Devotional

March 26, 2013

4 REASONS TO RESPECT EVERYONE

A hallmark of Jesus’ teaching is His command that the respectful behavior of His followers must transcend that of non-believers. Our respect is first and foremost directed to the Lord, as John Chrysostom reminds, “We must not mind insulting men, if by respecting them we offend God.” (Archbishop of Constantinople who lived 349–407 AD) Love and respect the Lord FIRST, but the second of the great commandments is “love your neighbor” (Mark 12:29-31).

I want to fulfill His command, loving God and people, but I have figured out that some people are easier to love than others. Honestly, isn’t it that way for you? God blessed me with a great wife and great daughters, so it’s not hard to love and to respect them. Both of my daughters are awesome! What’s not to love and respect? For example, Rozy is completing masters classes during her junior year, representing the ORU School of Education, serving as a chaplain this year – head chaplain next year, leading worship, loving missions. Yes, it’s easy to respect her.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to go far beyond what common people would expect. Jesus commands, “Love your family.” Okay, a little effort, I can do that. “Love your neighbors.” Hmm, a little harder, but I don’t have to see them everyday. “Love those who treat you well.” Alright, now You’re talking, Jesus – I will do that! “Love your enemies.” Do what? Are you serious, Jesus? I mean . . . come on!

You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about that? Don’t even unbelievers do that? But you must always act like your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:43-48 CEV)

If anyone should show proper respect in our modern society, it should be Christ-followers. The scope of a disciple’s respect is quite large. We must respect EVERYONE! That’s exactly what God’s Word commands.

“Show proper respect to everyone.” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV)

Unfortunately, rude behavior by church-going folk is too often exhibited on Sunday afternoons at local restaurants. Several restaurant servers have expressed to me their displeasure of working Sunday after church because the church crowd tips so poorly. “Christians” can be loud, demanding, disrespectful, impatient, and stingy with tips. Could the stinginess be a carry-over attitude from the morning offering?

To live in fear of God means that we live before God and the rest of reality in such a way that there is never contempt within us. We take nothing for granted, everything as a gift. We have respect. We are always poised for surprise before the mystery of God, others, and ourselves. All boredom and contempt is an infallible sign that we have fallen out of a healthy fear of God. (Ronald Rolheiser, The Shattered Lantern, 2004, p. 117)

Why should you show respect? I bet you could identify thousands of reasons, but here are four excellent reasons for showing respect to every person.

#1 God created people.

Humans beings are created by God. The Book of Genesis is clear that out of all of creation only humanity is made in the image of God. The psalmist praised the Lord, “You (God) made man inferior only to yourself; you crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5)

Sometimes it’s hard for us to look beyond the fallen part of humanity – carnal, sinful, selfish, rude individuals – to see the image of God in people. There are people who do worthless things, but there are no worthless people. There are people who do wrong actions but they are all of value to God. Even the most unlovable person is loved by God.

#2 Jesus Christ died for people.
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The cross shows how much people matter to God. God made them, Christ died for them. No matter what you think; whether you like them or not; that individual is someone for whom Christ died. John 3:16 expresses God’s heart, “For 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 (NIV).” With His precious blood Christ paid the price to save humans. You may not think much about somebody, but God does. He considers people worth the price of His sacrifice. “Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8 PHILLIPS)

He thinks you were worth the effort. “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7b NIV) Jesus Christ died for you, but He also rose again. His resurrected life is now available to empower you to live in Him. Everyday, we can celebrate the Festival (Passover) when we live Christlike lives (1 Corinthians 5:8).

#3 Respect shows you really know God.

Respect for people is proof that you know God. “God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him.” (1 John 4:8 CEV) God is love and if you know God then you’re going to fill your life with love. “It isn’t rude.” (1 Corinthians 13:5a GW) Love treats people with respect.

If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. (1 John 4:20-21 MSG)

#4 You get back what you give out.

Seedtime and harvest, the law of reciprocity, seedfaith living – you reap what you plant. “A man’s harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7 PHILLIPS) The old proverb is true: “Whatever goes around comes around.” For every kick there is a kick back.

Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8 MSG)

The Bible clearly sets you up – whatever you want in life, you give out and you’ll get back. If you want people to smile at you, you smile at them. If you want to be respected, treat other people with respect. If you want to be treated and valued with dignity, treat other people with value and dignity.

