Know Your Life's Vision

'...called according to His purpose.' Romans 8:28 NKJV

Nobody can give you a vision for your life, but here's how to find yours:

(1) Look within you. What moves you? What are you excited about? Paul said, '...I am compelled to preach...' (1 Corinthians 9:16 NIV)

(2) Look behind you. What has life taught you? Experience provides us with the wisdom needed to fulfil our destiny. What does your past tell you about your future? (3) Look around you. God never calls us alone. Moses needed 70 elders. Jesus picked 12 disciples. Paul spoke of those who worked with him. Fulfilling your destiny requires having the right people in your life.

(4) Look ahead of you. Helen Keller said, 'The only thing that's worse than being blind, is having sight but no vision.' What do you see through the eye of faith? St Augustine said, 'Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe.'

(5) Look beside you. What resources are available to you, for example, books, CDs, conferences and mentors? If your vision is not bigger than you, it's not of God. And the greater it is, the more resources it will require.

(6) Look above you. Jeremiah writes, '...They speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord.' (Jeremiah 23:16 NKJV) We are 'called according to His purpose', not according to the need, or the fact that the door is open, or that our talent will be appreciated and well rewarded. Your vision must fulfil your God-ordained destiny, nothing else. So, do you need to recognise your vision, resurrect your vision or refocus on your vision? There's lots to do in the body at Calvary. Maybe God is calling you to fullfill something that needs to be done!

Fresh Oil

'...You anoint my head with oil...' Psalm 23:5

The shepherd anoints his sheep with oil for two purposes. First, to repel insects. If allowed to deposit their eggs into the soft membrane of a sheep's nose they can drive the sheep insane; the ewes stop giving milk and the lambs stop growing. So the shepherd anoints his sheep with an oil-like repellent that keeps the enemy at bay and the flock at peace. Second, to heal wounds. Most wounds result from living with the flock. So the shepherd regularly inspects his sheep because he doesn't want today's wound to become tomorrow's infection. Whether circumstances are driving you crazy, or you've just been wounded as a result of living with the flock, always go to the Shepherd. Before you go to anybody else, go to God because 'He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds' (Psalm 147:3 NIV). Then, bow before Him. In order to be anointed the sheep must lower their heads and let the shepherd apply the oil. Humble yourself, call on the Lord. 'God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him... he will not be slow to answer them' (Luke 18:7 NCV). David writes, '...I shall be anointed with fresh oil' (Psalm 92:10). Yesterday's oil is quickly contaminated by the dirt and grime of the journey, so you must go to God daily and ask Him to empower you with His Spirit. A sheep doesn't understand how the oil works, but it doesn't have to. It's enough to know that something happens in the presence of its shepherd that happens nowhere else.

It's a Sure Thing

'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...' Psalm 23:6 NKJV

Let's break this Scripture down: 'Surely goodness and mercy.' People may disappoint you, but God's goodness and mercy are sure things! 'With [God] there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency.' (James 1:17 PHPS) Our devotion to God may falter, but His devotion to us never does: 'If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful...' (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT) David didn't say, 'maybe, possibly, I hope so, I've a hunch.' No, he said, 'Surely' and that's a promise you can stand on. 'Shall follow me.' That sounds like another promise God made to His people: 'all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you...' (Deuteronomy 28:2 NKJV) Note the words: 'follow...come on...overtake'. You can't get away from them! God's goodness and mercy followed Jonah to the bottom of the sea, Daniel into the lions' den, and John into exile, opening Heaven to him. Stop and look back. Think of the scrapes God's brought you through, the messes He's helped clean up, the doors He's opened, and what do you see? Blessings you don't deserve, can't escape, and are new every morning. With God, it's a sure thing! 'All the days of my life.' Think of the days ahead and what do you see? Days at home raising a family? Days in a dead-end job, struggling to get ahead? Days of loneliness and poor health? Days of caring for a sick loved one? Days of battling disappointment and depression? 'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.' Goodness to provide, and mercy to pardon; you'll never have a day without them!

