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perspective

September 20, 2014

4 Simple Ways to Experience Joy in Life

God designed us for His joy and has promised an inner supply of joy by His Spirit. God fills us with joy that is separate from any circumstance.

Jesus Christ lived without much of the stuff we associate with temporal happiness. Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2) and never lost His joy despite betrayal, loneliness, slander, pain, suffering, and even death. Christ displayed joy on earth and wanted His disciples to experience joy for themselves. Jesus said, “”I have told you these things so that you can have the SAME JOY I HAVE and so that your joy will be the FULLEST POSSIBLE JOY.” (John 15:11 NCV)

C. S. Lewis wrote of this joy beyond the pleasures of earth. “You might as well offer a mutton chop to a man who is dying of thirst as offer sexual pleasure to the desire I am speaking of. … Joy is not a substitute for sex; sex is very often a substitute for Joy. I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for Joy.” (Surprised by Joy)

Joy in suffering is observed as Paul and Silas are in a Philippi jail, praying and singing hymns at midnight (Acts 16:25). Later in life while in prison chains, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always and say it again rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) God’s clear command is joy. To not rejoice is sin against God’s distinct directive.

“The bottom line for you and me is simply this: grimness is not a Christian virtue. There are no sad saints. If God really is the center of one’s life and being, joy is inevitable. If we have no joy, we have missed the heart of the Good News and our bodies as much as our souls will suffer the consequences.”
(Bruce Larson, “There’s a Lot More to Health Than Not Being Sick”)

How can we have God’s joy invading our lives?

1. Experience God for yourself.

If you want joy, seek to have a genuine encounter with God. In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Once you have been with God, your world is transformed. You can experience God’s presence on a daily basis and keep yourself from melting down. Put yourself in a position where we can meet Him – read the Bible, pray, listen to God-honoring music, attend a worship service.

Enter into His presence. How about this? Spend five minutes in authentic worship – right where you are, right now. Why delay? Our joyful attitude is harnessed to the Lord’s unfailing presence. The Psalmist praised, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.” (Psalm 2:3) Joy is a by-product of life with God (Psalm 9:2; 16:5-11).

“Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God.” (Pierre Teilhard Chardin)

2. Allow God’s promises to change the way you think and and the way you live.

Find one verse to memorize, meditate, and live out. Apply God’s Word every day. Let God’s Word be the stable foundation for your life. Make the Bible the solid bedrock for your life, a stable foundation for successful living. The Bible provides security and strength for your life, but I am not suggesting just reading as a daily discipline or a historical exercise. The goal of Bible reading is NOT just to read the Bible to look good or because its expected. The ultimate goal is to let the WORD and God’s presence transform me. God’s Word produces joy.

  • “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” (Psalm 19:8a NIV)
  • “Your covenant laws are your gift to me forever. They fill my heart with joy.” (Psalm 119:111 NIRV)
  • “I find joy in your promise like someone who finds a priceless treasure.” (Psalm 119:162 GW)
  • “When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.” (Jeremiah 15:16 NLT)

3. Pursue your purpose, the reason you are alive.

Be who God made you to be. “Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?” (Leonard Ravenhill) Uncover the reason God put you on this planet.

Louis L’Amour was an American author famously known for his many western novels. He revealed his secret to writing so many stories, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” There is wisdom in that. Practice God’s plan for your life. Do something bigger than the mess of your current circumstances.

If you need joy in your life, tell another person of who Jesus is. Soulwinning is part of the work Christ has appointed you to do, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15 NLT) If you aren’t a fisher of people, you’ll miss out on the joy God has in mind for life.

Life is tough, but you have something in your life that is BIGGER than all your JUNK. If you don’t discover why you are breathing on this planet, you won’t be fulfilled or satisfied with life.

“The Christian owes it to the world to be supernaturally joyful. In this day of universal apprehension when men’s hearts are failing them for fear of those things that are coming upon the earth, we Christians are strategically placed to display a happiness that is not of this world and to exhibit a tranquillity that will be a little bit of heaven here below.” (A.W. Tozer)

4. Lift up your eyes beyond the trial and trust God’s process.

Allow the Lord to change your perspective. God uses dark days to develop our character. Impossibly difficult circumstances are the setting for amazing God-sized miracles that release joy.

