Growing into Leadership (2)

'Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me...' Psalm 139:23 NLT       

    


I love to look in the paper and read the cartoons on Sunday after church. In his Pogo cartoon strip, Walt Kelly said, 'We have met the enemy, and he is us.' I thought about that and I had to ask myself how I can with God overcome this. The hardest person in the world to lead will always be ourself. Human nature seems to endow us with the ability to size up everybody except ourselves. When we allow that to continue it turns into Judgment. After having a victorious Goliath experience, followed by a devastating Bathsheba experience, the Psalmist wrote, 'Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.' (Psalm 139:23,24 NLT) That's a prayer you need to pray every day because we all have two problems. (1) We don't see ourselves as we see others. If we don't look at ourselves honestly and realistically, we will never understand where our personal difficulties lie. And if we can't see them, we won't be able to lead ourselves effectively. It's said that Frederick the Great of Prussia met an old man walking ramrod straight in the opposite direction. 'Who are you?' Frederick asked. 'I am a king,' replied the old man. Frederick laughed. 'Over what kingdom do you reign?' Proudly the old man replied, 'Over myself.' (2) We are harder on others than we are on ourselves. We judge others according to their actions, while we tend to judge ourselves according to our intentions. When we do the wrong thing, we let ourselves off the hook because we believe our motives were good. And the problem is; we are usually willing to do that over and over before requiring ourselves to change! But never give the same grace to others who are doing the same thing we are. Do you want to grow? Then begin to ask God to show you how your life can lineup with Psalm 139:23-24. You are loved!

Growing into Leadership (1)

  

'I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings...' Romans 16:22 NLT   

             

This morning Amy and I met with a Lutheran Pastor to talk about ministry. She had invited Amy and I to talk about what ministry looks like in our world and how we grow leaders; and what that entails. It was a very good time of thought for myself on if we are even growing people into leadership the right way. So I went to my favorite apostle for some answers. Paul surrounded himself with people who were willing to lay down their lives for him (Romans 16:34). Some of them are virtually unknown. Ever heard of Tertius? He recorded Paul's thoughts so we could read them. We all know about Timothy, but do you know about Gaius? '...He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church...' (Romans 16:23 NLT) Many served in the shadows so Paul could work in the limelight. Sadly, when some leaders arrive at the top, they spend their time trying to push others off it. They play 'king of the hill' because of immaturity, insecurity and competitiveness. That may work for a while, but it doesn't last long. It was a hard lesson for me to learn as a young pastor that we need everyone to help in the ministry. We need everyone to be leaders and to be ministers. Jules Ormont said, 'A great leader never sets himself above his followers except in carrying responsibilities.' So today I want to challenge you to think and build another paradigm in your thought process about being the men and women God wants you to be. How do you go about that? Build relationships. Win people over. Love them were they are. When you don't love people, you're only a few steps away from manipulating them. We have some amazing things happening here at CFW. We will need many leaders and hands to do the work. I read an article a few years ago about the three great tenors - José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti. They were performing together a concert. When a reporter tried to find out if there was any rivalry among the superstars, Domingo said, 'No, you can't be rivals when you're together making music.' I'm' looking forward to making amazing music together as we trust God in changing hearts and souls for His kingdom...you are loved!

Why God Accepts You (2)

 '...Approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him...' 2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP      

    

I love the words approved and acceptable in 2 Corinthians 5. We don't have to do anything to be valuable to God. That concept is hard to grasp sometimes. The world tells us that our value is connected to our 'doing'. Growing up, we're constantly compared. I can remember my parents asking why I wasn't doing as well as my brother; for you it may have been brother or sister. I can remember feeling that I was doing my best. So in the beginning I resolved to try harder, but no matter how hard I tried, someone still wasn't satisfied. I bet you can relate to what I'm saying. We were still getting the message, 'Something's wrong with you.' This leaves us burned out, confused and turned off. It drives many of us into counselling, when all we need is the assurance of God's unconditional love! Your wrong behaviors won't be changed until you know you're loved by God apart from what you do. And that's what Jesus made possible through the cross. Why is this important to believe? Because until you know who you are in Christ, you'll stumble along believing that your acceptance with God is performancebased. Your acceptance with God is based on performance, but not yours - Christ's! Jesus loves you unconditionally and is committed to working with you. And the best part is, He doesn't condemn you while He's doing it! He understands your temperament, your struggles, and even the faulty foundation upon which you've based your selfworth. He not only understands - He cares. Once you enter into a personal relationship with Christ He begins a process of relieving your pain, revealing your true value, and releasing your gifts. Bit by bit, He restores everything Satan has stolen from you. And while all this is happening, you are positioned securely 'in Christ'. Therefore you're always acceptable to Him. Isn't that incredible! I'm glad you are on this path with Amy and I. You are loved!

