In summary of Acts 18:9 it says, “One night God spoken to Paul in a vision and told him; do not be afraid, keep on speaking out, do not be silent.”
Bottom Line
Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent
What this means to me:
Like Paul, God encourages me to have great courage and to speak up for His viewpoint on life to others. I’m not to be afraid of what others think of me, or what could potentially happen to me for speaking out. God does not want me to be silent. He promises to be with me. God wants me to have an uncommon courage and to stand up for what I know is true and right. The world (media, large interest group agendas) continue to speak and tell you a worldview that goes against God’s word and most come to believe it because it usually suits their desires / selfishness. In order to best accomplish my speaking out, it is important for me to grasp what the world believes (what they base their beliefs in) and what God says is the truth. Everyone has a worldview that they see life through. People can see things differently based on conflicting worldviews. Like “instagram” which can take bad pictures and make them look better through filters, it is still the same bad or so-so picture. Peoples worldview includes how the view God, themselves, others, past, present and future, money, time, good and evil. It influences everything in their lives. Every decision is made based upon their worldview. Unfortunately, most people’s worldviews have been profoundly influenced by the media and others. It is vitally important that I help others know the worldview based on God’s Word (which is the truth.) So, what I hear God telling me is to make a stand for his truth, help others know that just adopting the worlds way of doing things is hurting them. Taking that kind of stand will require an uncommon courage that is only available through my knowledge and understanding of God’s Word and how it contrasts. I also need to review what my worldview is. What do my everyday words and actions say about my worldview. Am I really living based on what I believe. I may need to make some changes.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Stand Firm On God’s Truth, Not Anothers Opinion
In summary of Proverbs 29:25 it says, “Fearing what others think of you is a dangerous trap. Trusting in the Lord brings safety.”
Bottom Line:
It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.
What this means to me:
It can be a real disabling trap if I let what others think about me keep me from doing what God tells me I should do. It takes courage to move out on what I believe so I shouldn’t be a coward. God’s word tells me that If I put my trust and confidence in him, then his direction will bring me safety and I won’t miss out on his best for me. It’s difficult to take a stand for his truth if I’m overly concerned with what people think about me. If I worry about such things then I actually allow them to control me. So I need to be careful to not cave in to criticism. My focus should be on doing what’s right and not what others think I should do. As I move forward I need to remember that:
Bottom Line:
It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.
What this means to me:
It can be a real disabling trap if I let what others think about me keep me from doing what God tells me I should do. It takes courage to move out on what I believe so I shouldn’t be a coward. God’s word tells me that If I put my trust and confidence in him, then his direction will bring me safety and I won’t miss out on his best for me. It’s difficult to take a stand for his truth if I’m overly concerned with what people think about me. If I worry about such things then I actually allow them to control me. So I need to be careful to not cave in to criticism. My focus should be on doing what’s right and not what others think I should do. As I move forward I need to remember that:
- I can’t please everyone
- It really isn’t necessary to please everyone (joy/happiness in life comes from God, not others)
- c. Rejection will not ruin my life (it may hurt, not be fun and can be extremely uncomfortable, but it can ruin my life unless I allow it to.)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Hand It Over, Then Take The Next Step
In summary of Mark 10:52 it says, “Jesus spoke to him, “you may go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”
Bottom Line:
Faith is what is needed to move ahead.
What this means to me:
There are two fundamental things I must do in order to move forward. First, I need to hand my concern over to God, and secondly I need to take the next step knowing that God will do what is best for me (not always what I think is best, but what he knows is best.) Like the blind man in this passage it requires me to put my faith in Him. I am fortunate that I have actually seen God prove himself as being trustworthy to me time after time (there’s a great track record.) I have seen him come through and it’s always what I need, even when it involves discomfort or pain. Also, like the blind man, I can ask God to help me overcome problems, or provide guidance in decisions. The key is to not ask for selfish means but to ask for the things I need, fears I have or things that will progress him and his kingdom to others. Then I take the next steps he has laid out for me in his word. It is only after I step forward in faith that God will likely begin to work. I also need to seize the moment and recognize when God presents to me an opportunity. This will likely include moving against my fears. I need to just affirm my faith and the changes I’d like to see in my life and receive God’s grace. The blind man in the passage seized the opportunity to call out to Jesus when he walked by, he expressed his belief in who Jesus was and what he could do for him, then accepted the grace that allowed him to see again. So no matter what is happening or what mistakes I’m making, Jesus can provide a fresh start. Its not something I can earn by doing good works, but only something I can receive as a gift from him. Today, I need to think about what things I may be holding onto (not letting go, thinking I can do it on my own) and then take the next step/action. I need to do the things he has already told me to do.
Bottom Line:
Faith is what is needed to move ahead.
