Success is something that everyone wants—you, me…everyone. But how is it that success comes? I mean, how do you get whatever this thing we call success is?
There’s a very cool passage of Scripture that says “As long as King Uzziah dedicated his life to serving the Lord, the Lord gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5
The Bible is replete with promises about God bringing success and prospering those who follow Him closely. For example:
2 Chronicles 31:21—States that “Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.” And Joshua 1:8—“Study this Book of Instruction (the Bible) continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Still not convinced that it’s God’s will to prosper you and make you successful? Even Jesus reinforced this biblical promise by stating in Matthew 6:33—“And He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”
Let’s put it all together. As you read over these passages, what’s the common thread? I like to call it “loving obedience.” And the way we get to the place of obeying God out of love is by [1] learning the bible [2] thinking about its application to our lives and [3] putting it into practice.
Yes, you can be a success!
Share your thoughts back with me. The world wants to know what you’re thinking.
www.realitychurch.com
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
In The Courtroom
Ever been part of a courtroom procedure like Jury Duty, testifying under oath, or being a character witness for someone? The waiting and the possibility you could be called on is suspenseful.
Recently, I was asked to be a character witness for a friend in a court of law. I thought it might be possible that the Judge would call on me to stand before [her] in this case and testify. So what did I do? Before I arrived, I made sure that I put on my best stuff just in case. Shaven? Check! Right shirt & tie? Check! Cologne on? Check! Shoes shined? Check!
Went thru a whole routine to “look good” in front of a human judge. Funny thing was I never came near. The female Judge never saw my nicely trimmed goatee, my shiny shoes and probably didn’t care about my tie or the small of my cologne; yet I did it to “make a statement” if needed.
I began to think about all that I put into this small proceeding and realized that one day I’m going to stand before the Judge of the universe and I had better have “look my best.” But what is the best way for us to “look our best” before God? What is He looking for when we’re standing before His throne?
The answer lies in a story (parable) Jesus told and recorded for us in Matthew 25:21—“His master replied, ‘Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness.'
The two things I notice here are: [1] the master (God) said that the servant was “good and faithful” and [2] because he/she was faithful, God would give this person more responsibility (I will put you in charge of a large amount) and more privilege (Come and share your master's happiness).
When that day comes to stand before The Ultimate Judge, we can be assured that He won’t be looking at how well we’re dressed or how good we look on the outside. He judges everyone properly when He judges us from the inside…the heart. He will judge us on how faithful or trustworthy we have been with the responsibilities He has given to us in this life.
What are those? Well, for starters, how ‘bout being faithful to Him with everything he has entrusted to us! Like what, Steve? Like our talents or giftedness. These are divine abilities God has enabled you with to serve other people. Another aspect of loving faithfulness to God is our time or our calendar. What am I giving to Him out of the 1,440 minutes I have each day? The final facet of our faithfulness to God and possibly the most revealing too is our giving back to God or our treasure.
These days, I’m thinking more and more about that one special day that I stand before the Righteous Judge and either hear Him say, “Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness” or I will hear no praise at all.
I want the former said of me and the privilege that goes with it. How about you? Feel free to respond with your thoughts.
www.realitychurch.com
Recently, I was asked to be a character witness for a friend in a court of law. I thought it might be possible that the Judge would call on me to stand before [her] in this case and testify. So what did I do? Before I arrived, I made sure that I put on my best stuff just in case. Shaven? Check! Right shirt & tie? Check! Cologne on? Check! Shoes shined? Check!
Went thru a whole routine to “look good” in front of a human judge. Funny thing was I never came near. The female Judge never saw my nicely trimmed goatee, my shiny shoes and probably didn’t care about my tie or the small of my cologne; yet I did it to “make a statement” if needed.
I began to think about all that I put into this small proceeding and realized that one day I’m going to stand before the Judge of the universe and I had better have “look my best.” But what is the best way for us to “look our best” before God? What is He looking for when we’re standing before His throne?
The answer lies in a story (parable) Jesus told and recorded for us in Matthew 25:21—“His master replied, ‘Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness.'
The two things I notice here are: [1] the master (God) said that the servant was “good and faithful” and [2] because he/she was faithful, God would give this person more responsibility (I will put you in charge of a large amount) and more privilege (Come and share your master's happiness).
When that day comes to stand before The Ultimate Judge, we can be assured that He won’t be looking at how well we’re dressed or how good we look on the outside. He judges everyone properly when He judges us from the inside…the heart. He will judge us on how faithful or trustworthy we have been with the responsibilities He has given to us in this life.
What are those? Well, for starters, how ‘bout being faithful to Him with everything he has entrusted to us! Like what, Steve? Like our talents or giftedness. These are divine abilities God has enabled you with to serve other people. Another aspect of loving faithfulness to God is our time or our calendar. What am I giving to Him out of the 1,440 minutes I have each day? The final facet of our faithfulness to God and possibly the most revealing too is our giving back to God or our treasure.
These days, I’m thinking more and more about that one special day that I stand before the Righteous Judge and either hear Him say, “Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness” or I will hear no praise at all.
I want the former said of me and the privilege that goes with it. How about you? Feel free to respond with your thoughts.
www.realitychurch.com
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Vacillating, Oscillating, and Other Unhealthy Practices
It’s hard to see people hurting in life. I’d rather give them some sort of magic pill that could help them in their life journey, but that’s not the way it works.
Recently, I’ve had conversations with others I care about and I see the struggle they face. Some of the struggles are self-induced, but some are caused by circumstances and power beyond us. But what pains me the most is the fact that there is an answer to many of our heartaches. An answer? Yes, an answer.