“You do yourself a favor when you are kind.” (Proverbs 11:17a GNT) Rudeness is expensive. “Cruel people will be rewarded with trouble.” (Proverbs 11:17b ERV) Do want respect? Give respect. Show respect and receive respect. Respect the people around you, the people over you, EVERYONE!

March 25, 2013

How to Exercise Authority Without Being Authoritarian

Authority can be found but not the way most of the world goes after it. You don’t push others down for the Lord to lift you up. Jesus Christ models servant leadership; He turns worldly power systems and values upside-down. Christ-followers are not to adopt the “king-of-the-mountain” mentality of worldly leadership.

You have witnessed a boss, a coach, a politician, a policeman, or a parent “throw their weight around” and you understand the reality “when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads” (Mark 10:42 MSG). Perhaps, your heart cried out like the writer of Ecclesiastes 4:1 (NIRV), “I looked and saw how much people were suffering on this earth. I saw the tears of those who are suffering . . . Power is on the side of those who beat them down. Those who are suffering don’t have anyone to comfort them.”

But Christ’s call to leadership is counter-cultural. You ARE to be a leader – one who exercises authority without becoming authoritarian.

You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:42-45 NLT)

God’s Word warns, “Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds.” (Proverbs 28:16a MSG) God expects His delegated authority to be exercised with wisdom, not abuse. In 10 Choices: A Proven Plan to Change Your Life Forever, Chicago pastor James MacDonald offers tips for evaluating how we are handling the authority entrusted to us:

I know I’m abusing my authority when I keep reminding people of my title and my position.
I know I’m abusing my authority when I expect or demand privilege.
I know I’m abusing my authority when I become comfortable with personal praise.
I know I’m abusing my authority when I resent, react, or am threatened by challenges to my authority.
I know I’m abusing my authority when I’m unmoved by an individual. (p. 227-230)

Cherish the nature of the authority entrusted to you. As you esteem God’s leadership and respect your co-laborers in God’s House, a dimension of authority is entrusted to you. You must exercise this empowerment with Godly wisdom. With recognition of God’s call, you seriously and humbly undertake service with appreciation of Christ as the head of the body.

How do you exercise authority without becoming authoritarian?

#1 Serve – Don’t Decree.

You aren’t called to dominate and dictate.“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35 NIV)

Leadership is not getting above others in prestige and power. It is servantship – getting down under the load of human need to bear it sacrificially and redemptively. According to this standard, the measure of greatness is not prominence but humility, not excellence but faithfulness, not authority but obedience, not being served but service… leadership is servantship. (Gaines S. Dobbins, Learning to Lead, 1968, p. 31)

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Don’t look down on others.“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (Romans 12:3 NIV)

Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. (1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 MSG)

#3 Model – Don’t Dominate.

“Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” (1 Peter 5:3 NLT) Great leadership is not lording-over or striving for superiority, for leadership involves sacrifice and service. Paul lived this, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” (Philippians 3:17 NIV)

#4 Associate – Don’t Strut.

Don’t be stuck-up or toffee-nosed. “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (Romans 12:10 NLT) We are equal in Christ. One is not superior to another. Male, female, young, old, whatever race or background – we share communion and fellowship in ONE Body.

#5 Mutually Submit – Don’t Intimidate.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21 NIV) Coercive bullying is not a spiritual gift, even if at times it looks as if something is accomplished. Strong-arming does not pay heavenly dividends and intimidation will not yield lasting results.

Living under authority necessitates accountability to those who have placed you in your position – your leaders and your Lord. Jesus Christ is Lord! Respect the distinction between Lordship and leadership!

Are you leading and influencing others in a direction which furthers God’s Kingdom purposes?

March 24, 2013

ADDICTED to HARMFUL WORDS?

Every one of us can testify to the impact of words. Every one of us has been inspired by uplifting words, and every one of us has experienced the pain of words carelessly spoken.

Unless you, or someone dear to you, have been the victim of terrible physical violence, chances are the worst pains you have suffered in life have come from words used cruelly – from ego-destroying criticism, excessive anger, sarcasm, public and private humiliation, hurtful nicknames, betrayal of secrets, rumors and malicious gossip. (Joseph Telushkin, Words That Hurt, Words That Heal, 1996, p. xviii)

“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

The story is told of an elderly mother during a hospital stay. Per normal procedure, she was asked if she was allergic to anything. She confessed to allergic reactions to certain types of fruit, specifically bananas. The nurse compiled the information and made the appropriate notation on the woman’s wristband. Several hours later, the lady’s grown daughter angrily stormed the nurse’s station demanding, “Who’s responsible for labeling my mother ‘bananas’?