What this means to me:
There are two fundamental things I must do in order to move forward. First, I need to hand my concern over to God, and secondly I need to take the next step knowing that God will do what is best for me (not always what I think is best, but what he knows is best.) Like the blind man in this passage it requires me to put my faith in Him. I am fortunate that I have actually seen God prove himself as being trustworthy to me time after time (there’s a great track record.) I have seen him come through and it’s always what I need, even when it involves discomfort or pain. Also, like the blind man, I can ask God to help me overcome problems, or provide guidance in decisions. The key is to not ask for selfish means but to ask for the things I need, fears I have or things that will progress him and his kingdom to others. Then I take the next steps he has laid out for me in his word. It is only after I step forward in faith that God will likely begin to work. I also need to seize the moment and recognize when God presents to me an opportunity. This will likely include moving against my fears. I need to just affirm my faith and the changes I’d like to see in my life and receive God’s grace. The blind man in the passage seized the opportunity to call out to Jesus when he walked by, he expressed his belief in who Jesus was and what he could do for him, then accepted the grace that allowed him to see again. So no matter what is happening or what mistakes I’m making, Jesus can provide a fresh start. Its not something I can earn by doing good works, but only something I can receive as a gift from him. Today, I need to think about what things I may be holding onto (not letting go, thinking I can do it on my own) and then take the next step/action. I need to do the things he has already told me to do.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Stop Any Procrastination, Seize The Moment
In summary of Luke 9:62 it says, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow but keeps looking back (to the things of the past) is not fit for advancing the Kingdom of God.”
Bottom Line:
If you keep looking backward (to the things of the past) you can’t really move ahead and be effective in building the Kingdom.
What this means to me:
This verse reminds me that if I’m looking back to things of the past or if I’m procrastinating (one my default actions) I won’t really be making a difference for the Kingdom (advancing God’s goals/desires.) I really shouldn’t put God’s Kingdom off till tomorrow. I need to seize what’s in front of me right now, seize the moment. Whatever it is I’m going to do, I need to do it, I can wait till next year, next month, next week or tomorrow. I need to be thinking about seizing what is right in front of me. I already know that procrastination is one of my biggest personal issues and struggles. I sometimes think that by procrastinating it will make life easier whereas it often just adds stress. The fact is that I already know what the right things are to do and what the benefits are that come from doing them. Scripture reminds me that I should never presume upon tomorrow, as I’m not guaranteed a tomorrow. So whatever it is that I’m going to do, I better get after it now. So today I will consider what areas in my life that I need to stop procrastinating in and instead consider what would I want to accomplish if today was all I had left.
Bottom Line:
If you keep looking backward (to the things of the past) you can’t really move ahead and be effective in building the Kingdom.
What this means to me:
This verse reminds me that if I’m looking back to things of the past or if I’m procrastinating (one my default actions) I won’t really be making a difference for the Kingdom (advancing God’s goals/desires.) I really shouldn’t put God’s Kingdom off till tomorrow. I need to seize what’s in front of me right now, seize the moment. Whatever it is I’m going to do, I need to do it, I can wait till next year, next month, next week or tomorrow. I need to be thinking about seizing what is right in front of me. I already know that procrastination is one of my biggest personal issues and struggles. I sometimes think that by procrastinating it will make life easier whereas it often just adds stress. The fact is that I already know what the right things are to do and what the benefits are that come from doing them. Scripture reminds me that I should never presume upon tomorrow, as I’m not guaranteed a tomorrow. So whatever it is that I’m going to do, I better get after it now. So today I will consider what areas in my life that I need to stop procrastinating in and instead consider what would I want to accomplish if today was all I had left.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
God Finishes What He Starts
In summary of Philippians 1:6 it says,“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus returns.”
Bottom Line:
I’m convinced and very sure of this, that he who began a good work in you, will keep on working in you to completion (at the point when his son Jesus Christ returns.) What God starts, he’ll finish!
What this means to me:
God is the one who began this good work within me, and his promise is that he’ll keep on developing me to full maturity. This work won’t be perfected or complete until the day that Christ Jesus returns. I have learned that where God guides, he provides. Where God leads, he meets my needs. I have to remember however that there will be times of testing in my life, because my testimony would be no good without a test (a before and an afterword.) For these things to happen, I need to be willing to trust God completely. Then I need to remember and retell others. These stories need to be a bit like the memorial’s that were created in the Old Testament times. There were there to serve as reminders, things that when the children asked about them the story of what God did for them (a reminder of God’s faithfulness) could be retold and remembered. Today, I need to consider what I would build as a memorial (when God came through, what it stands for, what I would not want to forget.) Things in my life are not what matters. I am God’s legacy and my life is made up of the moments that made a difference for God’s Kingdom, the relationships that had eternal significance. Today I will also pray:
“Father, I remember right now the love of Jesus. Thank you for the miracles you’ve worked in my life. God, help me to remember your grace and to be gracious. I remember your generosity toward me. I ask you for the strength to be generous toward others. I trust that you will be with me, and I trust that you will finish what you have started in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Bottom Line:
I’m convinced and very sure of this, that he who began a good work in you, will keep on working in you to completion (at the point when his son Jesus Christ returns.) What God starts, he’ll finish!
