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.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Change Can Happen
The American people wanted change and change they received. However, change was not like change of the past (e.g. another Clinton or Bush in the White House). The political pundits and even some Black people months earlier predicted that this type of change was impossible. They said, “The country is not ready. He is not ready. It is not his turn.” However, God thought differently. God heard the cries of the people and created radical change through an improbable agent. God’s agent of change presented new faces, made audible new voices and declared a new era of politics. God’s agent of change called for a new era of leading and compassion. And he called for a new spirit of cooperation and sacrifice to rescue our country from political, moral and economic bondage.
However, as the euphoria of the inauguration faded and the reality of our global economic recession worsened (e.g. over 100,000 jobs lost in a week), the chants of “Yes, We Can!” are slowly being drowned out by the whispers of “Here We Go Again!” While the President campaigned for a new spirit of bipartisanship and change in Washington, the forces of complacency (protecting the status quo) and resistance to change (lobbyists, and partisan politics) are stubborn. And despite the President’s admonishment for change, we hear Democrats talk about spending our way to prosperity (e.g. The New Deal) and we hear Republicans advocate cutting taxes to ameliorate our economic woes ( e.g. Reaganomics). I guess old habits are hard to break and past glories are hard to forget. The same can be true for the children of Israel in Isaiah’s time.
Isaiah’s writings to the children of Israel came at a bleak period in their history. They were in captivity. They had lost everything they thought they would keep forever. They were nostalgic and homesick for the land and the blessing God had promised them. However, life does not happen the same way the second time. That is why God said to the Israelites, “Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
You cannot depend upon past glories to sustain you. The children of Israel remembered the victories that God had given them: the escape from Egypt, conquering the land of Canaan, surviving civil war. You remember how you lost 10 pounds on a Slim Fast diet. But as soon as you start eating food again, you gained that weight back plus more. Some victories in life are shallow attempts to fix deeply rooted problems. Unfortunately, until you deal with the real issues behind your emotional eating, you will never have victory over food.
You cannot allow your past failures to define you. God gave Israel signs of hope but they rejected them. God gave them the Temple but they worshipped idol gods. God gave them a king, but their kings lead the people astray. Nevertheless, God did not abandon them. Instead God gave them encouragement, “Do not remember the former things.” You cannot keep beating yourself up for failures and false starts. The past is the past. Make the commitment today to look forward and not to look back. God is about to do a new thing in your life.
You cannot live on yesterday’s faith. Israel’s spiritual faith was sufficient in the past but they needed a new faith, they needed a Savior (e.g. Jesus) to accomplish what God had envisioned for their future. The faith of your parents was good enough when you were a child. But you are all grown up now. It is time that you put aside childish ways. You need your own relationship with Jesus Christ. For when the winds of complacency and resistance to change come in your life, it will be through your relationship with Jesus Christ that you will have the strength to not give up, to not give in and to not give out until you get your breakthrough.
And finally, you cannot rely on obsolete strategies to solve your present problems. God painted a rainbow in the sky once as a sign of His covenant with humanity but when something more was needed He did not paint another rainbow. God did a new thing through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Now, we have more than a sign, we have a Savior. God is about to do a new thing in your life. God’s challenge to you is, “Do you not perceive it?” And more poignantly: “How bad do you want it? Change is hard. It does not come without commitment, sacrifice and dedication. But change in your life can happen. Don’t allow complacency to rob you of God’s promise.
Until next time...Love and Peace.
However, as the euphoria of the inauguration faded and the reality of our global economic recession worsened (e.g. over 100,000 jobs lost in a week), the chants of “Yes, We Can!” are slowly being drowned out by the whispers of “Here We Go Again!” While the President campaigned for a new spirit of bipartisanship and change in Washington, the forces of complacency (protecting the status quo) and resistance to change (lobbyists, and partisan politics) are stubborn. And despite the President’s admonishment for change, we hear Democrats talk about spending our way to prosperity (e.g. The New Deal) and we hear Republicans advocate cutting taxes to ameliorate our economic woes ( e.g. Reaganomics). I guess old habits are hard to break and past glories are hard to forget. The same can be true for the children of Israel in Isaiah’s time.