As kids, we joked that sticks and stones were hurtful, but we all knew the truth – words are powerful. Why as adults do we so easily excuse sarcasm, criticism, and negativity? We playfully joke with one another, but do we realize the potency of our words?

Careless words bite! Are you addicted to harmful words? Author Joseph Telushkin puts that question into courageous perspective:

Over the past decade, whenever I have lectured throughout the country on “Words That Hurt, Words That Heal: How to Choose Words Wisely and Well,” I’ve asked my listeners if they can go for twenty-four hours without saying any unkind words about, or to, anybody.

Invariably, a minority raise their hands signifying yes, some people laugh, while quite a large number call out, “No!”

“All of you who can’t answer yes,” I respond, “must recognize how serious a problem you have. Because if I asked you to go for twenty-four hours without drinking liquor, and you said, ‘I can’t do that,’ I’d tell you, ‘Then you must recognize that you’re an alcoholic.’ And if I asked you to go for twenty-four hours without smoking a cigarette, and you said, ‘That’ impossible,’ that would mean that you’re addicted to nicotine.’ Similarly, if you can’t go for twenty-four hours without saying unkind words about others, then you’ve lost control over your tongue. (Words That Hurt, Words That Heal, p. xvii)

“Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” (Matthew 12:36-37 MSG)

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18 NIV84)

The unknown writer of the poem below echoes the wisdom of the ancients:

“The boneless tongue, so small and weak,
Can crush and kill,” declares the Greek.
“The tongue destroys a greater horde,”
The Turk asserts, “than does the sword.”
The Persian proverb wisely saith,
“A lengthy tongue—an early death!”
Or sometimes takes this form instead,
“Don’t let your tongue cut off your head.”
“The tongue can speak a word whose speed,”
Say the Chinese, “outstrips the steed.”
The Arab sages said in part,
“The tongue’s great storehouse is the heart.”
From Hebrew was the maxim sprung.
“Thy feet should slip, but ne’er the tongue.”
The sacred writer crowns the whole,
“Who keeps the tongue doth keep his soul.” (unknown, referenced in Spurgeon’s The Salt Cellars)

March 23, 2013

Teach Kids RESPECT

Respect is a virtue desperately needed in today’s world of rudeness. Its not just Aretha Franklin wishing for R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Rudeness at work is rampant, and it’s on the rise. Over the past 14 years we’ve polled thousands of workers about how they’re treated on the job, and 98 percent have reported experiencing uncivil behavior. In 2011 half said they were treated rudely [at work] at least once a week. [That’s a 100 percent increase from 1998.] (Christian Porath and Christine Pearson, “The Price of Incivility,” Harvard Business Review, January-February 2013)

Through a poll of 800 managers and employees they also discovered the costs of incivility. Among workers who have been on the receiving end of incivility:

48 percent decreased their work effort

47 percent decreased the time spent at work

80 percent lost work worrying about the incident

78 percent said their commitment to the organization declined

12 percent said they left their job because of the uncivil treatment

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The article in Harvard Business Review concluded with the following warning about incivility: “Just one habitually offensive employee critically positioned in your organization can cost you dearly in lost employees, lost customers, and lost productivity.” Rudeness is an issue that must be addressed, but teaching respect to adults is not much more difficult than teaching respect to children.

Parents must teach respect and pass along respect for authority to their children, since the home is the foundation for learning to respect authority. A child’s homelife either strengthens or weakens respect for authority and respect for people and respect for themselves. As a missionary kid in Africa and Taiwan, I learned the importance of respect not only toward authority, but for culture, language, people, and the Gospel.

How do you pass along the virtue of respect to your children? Here are seven ideas to help you.

#1 Be an example to your children by your speech, attitudes, and actions.

The respect you model will be followed; the disrespect you model will be followed. Love your spouse and respect your spouse’s authority. My parents modeled respect for authority, and my life benefited from those important lessons.

#2 Teach your children to respect YOUR authority.

You powerfully equip your kids to respect others when you teach them to respect your authority. If God gave you children, then He holds you responsible to act like a parent.

#3 Make time to train your family spiritually.

Spend time with your family as a group and make time for one-on-one, face-to-face encounters with your child. Don’t pass off your responsibility to be spiritually mature. Be the parent, the spiritual leader, of your home. A leader “must be in control of their own families, and they must see that their children are obedient and always respectful.” (1 Timothy 3:4 CEV) Operate your household with authority and love.

