Today is my first day of The Breakthrough Fast 2010 (21 Day Daniel Fast). As the night sky gave way to the morning light, I woke up with these words in my spirit. “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NRSV)
This simple sentence suggests four powerful scenes to me:
Scene 1: "If my people who are called by my name..." No matter what I (we) have done, said or thought, I am (you are) still God’s people. God loves me. God loves you. We are God’s people. Don’t ever forget that.
Scene 2: “If my people...humble themselves, pray and seek my face...” My relationship with God must be a priority. In order for this to happen, you have to be intentional about seeking God. This may require that you adjust your schedule in order to find time to pray and meditate on the Word. You might have to wake up 30-45 minutes earlier in the morning, turn off the TV or the computer, put down the PDA or go to bed later so you can spend the necessary time to develop a more intimate relationship with God. Commit yourself to detailed accountability. Invest in a daily bible and a devotional book. Journal your spiritual progress every night. Open your spirit (humble yourself) to the conviction, the compassion and the comfort of the Word of God. Daily spiritual discipline is key to developing a more intimate relationship with God.
Scene 3: "...and turn from their wicked ways..." A sacrifice (fasting) seems hard when you have not made the choice to change. In this season of fasting, we have a choice. We can choose to live beneath God’s visions for our lives or we can choose to live the life that God intended for us. We can choose to acknowledge our sins, to be free and to come before God, naked and unashamed. Or we can choose to live in fear that our secrets will be discovered. We can choose to believe that we can’t fast. Or we can choose to believe that through fasting, prayer, the Word and our relationship with Jesus Christ that the broken places in our lives can be healed.
Scene 4: God desires a relationship with me (us). “Then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” God is not distant. God is waiting for me; God is waiting for you, to seek Him, to worship Him, to thirst for Him. That is why I love Jesus so. Jesus made it possible for us to have such a relationship.
My prayer for you and for me these next 21 days is that we seek God humbly, eagerly and honestly. God wants to bless us spiritually, numerically and financially. God wants to heal our broken places. God wants to restore love and kindness to our lives and our relationships. God wants to deliver us from our strongholds. Are you ready to be blessed? Are you ready to seek God’s face with your family, your career, and your finances? If so, your breakthrough begins today!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year! - Become a Fan of CAM's Blog in 2010
I can't believe it...2010! Is Dick Clark still doing New Year's Rockin' Eve? Wow!
I am so excited about what the new year will bring. One thing I promised myself and others was to blog more consistently. If you have liked my blogs in the past, you can become a fan of mine. I have added a "Followers Widget" to my blog post in the upper left hand side. Just look for the words "follow" at the top of the page. Hit the link and follow the instructions and you can instantly become a fan of CAM's blog. With your help and support, we can expand our message about the good news of a risen savior named Jesus.
I look forward to sharing with you in 2010! And I look forward to you joining me and thousands others on the Breakthrough Fast 2010 ( 21 day fast starting January 2, 2010).
Happy New Year! Cheers to a glorious and prosperous year!
Rev. CAM
I am so excited about what the new year will bring. One thing I promised myself and others was to blog more consistently. If you have liked my blogs in the past, you can become a fan of mine. I have added a "Followers Widget" to my blog post in the upper left hand side. Just look for the words "follow" at the top of the page. Hit the link and follow the instructions and you can instantly become a fan of CAM's blog. With your help and support, we can expand our message about the good news of a risen savior named Jesus.
I look forward to sharing with you in 2010! And I look forward to you joining me and thousands others on the Breakthrough Fast 2010 ( 21 day fast starting January 2, 2010).
Happy New Year! Cheers to a glorious and prosperous year!
Rev. CAM
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Breakthrough Fast 2010!
Dear Breakthrough Partners:
It is estimated that thousands of Christian people around the world will start the 2010 New Year with prayer and fasting. Many will join their church family in corporate fasting and others will enter the fast as part of their personal spiritual devotion. Starting January 2, 2010, I invite you to join me and The Breakthrough Project on a 21-day fast (The Daniel Fast) to seek God and honor God for the New Year.
I can hear you, “Rev. CAM, why a fast?” Fasting is biblical. It is not torture; it is a privilege! Biblical fasting is more than restricting food, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Fasting removes clutter from our lives (physically, mentally and spiritually) and helps us develop a more intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us to fight the Adversary. Through fasting, I believe the strongholds of stress, anger and depression can be broken. Release from the bondage of sin can happen. Your relationships can be restored. Financial breakthroughs, spiritual wholeness and supernatural healing and so much more are possible through fasting and prayer!