Why God Accepts You (1)

'...Approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him....' 2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP       

    

Giving God the Glory! Thankful for a life changing day as Josephina had been sick for over two weeks and yesterday during worship God healed her!!! I'm always amazed at how much our God loves us and accepts us just were we are in this life. Thanks to Dan Taylor for bringing the word yesterday and his heartfelt message for Africa. I feel led today to share  about why God Accepts you, for you. We think that when we have a bad day or week he somehow forgets us. there is one thing you must accept; God loves and accepts you as much on your bad days as He does on your good ones. In a performancebased society, that's easy to forget. But you mustn't! God's acceptance is based on your standing in Christ, not the state of your life at a given time. 'For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His (not our) goodness].' (2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP) Stop thinking about your relationship with Christ as a performance. Think of the cross as a trading post. There God took every sin you'd ever commit and laid it upon Jesus. And the moment you place your trust in Christ, God takes all of Christ's righteousness and wraps you up in it. From that point on, He sees you only one way - in Christ. How liberating! Liberating, because now you realize that your worth isn't based on what you do but on who you are in relationship to Christ. God actually assigned value to you by allowing Jesus to die for you. 'But I can't believe that God doesn't care about what I do.' You're right! And your rewards in Heaven will be based on your stewardship here on earth. God wants you to do good works, but He doesn't want you to depend on them for salvation; He wants you to do them out of love for Him. Once you understand your position, who you are in Christ, you begin doing the right things for the right reasons. You are loved...

God Will Take Care of You

'Give all your worries...to God, for He cares about you.' 1 Peter 5:7 NLT       

We made it back in one piece, yah! It sure was a bumpy ride all the way home. Amy and I are in the office this morning looking at all the piles of work and it almost seems like it isn't worth going on vacation sometimes. But we are glad we are back and excited for this weekends services with our Missionaries Dan & Danita Taylor. I hope you will take the time to consider faith promise in your giving this year. Faith promise is above and beyond you're normal tithe and offerings and it goes in support of all the missionaries locally and overseas. Do you believe your God takes care of you? One of the biggest things we worry about is money. Can I give a faith promise or even tithe? Ask yourself the question; "Do I believe my God can supply all my needs when I give." We just plain like to worry about stuff God says to give to Him. Think about the things you worried about last year, or even last week. How many came to pass? Statistically, 10 percent at most! And did all your worrying make them better or worse? And what about the physical and emotional toll that worry is taking on you? Dr. Charles Mayo, founder of the famous Mayo Clinic, said, 'Worry negatively affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, and the whole nervous system. It profoundly affects your health. I have never known a person who died from overwork, but many who died from worry.' So when are you going to face up to the fact that you worry too much, and do something about it? 'What can I do?' you ask. The Bible says, 'Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.' By committing each day to the Lord, you are trusting Him to go before you and work things out for the best. It's the only way to live! Worry doesn't work. It's like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do and keep you going, but it won't get you anywhere! Life is too big for any of us to handle alone. So when worry comes to prey on your mind, attack it with the promises of God. Go ahead, bring your fears to God and watch them shrivel and die: '...God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 4:7 GWT) George Müller said, 'The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.' So you ready to trust God with your whole life? I'm praying so...you are loved!

He Understands

'...He faced all of the same testing's we do...' Hebrews 4:15 NLT      

    

Our vacation is almost over...it seems like we just got here a few days ago. We can't complain though because we've had a fabulous time here with Amy's family and we got most of our teeth fixed as well. That was Amy's and my birthday presents to each other. We were told of this awesome little town not far from Yuma across the boarder that caters to the snow birds as they are called, where you can just about get anything done for a 1/4 of the cost. It was God's blessing to us to have wonderful family who helped us through the process, thanks Linda!