He Is a God of Abundance

'...My cup runs over.' Psalm 23:5 NKJV

Paul writes, 'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...' (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) Our God is a God of abundance! In Scripture, the overflowing cup is a powerful symbol. As long as your cup was kept full you were welcome. But if it sat empty, the host was hinting that it was time to go. If he really enjoyed your company he kept filling it until it ran over the edge and down onto the table. Is your cup overflowing today? That means you're welcome at God's table, your seat is guaranteed, nobody can take your place, and your needs will be abundantly supplied. FB Meyer wrote, 'Whatever the blessing in your cup, it's sure to run over. With Him, the calf is always the fatted calf, the robe is always the best robe, the joy is unspeakable, the peace passeth understanding... God's way is always characterised by...overflowing bounty.' So the last thing on earth we need to worry about is 'making ends meet'. Our cup overflows. Take grace, for example: 'The more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God's abounding grace forgiving us.' (Romans 5:20 TLB) To abound is to have a surplus! The cup God gives overflows with mercy. Are you afraid it will run dry? That your warranty will expire? That your mistakes are too great? No way! Before Paul became a Christian he went around persecuting, imprisoning and killing Christians. Yet he wrote, '...grace...was poured out on me abundantly...' (1 Timothy 1:14 NIV) Whatever you need today, God has--in abundance. So ask, and believe Him for it!

Facing Death with Confidence

'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me...' Psalm 23:4 NKJV

One day Jesus will come and take each of us to His house. 'How do we get there?' you ask. 'Through the valley of the shadow of death.' This verse is quoted at the graves of paupers and carved on the headstones of presidents for a couple of reasons. First because we must all face death. Some senior citizens were lounging on the patio of their retirement community. One looked up as a large flock of birds flew overhead. He nudged his buddy who'd dozed off, 'Frank, you'd better move around a little, those vultures look like they're closing in on us.' The Bible says, '...it is appointed unto men once to die...' (Hebrews 9:27 KJV) Sooner or later the buzzards will move in; will you be ready? It's also quoted to remind us that we don't have to face it alone. Donna Spratt writes, 'To begin a discussion on values, our youth pastor asked the teens this question: "What would you do if your doctor told you that you had only 24 hours to live?" The teens' responses were typically, "Be with friends and family." But the discussion came undone when Jason, our 13-year-old, said, "I'd get a second opinion."' When it comes to opinions about death, only one counts: Jesus said, 'I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?' (John 11:25-26 NIV) Rejoice, you won't have to make the journey alone. Furthermore, whatever you give up for Christ in this life will be nothing to what you inherit in the next.

It's All About Him!

'...for His name's sake.' Psalm 23:3 NKJV

Have you ever asked, 'How could God use someone like me?' The Psalmist answers, 'For His name's sake'! Only one name counts--and it's not yours! With the same intensity that God hates pride, He loves humility. His Word says, '...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' (James 4:6 NIV) So here are a few tips on staying humble.

First, evaluate yourself honestly. Don't be like the beaver who told the rabbit as they stared up at the immense wall of Hoover Dam, 'No, I didn't actually build it myself. But it was based on an idea of mine.' The Bible says, 'Don't cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself...but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities.' (Romans 12:3-4 PHPS)

Second, learn to celebrate others. Paul writes, '...don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.' (Philippians 2:3 NLT) Every goal scored in life is usually a team effort. Be like the little boy who came home from the auditions for the school play and announced, 'Mummy, I got the part. I've been chosen to sit in the audience and cheer.' When you can do that, your head finally fits your hat size.

Finally, don't announce your success before it occurs. '...One who puts on his armour should not boast like one who takes it off.' (1 Kings 20:11 NIV) When one of Charles Spurgeon's students proudly stepped up to preach, but came back down having failed miserably, Spurgeon supposedly said something like, 'If you'd gone up the way you came down, you'd have come down the way you went up.' God blesses our efforts only when they're done 'for His name's sake'.