Another reward of fasting has to do with your future. God has given you a vision for your life. As you fast, pray for God's direction and guidance. Focus your faith on your vision and God will show you how you can turn your vision into a reality.
During this period of fasting, I want you to target your prayers on one of the following areas:
It is estimated that thousands of Christian people around the world will start the 2010 New Year with prayer and fasting. Many will join their church family in corporate fasting and others will enter the fast as part of their personal spiritual devotion. Starting January 2, 2010, I invite you to join me and The Breakthrough Project on a 21-day fast (The Daniel Fast) to seek God and honor God for the New Year.
I can hear you, “Rev. CAM, why a fast?” Fasting is biblical. It is not torture; it is a privilege! Biblical fasting is more than restricting food, biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Fasting removes clutter from our lives (physically, mentally and spiritually) and helps us develop a more intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us to fight the Adversary. Through fasting, I believe the strongholds of stress, anger and depression can be broken. Release from the bondage of sin can happen. Your relationships can be restored. Financial breakthroughs, spiritual wholeness and supernatural healing and so much more are possible through fasting and prayer!
Another reward of fasting has to do with your future. God has given you a vision for your life. As you fast, pray for God's direction and guidance. Focus your faith on your vision and God will show you how you can turn your vision into a reality.
During this period of fasting, I want you to target your prayers on one of the following areas:
- Fasting for a Financial Breakthrough
- Fasting to Develop a Faith Driven Lifestyle
- Fasting for Restoration in Your Relationships
- Fasting for Your Family (especially Your Children)
- Fasting for a Spiritual Breakthrough
- Fasting to Discover God's Will for Your Life
- Fasting for Supernatural Healing
- Fasting for the Discipline to Walk in the Vision that God has Given You
I can hear you again! “Rev.CAM, I need to focus on all of them.” That might be true. However, for the next 21 days, I encourage you to choose 2 areas to focus. Remember...Rome was not built in a day!
What is the Daniel Fast?
The Daniel Fast is a biblically based partial fast. It is a method of fasting that men, women and young people all over the world are using as they enter into the spiritual discipline of prayer and fasting.
There are two anchoring scriptures for the Daniel Fast. In Daniel 1 (specifically Daniel 1:12-13) the Prophet (Daniel) ate only vegetables (that would have included fruits) and drank only water. So from these scriptures we get two of the guidelines for the fast:
1. Only fruits and vegetables.
2. Only water for a beverage.
Then in Daniel 10 (specifically Daniel 10:2-3) we read that the Prophet ate no meat nor any precious breads or foods and he drank no wine for 21 days. So from this scripture, we get a third guideline:
3. No sweeteners (including artificial) and no breads are allowed on the Daniel Fast.
Another important guideline is drawn from the Jewish principles of fasting, where no leaven is used during the fast. So that's why yeast, baking powder and the like are not allowed on the Daniel Fast. Be sure to read the ingredients on labels of prepared foods to make sure they only include Daniel Fast friendly ingredients.Visit the website (http://www.thebreakthroughproject.org/) for updates and more information and follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/charlesmaxell), Facebook and read my blog (http://breakthroughproject.blogspot.com/) to follow my progress on this spiritual journey.
I would love to hear from you. Over the next 21 days, send me an email (revcam@thebreakthroughproject.org) and share your story with me. I know that God is going to do something special in our lives in 2010. Therefore, I challenge YOU to PUT DOWN the cookies. PUSH the hamburger aside. Say NO to Starbucks. And say YES to SEEKING GOD'S FACE and GROWING in RELATIONSHIP with JESUS CHRIST!
Yours in Christ,
Rev. CAM
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Breakthrough Project turns 2!
The idea for The Breakthrough Project grew out of a casual conversation between friends, a need and a plate of LT’s famous lemon-pepper chicken wings (Cascade Road, Atlanta). The Bible study was informal, modeled after a book club, and consisted primarily of a few friends and neighbors getting together to discuss the Word, offer support to one another and enjoy good food. During those days, the goal of the Bible study was straight-forward: create a SAFE environment for Bible study, dialogue, prayer and fellowship.
Since September 2007, the Bible study (now called The Breakthrough Circle) has experienced exponential growth from its humble beginnings of 10 people. By God’s grace, The Breakthrough Project Turns 2!