Who cares enough about you more than you're God. My thought for Today is about how God understands. You may think my little thought about getting teeth fixed is trivial because you have something bigger going on in your life. But God's got your back wherever you maybe today. The Lord understands what you are going through because He has been where you are. The Bible says: 'This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do...So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.' (Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT) That means: (1) Jesus understands your family problems He had a family of His own. And on one occasion they said, '...He's out of His mind...' (Mark 3:21 NLT) (2) Jesus understands when you feel overwhelmed 'Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn't even have time to eat.' (Mark 6:31 NLT) Jesus not only dealt with on the job pressures, He had to organize, train and correct His own followers, including a group of uneducated fishermen, a bigot, and a despised tax collector. (3) Jesus understands when you feel rejected The town He grew up in had no use for Him: 'He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.' (John 1:11 NKJV) When Philip said, 'We have found the one whom Moses wrote about... He is Jesus...from Nazareth,' Nathaniel replied, 'Can anything good come from Nazareth?'(John 1:45 GNT) And Jesus' family tree was nothing to write home about either. Rahab was a prostitute, Jacob was a crook, David was an adulterer - to name just a few. Yes, Jesus understands. He knows where you're at today and He's able to help you. So talk to Him! Even little things like how am I going to pay for my, or my families teeth, God understands! You are loved...

Prayer, Not Pressure, Changes People

'But we all...are changed...by the Spirit of the Lord.' 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV       

    


Getting ready for a side trip to Mexico this morning...they have dentists that are good and fairly reasonably priced so off we go on our adventure to save money and have better teeth. We will be two of hundreds of snow birds who get this done everyday as the price of health care rises in our country. Maybe we'll find a trinket or two as well. So if you get a chance put up a prayer or two for us today, it will be greatly appreciated.

So the question today is, are you praying the right way? Jesus asked the question, 'Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?' (Matthew 7:3 NIV) Expecting more out of people than they're able to give will hurt your relationships, not help them. People need the freedom to be who they are. That doesn't mean they don't need or want to change. But nobody appreciates being given the message, even subtly, that they must change in order to be loved and accepted. We're more likely to change for those who are willing to accept us with our shortcomings, than for those who demand we live by their rules. One thing is certain: God won't change the people we're trying to change until we adopt a 'hands off' policy. We must get out of His way and let Him work! Even when we think we're hiding our disapproval, people still feel it. It's in our voice and body language. Prayer, not pressure, is the greatest agent for change. If we truly love people we'll pray for them and allow God to work on them His way, on His schedule, and for His glory. Many of those who irritate us are simply being themselves; their personality just doesn't mesh with ours. Sometimes we want them to change when we need to change. Often the things we require in other people are already available for us to enjoy, if we'll just stop judging them. For change to be lasting, it must come from the inside out. And only the Spirit of God can bring that kind of change. You are loved...

Happy Birthday Amy!

I thought I would spend a few words on my blog today telling you how wonderful my wife is. She turns (?) you'll have to ask her that question.  But today is the day that I get to tell you how special a woman she is and how much I love her. She does so much for me I couldn't begin to list all the things.

But the biggest thing that I can give you is this: she loves God with all her heart and that's what makes her the most attractive woman in the world to me...there are other things but I can't share those with you. We will do one of our traditions that I can share with you, we'll go to Wal-Mart and look at singing birthday cards and oo and ah and I'll tell her how special she is. I am so blessed God brought you into my and I love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amy I hope you have the greatest day today...If you have a opportunity please send Amy a text or give her a call and love on her. She would love it...Amy you are loved!

Are You Lonely?  

'...we belong to each other...' Ephesians 4:25 NLT

         

             
Good Morning,

Please remember Norma Johnson in your prayers as she is finally home and needing the church family to help out. If you could send a meal or help clean her house or something, please call Barb Beach and she'll help coordinate with you. Norma has been a stead fast giver when our church family has had a need. Amy and I hope you'll help out.

It's Valentine's Day and for many it's a very hard day. I thought about sharing stories about my beautiful wife and how she is the rock in my life. But for many this is a lonely day. So I hope I can encourage those who are feeling lonely today. In the first chapters of Genesis we read, 'And God saw that it was good.' The first reference to something being 'not good' was when God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone...' (Genesis 2:18 NIV) Adam was enjoying a great relationship with God, but because he didn't have a human companion, God said it wasn't a good thing. God designed you with two voids. One is a void only He Himself can fill. The other is a void only the right people can fill. And you can't fill either void with things like jobs, houses, cars or money. You say, 'What should I do?' (1) Keep your eyes open Today one in five relationships begins on the Internet. But there's a built-in danger there; you can be anybody you want to be on the internet, yet not be known and loved for the person you really are. Furthermore, loneliness can blind you to your own true needs and another person's lack of character. (2) Pray about it When Eliezer, Abraham's servant, was sent to find a wife for Isaac he prayed, 'O Lord...give me success today...' (Genesis 24:42 NIV) And God did. Isaac and Rebekah became one of the great love stories of the Bible. (3) Reach out to others That may mean taking down the wall you've been hiding behind and building a bridge. The Bible says, 'Do not be interested only in your own life...be interested in...others.' (Philippians 2:4 NCV) There are no perfect relationships, or risk-free ones. It's in finding an unmet need and pouring yourself into it that you conquer loneliness and discover a new joy in living. You may ask how do you know that? Because I lived the life of loneliness until I went out of my way to help others. It was after that, that God opened the door to relationship...you are loved!

