Here we are once again on the verge of a new year - how fast time seems to be going by. For some a new year is a stressful thing, full of regret for the things we did or didn't do. For others it's just another reason to throw a party, but I look at the new year as a new beginning, a gift of time.
The New Year is a gift from God that allows us to wipe the slate clean and start again. In some ways it's a reminder of His faithfulness to forgive us when we ask Him - He wipes the slate clean as if we never made a mistake. Regardless of what happened in 2009, it's behind you. It's in the past and you can't go back to change it.
You can however determine to make this year a better one. Learning from your mistakes, making new goals, refocusing on God, creating new habits that will bring you success - these are the gifts that await you in this new year.
So as you celebrate tonight, be sure to take a moment and thank God for all He's done for you. Purpose to get closer to Him and to make this year the best year of your life.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
An Attitude of Gratitude
Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD, Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
As we sit here on the eve of another holiday season, I'm amazed at how quickly time has passed. It seems like we just finished the holidays and we couldn't wait for spring to arrive.
But here we are again; preparing lots of food, packing up to go see friends and family, or cleaning the house because people will be coming over, and all the while we're planning our strategic attack of the stores to take advantage of "Black Friday".
We get so busy with all the details, the hustle and bustle, and everything that leads up to the BIG day. But is being thankful just supposed to happen once each year? Of course not!
We should live our lives with an "attitude of gratitude" as my pastor used to say. It's a continuous state of appreciation for all that God has done for us. Even if this hasn't been the best year of your life, things could always be worse and there is someone out there with a story to prove it.
So as you're getting ready to celebrate with friends and family never forget the important things; it's not about the food, the football games, or the parades. This year, stay focused on the love of family, the true meaning of friends, and God's unfailing love for us.
Regardless of your circumstances, always be thankful. Each and every day look for ways give thanks to God, because His love for you endures forever.
Praise the LORD, Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
As we sit here on the eve of another holiday season, I'm amazed at how quickly time has passed. It seems like we just finished the holidays and we couldn't wait for spring to arrive.
But here we are again; preparing lots of food, packing up to go see friends and family, or cleaning the house because people will be coming over, and all the while we're planning our strategic attack of the stores to take advantage of "Black Friday".
We get so busy with all the details, the hustle and bustle, and everything that leads up to the BIG day. But is being thankful just supposed to happen once each year? Of course not!
We should live our lives with an "attitude of gratitude" as my pastor used to say. It's a continuous state of appreciation for all that God has done for us. Even if this hasn't been the best year of your life, things could always be worse and there is someone out there with a story to prove it.
So as you're getting ready to celebrate with friends and family never forget the important things; it's not about the food, the football games, or the parades. This year, stay focused on the love of family, the true meaning of friends, and God's unfailing love for us.
Regardless of your circumstances, always be thankful. Each and every day look for ways give thanks to God, because His love for you endures forever.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Ultimate Franchise
I can't take credit for the devotional below, but thought it was worth sharing. In a society that is saturated with Business Opportunities, "Get Rich Quick" schemes, MLM's, Networking Companies, and Home-based Businesses; so many Christians are caught up in the here and now. We're so focused on making more money and getting ahead that we don't understand the spiritual significance of why we are here and what our assignment really is.
The devotional below helps put things into clear terms that even the most accomplished business person can understand it, read & enjoy!
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Monday, November 16 2009
And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business? Luke 2:49 KJV
Earth is God's business. He has set up many franchises (churches) designed to send His representatives (Body of Christ) into the world to make known the best product ever given to mankind (Jesus). His branch managers (pastors) have been given the responsibility to teach and support those in the field. God's goal is to establish a franchise in every nation, state, and city. It is the ultimate business because when you introduce someone to His product (Jesus), you receive a reward from the home office (Heaven). God has promised that His representatives will have all the tools and customer support needed to accomplish their strategic plans.
Jesus knew that He was to be about His Father's business. He knew He was sent to earth not to enjoy the pleasures of lowly man, but to accomplish a task for which He alone was sent. When He had accomplished His mission, He was to entrust this mission to other representatives into whom He poured His life for three years. This field training allowed Jesus to mentor, model, befriend, and demonstrate firsthand the model for a successful business to be launched and sustained.
God has big plans for His franchise. He wants every human being to partake of His product; however, even God knows that not everyone will. Nevertheless, this does not thwart His efforts in seeking to make it known among His audience.
You have been called to be part of the ultimate franchise. How many new recruits have you been responsible for bringing into the franchise lately?
The devotional below helps put things into clear terms that even the most accomplished business person can understand it, read & enjoy!
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Monday, November 16 2009
And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business? Luke 2:49 KJV
Earth is God's business. He has set up many franchises (churches) designed to send His representatives (Body of Christ) into the world to make known the best product ever given to mankind (Jesus). His branch managers (pastors) have been given the responsibility to teach and support those in the field. God's goal is to establish a franchise in every nation, state, and city. It is the ultimate business because when you introduce someone to His product (Jesus), you receive a reward from the home office (Heaven). God has promised that His representatives will have all the tools and customer support needed to accomplish their strategic plans.
Jesus knew that He was to be about His Father's business. He knew He was sent to earth not to enjoy the pleasures of lowly man, but to accomplish a task for which He alone was sent. When He had accomplished His mission, He was to entrust this mission to other representatives into whom He poured His life for three years. This field training allowed Jesus to mentor, model, befriend, and demonstrate firsthand the model for a successful business to be launched and sustained.
God has big plans for His franchise. He wants every human being to partake of His product; however, even God knows that not everyone will. Nevertheless, this does not thwart His efforts in seeking to make it known among His audience.