Since September 2007, the Bible study (now called The Breakthrough Circle) has experienced exponential growth from its humble beginnings of 10 people. By God’s grace, The Breakthrough Project Turns 2!
To celebrate this milestone, we have planned a "special" Breakthrough Circle on October 17, 2009. We will conclude the series: "The Gospel According to The Incredibles" by Rev. CAM; and be blessed by special guests: a Musical Performance by Brooke "Viosocalist" Alford; Reflections from Rev. Dr. William D. Watley, Senior Pastor, St. James AME Church, Newark, NJ and a Fish Fry provided by III Lynn Catering.
The Lord is also blessing this ministry in new ways. You can find us on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. In addition to the growing numbers that study with us each month during The Breakthrough Circle, we average about 20 children a month for bible study. Our blog reaches partners around the world. In July, we added a BTP Men's Prayer Breakfast that meets every second Saturday of the month. And we are making plans for future podcasts so you can experience the power of "The Circle" on demand. To meet the new visions that God is giving us, we need to raise $5,000 by October 17th. The proceeds will be used to purchase equipment and supplies for our children's bible study, video equipment for future podcasts and resources to expand the reach of The Breakthrough Project. If you can give $5 or $5,000 we need your financial support as we continue this grassroots effort for God. Every single dollar you give will support the cause. All gifts are tax deductible. https://www.donation-net.net/donation/donation1.cfm?dn=1201&source=8&CFID=6995524&CFTOKEN=40933423
Jennifer and I hope to see you on October 17th for the next Breakthrough Circle. And we thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support.
Until we speak again...Love and Peace.
Rev. CAM
follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/charlesmaxell
visit us on the web: http://www.thebreakthroughproject.org/
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A Mother's Day Wish
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. So today, I pause to celebrate and to say, “Thank You.” Thank you to all the mothers, the mommies, the mamas, the moms and the mother-figures that have shaped and blessed my life.
Thank you to my wife for raising our children in a Christ-centered home and for teaching them to respect themselves. Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader; and thank you for being my most forgiving fan. And despite the chaos of our lives, I am amazed how you carry yourself with such poise and with such grace.
Thank you to my wife for raising our children in a Christ-centered home and for teaching them to respect themselves. Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader; and thank you for being my most forgiving fan. And despite the chaos of our lives, I am amazed how you carry yourself with such poise and with such grace.
I celebrate my Mom Ophelia, Mom Watley and Gran...virtuous women in their own right. I celebrate my sister Lynn --- a bad single mother holding it down for the sistas.
I say thank you to my mother...for being a parent and not a friend. I also say thank you, Mama...for your intercessory prayers when I forgot my home training. And despite my mistakes and my short-comings, thank you for your unapologetic and unashamed love.
To my wife and my mother...and to all the mother-figures in my life, I wish you and others a happy and blessed Mother’s Day.
Until next time...Love and Peace.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Life Is All About Perspective
Life Is All About Perspective. There is no clearer example of this fact than Jesus’ last moments before his death upon the cross.
Jesus’ closest allies and even his enemies had one perspective. They thought Jesus came to establish an earthly kingdom; but in reality, Jesus had a different perspective. When Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world,” (John 18:36) he made it clear that an earthly kingdom was not his purpose. Pilate had one perspective about Jesus. After Pilate’s encounter with Jesus, he had Jesus’ cross inscribed, “Jesus of Nazareth --- King of the Jews” (John 19:19). But Paul wrote in the epistle to the Philippians “that at the mere name of Jesus that every knee shall bow and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10). And when the Roman soldiers hung Jesus on the cross, they thought his ministry was finished. But we know that Jesus’ celestial touch still stretches from heaven and is active in every person that is a believer. And when the soldiers gave Jesus the sponge of sour wine they thought they had done something. But John 19:28 records that Jesus smiled and said, “I thirst” only to fulfill the scriptures. And when Jesus’ earthly body died, Jesus’ enemies thought they had killed the movement but in reality they had sparked a Christian wildfire. And when Jesus said, “It is finished.” The Adversary thought he had the victory and that salvation was defeated. However, Life Is All About Perspective. For Jesus never said that “I am finished”…he said “IT is finished.” Pain…IT is finished. Jealously…IT is finished. Temptation…IT is finished. Sin…IT is finished. And the Task that God had sent him to complete…IT was finished. And that is an important lesson for us to remember; for no matter what your IT is…IT is finished.