#4 Don’t allow unresolved conflicts or strained relationships to fester or boil.

You don’t want your prayers blocked or cut off (1 Peter 3:7). Don’t provoke your children to anger by your own harshness, unfairness, or insecurity.

#5 Discipline in love.

“A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them.” (Proverbs 13:24 MSG) Discipline immediately and consistently. “Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction.” (Ephesians 6:4 GNT)

#6 Get a job or increase your income to support your children.

Provide the food and care your children need. Attend to the needs of your family. “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8 NIV)

#7 Pray for your family daily, multiple times per day.

You know you ought to pray, you know God answers prayer, but are you actually praying for family? Lay hands on your kids and bless them before they leave for school or any activity. Your prayer cover inspires respect. Pray!

Evaluate yourself and remove hindrances to your parental leadership. You have the responsibility of teaching your children to respect authority. Your leadership at home is vital. The Maxwell Leadership Bible (p. 1442) alliterates six categories, six questions for evaluating your leadership in your home:

Initiative: Do I give direction and take responsibility for my primary relationships?
Intimacy: Do I experience intimacy with God and others through open conversation?
Influence: Do I exercise Biblical influence by encouraging and developing others?
Integrity: Do I lead an honest life, unashamed of who I am when no one is looking?
Identity: Am I secure in who I am in Christ? Or am I defensive?
Inner Character: Do I exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in my life, including self-discipline?

March 22, 2013

4 Types of Authority

Respect frames civilized living and refined society. Healthy stable families are erected on respect. Lack of respect corrodes and decays civilization. Of the Ten Commandments, four relate to treatment of God and the remaining six speak to treatment of people. Those commands boil down to an issue of respect, particularly a respect of authority.

We are to respect authority. The Bible draw attention to at least four types of authority: Divine authority, civil (governmental) authority, church (ecclesiastical) authority, and parental authority.

#1 DIVINE AUTHORITY

Divine authority is God’s possession. God’s your friend, but He’s not your “buddy”. He is to be respected. We are all to live in the reverential fear and respect of the Lord.

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). This authority is in part delegated or entrusted to other spheres of authority on earth.

#2 CIVIL AUTHORITY

Paul commands believers to submit and to respect governing authorities:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:1-7 NIV)

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#3 CHURCH AUTHORITY

The writer of Hebrews addresses the submissive respect of believers to church leaders. “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17 NIV)

#4 PARENTAL AUTHORITY

Respect for parental authority yields blessings.

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT)

The home is where the foundation for learning to respect authority. A child’s homelife either strengthens or weakens respect for authority. Parents must pass respect for authority on to their children.

I want my daughters to appreciate God-ordained authority.

March 20, 2013

7 Steps For Good Habits

I am not sure who originally authored the steps below. I cannot remember from whom I picked it up and I think I have altered them. I have used the ideas for several years, so by some “preacher standards” – they are mine now! The wisdom is too good not to share.

Here are seven practical steps to start, establish, and maintain good habits.

Step One: Desire

You must start with a strong desire. You must be internally motivated. External motivations don’t last. If you start only half-heartedly, you will never make it to the success point. “The desire of the righteous turns out well, but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.” (Proverbs 11:23 HCSB)

Step Two: Decide

Begin right now! Don’t wait. Don’t procrastinate. You don’t slide into a new habit. “One of these days” never arrives. You must have a starting point. “And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called ‘today’.” (Hebrews 3:13b CEV) It’s easier to break a bad habit today than it will be tomorrow!

Step Three: Declaration

Announce your intentions publicly. Make a covenant or resolution. The power of a vow is awesome. “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him.” (Deuteronomy 23:21a NLT) It is particularly powerful if you put your commitment in writing.

Step Four: Determination

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Remember, the enemy does not want you to develop habits that help you grow spiritually and make you like Christ. “They [Folks opposing Nehemiah] were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.” (Nehemiah 6:9 NLT) Satan will do all he can to tempt you, cause you to slip, or discourage you.

Step Five: Just Do It!

Whenever you feel the slightest urge or prompting to practice this new habit – DO IT THEN! Don’t wait. Seize every opportunity to reinforce your habit. Those feelings will not last, so whenever you feel inclined to perform your new habit, do so! Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” (Luke 9:62 MSG)

Step Six: Double Up

Get a partner who will support you and encourage you. Choose wisely. “Don’t be fooled: Bad friends will ruin good habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33 ERV) Find someone who is willing to hold you accountable and check up on you especially in the early days before the habit is firmly rooted in your life.