Isaiah’s writings to the children of Israel came at a bleak period in their history. They were in captivity. They had lost everything they thought they would keep forever. They were nostalgic and homesick for the land and the blessing God had promised them. However, life does not happen the same way the second time. That is why God said to the Israelites, “Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
You cannot depend upon past glories to sustain you. The children of Israel remembered the victories that God had given them: the escape from Egypt, conquering the land of Canaan, surviving civil war. You remember how you lost 10 pounds on a Slim Fast diet. But as soon as you start eating food again, you gained that weight back plus more. Some victories in life are shallow attempts to fix deeply rooted problems. Unfortunately, until you deal with the real issues behind your emotional eating, you will never have victory over food.
You cannot allow your past failures to define you. God gave Israel signs of hope but they rejected them. God gave them the Temple but they worshipped idol gods. God gave them a king, but their kings lead the people astray. Nevertheless, God did not abandon them. Instead God gave them encouragement, “Do not remember the former things.” You cannot keep beating yourself up for failures and false starts. The past is the past. Make the commitment today to look forward and not to look back. God is about to do a new thing in your life.
You cannot live on yesterday’s faith. Israel’s spiritual faith was sufficient in the past but they needed a new faith, they needed a Savior (e.g. Jesus) to accomplish what God had envisioned for their future. The faith of your parents was good enough when you were a child. But you are all grown up now. It is time that you put aside childish ways. You need your own relationship with Jesus Christ. For when the winds of complacency and resistance to change come in your life, it will be through your relationship with Jesus Christ that you will have the strength to not give up, to not give in and to not give out until you get your breakthrough.
And finally, you cannot rely on obsolete strategies to solve your present problems. God painted a rainbow in the sky once as a sign of His covenant with humanity but when something more was needed He did not paint another rainbow. God did a new thing through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Now, we have more than a sign, we have a Savior. God is about to do a new thing in your life. God’s challenge to you is, “Do you not perceive it?” And more poignantly: “How bad do you want it? Change is hard. It does not come without commitment, sacrifice and dedication. But change in your life can happen. Don’t allow complacency to rob you of God’s promise.
Until next time...Love and Peace.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Yes, (We) Can! Move Beyond Resolutions to Breakthroughs
Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-21
At the beginning of each year, we make resolutions to live better, eat better, love better and save better. However, after the initial enthusiasm of a New Year wanes and the pressures and realities of life return, unfortunately, remnants of complacency returns and the strongholds of resistance to change slowly begin to seep into our minds. And truth be told, the noble promises that we made to ourselves in January turn into another set of hollow resolutions that are easily broken and eventually discarded by February.
Continuing our series entitled, MIND over Matters, the topic for January’s Bible study (The Breakthrough Circle) was "Yes, (You) We Can! Move Beyond Resolutions to Breakthroughs!"
In this lesson, we discovered how matters of complacency and resistance to change are the enemies of the mind. However, if we seek God, surrender to God and submit to God...
We can live debt free. We can find love and happiness. We can live an active and healthy lifestyle. We can rebuke the Adversary and live in the favor and under the authority of the Holy Spirit. We can live the life that God has promised us. And most importantly, we can move beyond resolutions to breakthroughs!
Over the next few weeks, I would like to share with you some of the insights and the breakthroughs that God revealed to us and ask that you would join me in dialogue.
Questions for you...
Are you a victim of complacency? Is procrastination your middle name? Are you resistant to change? If you answered yes to any of these questions...why is this?
At the beginning of each year, we make resolutions to live better, eat better, love better and save better. However, after the initial enthusiasm of a New Year wanes and the pressures and realities of life return, unfortunately, remnants of complacency returns and the strongholds of resistance to change slowly begin to seep into our minds. And truth be told, the noble promises that we made to ourselves in January turn into another set of hollow resolutions that are easily broken and eventually discarded by February.