The tragedy for most of us is that we are so focused on sipping on our sour wine that we never effectively deal with our ITs. Our ITs of debt, addictions and envy. Our ITs of ignorance, selfishness and stress. Our ITs of complacency, ego, unrealistic expectations and loneliness. Our ITs of abuse, grief and generational curses. As a result, we find ourselves living below our station, stressed out with unfulfilled lives and unactualized dreams. We stumble through life in search of satisfaction in a job, in material symbols, in a degree, in a pill, in a bottle or in another person’s bed. We search for ways to deaden the pain, but unfortunately, when we awake from our stupor, we find hell breaking out in our bodies, in our homes, in our schools, in our churches and in our communities. And because of our weakened state, we become susceptible to the Adversary’s ways and thoughts. If we are not careful, we start to believe that we are beyond salvation and fall victim to the mentality that we are helpless to change.
The good news is that there is a savior who can take away all your ITs. His name is Jesus. All that he requires is that we develop a “ride-or-die” spirit that proclaims, “Where you lead me, I will follow.” All that he requires is that we open our hearts and release our minds to say, “I’m desperate for you, Jesus; I need you, Jesus; I am lost without you, Jesus.” All that he requires is that we love him with all our heart and that we trust him and worship him with all our soul and mind. If we can do that --- Jesus says, “You do not have to worry about your ITs any longer for I have already paid the price. IT has no more authority over your life. IT is finished.” Halleluiah! Halleluiah!
If your IT is envy…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is abuse…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is addictions…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is stress…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is complacency….Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is racism…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” Whatever your IT is…don’t worry and don’t lose faith. Jesus is not finished! IT is finished!
Scripture Reference: John 19:30
Jesus’ closest allies and even his enemies had one perspective. They thought Jesus came to establish an earthly kingdom; but in reality, Jesus had a different perspective. When Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world,” (John 18:36) he made it clear that an earthly kingdom was not his purpose. Pilate had one perspective about Jesus. After Pilate’s encounter with Jesus, he had Jesus’ cross inscribed, “Jesus of Nazareth --- King of the Jews” (John 19:19). But Paul wrote in the epistle to the Philippians “that at the mere name of Jesus that every knee shall bow and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10). And when the Roman soldiers hung Jesus on the cross, they thought his ministry was finished. But we know that Jesus’ celestial touch still stretches from heaven and is active in every person that is a believer. And when the soldiers gave Jesus the sponge of sour wine they thought they had done something. But John 19:28 records that Jesus smiled and said, “I thirst” only to fulfill the scriptures. And when Jesus’ earthly body died, Jesus’ enemies thought they had killed the movement but in reality they had sparked a Christian wildfire. And when Jesus said, “It is finished.” The Adversary thought he had the victory and that salvation was defeated. However, Life Is All About Perspective. For Jesus never said that “I am finished”…he said “IT is finished.” Pain…IT is finished. Jealously…IT is finished. Temptation…IT is finished. Sin…IT is finished. And the Task that God had sent him to complete…IT was finished. And that is an important lesson for us to remember; for no matter what your IT is…IT is finished.
The tragedy for most of us is that we are so focused on sipping on our sour wine that we never effectively deal with our ITs. Our ITs of debt, addictions and envy. Our ITs of ignorance, selfishness and stress. Our ITs of complacency, ego, unrealistic expectations and loneliness. Our ITs of abuse, grief and generational curses. As a result, we find ourselves living below our station, stressed out with unfulfilled lives and unactualized dreams. We stumble through life in search of satisfaction in a job, in material symbols, in a degree, in a pill, in a bottle or in another person’s bed. We search for ways to deaden the pain, but unfortunately, when we awake from our stupor, we find hell breaking out in our bodies, in our homes, in our schools, in our churches and in our communities. And because of our weakened state, we become susceptible to the Adversary’s ways and thoughts. If we are not careful, we start to believe that we are beyond salvation and fall victim to the mentality that we are helpless to change.
The good news is that there is a savior who can take away all your ITs. His name is Jesus. All that he requires is that we develop a “ride-or-die” spirit that proclaims, “Where you lead me, I will follow.” All that he requires is that we open our hearts and release our minds to say, “I’m desperate for you, Jesus; I need you, Jesus; I am lost without you, Jesus.” All that he requires is that we love him with all our heart and that we trust him and worship him with all our soul and mind. If we can do that --- Jesus says, “You do not have to worry about your ITs any longer for I have already paid the price. IT has no more authority over your life. IT is finished.” Halleluiah! Halleluiah!
