wants us to have a John 10:10 life.

John 10:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

That rich and satisfying life that we are all searching for, and that we so easily fill with other things, is available. We just have to stay full on God’s word.

To Love One Another - NOT just because “Tis the Season”

“God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16. Through the Holy Spirit, loving others should be easy, right? For me, it depends on the day. Ha!  That sounds crazy, but it’s true.

There are days when loving others comes easy, and then there are days when loving others is more challenging than running. If you know me, you know running is no easy task! I’ve found the most challenging time for me to love others is during a time of pain or struggle. 1 Peter 1 tells us to rejoice in times of trials. If we have the Lord in our heart, we will have everlasting peace in Heaven.   

Loving others is a little easier through the power of the Holy Spirit than trying on our own. I am not saying loving one another will be easy...living life is not easy especially disconnected from the Lord. What does it mean to LOVE? 1 Corinthians 13 paints a picture of how we should love others. Love is described as patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring, not self-seeking, not keeping record of wrongs, not delighting in evil but REJOICING in the Truth. Love protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. We are then reminded that love never fails.  

God actually explains love as a selfless act. To be able to love another is to put others before yourself. Think on this: Would you be willing to lay down your life for a friend? How about an enemy? God loved us, He gave us - undeserving and sinful - a model, Jesus, in the flesh without sin to be our Savior. Jesus died and rose from the grave to save us, you and me, not himself.  

So, how are you doing loving others? Not just because it is the Christmas season, and most of us are joyful during this time. There is something about Christmas that brings JOY. But, we must remember that we are created to love in all seasons. We are created to love others during their pain and trials. We are created to love others even in our own pain and suffering. We are created in the image of Christ which is perfection. I am not saying we are created to be perfect; we are created through perfection from Christ.  

We must remember that we are created to love in ALL seasons

Loving others has always been somewhat of an easy task for me…well, for the most part. Not too long ago, there was a point in my life, where loving others was not easy at all. You see, during that valley I was hurting, the pain and struggle during that time was real. To be honest, I wondered if I would ever be back to my “old self.” Guess what...I am not. The Lord allowed me to grow to a deeper spiritual place that I would never have obtained without pain.

Depending on your journey at the moment, you may not want to hear this...but, the Lord takes the bad and creates something good. From my valley, I experienced pain, sadness, and guilt. As the Lord held me through that valley, He showed me a love I never knew before. He showed me how to face the pain and begin walking out of the valley not on my own but with His strength.  

Even in our trials and pain, the Lord loves us. He is willing to walk beside us to guide us out of the valley. Are we willing to do that for others? Are we willing to love others during all of the seasons? Are we willing to love others during the bad to witness the good that the Lord has in store?  

I will leave you with this: To be able to love the way Christ loves, you surrender yourself and walk by the Holy Spirit. This is a daily task, and is nothing that can be obtained on your own. Through Christ we can love others, even when we believe they are undeserving...because guess what, so are we! I encourage you to love one another more often.

The greatest commandments Jesus gives us in Matthew 22:37-38 are to

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

When you love the Lord, you walk with the Spirit. Walking with the Spirit allows loving your neighbor as yourself to be much easier.

Fogged In

Fogged In

I woke up...got ready and went to the kitchen to get some coffee. I looked out the window to take in the view of the lake and to my amazement, it was GONE! Vanished overnight! All that I saw was the back deck and shadows of trees emerging from a dense white fog. Okay...so the lake didn't actually vanish. It was just hidden by the fog that moved in overnight.

We were heading to church, so we hopped in the car and headed out. I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. TWD fans know what I'm talking about. Anything could be lurking in that fog! It was so dense that we were left with very little visibility. Our car was surrounded by this dense fog. The trees that were just feet away were merely shadows hidden by the white wall of fog that seemed to engulf the world around us. I had to slow down a little and really watch out for deer and other unexpected obstacles. Seriously...I could only see a few feet ahead. Even traffic lights were hidden until I was right up on them. YIKES!!!