You have been called to be part of the ultimate franchise. How many new recruits have you been responsible for bringing into the franchise lately?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Catch A Wave
I just spent an hour watching the coolest product demo I've ever seen for an new Google Application called Google Wave. I certainly can't explain it in this media format other than to say - you have to check out the demo for yourself - http://wave.google.com/help/wave/about.html
What is most interesting to me is how quickly technology is progressing. I haven't yet figured out to use Twitter, Facebook, or this Blog to maximize their effectiveness in ministry and here come a new thing that will change these things forever. I'm beginning to feel old :(
The question I have is, how can this new technology along with many others be used to advance the Kingdom of God? How do we harness these tools to reach more people and have a greater impact in our communities and around the world. Honestly, I'm not sure.
But I do know that we must be open minded to new ideas, new methods of communication, and stay up-to-date so that we can continue to reach the world and a new generation of people who need to know Christ.
And for those of you who understand all this stuff - help put it into everyday language for the rest of us so ewe can be more efficient and more effective in our callings.
What is most interesting to me is how quickly technology is progressing. I haven't yet figured out to use Twitter, Facebook, or this Blog to maximize their effectiveness in ministry and here come a new thing that will change these things forever. I'm beginning to feel old :(
The question I have is, how can this new technology along with many others be used to advance the Kingdom of God? How do we harness these tools to reach more people and have a greater impact in our communities and around the world. Honestly, I'm not sure.
But I do know that we must be open minded to new ideas, new methods of communication, and stay up-to-date so that we can continue to reach the world and a new generation of people who need to know Christ.
And for those of you who understand all this stuff - help put it into everyday language for the rest of us so ewe can be more efficient and more effective in our callings.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Allow Life's Tests to Become Your Testimonies
Have you ever wondered why life can sometimes be so hard? Perhaps you're like many who think "now that I'm a Christian, life is gonna be so much easier" only to discover that it often seems like it's actually gotten harder.
Why is there such a disconnect between our perception of how life should be and the reality of how things really are? I believe that it's partly because of our western culture that perpetuates the idea that everything should be easy. It's steeped in a fast-food, microwave it, convenience store minded society, where we can have it the way we want, when we want, with very little sacrifice. And if we get saved, well then there should never be any troubles in our lives, right? Fortunately, that is not how God operates.
In James 1:2-4 we read "whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character, ready for anything" (NLT)
In this passage, James is talking about a process of growth and development and suggests that we should welcome the storms of life. Now doesn't that sound like fun? It's not if they are gonna come, but rather whenever they come.
God's Word never promised there wouldn't be any trouble, only that He would see you through it, "I will never leave you or forsake you" Hebrews 13:5. How awesome is that? We can make it through the tests of life and rejoice because God was with us every step of the way.
So then what the is the testimony? It's our giving glory to God for bringing us through a test or trial rather than boasting about what we did. By giving glory and honor to God, we acknowledge our need for Him in our lives. Then we create a story that we can share with our unsaved family, friends, and co-workers telling them about the goodness of God.
So when your next test comes along rejoice and let your test become your testimony!
Why is there such a disconnect between our perception of how life should be and the reality of how things really are? I believe that it's partly because of our western culture that perpetuates the idea that everything should be easy. It's steeped in a fast-food, microwave it, convenience store minded society, where we can have it the way we want, when we want, with very little sacrifice. And if we get saved, well then there should never be any troubles in our lives, right? Fortunately, that is not how God operates.
In James 1:2-4 we read "whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character, ready for anything" (NLT)
In this passage, James is talking about a process of growth and development and suggests that we should welcome the storms of life. Now doesn't that sound like fun? It's not if they are gonna come, but rather whenever they come.
God's Word never promised there wouldn't be any trouble, only that He would see you through it, "I will never leave you or forsake you" Hebrews 13:5. How awesome is that? We can make it through the tests of life and rejoice because God was with us every step of the way.
So then what the is the testimony? It's our giving glory to God for bringing us through a test or trial rather than boasting about what we did. By giving glory and honor to God, we acknowledge our need for Him in our lives. Then we create a story that we can share with our unsaved family, friends, and co-workers telling them about the goodness of God.
So when your next test comes along rejoice and let your test become your testimony!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Why should you go to church?
Have you ever asked yourself the question, "why should I go to church?"
Is it because your parents used to make you go? Are you trying to earn brownie points with God? Maybe it's so that you can get things from God, kinda like a "spiritual" Santa Claus? CERTAINLY NOT!!!
We should be going to church because God loves us and wants to be part of our everyday lives.
Do you know that God accepts you just as you are, regardless of the bad things you may have done? In Fact, he loves you so much, that He sent his only son to die on the cross for us, so that we could have a relationship with Him. You are His son/daughter and He wants to bless you!
So I encourage you to be faithful to attend church. If you haven't been in a while, go back and reconnect with God and allow Him to become a priority in your life - you won't regret it!
Is it because your parents used to make you go? Are you trying to earn brownie points with God? Maybe it's so that you can get things from God, kinda like a "spiritual" Santa Claus? CERTAINLY NOT!!!
We should be going to church because God loves us and wants to be part of our everyday lives.
Do you know that God accepts you just as you are, regardless of the bad things you may have done? In Fact, he loves you so much, that He sent his only son to die on the cross for us, so that we could have a relationship with Him. You are His son/daughter and He wants to bless you!
So I encourage you to be faithful to attend church. If you haven't been in a while, go back and reconnect with God and allow Him to become a priority in your life - you won't regret it!
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