  • “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we CONFIDENTLY and JOYFULLY look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:2-4 NLT)
  • “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
  • “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)
  • “And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. “And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it because you are trusting him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see. So BE TRULY GLAD! There is WONDERFUL JOY AHEAD, even though the going is rough for a while down here.” (1 Peter 1:4-6 TLB)

Guess what? Earth was never designed to be your stopping point. If you are thinking life on earth will bring you joy, you surely will be disappointed. You are passing through with wonderful joy ahead! There is joy still waiting for you. There’s hope for you. There’s freedom for you. There’s healing for you. There’s peace for you. There’s JOY for your life.

April 30, 2013

5 Benefits of Healthy Friendships

You need healthy, Godly friendships to finish the race God has laid out for you. You benefit from healthy relationships, but you must be open to receiving the following five:

#1  Perspective

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14 NASB) You have blind spots. I have blind spots. You and I both need people around us who love us enough to speak into our lives. Others can see things in us that we can’t see – our strengths and weaknesses.

#2  Accountability

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT) Accountability helps keep us out of trouble and maintain integrity both in public and in private. The key to being accountable to someone else is to be open and honest.

#3  Encouragement 

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#4  Strength

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT) Two are definitely better than one! God designed it so that when any of us is weak in any area, another is able to supply our lack.

#5  Friendship

“My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!” (1 John 4:11-12 MSG) God placed in each of us a deep need to be known and loved.

Do you have God-honoring friends who help spur you forward? Do your relationships help you serve the Lord?

April 23, 2013

Sees, Understands & Cares

Heavenly Father knows EVERYTHING happening in your life, even every danger, threat, and trial.

As an earthy parent, I am concerned about the stuff that concerns my children and I can get emotional about it. I recall my sister crying as we prayed and dedicated her second son Campbell during a service at Valley Fellowship. (Wow, have those boys grown!)

I wasn’t surprised by Kim’s display of emotion; she is a good mommy. Parents, haven’t you felt strong emotions over the events occurring in the lives of your kids? Have you ever imagined the emotions of your Heavenly Father since He knows every detail of of your life.

Heavenly Father SEES everything, even when you don’t.

  • “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13 NIV)
  • “For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.”  (Proverbs 5:21 NLT)

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Human perspective is flawed – constrained by eyesight, bound by present time, shackled by distress, confined by sinful nature. The Lord’s perspective is flawlessly complete.

Heavenly Father UNDERSTANDS everything, even when you don’t.

  • “But even if we don’t feel at ease, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything.” (1 John 3:20 CEV)
  • “This High Priest [Jesus Christ] of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT)
  • “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:5 NIV)

Dr. Charles Farah, an ORU theology professor who has gone to be with the Lord, grappled with the misunderstandings of many who overlooked the reality of tribulation and difficulties of life on earth. Farah said, “Maturity is to understand that you don’t have to understand.” There’s wisdom is that statement. My understanding is finite and therefore limited. I often put it like this: “God’s God and I ain’t!” He knows the whys even if I am oblivious.

Heavenly Father CARES for you, even when you don’t.

  • “Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” (Matthew 6:26 MSG)
  • “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  (Matthew 10:29-31 NIV)

Jesus wasn’t trying to communicate that birds don’t matter. Birds have value; God cares for birds, but you are of MUCH greater worth than birds. God’s sovereign alertness isn’t consigned only to life-and-death complexities. His awareness of even minor details, counting the very hairs on your head, assures that He cares for you.

Said the Robin to the Sparrow,
“I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.”
Said the Sparrow to the Robin,
“Friend, I think that it must be
They have no Heavenly Father,
Such as cares for you and me.”  (Author unknown)

You matter to the loving Lord of the universe! He loves you and cares for you (1 Peter 5:7) and knows you intimately. Though often heard at funerals, the message of Psalm 23 is applicable to every moment of life – the Great Shepherd cherishes, supplies, and guides His sheep.

Heavenly Father knows everything happening in your life. Trust His love and concern for you.

February 7, 2013

God got you to this place, NOT to drop you on your face!

