Greetings in the name of the One who alone is worthy of nothing less than our very best each and every day! I lead a men's Bible study every Wednesday morning at 6am. It is a blessing to me. I admit when the alarm goes off at 5am, it doesn't always feel like a blessing but it truly is a blessing to me.
This morning we talked about living a life without the fear of death. We talked briefly about dying not being the end but the beginning of "real life". I thought that this would be our focus for the Bible study. It turned out that it wasn't. We spent the majority of the time talking about our perspective on life, death and eternity. What do I mean? Well, I'll try to explain it this way......If you found out today that you only had 1 month to live or 1 week or even 1 day...would it cause you to live differently? The correct answer would be, "no".......but I think most of us would use the wrong answer.
We get tangled up in the fabric of stress, money, high expectations from ourselves or others, regrets, and leaving a legacy worthy of discussion for years to come. What really matters? What are we living for? Who do we seek to please with our lives?
So, is fear of death to be a concern? Absolutely not, but please let the thought of dying challenge you to ask yourself if you are living every day as if it could be your very last day on earth......because we have no guarantees, do we? Live your life to please our Heavenly Father and all of the mess that entangles us will simply disappear. God bless you today as you refocus and gain true perspective on this life.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Running Persistently
2 Samuel 22:33-34
God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
Bob Kempainen was determined to make the 1996 U.S. Men's Olympic marathon team. He was willing to go to any lengths, no matter how gut wrenching. On a hilly course in Charlotte, NC, he won the trials--but was sick 5 times in the last 2 miles. Kempainen, the American record-holder in the marathon, had experienced stomach problems since junior high school. But that hasn't kept this medical student from pursuing marathoning.
"To stop was out of the question," he said, when asked about his physical condition. With the goal in sight, he knew there would be plenty of time to rest after the race and 5 months to prepare for Atlanta.
When God puts a desire in your heart to achieve a specific goal, you can have the confidence that He will give you the strength and the ability to accomplish it. Every person has their own obstacles to overcome in life. In Kempainen's case, the condition of his stomach is trying to hinder him from winning the marathon race at the Olympics. In your life it will be something else. But we all face difficulties and challenges on the road to success--and the difference between those who succeed and those who fail is simply persistence.
Life is not a level, smooth path, but rather a series of hills and valleys. There are times spent on the moutain top, when everything seems clear and perfect. Then there are those times when we feel like we're wandering around in a dark cavern, feeling our way along and trusting God for every step of faith.
A runner gets a "second wind" after forcing himself to go on when he feels like he can't. We feel the joy of God's Spirit lift us up and carry us on when we choose to continue in faith, no matter how we feel or what's going on around us.
Take a moment and set your heart to be persistent in your faith--faith in God to lead you, pick you up when you have fallen, give you strength to go on, and ultimately bring you to victory.
God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
Bob Kempainen was determined to make the 1996 U.S. Men's Olympic marathon team. He was willing to go to any lengths, no matter how gut wrenching. On a hilly course in Charlotte, NC, he won the trials--but was sick 5 times in the last 2 miles. Kempainen, the American record-holder in the marathon, had experienced stomach problems since junior high school. But that hasn't kept this medical student from pursuing marathoning.
"To stop was out of the question," he said, when asked about his physical condition. With the goal in sight, he knew there would be plenty of time to rest after the race and 5 months to prepare for Atlanta.
When God puts a desire in your heart to achieve a specific goal, you can have the confidence that He will give you the strength and the ability to accomplish it. Every person has their own obstacles to overcome in life. In Kempainen's case, the condition of his stomach is trying to hinder him from winning the marathon race at the Olympics. In your life it will be something else. But we all face difficulties and challenges on the road to success--and the difference between those who succeed and those who fail is simply persistence.
Life is not a level, smooth path, but rather a series of hills and valleys. There are times spent on the moutain top, when everything seems clear and perfect. Then there are those times when we feel like we're wandering around in a dark cavern, feeling our way along and trusting God for every step of faith.
A runner gets a "second wind" after forcing himself to go on when he feels like he can't. We feel the joy of God's Spirit lift us up and carry us on when we choose to continue in faith, no matter how we feel or what's going on around us.
Take a moment and set your heart to be persistent in your faith--faith in God to lead you, pick you up when you have fallen, give you strength to go on, and ultimately bring you to victory.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Gimme a Break!
"Gimme a break" has been a popular phrase in American culture for more than two decades now. And the fact is that now more than ever, we need a break.
Often, our day does not go as we planned. Problems emerge and demand solutions. Questions arise and require answers. Conflicts erupt and we must settle them. Situations shift and we must adjust. New opportunities come our way and we find ourselves making tough decisions.......few days do as smoothly as we would like.
In the midst of the chaos we can take a momentary break. No matter how frantic the schedule or desperate the situation, we can turn to God's Word for strength and wisdom. There is simply no better break than one that pulls us away from trouble and draws us closer to the Answer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He alone can give us the truth, courage to stick with our priorities and get back on track if we have erred, peace that passes our understanding, and perspective marked by faith, hope, and love. He alone can provide a powerful word for our hearts that speaks to whatever we are facing.
No one may "give" you a break today, but you can give yourself one. In the middle of your day, give yourself a Coffee Break With God!