If your IT is envy…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is abuse…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is addictions…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is stress…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is complacency….Jesus says, “IT is finished.” If your IT is racism…Jesus says, “IT is finished.” Whatever your IT is…don’t worry and don’t lose faith. Jesus is not finished! IT is finished!
Scripture Reference: John 19:30
Friday, March 13, 2009
Pour Your Heart Into It
There is something inauthentic about people who want breakthroughs in their life but are not willing to personally sacrifice for them. Risks and sacrifices are required for breakthroughs. Search the Scriptures. Read history. You will not find an example of one that did not have to sacrifice, even in some small way, in order to achieve their breakthrough. Even Jesus had to risk his life and sacrifice on the cross in order to pursue the vision that God had for him (Luke 22:39-44).
When we are willing to sacrifice and risk something for God, God looks upon our sacrifice as an act of worship. And despite God’s words of encouragement, “...he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God...” (Isaiah 43:1-3a, NRSV), some of us would rather deal with the pain of regret rather than the pain of sacrifice.
Truth be told, the pain of regret is easier to deal with than the pain of sacrifice. In past years, like this year, I made a resolution to lose weight and get back into shape. However, the sacrifice of waking up at 5 AM and leaving the warm comfort of my bed is a sacrifice I have not been willing to make. As a result, another year is passing and another resolution is falling by the wayside. I am conscious of the risk I am taking. Diabetes and high blood pressure run in my family. In the past two years, three of my friends have died unexpected deaths due to health related causes. But despite the warning signs, I continue to make excuses for the sacrifices I am not willing to make. I convince myself, “I can lose weight whenever I feel like it. Just wait to the kids start sleeping through the night. Just wait until work slows down. Just wait until spring. Just wait until I finish this last row of chocolate cookies.” I wonder...did my friends make similar excuses?
What sacrifice(s) are you struggling to make? What decisions are you delaying? Are you are trying to make a change in your life but for some reason, you are not firmly planted in that God-given vision? As a result, at the first sign of pain, failure or delay, you give into past behaviors and settle back into past ruts and past routines. Or better yet, you have conceded defeat, convincing yourself that you are better equipped to deal with the pain of regret rather than the pain of sacrifice.
Let’s be honest. Pursuing our God-given vision is hard. If it was easy, more people would be fulfilled. People ask me all the time: “How do you find time to write, study, work, do ministry, be a husband and a father? To offer some reasonable explanation, let me borrow a phrase from Andy Stanley’s book: “Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Family and Work Collide?” I cheat. I cheat sleep. I cheat TV time. I cheat hanging out with friends. I cheat my vacation --- it is 3:30AM and I am up writing. I sometimes cheat my family (Not Recommended!). But I am so passionate about The Breakthrough Project and what God is doing through this ministry, that the pain of sacrifice (e.g. sleep, hanging out) is more palatable to me than the pain of regret (e.g. not doing God’s will). For me, this ministry is not a sacrifice. I was "created, formed and redeemed" to do this work.
Sometimes, we clearly see deficiencies in others but are blinded to our own. However, in order to acheive a God-given vision, we must take an honest and personal inventory of our own lives. We must take responsibility for our own shortcomings and failures. We must discover our passions. We must demand commitment and follow-through from ourselves. We must tell ourselves,"No more excuses." And finally, no matter the outcome, we must pour our hearts into it. By doing so, success and fulfillment in life are possible.
And a God-given vision requires that we quit complaining and blaming others for the things we do to ourselves. I cannot blame Jennifer’s good cooking for my lack of exercise or my poor nutrition. She is not forcing me to eat chocolate chip cookies. She is not refusing to allow me to work out. She is not stopping me from living a healthy lifestyle. Eating the cookies and not working out are my decisions. Just like dealing with the pain of regret maybe yours.