What this means to me:
God is the one who began this good work within me, and his promise is that he’ll keep on developing me to full maturity. This work won’t be perfected or complete until the day that Christ Jesus returns. I have learned that where God guides, he provides. Where God leads, he meets my needs. I have to remember however that there will be times of testing in my life, because my testimony would be no good without a test (a before and an afterword.) For these things to happen, I need to be willing to trust God completely. Then I need to remember and retell others. These stories need to be a bit like the memorial’s that were created in the Old Testament times. There were there to serve as reminders, things that when the children asked about them the story of what God did for them (a reminder of God’s faithfulness) could be retold and remembered. Today, I need to consider what I would build as a memorial (when God came through, what it stands for, what I would not want to forget.) Things in my life are not what matters. I am God’s legacy and my life is made up of the moments that made a difference for God’s Kingdom, the relationships that had eternal significance. Today I will also pray:
“Father, I remember right now the love of Jesus. Thank you for the miracles you’ve worked in my life. God, help me to remember your grace and to be gracious. I remember your generosity toward me. I ask you for the strength to be generous toward others. I trust that you will be with me, and I trust that you will finish what you have started in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Know Who You Are So That You Can Move Forward
In summary of John 8:12 it says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Bottom Line:
When Jesus spoke to the the people, he said, "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."
What this means to me:
When I choose to follow Jesus he will provide the guidance I need, keeping me from just stumbling around in the darkness. He provides a light that will give real life, a life as God intended it to be. When Jesus say’s “I am the light of the world” he knew who he was. He has defined himself in the Word as the door, the bread of life, the way, the truth, the resurrection, and the life. Because of this he never felt pressured to conform. As long as I am unsure of my identity, I’ll feel the pressure to fit into other people’s molds. If I’m not careful the world’s ways will influence me, and I’ll end up conforming to what popular opinion thinks rather than what God made me to be. Fear will ensue in my life if I try to be someone I’m not or become fearful that someone’s going to find out what I’m really like and that I don’t measure up. Instead I need to concentrate on having an internal sense of satisfaction about who I really am, the one God made me to be. Today I can continue to discover who I am by remembering first that I am deeply loved and accepted by him. Secondly by knowing that he has a plan for my life. Most of his plan for me will likely include service for others. So If I’m going to get on board with God’s plan for me, I need to overcome any insecurity’s and get a good grip on myself, otherwise, I won't feel like helping anyone else. Today I need to continue to concentrate on being secure in who I am so that you can effectively serve others.
Bottom Line:
When Jesus spoke to the the people, he said, "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."
What this means to me:
When I choose to follow Jesus he will provide the guidance I need, keeping me from just stumbling around in the darkness. He provides a light that will give real life, a life as God intended it to be. When Jesus say’s “I am the light of the world” he knew who he was. He has defined himself in the Word as the door, the bread of life, the way, the truth, the resurrection, and the life. Because of this he never felt pressured to conform. As long as I am unsure of my identity, I’ll feel the pressure to fit into other people’s molds. If I’m not careful the world’s ways will influence me, and I’ll end up conforming to what popular opinion thinks rather than what God made me to be. Fear will ensue in my life if I try to be someone I’m not or become fearful that someone’s going to find out what I’m really like and that I don’t measure up. Instead I need to concentrate on having an internal sense of satisfaction about who I really am, the one God made me to be. Today I can continue to discover who I am by remembering first that I am deeply loved and accepted by him. Secondly by knowing that he has a plan for my life. Most of his plan for me will likely include service for others. So If I’m going to get on board with God’s plan for me, I need to overcome any insecurity’s and get a good grip on myself, otherwise, I won't feel like helping anyone else. Today I need to continue to concentrate on being secure in who I am so that you can effectively serve others.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Having Confidence In God
In summary of Philippians 4:13 it says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Bottom Line:
Christ gives us the strength needed to face anything I can come up against.
What this means to me:
Christ gives me the strength I need to face anything that comes my way. I can be self sufficient because of his sufficiency. I can learn to be confident in God’s unlimited compassion and power and to let go of any confidence in myself. Standing on my own leaves me on an uncertain foundation and no matter how confident I am in myself, eventually things will happen to wash away my own self confidence. But having my confidence in God, I can know that I will always be able to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence; In it I will always find his mercy and grace to help in my time of need. His love and acceptance is always there. So today I will consider anything that I’m hesitating on moving forward with. I will then switch my confidence to him and know that he can do anything through my life if I let him.
Bottom Line:
Christ gives us the strength needed to face anything I can come up against.
What this means to me:
Christ gives me the strength I need to face anything that comes my way. I can be self sufficient because of his sufficiency. I can learn to be confident in God’s unlimited compassion and power and to let go of any confidence in myself. Standing on my own leaves me on an uncertain foundation and no matter how confident I am in myself, eventually things will happen to wash away my own self confidence. But having my confidence in God, I can know that I will always be able to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence; In it I will always find his mercy and grace to help in my time of need. His love and acceptance is always there. So today I will consider anything that I’m hesitating on moving forward with. I will then switch my confidence to him and know that he can do anything through my life if I let him.