Love

'...Let us...love one another...' 1 John 4:7 NLT       

    


I was sitting here this morning listening to some awesome worship music by Jesus Culture. I know some of you are going to say pastor you're on vacation you can take a break...yes I can and I am! But God challenged me to keep writing and to share what He's been placing on my heart the last few days. And yes I may just share some more. We got here Monday afternoon at Amy's sisters house. Kathy and Leo are the most amazing hosts. We are blessed to have such wonderful family who love us. Then I thought about you...what an incredible family who loves us! Church you are amazing. I heard a quote today from Betty White, "If you want to be the best always look to the positive, and never stop loving." Now she wasn't coming from a Christian standpoint, but good words to live by. So today guess what I'm sharing? Yes, Love. Love is slow to suspect but quick to trust; slow to condemn but quick to justify; slow to offend but quick to defend; slow to expose but quick to shield; slow to reprimand but quick to empathise; slow to belittle but quick to appreciate; slow to demand but quick to give; slow to provoke but quick to help; slow to resent but quick to forgive. I read about a church where the people make the following pledge to each other: 'I'll never knowingly say or do anything to hurt you. I'll always, in every circumstance, seek to help and support you. If you're down and I can lift you, I'll do that. If you need something and I have it, I'll share it with you. If I need to, I'll give it to you. No matter what I find out about you, no matter what happens in the future - either good or bad - my commitment to you will never change. And there's nothing you can do about it.' How amazing is that? I would love that to be our motto at our church... 1 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV says love: (1) 'Believes all things.' When someone you care about is called into question, love says, 'That's not the kind of person they are; that's not what they meant.' (2) 'Hopes all things.' Love sees people not just as they are, but as they can be through God's grace. And if you let Him, God will download that kind of love into your heart. (3) 'Endures all things.' The Greek word for 'endure' is a military term. It means driving a stake into the ground. It's like saying, 'I'll stand my ground in loving you.' Today, take the love that God has given to you, and give it to others. It will change your life! You are loved even on vacation...

Living Fearlessly (3)

 

'...I will uphold you with My...right hand.' Isaiah 41:10 NIV

         

             


When you know that what you're doing is in sync with God's will, you can be confident He will provide what you need and fight for you. God told His people, 'When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.' (Deuteronomy 20:1 NIV) Then God added something else: '...Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too.' (Deuteronomy 20:8 NIV) God knows that when you allow fear to rule your heart, it's fatal, not only for you, but to those around you. What happens is you become a person of self excuse, who rationales everything so you can just get by in life. This effects not only you, but your family, friends and co-workers and your relationship with God. People who let fear rule them, in effect, the day they succumbed to it, there life changes...We all die in the end, but there's no reason to die in the middle. You don't overcome fear overnight. But gradually, day by day, you can get it under control. '...the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.' (Daniel 11:32 NKJV) The word 'know' means 'to be in relationship with, or to be intimate with.' Want to overcome your fears? Spend time in God's Word. Prioritise your prayer life. Get to know God better. You are loved!

Living Fearlessly (2)

'...Do not fear, for I am with you...' Isaiah 41:10 NIV   

             


The words 'fear not' appear in the Bible all the way from Genesis to Revelation. Why is that? Because God understands that fear is not only our biggest enemy but our constant companion, and He wants to help us overcome it. Our comfort zones constrain us, imprisoning us in a thought system of our own devising. They are patrolled by sentries - negative thoughts and unexamined fears - that keep us firmly behind bars. One of the fears that I am overcoming is riding my bike again. When I was a young man I was in a motorcycle accident that kept me off a bike until last year. But the good news is, because fears are feelings, the faulty ones can be removed by faith in God, and you can become free from them. I asked God to replace the fear I had with faith. Does this mean you can live totally free from fear? No, writer Michael Ignatieff says: 'Living fearlessly is not the same thing as never being afraid. It's good to be afraid occasionally. Fear is a great teacher. What's not good is living in fear, allowing fear to dictate your choices, allowing fear to define who you are. Living fearlessly means standing up to fear, taking its measure, refusing to let it shape and define your life. Living fearlessly means taking risks, taking gambles, not playing it safe. It means refusing to take 'no' for an answer when you are sure that the answer should have been 'yes'. It means refusing to settle for less than what you are due, what is yours by right, what is yours by the sweat of your labour and your effort.' And let's add - what God has promised and planned for you. You are loved!