Made Righteous Through Christ

'...He leads me in the paths of righteousness...' Psalm 23:3 NKJV

How could a God who is perfect live side by side in Heaven with people like us who aren't? That's like asking if a top university would admit someone with only a kindergarten education. Then what are we to do? Find a worthy substitute, or be lost forever! That's where Jesus comes in; He's the Good Shepherd who gave His life for us. It's the great transfer! At the cross God placed all our sins on Christ, and at the point of believing faith He places all Christ's righteousness on us. Awesome! Actor Kevin Bacon recalls when his six-year-old son saw the movie Footloose for the first time: 'Hey, Dad, you know that part in the movie where you swing from the rafters? That's really cool, how did you do that?' I said, 'Well, I didn't do that part...it was a stuntman.' 'What's a stuntman?' he asked. 'That's someone who dresses like me and does things I can't do.' 'Oh,' he replied, and walked out of the room looking a little confused. Later, he said, 'Hey, Dad, you know that part in the movie where you spin around on that gym bar and land on your feet? How did you do that?' I said, 'Well, I didn't do that either. That was a gymnastics double.' 'What's a gymnastics double?' he asked. 'That's a guy who dresses in my clothes and does things I can't do.' Then my son asked, 'Dad, what did you do?' 'I got all the glory,' I sheepishly replied. The songwriter put it this way: 'Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before Thy throne. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.'

Have You Lost Your Peace of Mind?

'He restores my soul...' Psalm 23:3 NIV

When life overwhelms us we usually look for one of two things. We may look for somebody with all the answers. The trouble is, when you look to someone for that which only God can provide, you set that person up to fail and yourself up to be disappointed. Alternatively, we may look for somewhere with fewer problems. Paul Harvey wrote, 'After Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida, Patricia Christy vowed she was going to leave on the first plane. She was determined to get as far away from the horror of hurricane damage as she possibly could and have a restful vacation.' Harvey said, 'I just heard from Patricia Christy. She was standing in line for fresh water on the Hawaiian Island Kauai, having just gone through Hurricane Iniki!' Sheep get anxious when storms come, predators roar, or they're forced to move to unfamiliar territory. How do they handle such times? By moving closer to the shepherd! Have you lost your peace of mind today? Read the following Scriptures; they'll help you move closer to your Shepherd: 'But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them...' (Psalm 5:11 NKJV) 'The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...' (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV) 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.' (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV) 'The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.' (Nahum 1:7 NKJV) For 'The Lord remembers us and will bless us...' (Psalm 115:12 NIV)

God Will 'Be There' for You

'...He leads me beside quiet waters.' Psalm 23:2 NIV

Philip Yancey says, 'Faith means believing in advance, what will only make sense in reverse.' If you fear the future, look back and see how God took care of you in the past. 'This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness... The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.' (Lamentations 3:21-25 NIV) You say, 'I don't know what I'll do if my loved one dies.' You will--when the time comes. You say, 'I don't know how I'll pay these bills.' Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides, will be there--when the time comes. You say, 'I'm not qualified to handle this, there's too much I don't know.' Maybe you want to know everything too soon. God will give you wisdom--when the time comes. The key is to meet today's problems with today's strength, and leave tomorrow in God's hands. During World War II, Arthur Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times, found it hard to sleep or rid his mind of fear until he adopted these words from the hymn 'Lead, Kindly Light': 'I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.' And God isn't going to let you see the distant scene either. No, He promises a lamp for your feet, not a crystal ball for your future. 'He leads me' and that's enough for today. And tomorrow? '...we will find grace to help us when we need it...' (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)