I don't know about you...but I really like to see where I'm heading. It is not enough to see the road right in front of me. I want to see what's happening behind me, what's coming from the side and what lies far down the road ahead. I want to be able to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Do you ever feel like your life has gotten FOGGED IN? You go to bed seeing clearly...knowing exactly what lies ahead, but then you wake up surrounded by a dense white fog. The only thing you can really see with total clarity is the road right in front of you. Times like these can leave me feeling uneasy and on edge. I want to be prepared for whatever is going to emerge from the fog. I want to be able to plan and prepare for the days...weeks...months...years ahead. I don't want to have to worry about all the things I can't see yet....I want to sit back and enjoy the journey.  

I really think that "FOG" is God's way of slowing us down and helping us learn to trust Him more.

I really think that "FOG" is God's way of slowing me down and helping me learn to trust Him more. It puts me in a position where I am no longer charting my own course...planning out every detail of my life. No...I have to truly trust God to show me the way. It teaches me to rely on Him and trust Him completely. There is a song that I absolutely love. It says;

"I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies is always by my side

The One who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies is always by my side"

( “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”

Written by Ed Cash, Scott McTyeire Cash, and Chris Tomlin)

When you can't see the path ahead, focus on the One who can. God is there...He alone goes before you and stands behind you at the same time. He knows where you have been and he knows where you are going...not just the here and now....He knows it all....AND He is ALWAYS by your side.

When you can't see the path ahead, focus on the One who can.

 

Next time you get fogged in, don't keep traveling full speed ahead. You also don't want to stop because you are afraid of what you can't see. Sure you need to slow down...but you also must keep moving forward. You will quickly notice that as you move forward you can see a little further down that road.   

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Trust the One who is always by your side, then sit back and enjoy the ride.

FAMILY Part 1: Family First or First God?

I have always had a heart to see families succeed. I am a believer that if we are to maximize our potential for Christ, we need to have a strong family that builds each other up and encourages each other in the Lord. I think, across the board, a breakdown in families results in other kinds of evils. To reach this next generation, we must have strong disciple-making families.

I have been blessed to see my grandparents married for over 65 years and other Godly mentors that make marriage and family a priority. I am writing this to share some of the things that my wife, Christin, and I do to that makes a difference in our family. My wife and I me up with an acrostic for FAMILY that will develop this concept.

F - First God

Today I will start with F- First God. This is nothing new. It comes from one of my favorite verses in the Bible: Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” One of our common mistakes is to put family first. I believe God is telling us to seek Him first and do everything else, including family, out of the overflow of our relationship with Christ. 

Please don’t get me wrong. I am a firm believer in the importance of family. I stick by the scripture 1 Timothy 5:8, “If anyone doesn’t provide for his relatives and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Those are strong words given to us by our Lord. Families and children have always been close to the heart of the Lord. If you have a chance, look at the words God gave Moses to tell Hebrew families before going into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).  

Christin and I are busy a lot like the rest of you with jobs, four children, sports…and I could go on. So I don’t want to say this without leaving some practical steps that we do to make First God happen in our family.

Model the Life of Christ

We must be the ones that model God first in all that we do for it to stick with our kids. The first thing my wife and I do when we wake up every morning is set aside 30 minutes to an hour spending one-on-one time with God. We make Church and Small Group (environments of spiritual growth) a priority. Children see these things. A lot more is caught than taught, and children can spot a fake.  

Mission-Minded Family

If we are not involved in making disciples, we are missing our true calling in Christ. I view my wife and kids as my number one disciples. Christin and I both are the lead faith trainers of our children.     

Ask Tough Questions

We continuously ask ourselves tough questions. How is your time with God? How are we serving each other, our children, and others? Are we leading with zeal and enthusiasm? Am I putting anything before the Lord? Am I being spirit-controlled or self-controlled? These are just some of the questions. Often it is not the question itself, but the conversation that sharpens us.  

Pray

I ask the Lord if I put anything before Him. Some common things that compete with God are phones, money, kids, education, relationships and hobbies. Pray through these things. God is faithful. He will reveal if you are putting anything before Him if you humbly ask. 

Could you imagine what would happen if we became disciple-making families that put God first? I know neighborhoods and entire communities would be changed. Do not underestimate what God can do through your family if you put Him first. He used 12 to change the world.