Living Fearlessly (1)

 

'...You are My servant; I have chosen you...' Isaiah 41:9 NIV

         

             


Have you ever been in a position where someone or something has triggered this bit of fear inside of you? You are not sure where it came from but it defiantly triggered the emotion of fear in you. When I was in Haiti driving down one of these streets like this I had for a moment, that fear that said "what are you doing here?" Immediately I spoke the words of God into my spirit and said "if you have called me, you have chosen me." Have you ever wondered how animal trainers used to control a five ton elephant and keep it from running away? They did it by controlling the animal's thinking. When a baby elephant was being trained, a rope was put around its leg and then tied to a wooden post secured in the ground. The elephant, which was not yet very strong, pulled at the rope but was unable to break it or to pull up the post. Eventually it gave up. From that point forward when the elephant's leg was secured it believed it couldn't get away - even though it was fully capable of escaping, and had been for a long time. It remembered its struggle. That's one reason it's said, 'Elephants never forget.' And we are like that too. Our thinking limits us, just as an elephant's does. Usually it's because of fear. The truth is fear can steal your dreams. You may be afraid of failure. You may be afraid of rejection. You may not want to make a fool of yourself. You may be afraid of trying because you believe you can't succeed. If you give in to these thoughts and believe that you can't achieve your dream, you'll be right - and therefore unable to achieve your dream. Often what we fear has no connection to reality. But here's the good news: Fear can be overcome. The first step to overcoming it is to believe God when He says about you: '...You are My servant; I have chosen you...do not fear, for I am with you...I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' (Isaiah 41:910 NIV) You are loved!

Contentment

 

'...with these we shall be content.' 1 Timothy 6:8 NAS   

             


I found this picture of our dog Shaggy sleeping in my arms on a road trip some time back. He was so content to just lay in my arms. Let me share something with you this morning; contentment isn't something you find at a particular destination, it's something you practice every day on your way to it. And even if you miss the right path from time to time, you still enjoy the scenery along the detour. Paul said, 'Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.' (Philippians 4:11 NKJV) Paul learned not to let what he didn't have, overshadow what he did. How do you find contentment? By doing these three things: (1) Seek it Make it a daily choice. Come to the place where you believe that having more materially, won't make you happier. Sometimes contentment calls for simplifying your life. Benjamin Franklin said, 'Contentment makes poor men rich, and discontent makes rich men poor.' (2) Say it Cultivate the ability to say, 'I have enough.' Push back from life's table and say, 'I've had enough.' Stand with the surprise bonus in your hand considering what you might buy, and say, 'I have enough, Lord. How can I use this for You?' (3) Settle it '...If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.' (Psalm 62:10 NAS) If all the grains of sand on all the beaches of the world represented eternity, you could say that one grain represents your lifespan. Now think: You are over here grinding your one grain day and night to get everything you can out of it, while ignoring all the beaches of eternity that God has in store for you. Not very clever, is it? To be content, focus on eternity. Let enough be enough. Let your lifestyle be Biblically based; make it eternally focused! You are loved!

Learning to Walk by Faith (3)

 

'Faith comes from hearing the message...through the Word...' Romans 10:17 NIV

         

             


What does it mean to 'walk by faith...' (2 Corinthians 5:7 NAS)? It's radically different from walking by sight, reason, emotion or intellect. It calls you to live above these things; to believe God when it seems impossible to believe. It enables you to enter the realm of supernatural possibilities because Jesus said, 'All things are possible to one who believes.' (Mark 9:23 ESV) Here are some Scriptural principles about faith that will help you: (1) It is not rooted in human effort. Self-confidence and intellectual acumen don't qualify. Optimism, good luck and social connections don't qualify. Learning religious formulas won't do it either. (2) It's rooted in God's unlimited power and unchanging Word. 'Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word.' The Word of God, received and residing within you, continuously produces faith within you. No teeth-gritting super-effort is required; you simply decide to believe what God says and respond to it. (3) Walking by faith calls for action. 'Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.' (James 2:18 NIV) Until you act, your faith is useless. 'In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.' (James 2:17 NIV) The moment you act your faith springs to life, inviting God to move on your behalf. Today He's waiting for you to act so that He can respond to you. Even if you don't feel like it, ask yourself, 'What would my first step of faith be if I really felt like taking action?' Do it! You'll be walking by faith and reaping the rewards! (Hebrews 11:6) You are Loved!