What are you facing right now? Whatever “this” problem is – it will NOT overpower you, NOT crush you, NOT destroy you! Paul faced stress but never quit. “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT) Even if you are “going through hell” don’t stop! God hasn’t stopped working. Don’t quit!

Can you relate to the expression on my brother Barry’s face (below)? What do you imagine he was thinking? Perhaps – “I think I can; I think I can; I think I can; OH, NO!”

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33 AMP)

God doesn’t intend for you to break under pressure. He offers abundant grace and promises that “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4b KJV)

God doesn’t promise to keep you from experiencing tribulation, but He promises to walk with you through it! “When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.” (Isaiah 42:2 GNT)

You may be waiting, but God is still working. You’re right on schedule – God’s schedule! Remember, you are on God’s timetable, not your own. God’s Word and His Promises are never on pause like a DVR.

God DOESN’T do HALFway! He is a finisher, a completer, not just a starter. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV) Our Lord Jesus Christ is described as “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV) God finishes what He starts.

February 7, 2013

Gaining God’s Perspective

Perspective alters our attitude and our action. Our perspective can filter or distort what we experience.

When I watch the replay of a New Orleans Saints’ game in which I already know they won,  I feel differently about a missed a field goal or a turnover. The final result is already set, so I know my favorite team somehow will overcome the mistake. That doesn’t mean I LIKE the missed field goal or turnover! Of course not – I want the Saints to play perfectly! But, stressing out isn’t going to change the recording. How do you view your life? What’s your perspective?

I want God’s perspective. I want to see my life and the lives the people around me through His eyes. In Christ, you and I have a seat with Him in the heavenly realms. Gaining God’s perspective will transform the way in which I:

  • love my wife, laying down my life to minister to her need.
  • train my children, expecting God’s gifts to flourish.
  • show up for a job, working for Lord and for His glory.
  • resolve conflict, forgiving quickly and not holding on to anger.
  • overcome temptation, looking for the escape route He promised.
  • pay my bills, stewarding the resources He has entrusted to me.
  • study for an examination.
  • handle discouragement and disappointment.
  • listen to and talk back to media.
  • live every aspect of my life.

At last night’s mens meeting at Valley Fellowship Church, Josh Laster did a great job of leading the call for Better Men. He made a significant comment (my paraphrase): “If we could see the other side of every obstacle  – like God does – we would joyfully tackle whatever is in the way.”

God perspective is so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). God sees the end and the beginning. He sees stuff inside of us that we can’t even see. He sees the end result of His beautiful work in our lives.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB)

January 27, 2013

3 Points to Expand Your Perspective

Perspective too often is limited by our personal experience.

In 2011, I traveled with a Valley Fellowship mission team to the Amazon. We connected with George and Idelma Gonzales and the Amazon Expeditions crew for a variety of ministry in Columbia, Peru, and Brazil.

I enjoyed teaching the God’ Word in three languages at Escuela Biblica, Umarirazu, Brazil. In one of the sessions, I shared of the Battle of the Longest Day (Joshua 10). I am still laughing about how long it took to translate “hailstones” to people who have never experienced frozen precipitation of any kind! Unbelief was ALL over their faces until I made the statement, “It was a miracle from God!” Immediately their expressions changed as if they were thinking, “Oh, okay, it was miracle.” The students at the Bible School didn’t have first-hand knowledge of hail, but apparently they did have first-hand experience with God’s power.

A group stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon and paused. An artist thought – “What a beautiful scene to paint!” A prayer warrior meditated – “What a wonderful example of God’s creative handiwork!” A rancher mused – “What an awful place to lose a cow!” What is your Grand Canyon perspective?

The Message paraphrase of Romans 12:3 has advice for all of us: “The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us.” I am pondering my own perspective today as I meditate Numbers chapter 13. Three things ringing in spirit are:

#1 Nothing is too difficult for Almighty God.

Sovereign Lord, you made the earth and the sky by your great power and might; nothing is too difficult for you.  Jeremiah 32:17 GNT

#2  He’s the boss; I’m His servant.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”  Luke 9:23 NIV

#3  I am not a grasshopper; God empowers me to do His will so I can do what He tells me to do.

To ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and we must have seemed the same to them.  Numbers 13:33 HCSB

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