To put Family First you have to put God First.

Check out Justin’s next post to read FAMILY (Part 2).

Return to Your Rest

Return To Your Rest

I had the opportunity to do something this past weekend that I haven’t done in a long time…too long! I went hunting with a friend! Please don't be offended if you don't have the same opinion about hunting. I was reminded how something so simple can be so filling and beneficial to my soul!

I read a book once by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro that had a huge impact on the way I lead my life. The book was Leading on Empty. In this book, Cordeiro gives a great principle to help us live a balanced life and to take care of our souls. He says to identify the top three to five things that “drain your tank,” and that “fill your tank". The idea is to limit the things that drain you and pursue the things that fill you. Only when we balance these things are we able to properly care for our souls.

Slowing down enough to do the things you love allows rest to do what it does best!

I love being outside, and I love the outdoors. Whether it’s hunting, camping, fishing, golf, working in the yard, or some project around the house, walking with my wife, you name it…if it has to do with the outdoors, I love it, especially hunting! I remember the first time I ever went hunting, I had no idea what I was doing, but I absolutely loved it. Hunting fills my tank! Slowing down enough to do the things you love allows rest to do what it does best!

It will allow you to see and notice things that your day-to-day velocity makes you miss. When I was in the woods this past weekend, I noticed things I don’t normally see. I saw nature living its day right in front of me without even knowing I was there. I noticed the distant sounds of vehicles on a busy road that didn’t seem to phase the life of the woods.

I saw leaves falling! One leaf fell on me. I started to flick it off, but I picked it up and looked at it and studied it. I. noticed. the. leaf. It was surreal! There was no stress, no busyness, no deadlines, no meetings! I was not “on;” I was disconnected. My soul was resting!

David the Psalmist spoke to his soul when he wrote, “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” – (Psalms 116:7). Returning to something that I love to do provided so much rest for my soul. I feel rejuvenated, refreshed, refueled. My mind is clearer, my outlook more positive, overall healthier. Rest has amazing spiritual benefit.

What do you love to do? What fills your tank? How’s your soul? Maybe it's time for you to say, “Return to your rest…my soul…”

Your Father Knows

Hi…I’m Mike and I’m an ‘approvaholic!'

I think I just made up a word, but hopefully you get what I am saying. For most of my life I have sought and desired the approval of others.

I don’t think I am alone in the desire to get others’ approval. In fact, I think a lot of people these days struggle with seeking the approval of others! How many times do we post on social media to be noticed or to get “likes"? I once heard someone say they read their Bible and books to see what they could post or tweet! How many blog writers add a “tweet” that's just one click away for you to promote their content? How many times do we think, “did anyone notice?”

Jesus confronted this when He told us to not do things in front of others to be applauded by them, or to be seen by them, or to be heard by them.

Jesus provided the solution to this approval issue when He simply said, “your Father knows” (Matthew 6:1-18). Our Father sees and isn’t that enough? Aren’t we suppose to only seek His approval? (Galatians 1:10) Jesus said that if we want and pursue the approval of others then we will get our reward, which will be just that - a very small temporary sense of pride. But if we seek to please our Father in Heaven, then He, who sees in secret, will reward us in secret, and His reward will always be more than what any person could ever give us.

I’ve learned a lot about my identity and who I am in Christ, but the struggle is always there. I still find myself wanting to be noticed, praised, and sometimes if I am honest, I will do things for the wrong reward…the praise and approval of men vs. the praise and approval of my Lord! The truth is, He already approves of me! I am His boy, and He loves His boy. There is nothing that I can do to make Him love me more or less. The same is true for you!

Your Father knows…and He approves!

To learn more about your identity in Christ,

check out "What Does God Say About Us?"

What Does God Say About Us?

Have you ever put thought bubbles on someone else’s head?

Maybe you were talking to someone, and you hear what they are saying, but the whole time you are thinking, "Is that really what they are saying?"

The pressure to want to please everyone around us is real and natural.