Continuing our series entitled, MIND over Matters, the topic for January’s Bible study (The Breakthrough Circle) was "Yes, (You) We Can! Move Beyond Resolutions to Breakthroughs!"
In this lesson, we discovered how matters of complacency and resistance to change are the enemies of the mind. However, if we seek God, surrender to God and submit to God...
We can live debt free. We can find love and happiness. We can live an active and healthy lifestyle. We can rebuke the Adversary and live in the favor and under the authority of the Holy Spirit. We can live the life that God has promised us. And most importantly, we can move beyond resolutions to breakthroughs!
Over the next few weeks, I would like to share with you some of the insights and the breakthroughs that God revealed to us and ask that you would join me in dialogue.
Questions for you...
Are you a victim of complacency? Is procrastination your middle name? Are you resistant to change? If you answered yes to any of these questions...why is this?
Monday, January 19, 2009
No More Dreams Deferred
Today, we stop to observe, remember and reflect on the legacy and the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Growing up in Midway, Georgia, my parents imbedded in me the dream that Dr. King spoke of, “one day we will live in a nation where people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” While we are not quite there as a country, tomorrow’s inauguration of Barak Obama as the 44th President of the United States demonstrates to me that such a day is possible. The remembrances of Dr. King and the hopes for Barak Obama give a new dimension to the possibilities and the realities that my children and their generation will have. Like my parents, the dream of being anything you wanted to be had its limitations. Yes, you could be a doctor, a lawyer, or a famous person. Yes, you could matriculate at institutions of higher learning and ascend to high levels within the social aristocracy; but becoming the President of the United States. Come on, not in my life time.
And this is why Dr. King’s legacy and his work are so important for us to remember today. For before it was plausible, Dr. King had a dream. Dr. King’s vision of a new America defied his present reality (1963 – Jim Crow laws and segregation) and tested our country’s moral character and faith. However, Dr. King understood the wisdom of Solomon, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (NRSV, Proverbs 3:5-6)
“On Meet the Press” yesterday, the political pundit, Tavis Smiley remarked that Barack Obama’s election was “a down payment on Dr. King’s dream.” Maybe it is. However, I believe this moment in history is greater than that. For tomorrow shatters the ceilings that generations fought, died and marched to break through. And while the nerve-endings of our country are still exposed to racism and prejudice, today and tomorrow bring glimpses of a new hope and new possibilities.
Today, we honor Dr. King, Coretta Scott King and all the men and women who sacrificed for the cause of justice, freedom and equality. Tomorrow, the hopes and the dreams of Fredrick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, W.E. B. Dubois, Malcolm X, Dr. King, Rosa Parks, Fred Shuttlesworth, Ella Baker, A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, Hosea Williams, Stockely Carmichael, your parents and your grandparents, my people and millions of people around the world will be actualized.
Today, we pause to remember Dr. King and we eagerly anticipate what tomorrow will bring. But today, we also prepare ourselves to strive for excellence, to sacrifice, to work, to save and to take our turn on the plow to end poverty, racism and sexism and to bring a sense of civility, cooperation and Christian love to this nation and to the world.
Today, my daughters and wife fly to Washington, D.C. to be a part of history. And tomorrow, my daughter, Madison, will witness the first Black person sworn in as President of the United States. For her, as long as she stays in relationship with Jesus Christ and within the will of God, there will be no more dreams deferred. Becoming President of the United States will not seem far-fetched to her; instead it will be her reality.