Your Shepherd and Lord

'The Lord is my shepherd...' Psalm 23:1 KJV

Abraham Lincoln wrote, 'I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.' All of us feel that way at times. That's because we are all sheep in need of a shepherd. Of all God's creatures, sheep seem the least able to care for themselves. They're directionless: they'll walk off a cliff or wander into a river and drown. They're defenceless: they've no claws so they can't fight, run fast or climb a tree to safety. They're dirty: your cat and dog can clean themselves, but sheep get dirty and stay that way. You say, 'I don't like being compared to sheep.' All right, then answer these questions. How well do you control your impulses? Do you ever play the victim? Can you relate to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Are you always upbeat and upright? Do you add to the conflict and confusion, or do you always make peace? Do you truly love people, or do you just use them for your own ends? Are you generous, or do you mostly give to those who have something to give back to you? On a scale of one to ten, how do you score when it comes to the fear of people, or failure, or sickness, or death, or rejection or risk? Is your life an open book? How often do you fail and need forgiveness: weekly? daily? hourly? It sounds like you need a shepherd! So instead of saying, 'The Lord is my shepherd', try saying, 'Because I need a shepherd, I make You Lord of my life'.

SoulFood: 2 Sam 22:31-24:25, John 4:13-26, Ps 32, Pr 23:29-35

What Is Your Achilles' Heel?

'...the sin that so easily trips us up...' Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan War, was invulnerable, with one exception: his heel. Shoot him there and he'd go down. Guess what? He died from an arrow to the heel! We all have our Achilles' heel--the 'sin that so easily trips us up'. Here, blindness, indifference or denial sets us up for failure. So how do we overcome our Achilles' heel? Author John Piper offers us a solution in the form of an acronym:

ANTHEM.

A: avoid sights and situations that arouse unfitting desires. Prevent what fuels your appetite for sin.

N: say no to every lustful thought within five seconds. In the first two seconds shout 'No, get out of my head!' In the next two, cry out, 'Oh God, in the name of Jesus, help me. Save me now. I am yours.' Say it out loud. The Puritan writer John Owen said, 'Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.'

T: turn the mind forcefully towards Christ. Attack sin with the promises of Christ.

H: hold the promise and pleasure of Christ firmly in mind. For how long? Until it pushes other images out. Hold it. Don't let it go. Hold it until you win!

E: enjoy a superior satisfaction, namely, pleasure in Christ. If you have little taste for Jesus, competing pleasures will triumph.

M: move into useful activity, away from idleness and other vulnerable behaviors. Abound in the work of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58) Replace deceitful lusts with a passion for good deeds. Today, using this simple acronym, you can move from vulnerability to victory by drawing on the power of God's Spirit within you. (Galatians 5:25)

Are You Struggling Financially? (2)

'...God...will supply all your needs...' Philippians 4:19 NLT

Here are three more steps you can take to deal effectively with debt.

First, start digging yourself out. It's disheartening to find bills piling up on your doormat every day, but you need to know the bottom line. List your debts from the highest interest rate to the lowest. Try to pay as much as possible towards the highest and the minimum towards the rest. Make a start, no matter how long it takes; there's too much at stake not to.

Second, model sound financial principles for your children. Be open with them and explain that electricity, food, toys and clothes cost money, and that the reason you're not driving the latest car is because you can't afford it. Your kids are making money memories now, so '...teach them diligently...' (Deuteronomy 6:7 NKJV)

Third, 'give, and it will be given to you...' (Luke 6:38 NAS) Suze Orman says, 'One day I was in a terrible [state]. I turned on the TV and happened to catch a fundraiser. I picked up the phone and pledged as much as I could. Those people needed money more than me. Immediately I felt like a burden had been lifted. From then on whenever I felt down, I'd give...and I'd feel better. Amazingly in every instance the amount was showered back on me tenfold.' The rewards of giving aren't always financial; sometimes it's the sense of freedom and purpose that comes from doing it. Plus, money should never be so important that you can't let it go. Remember, by helping others you're paving the way for God to 'supply all your needs', and His shovel is much bigger than yours!

Are You Struggling Financially? (1)

'...I have never seen the righteous forsaken...' Psalm 37:25 NIV

For many who've lost their jobs or who don't earn enough to live on, debt has become a harsh reality. So much so, that they're afraid to even think about their situation. But burying your head in the sand isn't the answer. With God's help and some common-sense suggestions you can start moving towards financial freedom. A respected financial consultant offers these suggestions.