However, when you make the decision to risk and sacrifice in order to pursue a God-given vision, something happens on the inside. Our risks and sacrifices gives way to submission; and our submission gives birth to spiritual renewal and breakthroughs. Unlike common wisdom, risks and sacrifices do not always come with reward. You sacrificed your integrity for a new title and a bigger office only to have someone else get the promotion. You risked giving your “joy away” to that man only to realize that he did not deserve your fidelity. You sacrificed family time for your career only to have your company give you a pink slip. However, I am here to tell you that if you take a risk on Jesus, if you sacrifice your will for God’s will, you will never have to worry about your investment not paying dividends. For Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they (you) might have life, and have it (more) abundantly.” (John 10:10, NRSV)
Until next time...Love and Peace.
P.S. It is 5:13AM...and I am about to work out. Pray for me...I am trying to practice what I preach.
When we are willing to sacrifice and risk something for God, God looks upon our sacrifice as an act of worship. And despite God’s words of encouragement, “...he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God...” (Isaiah 43:1-3a, NRSV), some of us would rather deal with the pain of regret rather than the pain of sacrifice.
Truth be told, the pain of regret is easier to deal with than the pain of sacrifice. In past years, like this year, I made a resolution to lose weight and get back into shape. However, the sacrifice of waking up at 5 AM and leaving the warm comfort of my bed is a sacrifice I have not been willing to make. As a result, another year is passing and another resolution is falling by the wayside. I am conscious of the risk I am taking. Diabetes and high blood pressure run in my family. In the past two years, three of my friends have died unexpected deaths due to health related causes. But despite the warning signs, I continue to make excuses for the sacrifices I am not willing to make. I convince myself, “I can lose weight whenever I feel like it. Just wait to the kids start sleeping through the night. Just wait until work slows down. Just wait until spring. Just wait until I finish this last row of chocolate cookies.” I wonder...did my friends make similar excuses?
What sacrifice(s) are you struggling to make? What decisions are you delaying? Are you are trying to make a change in your life but for some reason, you are not firmly planted in that God-given vision? As a result, at the first sign of pain, failure or delay, you give into past behaviors and settle back into past ruts and past routines. Or better yet, you have conceded defeat, convincing yourself that you are better equipped to deal with the pain of regret rather than the pain of sacrifice.
Let’s be honest. Pursuing our God-given vision is hard. If it was easy, more people would be fulfilled. People ask me all the time: “How do you find time to write, study, work, do ministry, be a husband and a father? To offer some reasonable explanation, let me borrow a phrase from Andy Stanley’s book: “Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Family and Work Collide?” I cheat. I cheat sleep. I cheat TV time. I cheat hanging out with friends. I cheat my vacation --- it is 3:30AM and I am up writing. I sometimes cheat my family (Not Recommended!). But I am so passionate about The Breakthrough Project and what God is doing through this ministry, that the pain of sacrifice (e.g. sleep, hanging out) is more palatable to me than the pain of regret (e.g. not doing God’s will). For me, this ministry is not a sacrifice. I was "created, formed and redeemed" to do this work.
Sometimes, we clearly see deficiencies in others but are blinded to our own. However, in order to acheive a God-given vision, we must take an honest and personal inventory of our own lives. We must take responsibility for our own shortcomings and failures. We must discover our passions. We must demand commitment and follow-through from ourselves. We must tell ourselves,"No more excuses." And finally, no matter the outcome, we must pour our hearts into it. By doing so, success and fulfillment in life are possible.
And a God-given vision requires that we quit complaining and blaming others for the things we do to ourselves. I cannot blame Jennifer’s good cooking for my lack of exercise or my poor nutrition. She is not forcing me to eat chocolate chip cookies. She is not refusing to allow me to work out. She is not stopping me from living a healthy lifestyle. Eating the cookies and not working out are my decisions. Just like dealing with the pain of regret maybe yours.
However, when you make the decision to risk and sacrifice in order to pursue a God-given vision, something happens on the inside. Our risks and sacrifices gives way to submission; and our submission gives birth to spiritual renewal and breakthroughs. Unlike common wisdom, risks and sacrifices do not always come with reward. You sacrificed your integrity for a new title and a bigger office only to have someone else get the promotion. You risked giving your “joy away” to that man only to realize that he did not deserve your fidelity. You sacrificed family time for your career only to have your company give you a pink slip. However, I am here to tell you that if you take a risk on Jesus, if you sacrifice your will for God’s will, you will never have to worry about your investment not paying dividends. For Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they (you) might have life, and have it (more) abundantly.” (John 10:10, NRSV)
Until next time...Love and Peace.
P.S. It is 5:13AM...and I am about to work out. Pray for me...I am trying to practice what I preach.
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