Step Seven: Depend on God

Rely on God’s power to help you establish the habit. “And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him.” (Colossians 2:6 LIVING) Pray! Yield to the Holy Spirit. Draw from God’s gracious strength. Keep going. You are walking into a good habit.

March 19, 2013

Jesus Wept For Jerusalem

Are you seeking spiritual awakening and Christian renewal in your community? What would it take to see a move of God initiated and sustained in the Tennessee Valley area?

When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.” For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19:41-44 NASB)

Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. He knew the absence of peace that was coming to that city of peace. He lamented their failure to recognize the fulfillment of promise, the season of salvation, the turning-point of visitation.

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I am praying for an outpouring of heaven that so impacts the Tennessee Valley region that it becomes hard to go to hell from Huntsville, Alabama. How about you? Are you ready to do what it takes for revival and awakening?

March 19, 2013

Simple advice for overcoming addiction or hidden sin

The Lord wants to unlock the chain of addiction binding your life. The steps below are easy to read, but will take lots of effort. This isn’t an exhaustive list but these seven steps will get you going down the right path.

#1 Honestly evaluate yourself.

Ask the Holy Spirit to shine His spotlight of conviction upon any area of your life needing freedom. Holy Spirit is good at His job; He will convict you if necessary.

#2 Admit it.

Accept personal liability. Repent! Confess your sin, repent and receive God’s forgiveness. Don’t continually beat yourself up and live with condemning guilt-feelings. Godly sorrow prompts repentance, not shame or condemnation. Godly sorrow involves your emotions but is so much more than grief or tears.

#3 Call it by name.

Don’t rationalize your sin. Face it frankly. You don’t get out of the spiral of degradation by “wishing” it away or by redefining sin. Sin kills. Even “small” sin wrecks havoc. Don’t whitewash your issue.

#4 Take drastic measures.

Radically alter your lifestyle. Get rid of the stuff. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (Romans 13:14 NASB) You don’t have to have internet access, cable tv, printed material, alcohol to “cook” with, your grandpa’s pipe – if it has a hold on you, cut it out! Don’t keep a secret stash as a backup plan in cause you backslide. Get rid of what you can’t handle.

#5 Get help.

Don’t try to walk it out alone. You haven’t conquered it yet by yourself, so quit thinking you can. Admit your struggle. Find a good accountability partner. Yes, you need to confess your sin to God and receive His forgiveness, but to overcome addiction or hidden sin you need to take the NEXT STEP of confessing to real live human being.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 NIV) Notice the connection in James 5:16 with confession and prayer. Prayer is a vital resource. Talk to God for yourself and have others pray for you!

Find someone spiritual mature with wisdom and good common sense. Some of you need to seek out a Godly Christian counselor because your addiction is just a symptom of a deeper issue.

Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. (Galatians 6:1 AMP)

#6 Replace the sin with something righteous.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21 NASB) Do you remember the effort, time, and finances you put into your addiction? Well, put that effort, times, and finances into living your life in freedom. Make a willful choice and determination to avoid sin.

#7 Change the way you think.

Get more insight into this step from my March 15, 2013 post RENEW YOUR MIND. Pray and read the Word of God. You can’t just white-knuckle it through temptation; you need the supernatural resources including God’s Word.

Read the Bible DAILY. “[The Scriptures] shall be his constant companion. He must read from it everyday of his life so that he will learn to respect the Lord his God by obeying all of his commands.” (Deuteronomy 17:19 Living)
Memorize Scripture that applies to your situation. “Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart.” (Proverbs 7:2-3 Living)
Meditate upon God’s Word. “(Those) who are always meditating on His Laws … are like trees along a river bank bearing fruit … they never wither and whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:2-3 Living)

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Why all this stress on behaviour? Because, as I think you have realised, the present time is of the highest importance—it is time to wake up to reality. Every day brings God’s salvation nearer. The night is nearly over, the day has almost dawned. Let us therefore fling away the things that men do in the dark, let us arm ourselves for the fight of the day! Let us live cleanly, as in the daylight, not in the “delights” of getting drunk or playing with sex, nor yet in quarrelling or jealousies. Let us be Christ’s men from head to foot, and give no chances to the flesh to have its fling. (Romans 13:11-14 PHILLIPS)

March 17, 2013

You Will Win!

