Embracing God’s Best for my Body

In review of Romans 12:1 it says, “Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him”

Bottom Line:

Place your life before God and embrace what God does for you.

What this means to me:

I am to take my everyday, ordinary life; my sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life, and place it before God as my offering. For embracing what God does for me is the best thing I can do for him.

When it comes to my life, taking care of my body should become a spiritual discipline, like prayer, worship, or Bible study. God wants you to succeed at this.

The apostle Paul says, with God helping you, “Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering” (Romans 12:1a MSG).

When I take care of my body, I worship God. And the good news is that it’s never too late to start this important journey in my life.

Before I ever start my journey of getting healthy, I need to realize that it’s a step of faith. Like Peter stepping out of the boat, every step I take toward better health increases my trust in God. Every step helps me expect the best from him. The same verse also says, “Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.”

The Bible embraces three incredibly important truths about the journey of getting healthy. Grasping these truths before I begin will change everything about the journey before me.

First, God made my body. Psalm 139:13 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (NIV). Physical health is as much about stewardship as where I give my resources.

Secondly, Jesus paid for my body. The Bible says, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT). On the cross, Jesus paid not just for my soul but also my body. I honor God when I take care of my body.

The Holy Spirit lives in my body. The Bible says my body is God’s temple and that the Holy Spirit lives in me (1 Corinthians 3:16). Good health is one way I take care of God’s temple. I’d never let our church building get into poor shape, and God wants me to think of my body in the same way.

Knowing the truth about my body makes acting on that truth a step of faith. It means I’m no longer getting healthy just to live a few more years, fit into a particular item of clothing in my closet, or look more physically attractive. I’m getting healthy as a way to worship God.

Small and Thoughtful Gestures On My Part Can Make a Big Difference

In review of 1 Thessalonians 5:14 it says, “Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone”

Bottom Line:

Encourage, take care and be patient with others.

What this means to me:

I am encouraged to encourage anyone who feels left out, disheartened or timid. I am to take care of those who are weak and can’t help themselves. I am to learn to be patient with everyone.

When ministering to someone, I’m to do whatever needs to be done to help them. I help in small but practical ways.

I can give comfort to those who in pain by attending to the small things that could make a big differences. I can show love by offering practical assistance to relieve pain and discomfort.

Also, I’m learning to not be afraid to ask questions or suggest things.  Today’s verse says, “Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NLT).

When others are in pain or don’t feel well they can often get cranky. I can show them compassion by cutting them some slack and extending kindness and patience to them.

This is important because one of the fears that people have is losing control. I can minister to people by being aware of their needs but also giving them choices in how those needs are addressed. Every time you give them a choice, I give control back to them.

Sometimes the smallest gesture or thoughtful assistance can make the biggest impact on someone who is facing problems. My presence is a ministry in itself, and so is my compassion through any practical assistance.

This passage reminds me of a speaker, John Maxwell, that I just heard today at the Global Leadership summit 2016.  John’s talk about being intentional by learning how to value others and add value to them. This is very much like doing small and thoughtful gestures to minister to others.

Five Things I can do in the Middle of the Storm

In review of Matthew 14:30 it says, “But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”

Bottom Line:

When Peter saw what he was up against, he asked the Lord to save him.

What this means to me:

In the middle of the storm, and I don’t know what to do, I can cry out and obtain help from Jesus.

It’s nice to know that when I’m going through a storm, that God is not distant or uninvolved. He is “I Am,” and he is working in my life for my good. Here are five things God wants me to do if I feel like I’m sinking in a storm.

Have courage, because Jesus is with me.

It is best to not argue with a fear, rather tell fear where to go! Tell it to go talk to Jesus.

Take a risk in faith. Don’t ask God to bless what I’m doing. Rather look and do what God is blessing. Ask him what he wants me to do, and then be willing to get out of the boat and do it.

Stay focused on Jesus. The moment I take my eyes off the Lord, I’ll sink. Matthew 14:30 says, “But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”  (NIV) When I focus on the wind and the waves, my circumstances, I’m going to sink, just like Peter. If I look at the world, I’ll be distressed; if I look within, I’ll be depressed; if I look at Christ, I’ll be at rest.

Don’t doubt. I won’t need great faith to make it through a storm, rather I just need faith in the right person.