Hopefully, today marks the end of an era of divisive ideology in this country. And tomorrow, prayerfully we will all experience a glimpse of what Dr. King talked about in 1963, “when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream Speech,” Washington, D.C., 1963)
And this is why Dr. King’s legacy and his work are so important for us to remember today. For before it was plausible, Dr. King had a dream. Dr. King’s vision of a new America defied his present reality (1963 – Jim Crow laws and segregation) and tested our country’s moral character and faith. However, Dr. King understood the wisdom of Solomon, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (NRSV, Proverbs 3:5-6)
“On Meet the Press” yesterday, the political pundit, Tavis Smiley remarked that Barack Obama’s election was “a down payment on Dr. King’s dream.” Maybe it is. However, I believe this moment in history is greater than that. For tomorrow shatters the ceilings that generations fought, died and marched to break through. And while the nerve-endings of our country are still exposed to racism and prejudice, today and tomorrow bring glimpses of a new hope and new possibilities.
Today, we honor Dr. King, Coretta Scott King and all the men and women who sacrificed for the cause of justice, freedom and equality. Tomorrow, the hopes and the dreams of Fredrick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, W.E. B. Dubois, Malcolm X, Dr. King, Rosa Parks, Fred Shuttlesworth, Ella Baker, A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, Hosea Williams, Stockely Carmichael, your parents and your grandparents, my people and millions of people around the world will be actualized.
Today, we pause to remember Dr. King and we eagerly anticipate what tomorrow will bring. But today, we also prepare ourselves to strive for excellence, to sacrifice, to work, to save and to take our turn on the plow to end poverty, racism and sexism and to bring a sense of civility, cooperation and Christian love to this nation and to the world.
Today, my daughters and wife fly to Washington, D.C. to be a part of history. And tomorrow, my daughter, Madison, will witness the first Black person sworn in as President of the United States. For her, as long as she stays in relationship with Jesus Christ and within the will of God, there will be no more dreams deferred. Becoming President of the United States will not seem far-fetched to her; instead it will be her reality.
Hopefully, today marks the end of an era of divisive ideology in this country. And tomorrow, prayerfully we will all experience a glimpse of what Dr. King talked about in 1963, “when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream Speech,” Washington, D.C., 1963)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year! LOVE...PEACE...AND HAIRGREASE!
If I had to sum up 2008 in one sentence, I would use the classic line of Charles Dickens classic work, A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times...” On one hand, the inauguration of Barak Obama as the 44th President of the United States will signal an era of change in this country and hope for the world and prayerfully elevate the trajectory of our children’s dreams forever. However, on the other hand, the global recession, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the proliferation of AIDS and genocide in Africa and on the streets of America has birthed spirits of Fear and Worry about our future that have rocked our confidence and shaken our psyche.
Just turn on the evening news, surf the internet or read a newspaper. Consumer confidence is at an all-time low this holiday season due to rising unemployment, tight credit and the crash of the housing market. Bankruptcies and foreclosures are soaring. Institutions that once lent money are going broke or are looking for bailouts themselves. Energy and food prices are consuming more and more of the family paycheck. And no matter what President Bush tried to say, the country slid from a recession into a “depression.” And while Wall Street and the Big Three receive bailouts, you and I have witnessed our 401k plans and investment portfolios dwindle with the rise and fall of the stock market. And with hours remaining in 2008, some of you are asking the question, “When will this year ever end?
And while millions watch on TV or stand in Time Square as the “infamous” crystal ball drops, the last thing you want to do is rejoice. But it is in these times that we should rejoice the most because your access to God’s favor, God’s grace and God’s mercy are not contingent upon how much money you have in your back account, what kind of car you drive, who you work for or how big your house is. God’s love is based upon your relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s why beloved, while serving house arrest in Rome, Paul exhorts the Philippians with the words, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4)
Did you catch what Paul didn’t say? He didn’t say, “Rejoice and everything is going to be OK.” He didn’t say, “Rejoice and instantly the pain of losing a loved one would go away.” He says, “Despite what’s happening in your life --- Rejoice!” Beloved, we need to know that the joy of the Lord is so powerful; it can overcome the worst situation. And no matter what is going on in your life right now, you need to remember that you are so special that Jesus came to die for you.