Now, to some, I may be naïve, old-fashioned, or just plain “out of touch” with the real world. Could be, but don’t think so. Many years ago, I’ve found to be true the one thing that will overcome all of my stupid decisions and harmful choices that would otherwise pound me into the pavement. That one stabilizing factor is none other than the life altering, mind renewing, Word of God. Sound like a crock? Check these passages of Scripture and see if you agree that God has already given us all we need from His word to be champions over life’s circumstances
Romans 12:2 — “Stop being conformed to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God…”
We must choose to get our noses into God’s Word so that we can see the total transformation of our lives. This happen by renewing our minds with His Word. This is a must, if we’re going to think the way God wants us to.
Ephesians 4:23 — “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”
Psalm 19:7-11 — The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
This tells us what God’s Word can and will do for us when we know it: According to Scripture, it makes me wise, brings joy to my life, gives me insight for living, and so much more.
Decide today…maybe right now as you read this Post—that you are going to stop vacillating, oscillating, or wavering and instead start marinating your mind with God’s Word. It’ll give you the greatest peace of mind you’ll ever know…in every circumstance.
Write me back and tell me about how God’s Word has made a difference in your life.
www.realitychurch.com
Recently, I’ve had conversations with others I care about and I see the struggle they face. Some of the struggles are self-induced, but some are caused by circumstances and power beyond us. But what pains me the most is the fact that there is an answer to many of our heartaches. An answer? Yes, an answer.
Now, to some, I may be naïve, old-fashioned, or just plain “out of touch” with the real world. Could be, but don’t think so. Many years ago, I’ve found to be true the one thing that will overcome all of my stupid decisions and harmful choices that would otherwise pound me into the pavement. That one stabilizing factor is none other than the life altering, mind renewing, Word of God. Sound like a crock? Check these passages of Scripture and see if you agree that God has already given us all we need from His word to be champions over life’s circumstances
Romans 12:2 — “Stop being conformed to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God…”
We must choose to get our noses into God’s Word so that we can see the total transformation of our lives. This happen by renewing our minds with His Word. This is a must, if we’re going to think the way God wants us to.
Ephesians 4:23 — “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”
Psalm 19:7-11 — The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
This tells us what God’s Word can and will do for us when we know it: According to Scripture, it makes me wise, brings joy to my life, gives me insight for living, and so much more.
Decide today…maybe right now as you read this Post—that you are going to stop vacillating, oscillating, or wavering and instead start marinating your mind with God’s Word. It’ll give you the greatest peace of mind you’ll ever know…in every circumstance.
Write me back and tell me about how God’s Word has made a difference in your life.
www.realitychurch.com
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Why Do You?
It’s not elementary…in fact, it’s downright advanced stuff…at least to most people. It’s a legitimate question that weaves its way through the heads of the multitudes. Preachers even get it wrong; but it should be so easy.Believe it or not, I heard a TV preacher say something in an interview that shocked me. He said something that many of us actually feel but would rather not say; so he said it for you. And it has huge implications. He said, “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully.”
Wow! Really? I serve God because I fear Him…His wrath, His repercussions? Is that sort of talk foreign to you or not? When was the last time you asked yourself the question, “Why Do I Serve Jesus Christ?”
There are plenty of feelings about the pros and cons of this concept; so allow me to simply offer up something that the Bible says that can put this sort of thing to rest for all concerned.
We see this in 2 Corinthians 5:14: “For I am controlled by the love of Christ.” Noticed it didn’t say, “The fear of Christ” or “The wrath of Christ,” but rather, “The love of Christ.” His love for and toward me and my love back to Him is what controls me. The original language, Koine Greek, spells it out even clearer. It actually means that His love drives me, motivates me, and compels me…but it further means that His love steers me, maneuvers me, directs me, and decides for me.
It’s clear then that God’s will is that we serve Him and follow Him out of a sense of reciprocating love, not fear. Finally, to nail this idea of “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully” shut forever in your life, we can turn to scripture again when it says, “Where God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.” 1 John 4:18 (NCV) Hey, there are few things more freeing this.
As followers of an amazing God, we must choose to believe this just like we believe Genesis 1:1 or John 3:16. And when we do; when we learn to serve Jesus out of a response to His deep love for us, our whole outlook on the character of God will change for the better and bring us true freedom.
Agree? Disagree? Mad? Glad? I’d love to read your thoughts!!
www.realitychurch.com
Wow! Really? I serve God because I fear Him…His wrath, His repercussions? Is that sort of talk foreign to you or not? When was the last time you asked yourself the question, “Why Do I Serve Jesus Christ?”
There are plenty of feelings about the pros and cons of this concept; so allow me to simply offer up something that the Bible says that can put this sort of thing to rest for all concerned.
We see this in 2 Corinthians 5:14: “For I am controlled by the love of Christ.” Noticed it didn’t say, “The fear of Christ” or “The wrath of Christ,” but rather, “The love of Christ.” His love for and toward me and my love back to Him is what controls me. The original language, Koine Greek, spells it out even clearer. It actually means that His love drives me, motivates me, and compels me…but it further means that His love steers me, maneuvers me, directs me, and decides for me.
It’s clear then that God’s will is that we serve Him and follow Him out of a sense of reciprocating love, not fear. Finally, to nail this idea of “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully” shut forever in your life, we can turn to scripture again when it says, “Where God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.” 1 John 4:18 (NCV) Hey, there are few things more freeing this.
As followers of an amazing God, we must choose to believe this just like we believe Genesis 1:1 or John 3:16. And when we do; when we learn to serve Jesus out of a response to His deep love for us, our whole outlook on the character of God will change for the better and bring us true freedom.
Agree? Disagree? Mad? Glad? I’d love to read your thoughts!!
www.realitychurch.com
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