Early this morning as I seeking the Lord, I felt strongly impressed to declare, “You will win!” I pray you will receive this message from the Father’s heart for you today. Please, grab hold of His strength. You will win.

You were born to be a winner. You haven’t been set you up for defeat; God has set you up for success. He prepared in advance for your victory. He wants you to triumph every time! God won’t abandon you. Don’t settle for defeat; God is not finished yet. Defeat is not God’s option for you. You will win.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

The obstacle in front of you has NOT taken God by surprise. God is NOT nervously pondering what might happen next. God is NOT looking at the problem ahead of you and concerned about whether or not He has the power to do something. God is NOT scratching His head wondering, “That’s a surprise! What I am going to do to work this one out?” God is NOT wringing His hands worrying, “What is the devil going to do now?”

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 NLT)

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37 NIV)

Through the cross, provision is offered for you to be more than a conqueror in every situation in your life. The enemy cannot win because the Victor lives in you. Jesus Christ paid the price for your freedom. He gives you a share in His victory that has already been achieved. Tap into His strength. It is time for you walk confidently. Success is ahead for you. God desires that you accomplish what you set your hand to do. You will overcome through Christ. You will win.

“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.” (1 John 5:4 NLT)

Go forward in faith. Your faith in God enables you to bear hardship, to exercise self-discipline, to hurdle every stumbling block, and to persevere to the end. You cannot lose. You will overcome every snag, every struggle, every stumbling block. Victory is yours! You will overcome in His strength. Listen to God’s message, “You will win!”

March 16, 2013

Tithing Releases Blessing

A “tithe” is giving the first tenth of your income. An “offering” is anything you give in addition to your tithe. Based on those definitions, you aren’t giving an offering until after you have reached the ten percent minimum.

I give my tithe to the awesome local congregation of which I am a member – Valley Fellowship Church. My tithe is changing lives for God’s glory. I am thankful so many VFC members understand the importance of putting God first in financial decisions.

“Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NASB)

The tithe is the FIRST part of what I earn – not the leftovers. Patti and I live out this principle by writing the check for giving our tithe before we pay the rest of our bills. We also give offerings in addition to our tithe. We give above the tithe to change lives, to support missionaries and mission efforts, to sponsor building improvements at Valley, to care for widows, orphans, and poor, and to other Christ-honoring projects. We give in expectant faith, knowing that God wants to bless us. Regularly, we use the back of the offering envelope to write down the things for which we are believing God. We have learned that as we seek God first, the things we need seek us out.

One way in which Patti and I stretch our faith is to give NOW at the level we want to be the tithe the following year. The Holy Spirit just might inspire you to try that – give at a higher rate and watch what happens. Year after year, God has meet our needs. I am so thankful for the blessings connected with tithing. Patti, Rozy, Kimberlyn, and I have been amazingly – HAIR-RAISINGLY – blessed by God!

Tithing is a minimum and shouldn’t limit your giving, but should open the door to a genuine stewardship lifestyle. An offering is an unlimited amount given as a free-will love gift unto the Lord. Tithe remains the tithe, 10%, but offerings are unlimited giving.

You will never be able to out-give your loving Heavenly Father. You need to practice both forms of giving:

Tithe – always releases God’s blessing; will never hurt you!
Offerings – giving over and above the tithe; plants good seed for an abundant harvest.

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“I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. (Malachi 3:10-12 NLT)

Do what God wants you to do, and He will take care of the rest. Your part is to tithe; God’s part is to bless! Malachi 3:10-12 lists numerous blessings. Meditate the multifaceted blessings resulting from your tithing!

#1 The Lord opens the windows of heaven (the blessing of His provision and His presence).

#2 The Lord pours out personalized, custom-made blessing upon you.

#3 The Lord enlarges the blessing beyond your capacity to receive. It spills out on others.

#4 The Lord blesses your work – gives you success in whatever your hands find to do.

#5 The Lord protects the fruit of your life (including your children).

#6 The Lord makes your life a testimony to the world of God’s incredible goodness.

#7 You confidently stand in the assurance of the Lord’s continued blessings.

If you have never tithed before, why not take God at His Word and test His promise for ninety days? Commit to give at the 10% level and watch the blessings that result from tithing.

“Once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 23:23 NLT)

If you are currently tithing, are you utilizing God’s prosperity for His purposes? Are you seeking the Lord for how much to raise your level of giving? Don’t settle for the tithe minimum; give offerings to allow lives to be changed. God wants you to be generous and wants you to help fund the expansion of His kingdom on earth.