Paul understood the joy of the Lord. History tells us that Roman imprisonment was not a cushy, country club retreat. Roman prison was awful. And while Paul’s house arrest was less severe than custody in a state or even a city jail, he still was shackled to a guard and subject to a great deal of shame and the abandonment by family members, friends, and close associates. However, despite his circumstances, prison marked some of the most productive moments of Paul’s ministry. Paul could have wilted under the strain of prison; but Paul understood that inertia is not in God’s will. He could have lost hope. He could have held a pity-party or given into the bitterness that comes with grief and pain. He could have gotten angry and blamed God for what was going on in his life for it was his work to spread the Gospel that caused his numerous incarcerations, exile and stoning. However, Paul kept his mind on Christ and as a result, his ministry, his creativity and his productivity flourished.
All of us have been given “gifts and graces” that could bless someone. That is why Paul says in verse 5, “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” In 2009, my challenge to you and to myself is to live a life worthy of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Stop making excuses of what you don’t have and what you can’t do. Yes, you got yourself in debt but you don’t have to stay there. Yes, your body might be failing but your mind and mouth still work. Therefore, call someone today and tell them that Jesus loves them. Yes, you might not be able to do like you use to but as long as you are breathing and in your right mind, God can still use you. Stop telling yourself that “You’re too old or you’re too young.” Yes, you can live the life you always wanted. Yes, you can live in the favor and under the authority of the Holy Spirit. Yes, you can live debt free. Yes, you can find love. Yes, you can live your past down. Don’t waste time thinking about negative thoughts or dealing with negative people.
Volunteer with an organization, mentor a child or become politically active to change your community. Regularly study the Word and connect with a Christ-focused Bible study. Stop riding the bench ---- and “get in the game.” Join a church that challenges you to grow spiritually. Surround yourself with positive people that affirm you and push you to be the best that you can be. Live an active and healthy lifestyle. Let you gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
In closing, I wish you a Happy and prosperous New Year. May God continue to bless you, favor you and heal your brokenness. Continue to pray for me. I will continue to pray for you.
Until, we talk again in 2009 --- LOVE...PEACE...AND HAIRGREASE!
Just turn on the evening news, surf the internet or read a newspaper. Consumer confidence is at an all-time low this holiday season due to rising unemployment, tight credit and the crash of the housing market. Bankruptcies and foreclosures are soaring. Institutions that once lent money are going broke or are looking for bailouts themselves. Energy and food prices are consuming more and more of the family paycheck. And no matter what President Bush tried to say, the country slid from a recession into a “depression.” And while Wall Street and the Big Three receive bailouts, you and I have witnessed our 401k plans and investment portfolios dwindle with the rise and fall of the stock market. And with hours remaining in 2008, some of you are asking the question, “When will this year ever end?
And while millions watch on TV or stand in Time Square as the “infamous” crystal ball drops, the last thing you want to do is rejoice. But it is in these times that we should rejoice the most because your access to God’s favor, God’s grace and God’s mercy are not contingent upon how much money you have in your back account, what kind of car you drive, who you work for or how big your house is. God’s love is based upon your relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s why beloved, while serving house arrest in Rome, Paul exhorts the Philippians with the words, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4)
Did you catch what Paul didn’t say? He didn’t say, “Rejoice and everything is going to be OK.” He didn’t say, “Rejoice and instantly the pain of losing a loved one would go away.” He says, “Despite what’s happening in your life --- Rejoice!” Beloved, we need to know that the joy of the Lord is so powerful; it can overcome the worst situation. And no matter what is going on in your life right now, you need to remember that you are so special that Jesus came to die for you.
Paul understood the joy of the Lord. History tells us that Roman imprisonment was not a cushy, country club retreat. Roman prison was awful. And while Paul’s house arrest was less severe than custody in a state or even a city jail, he still was shackled to a guard and subject to a great deal of shame and the abandonment by family members, friends, and close associates. However, despite his circumstances, prison marked some of the most productive moments of Paul’s ministry. Paul could have wilted under the strain of prison; but Paul understood that inertia is not in God’s will. He could have lost hope. He could have held a pity-party or given into the bitterness that comes with grief and pain. He could have gotten angry and blamed God for what was going on in his life for it was his work to spread the Gospel that caused his numerous incarcerations, exile and stoning. However, Paul kept his mind on Christ and as a result, his ministry, his creativity and his productivity flourished.