Praise God. Even in the midst of the storm, even when I feel like I’m sinking, even when I’m scared to death; praise him all the time. Thank God in the middle of the storm.

Today I should think about recent storms in my life. Why do I think God is letting me go through this?

He is likely letting me go through this for the same reasons he sent the disciples into the storm; to say, “I’m all you need. I can handle anything. I will come to you in the ninth hour. And I’ll come walking on the very thing that scares you the most. I’m not asking you to come to me. I’m going to come to you.”

Jesus Will Come to Me in the Midst of My Storm

In review of Mark 6:48b it says, “About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water”

Bottom Line:

Jesus will be there and as close as we want him to be.

What this means to me:

Jesus notices when I’m in serious trouble, working hard and struggling. When I recognize my need for him, he will come as close as I want him to be. If I recognize him he will be there for me, If I don’t he may just pass me by.

In Mark chapter 6, Jesus had sent the disciples ahead of him to Bethsaida while he went off by himself to pray. Although it wasn’t a long trip by boat, they were blown off course by a storm, and when Jesus saw them struggling against the wind in the middle of the lake, he came to their aid.

There are many times in my life where a storm has blown me off course. I had no intention of being where I ended up. I’ve been blown off course by situations I couldn’t control. I feel like I should be where I intended to go by now, but at this point, I may have even given up hope of getting to my original destination. I just want to get back to safety.

In this passage I can see what Jesus does when I’m at my moment of desperation? Mark 6:48b says, “About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water” (NLT). Notice he didn’t tell the disciples to come to him. He knew they couldn’t get to him. He went to them. When I’m at that point of desperation, Jesus comes to me.

It’s great that Jesus did not stand on the shore and shout instructions. When I’m in a storm, I don’t need advice. I need a miracle! I need somebody to show up, and this is what Jesus did. He intervened in the disciples’ storm.

This is the Gospel message. God doesn’t stand on the shoreline telling us what to do. He comes out and meets us in our pain, our fear, our depression, our storm, and our discouragement. He comes to us. What a God!

Jesus will never abandon me. The Bible says in John 14:18, “I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm — I will come to you” (TLB). This is something I can count on it!

Learning Why My Way Isn’t Working

In review of Luke 5:4-5 it says, “When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets’”

Bottom Line:

When Jesus asks, do it.

What this means to me:

When Jesus asks me to do something, no matter how unusual the request seems, I should do it. Things done on my effort alone will not bear the same of that which God could do through me.

Today's passage comes from the first part of Luke chapter 5 and describes the first disciples of Jesus. One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. Jesus noticed two empty boats, stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push out to water. There he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he told Simon to go out deeper and let down his nets for a catch. Master, Simon replied, we worked hard all night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll do it and this time their nets were so full the nets began to tear. They shouted to and were aided by their partners in the other boat. Soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon realized what happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me, I'm such a sinful man." Jesus replied, "don't be afraid!" From now on you'll be fishing for people!. After they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Simon had to admit failure to Jesus. Afterall, he was a fisherman by trade and likely good at it. It was how he made a living. But I’m sure there are times when even the pros fish all night and catch nothing.

I’m sure these guys were doing their best, however sometimes even our best is not good enough. There will always be situations that are out of our control. For instance I can’t control the economy. I can’t control the weather. I can’t control a lot of things in life that will affect my life. I may have tried hard, but it just doesn’t seem to make any difference and I don’t have much to show for it.

So what this passage teaches me is that I need to get Jesus in my boat. In other words, let him be the center of my job. Then I need to admit that my way isn’t working. The Bible calls it confession, and it can be tough.

It’s tough to admit that my way isn’t working because of Pride. Personally I don’t want anybody to think I can’t handle it. After all, I’m in charge. I’ve got it all together. Therefore, I think I can handle everything by myself, even if it means working 12 hours a day.

Also, stubbornness gets in the way as well. I’m unwilling to change the way I do things. One of my greatest enemies of tomorrow’s success is yesterday’s success.

Lastly fear. It's hard for me to admit I’ve fished all night and caught nothing. I’m afraid that people will think less of me. I can be afraid to get Jesus into my boat because he’ll steer it in a direction I may not want to go.