I hope that everyone I meet likes me. But the reality is when you spend your life focused on making sure everyone you meet is impressed by you, you can easily become a slave to what they think. Eventually it can progress so much that you are no longer a slave to what they think, but what you think they think. Often we are consumed not by what others actually say out loud, but what we think they are saying in their heads. When we get to that point, we are our own worst enemy.

No longer are we controlled by their thoughts, which is bad enough, but we are now controlled by our own false thoughts in our heads that have no ground to them. And all this starts with the innocent and natural thought of caring what people think about you.

If any of the above has ever happened to you, then you know what it's like to spend nights wondering what so and so really meant when they said what they said. How do we break free from this? Because if it's not stopped, we can easily trap ourselves in a place where we no longer do anything because of fear of what we actually don't know.

I believe to beat this we have to remember what God says about us.

I want to leave you with a few statements, that if you can remember and believe, have the power to set take your focus off what others may be thinking and back on what God has been thinking about you all along.

I am the Creator and you are my creation. I breathed into your nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). I created you in my own image (Genesis 1:27). My eyes saw your unformed substance (Psalm 139:16). I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). I know the number of hairs on your head, and before a word is on your tongue I know it (Matthew 10:30; Psalm 139:4). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

In My great love, I gave My unique Son, that all those who believe in him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). While you were still sinners, Christ died for you. While you were still hostile toward Me, you were reconciled to Me by the death of My Son (Romans 5:8, 10). Sin doesn’t have the last word. Grace does (Romans 5:20).

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Truly Thankful

Thanksgiving comes like clockwork year after year after year. We can become so comfortable with the holiday that we forget what it is really all about. Why do we press the pause button each year? What is the big deal? Is it just an excuse to have a day or two off from work? Is it all about the football...food...or frantic shopping? Has it become so routine and so hectic that we don't take time for personal reflection? If it has...we are missing out on so much.

Before this Thanksgiving is over, I plan to take time to look at my life and make a list of all the things I have to be thankful for. My list will probably look a lot like yours:

1. Salvation
2. Family
3. Friends
4. My Church
5. My Job
6. A Beautiful Home

These are all true...and all things I am deeply thankful for. But I realized that if I'm not careful, I will "phone-in" my list. If we really want to fill our gratitude tanks we need to take time to elaborate on each of the things on our list. 

Why am I thankful for Salvation?

Without it...there is no hope...no peace and no future. What Christ did was not easy...it cost His life....He endured the cross for me. Sure I put Him at the top of my list...but He deserves more than that. He deserves to be first in my life each and every day. Without Him....I am nothing...with Him....I am a child of the Most High God. Reflecting on His sacrifice motivates me to live for Him and grow in Him. 

Why am I thankful for family and friends?

I realize they are a precious treasure, and those we sit around the table with year after year are not promised to be there the next time we gather together. We take it for granted and need to cherish each of the relationships we have been blessed with not just on Thanksgiving but throughout the year. Thanksgiving is a great time to put those relationships in perspective and remember what makes each person in my life so dear to me.

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Why am I thankful for my church?

My church is more than just a building or a place I go on Sunday. I don't know what I would do without the men, women, students and kids God has put in our lives that make up His church. They are family. It is a place where I am accepted, loved and challenged. I get to make a difference by being a part of something so much bigger than me. I am thankful for the spiritual journey God has me on. I love the groups of women I meet with every week and the women I have shared life with throughout the years. We have laughed, cried, prayed, cheered, encouraged, challenged and supported one another over the years...doing life together.

Being truly grateful is more than a list...it's a lifestyle! Thanksgiving isn't just a day...it should be a way of life for each of us. 

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever!

Giving Thanks for each of You today and always!

Walking as a Disciple

A man coming home from work noticed his neighbor struggling with a large box in his front doorway. Desiring to help, he parks his car and quickly runs to pick up one side of the box. The two struggle and fight with the box for 10 minutes until finally the helpful neighbor sets his side of the box down and proclaims, “Friend, I don’t think we will ever get this box in the house!” Frustrated and bewildered the neighbor in need barks out, “In the house? I have been trying to get the box out of the house!”

I can think of countless embarrassing moments in my life where what I thought was going to be a help actually wasn’t. Has that ever happened to you? Many times we as believers can see what we think is a need and charge in to solve it, but actually end up stopping all progress and keeping the Kingdom from moving forward. 