All of us have been given “gifts and graces” that could bless someone. That is why Paul says in verse 5, “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” In 2009, my challenge to you and to myself is to live a life worthy of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Stop making excuses of what you don’t have and what you can’t do. Yes, you got yourself in debt but you don’t have to stay there. Yes, your body might be failing but your mind and mouth still work. Therefore, call someone today and tell them that Jesus loves them. Yes, you might not be able to do like you use to but as long as you are breathing and in your right mind, God can still use you. Stop telling yourself that “You’re too old or you’re too young.” Yes, you can live the life you always wanted. Yes, you can live in the favor and under the authority of the Holy Spirit. Yes, you can live debt free. Yes, you can find love. Yes, you can live your past down. Don’t waste time thinking about negative thoughts or dealing with negative people.
Volunteer with an organization, mentor a child or become politically active to change your community. Regularly study the Word and connect with a Christ-focused Bible study. Stop riding the bench ---- and “get in the game.” Join a church that challenges you to grow spiritually. Surround yourself with positive people that affirm you and push you to be the best that you can be. Live an active and healthy lifestyle. Let you gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
In closing, I wish you a Happy and prosperous New Year. May God continue to bless you, favor you and heal your brokenness. Continue to pray for me. I will continue to pray for you.
Until, we talk again in 2009 --- LOVE...PEACE...AND HAIRGREASE!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Charlie Brown Christmas
What’s wrong with Charlie Brown? Despite all the Christmas presents, the colored lights and the tree decorating, Charlie Brown is depressed. He is struggling to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Is this how you feel? Has Christmas become more of a hassle than a source of happiness? Have you bought gifts you can't afford? Are you fretting over not getting invited to the "right" Christmas party? Are you lonely this Christmas? Christmas reminds you of the loved ones that you have lost. Or maybe you are worn out from all that has happened in your life the past year. Whatever the issue maybe, for some of us, Christmas is merely another over-commercialized holiday on our Google calendar.
After being named the director of the school Christmas play, Charlie Brown hopes that this experience will help him connect with the meaning of the season. Unfortunately, the experience brings him nothing but grief from the cast members and the "script girl" Lucy who has her own definition for Christmas, “We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket run by a big Eastern syndicate.” To which Charlie Brown replies, “This is one play that will not be commercial. The mood is all wrong. What we need is a Christmas tree.” “That’s it,” replies Lucy, “What we need is a big, shiny aluminum Christmas tree.”
Linus and Charlie Brown proceed to the Christmas tree lot where aluminum trees are everywhere, but Charlie Brown is not impressed. Instead of falling for the latest fad, Charlie Brown rejects the symbolism that the artificial tree represents. Instead, he picks a real tree --- but the one that he selects is nothing more than a sprig with a few almost bare branches. Linus cautions him but Charlie Brown purchases it anyway and proudly returns back to the school to share it with the cast. As you can imagine, Lucy and the rest of the Peanut’s gang are not pleased and the story climaxes with Charlie Brown asking Linus the famous question, "What is the true meaning of Christmas?" Of which Linus, with his trusty blue blanket in tow replies, "Light please." Then bathed in a spotlight, Linus begins reciting the Biblical passage (Luke 2:8-14) recalling the birth of Jesus. When he is finished Linus turns to his friend and says, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Linus is absolutely correct. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus.
I would also suggest that Christmas is a Time for Reconciliation (Isaiah 7:10-12). Instead of saying, "God I will trust you if you prove yourself trustworthy." Christmas is an opportunity for to us to really trust God and reconcile ourselves with God and our past. Even though Ahaz did evil in the sight of God (2Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 28, Isaiah 7:1-10) God was still willing to give him a second chance. Unfortunately, Ahaz refused God's offer. Don't be like Ahaz. It's time to break the generational curses in your life. How many more future generations are you going to allow to be tormented by the sins of your past?