First, be truthful. Before you can change anything you need to know where your money's going. There's nothing to be ashamed of; like an alcoholic entering recovery, the first step is admitting you have a problem. On a card jot down every dollar you spend for 30 days. It adds up quickly, '...all...those little foxes...ruin the vineyard...' (Song of Solomon 2:15 NLT) By looking at the big picture, you'll see areas you can cut back.

Second, learn from your past experiences. If you don't learn from the past you'll keep repeating it. For example, if you didn't receive many Christmas gifts as a child, it can be tempting to overcompensate with your own kids and end up maxing out your credit cards. Or, growing up in an atmosphere of financial turmoil can make it difficult to talk about money with your spouse.

Third, value yourself more than your payslip. Jesus said the important things in life aren't 'things'. (Matthew 6:25) Beating yourself up won't help you earn more; it will just blind you to the real blessings in life. Remember, no matter how tough it gets, God is faithful. David said, 'I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging', and you won't either!

Make Allowance (2)

'Make allowance for each other's faults...' Colossians 3:13 NLT

CS Lewis said, 'Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.' Author Mac Anderson writes, 'A few times in my life I've been wronged. My first reaction...was anger and resentment. I...felt my stomach tie up in knots, my appetite wane, and the joy slip out of my life...like I'd played the first half of a basketball game in steel shoes. In the locker room the coach said, Try these new Nikes in the second half.

Multiply that by ten and you'll understand how it feels to unload your emotional baggage through the power of forgiveness.' Jesus debunked the myth that love is based on feelings. It's an act of your will, and if you love God you'll keep His commandments. It's that simple. If you're struggling to forgive someone who's hurt you, here are some scriptural guidelines to help you. Don't seek retribution. Instead, '...overcome evil with good.' (Romans 12:21 NKJV) God said, '...Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' (Romans 12:19 NKJV) Don't rush to judgment. That's not always easy when you're the injured party, but the ultimate Judge said, 'With what judgment you judge, you will be judged...' (Matthew 7:2 NKJV) Make things right. Jesus said, '...be reconciled to your brother...' (Matthew 5:24 NIV) Don't wait for the other person to make the first move, you do it. 'Make every effort to live in peace with all men...' (Hebrews 12:14 NIV) Pray for the offender. As much as it goes against your grain, when you '...pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28 NIV), God gives you the grace to forgive and see them through His eyes.

SoulFood: Eph 4:17-6:24, John 1:14-28, Ps 29, Pr 22:26-29

Make Allowance (1)

'Make allowance for each other's faults...' Colossians 3:13

When it comes to forgiving, you can't say it better than Tim Stafford did: 'I would rather be cheated a hundred times, than develop a heart of stone.' The Bible says, 'Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.' You don't get to choose who you'll forgive. Love is a command, forgiveness is an act of obedience. 'He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother' (1 John 4:21 NIV). You can't be closer to God than you are to the people you love least. God sets the bar high because grudges are like cancer, and forgiveness is the laser that removes them. Bitterness chains us to the past, destroys families, divides churches and sours relationships. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of hate. Take your hurt feelings to God and say, 'Point out anything... that offends you...' (Psalm 139:24 NLT). It takes courage, but that's the kind of prayer He answers. It gets easier as you grow in Christ; in the meantime you have to work at it. As a child of God His Spirit lives inside you. You're no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:14). God knows it's hard to forgive deep-seated hurts, but He will give you grace to do it. To 'make allowance' means to take a charitable view and consider extenuating circumstances. People change and grow over time, so don't insist on clinging to a limited, outdated view of them. Try to see them as they are today. Most folks are doing their best based on the knowledge and understanding they have now, so give them a break. If you want things to change you must look at eachothers strengths and not their weaknesses. Only then through forgiveness can things actually happen. You are loved!