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul lays down the tracks for how the believers are to live as the body of Christ.  

Ephesians 4:1-6

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

If we want to help the Kingdom of God move forward (help get the box where it is designed to go) then we must all understand what we are to do. 

We are to walk worthy

What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of our calling? To be a disciple, a part of the body of Christ, a member of the church, is a high calling. It is something that we are not worthy of in our sin, and when we are called out of our sin to follow and walk with him, we are given something we could never buy. We become children of God! We are now no longer our own, we were bought with a price! Our lives are found in Christ, and we live our life through him! Our lives are rescued by Christ, and his calling to follow him changes the direction of every decision we make.

We are to consider others greater than ourselves

In verse 2 we are urged to be humble, gentle, and patient with each other. Showing love and maintaining unity causes us to think less of ourselves and more of others. In the letter to the Romans, Paul tells us to outdo one another in showing honor (Rom 12:10). This can’t happen unless we believe that others’ needs are greater than our own needs.

We are to trust God and love his Church

God is serious about the church. It is his chosen method of reaching the world. And the church will not change in its make-up and in its purpose, ever! We are a body of disciples who are focused on making more disciples. We have the promise that God is over all things, working through all things, and in all things. If we trust that God is working through his church, then we must trust the church and serve with everything we have.

Reminder of the goal (being and building disciples)

We must never forget that the greatest thing we can ever do or be a part of is the body of Christ. Our faith in Christ is the only thing we truly have that can never be taken from us. This same faith is what we take to the people around us. We pray that they will place their trust in Christ as well. We need to be disciples who build disciples. This is how we came to Christ, and it is our duty to do the same for others around us!

A challenge for your life

Are you a disciple? Have you placed your trust in Christ and begun to follow him? You can begin that journey today! Place your trust in Christ and follow his lead found in the Bible. Join a small group and get in an environment where you can grow.         

How are you being a disciple? What marks can you point to as evidence that you are a disciple? Could you be convicted in court of being a disciple of Christ?

Want to learn more about what it means to be a disciple?

Check out "Seven Steps" by Ken Adams!

"It Takes a Village"...No, REALLY

Have you ever heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child?” Wow, how true is that statement? Let me ask you this: Where is your village? Who is in your village? Do you lean on your village for support? I believe that Jesus wants our villages to be the church!

Jesus wants our villages to be the church! 

Think about this, the church should be the place where you can go when you have parenting questions. The place with the door open with welcoming faces and willingness to pray for your children and, of course, you as a parent. How do we do this? Through a partnership. We don’t want you to walk the parenting journey alone. We want to join you as you guide your child to know Jesus and then continue to grow in his/her spiritual walk. 

You may be thinking, “Well ok, how do I accomplish this?” No worries, I have a few helpful steps. Oh and, of course, some ways I implement this with my daughter.

1. Attend Church

The first step is attending church. Seriously, go to church! Do you ever get into your car on Sunday morning, look at the clock and say, “Whew! We will actually be on time today!” Or for some that may be a rare occurrence, and they can count it a miracle if they get there before worship ends. In all seriousness, church has to be a priority. Allow your kids to attend Reel Kids or another growing children’s ministry and experience church on their level! At the same time, attend corporate worship for yourself.  Your spiritual growth and theirs depends on this.

2. Don't Stop After Sunday Afternoon

Secondly, don't stop after Sunday afternoon. A lot of us go to church on Sunday, then Sunday evening rolls around. We eat Sunday dinner as a family, pray as a family and may even do a devotional as a family. After Sunday, the rush comes in full force. We get busy with work, school, practices and performances, and we lose sight. Now, some of us may have a small group or mid-week church activities at some point during the week, so we get a little church during that time.

We tell ourselves, “Take a deep breath you made it to mid-week!” The struggle is real. There have been nights where my daughter will finally fall asleep...I mean the bedtime routine is something fierce!  And I will look at my husband, shocked and say, “We didn’t read a Bible story!” Defeated in that moment, I think, “Should I wake her?” and then laugh,“No! Are you crazy?” 