Christmas is also a Time for Recommitment (Isaiah 7:13-14). Just like God did with Ahaz, God dares us to believe. But the question is, "Are you afraid to put God to the test?" Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (God with us).” Simply this means...not only is God daring you to believe, God promises to stand with you.
Finally, Christmas is a Time for Radical Praise (Luke 2:12-14). We must always remember that we are on God's gift list. For 700 years after Isaiah gave the promise to Ahaz that a savior was coming (Isaiah 7:14), Luke records (2:12-14) that "to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." Did you catch it? The gift was sent especially for you ---a gift to deliver you from sin and to bring you into a right relationship with God. I don't know about you...but such a radical gift demands a radical praise. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! (Luke 2:14)
From my family and all of us at The Breakthrough Project --- Merry Christmas!
Is this how you feel? Has Christmas become more of a hassle than a source of happiness? Have you bought gifts you can't afford? Are you fretting over not getting invited to the "right" Christmas party? Are you lonely this Christmas? Christmas reminds you of the loved ones that you have lost. Or maybe you are worn out from all that has happened in your life the past year. Whatever the issue maybe, for some of us, Christmas is merely another over-commercialized holiday on our Google calendar.
After being named the director of the school Christmas play, Charlie Brown hopes that this experience will help him connect with the meaning of the season. Unfortunately, the experience brings him nothing but grief from the cast members and the "script girl" Lucy who has her own definition for Christmas, “We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket run by a big Eastern syndicate.” To which Charlie Brown replies, “This is one play that will not be commercial. The mood is all wrong. What we need is a Christmas tree.” “That’s it,” replies Lucy, “What we need is a big, shiny aluminum Christmas tree.”
Linus and Charlie Brown proceed to the Christmas tree lot where aluminum trees are everywhere, but Charlie Brown is not impressed. Instead of falling for the latest fad, Charlie Brown rejects the symbolism that the artificial tree represents. Instead, he picks a real tree --- but the one that he selects is nothing more than a sprig with a few almost bare branches. Linus cautions him but Charlie Brown purchases it anyway and proudly returns back to the school to share it with the cast. As you can imagine, Lucy and the rest of the Peanut’s gang are not pleased and the story climaxes with Charlie Brown asking Linus the famous question, "What is the true meaning of Christmas?" Of which Linus, with his trusty blue blanket in tow replies, "Light please." Then bathed in a spotlight, Linus begins reciting the Biblical passage (Luke 2:8-14) recalling the birth of Jesus. When he is finished Linus turns to his friend and says, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Linus is absolutely correct. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus.
I would also suggest that Christmas is a Time for Reconciliation (Isaiah 7:10-12). Instead of saying, "God I will trust you if you prove yourself trustworthy." Christmas is an opportunity for to us to really trust God and reconcile ourselves with God and our past. Even though Ahaz did evil in the sight of God (2Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 28, Isaiah 7:1-10) God was still willing to give him a second chance. Unfortunately, Ahaz refused God's offer. Don't be like Ahaz. It's time to break the generational curses in your life. How many more future generations are you going to allow to be tormented by the sins of your past?
Christmas is also a Time for Recommitment (Isaiah 7:13-14). Just like God did with Ahaz, God dares us to believe. But the question is, "Are you afraid to put God to the test?" Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (God with us).” Simply this means...not only is God daring you to believe, God promises to stand with you.
Finally, Christmas is a Time for Radical Praise (Luke 2:12-14). We must always remember that we are on God's gift list. For 700 years after Isaiah gave the promise to Ahaz that a savior was coming (Isaiah 7:14), Luke records (2:12-14) that "to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." Did you catch it? The gift was sent especially for you ---a gift to deliver you from sin and to bring you into a right relationship with God. I don't know about you...but such a radical gift demands a radical praise. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! (Luke 2:14)
From my family and all of us at The Breakthrough Project --- Merry Christmas!
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