So if I’m doing my best in my job, and it just don’t seem to have much to show for it. I need to let go of my pride, stubbornness, and fear, and see how Jesus can take my boat and fill it to overflowing.

Today I will consider what is it that I want God to accomplish through me in my career? Will I be willing to give him control? What confession(s) do I need to make.

Learning to Give Jesus Control of My Career

In review of Matthew 6:33 it says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need”.

Bottom Line:

Put God’s Kingdom and work first, he will provide the rest.

What this means to me:

I am to be more concerned with the Kingdom of God and what he wants. If I do, he will provide everything else I need.

In order to turn my life from emptiness to overflowing, I need to give Jesus complete control of my life, including my career.

Luke 5:3 says, “Jesus got into one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, and asked him to push off a little from the land. Then Jesus sat down and continued to teach the people from the boat” (NCV).

The disciples had worked all night and caught nothing. Then Jesus stepped into their boat and told them to cast their nets again. When they did, they caught so many fish that the nets began to break! It was the same lake, the same boat, the same nets, the same fishermen, and the same fish. The only difference between nothing and fullness was Jesus is in their boat.

As a starting point: I’ve got to get Jesus in my boat.

The boat for me, is how I make my living. Simon’s business was his boat because he was a fisherman. The boat represents my career, profession, and job, just like it represented Simon Peter’s entire livelihood.

Having Jesus in my boat means I dedicate my career to God and give him control of my career.  I can just put him on the shelf, rather I need him there with me and I need to trust him with it.

When Simon Peter gave his job to Jesus, he was blessed with incredible results. It’s important for me to remember the sequence. It’s not, “God, make me really successful in business, and then I’ll serve you with the success.” Wrong! It’s the exact opposite. First, Peter gave Jesus control of his job. Then Jesus blessed Peter’s job with enormous success. That’s the order.

Today’s verse in Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (NLT).

This is true for my career as it is with everything else.  Whatever I want God to bless, put him first in it. To have my time blessed, I give him the first part of every day. To have God bless my money, I give him the first 10 percent of your income, and work toward giving more. So if I want  God to bless my job, I give him control, no matter how successful I am.

Learning To See Others the Way Jesus Does

In review of Mark 6:34 it says, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd”

Bottom Line:

Jesus saw people and felt compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things they needed to know.

What this means to me:

In developing to be more like Jesus in character, I too should have compassion on those who are lost (sheep without a shepherd.) I can help introduce Jesus to them and teach them what I have learned and experienced.

Today's verse comes from Mark chapter 6 where Jesus feeds five thousand. Jesus and his disciples left on boat for quiet place to be alone for a while, however the people saw them leave and ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.  When Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped out, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Later in the day, the disciples had encouraged Jesus to send the people away to find food, however Jesus told them, "you feed them." The disciples commented that even with many months of wages they could not afford to buy food to feed them. Jesus then instructs them to find out how much food is available. They came back with five loaves and two fish. Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups of fifty to one hundred. He then took the food, looked toward heaven and blessed them. Then breaking the bread into pieces, he kept giving it to the disciples so that they could distribute it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate as much as they wanted and afterwards the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.

I too should look at life from Jesus viewpoint. The best way to know I’m looking at life this way is to look at how I see other people.

A bit test of my spiritual maturity is not how much Bible I know or how often I go to church or whether I serve or tithe or pray, but rather my relationships and how I see other people. What I’m learning is the life is all about love!

Do I see my wife like God does (valuable, acceptable, lovable and forgivable?)  How do I see strangers around me here at Starbucks? The person who cut me off in traffic? A beggar on the street? What do I see when I look at others? Are they irritants? Burdens?

Are those I work with as enemies? Or as competition?

From what I know in scripture all people matter to God. It doesn’t matter who they are or what they’ve done or even what they believe. Christ died for them, Jesus loves them, God has a plan for their lives, and he wants them to have a relationship with him.

Today’s verse from Mark 6:34 says, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (NIV). That’s the way Jesus sees people.

I too need to grow in this manner and not only have compassion for my own family but also for neighbors, communities, country and the whole world. I need to let my spiritual vision get larger and clearer and stronger as I learn to see people the way Jesus does.

Today, I will consider how I can show compassion to others.