Often, our day does not go as we planned. Problems emerge and demand solutions. Questions arise and require answers. Conflicts erupt and we must settle them. Situations shift and we must adjust. New opportunities come our way and we find ourselves making tough decisions.......few days do as smoothly as we would like.
In the midst of the chaos we can take a momentary break. No matter how frantic the schedule or desperate the situation, we can turn to God's Word for strength and wisdom. There is simply no better break than one that pulls us away from trouble and draws us closer to the Answer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He alone can give us the truth, courage to stick with our priorities and get back on track if we have erred, peace that passes our understanding, and perspective marked by faith, hope, and love. He alone can provide a powerful word for our hearts that speaks to whatever we are facing.
No one may "give" you a break today, but you can give yourself one. In the middle of your day, give yourself a Coffee Break With God!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Good Morning
I am a blessed man. I don't have much money. (I use "much" loosely.) I don't have a mansion. My cars all need something done to them. Relationships seem strained at best some days and yet I can say that I am a blessed man. Why? How? Because, I know that my redeemer lives. I know that Jesus is my Savior. I know that this world is not my home. I know that I am going to Heaven. I know that Jesus considers me worthy to suffer shame for His Name. I am a child of the King of all kings. I have a beautiful wife who loves me. I have 4 wonderful children that are healthy. I have a home that is warm and welcoming. I have the greatest occupation I truly believe I could have. I have my health. I have awesome friends. I have a congregation that loves me for who I am. I am forgiven in Christ. I am free in Christ. How could I not say that I am a blessed man?! Sure, life isn't perfect and there are days of heartache and disappointments. Brothers and sisters.....be encouraged by these words:
Job 19:23-27
"Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock. "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!(NLT)
Job 19:23-27
"Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock. "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!(NLT)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
God is bigger!
What a weekend it was! Saturday night Simple worship service was awesome. This morning was awesome. I preached about the baggage of addictions. God showed up in such a cool way. People were really set free today and last night. Those addictions are big, that is for sure. But they are no contest for God. No matter what size those giants are......God is bigger and tonight, many Quarry Rockers are sleeping lighter and are free. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed! I praise the Lord in this blog tonight because He is so awesome. Me? Nope, I am weak. You? Nope, you are weak........we boast about our weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through us. I get the feeling the devil is a little nervous today....and he has good reason to be because today, the chains are broken and you.....you are free!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
You are dead!
Galatians 2:20
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(NLT)
Is this the statement of every believer in Christ? I believe it certainly should be. But, unfortunately, for many........for most, it is not. Sure we say we are in Christ. We say we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. We say we are born again. We talk the "Christianese" so to speak.
Once we accepte Christ as our Savior, that is just the beginning. He then wants to be Lord of our lives. That requires us to die. We must die to our selfish desires so that the power of Christ may live in and through us.
What is keeping you from a deep, intimate, and rewarding relationship with Jesus? Is it a job? An addiction? Your way of life? Is it an existing relationship? Money? Those are the things that must be nailed to the cross so that He might live in you and so that you might TRULY LIVE. With everything in me, I urge you to make the decsion today to die to your selfish desires......die so that you might truly live.
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(NLT)
Is this the statement of every believer in Christ? I believe it certainly should be. But, unfortunately, for many........for most, it is not. Sure we say we are in Christ. We say we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. We say we are born again. We talk the "Christianese" so to speak.
Once we accepte Christ as our Savior, that is just the beginning. He then wants to be Lord of our lives. That requires us to die. We must die to our selfish desires so that the power of Christ may live in and through us.
What is keeping you from a deep, intimate, and rewarding relationship with Jesus? Is it a job? An addiction? Your way of life? Is it an existing relationship? Money? Those are the things that must be nailed to the cross so that He might live in you and so that you might TRULY LIVE. With everything in me, I urge you to make the decsion today to die to your selfish desires......die so that you might truly live.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Risky Business
We talked a while back in a sermon about Luke warm Christianity. Some people just think a little bit is better than nothing and that God should just be thankful for what was done or given. That is so unscriptural! Christ told the church of Laodicea that He wished they were either hot or cold...Pick one, but don't straddle the fence. You are either all in or all out. What's it going to be? Luke warm? Makes God want to......(pardon the crudeness), puke.
I am re-reading John Ortberg's book, "If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat" There are a couple paragraphs I would like to share from this book. I thought it quite interesting.
"If you step up to the plate, you may strike out. The greatest hitters in the world fail two times out of three.
But if you don't step up to the plate, you will never know the glory of what it is to hit a home run. There is danger in getting out of the boat. But there is danger in staying in it as well. If you live in the boat--whatever your boat happens to be--you will eventually die of boredom and stagnation. Everything is risky."
May we step up to the plate boldly today and say, "My answer to you, God, is 'YES', now what's the question?"
I am re-reading John Ortberg's book, "If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat" There are a couple paragraphs I would like to share from this book. I thought it quite interesting.
"If you step up to the plate, you may strike out. The greatest hitters in the world fail two times out of three.
But if you don't step up to the plate, you will never know the glory of what it is to hit a home run. There is danger in getting out of the boat. But there is danger in staying in it as well. If you live in the boat--whatever your boat happens to be--you will eventually die of boredom and stagnation. Everything is risky."
May we step up to the plate boldly today and say, "My answer to you, God, is 'YES', now what's the question?"
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