Yes, we should strive daily to do better guiding our child’s spiritual journey. But, we can’t forget that we are human, and we will fall short daily. God gives us grace and mercy every second, and sometimes we need to extend it to ourselves. This is not a free pass. If bedtime is rough like it is at my house, choose a better time for your family to do a Bible reading or devotional. Why not try a time that will work?

3. Be a Model

Thirdly, be a model! Your children need to see you grow! Invest in your personal time with the Lord! Prioritize your daily God time, worship and prayer. Personally, I think it is valuable for your children to see this growth being modeled. Allow them to hear you reading the Word, praying and worshiping our Lord. You may even occasionally invite them in to participate with you during your time with the Lord. At other times find a location with little to no distractions where you can dig into the Word, cry out in prayer and rejoice in song. Magnify the Lord every day, even if the only non-distracting location is your closet. In order to grow in your relationship with the Lord, you must seek Him daily. Make this time a daily priority. Mark it on your calendar if necessary.  

4. Pray!

Lastly, pray! Pray for your children, pray for your parenting, and pray for your family.  Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing. Jesus modeled prayer, privately and corporately. If Jesus took the time to model prayer to the disciples, He wants us to take the time to model this as well. 

Through prayer you are able to talk to the Lord. When I pray individually or with my family I use the PRAY acronym.

P - Praise the Lord, magnify Him. 

R - Repent if needed confess and gain wisdom to change.

A - Ask for needs to be met.

Y - Yield to God’s will.  

There will be days when you fail, and there will be days when you win. TAKE THE WIN!! Don’t focus on the struggle, focus on the WIN. Lean on the church as your village and allow us to help you grow.

Looking for more inspiration on

how to lead your family?

Check out Justin Goode's article, 

"Family First or First God?"

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed

Thankful…Grateful…Blessed. You see it everywhere. It is hanging in our homes, in our offices,  we see it posted on social media…we are even wearing the t-shirts. It’s sounds really great, but do we really know what it means? Do we believe these words enough to live them out or is it just a cute trendy thing to say? As we approach Thanksgiving, it is a perfect time to take a moment to sit back and reflect on what these words really mean.  

We are thankful. We are grateful. We are blessed. If we truly believe these things then it should affect how we live our everyday lives. Moment by moment with a heart filled with gratitude, with a spirit of thankfulness knowing we are truly blessed by God.  

I thought I knew what it meant to be thankful…grateful…blessed until I traveled to India. As we drove from the airport to the hotel I was overwhelmed by the poverty. The streets were filled with chaos, and everywhere I looked there was trash and filth. Then I visited the slums. In the midst of the most deplorable conditions, I met the most precious children. They were so thankful for the opportunity to go to school. Grateful for the chance to have an education. Blessed to have people in their lives to care for them, clothe them and teach them about God.

We went to bless them, yet we walked away the ones who were blessed. Hearing the laughter. Seeing the smiles and listening as these children sang, “My hope is in you Lord. My strength is in you Lord,” was a reminder of how blessed we are to have a Heavenly Father that can bring contentment and joy in any situation. To say these kids have a hard life is a gross understatement. They are defying the odds every single day. They are an inspiration of what it means to be thankful in all things.  

Pastor Ken always says, "We have been blessed in order to be a blessing." How can we be more of a blessing to others? First, we have to get our focus off of ourselves. We must look at the world around us. When we do, we see the abundance that we have in our lives, and we can’t help but turn around and share it with others.  

We have been blessed in order to be a blessing.

The ultimate blessing we have is salvation through Jesus. What an amazing gift God has given us. Words can’t describe it, and there is nothing we can do to earn it. All we can do is accept it. When we have the gift of Jesus and the Holy Spirit is living and active in our lives then we can wear the shirt…Thankful, Grateful, Blessed…and realize the depth of what that means.

We are thankful for a God who loves us. We are grateful for a Savior who gave his life, and we are blessed beyond measure. Let’s take Thankful, Grateful, Blessed to a deeper meaning. Let’s not make it our focus one day a year or use it as trendy decor. Instead, let’s impact the world around us by living Thankful, Grateful, Blessed lives 365 days a year.