Outward Focus

"Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people..." 1 Corinthians 9:19 (The Message)
 
       Paul had the right idea and outlook when it came to others. He spent the majority of his Christian walk seeking every opportunity to serve others. He wholly adopted the mantra of Christ when Jesus commanded us to "love others as He had loved us." The best part of all this is that Paul didn't do this grudgingly, but was willing to pour himself out to others making himself an empty vessel by the time His life was over. 
 
       Why? The answer is simple as he continues to write, "I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!" (v.20-23) Paul realized how powerful the gospel was to his own life and did all he could to make that same message available to others. 
 
        I believe what attracts others to us as Christians is our hearts for others, more importantly our heart for those who cannot help themselves. God desires nothing more than for us to reach them with whatever He makes available to us. I encourage you all to seek an opportunity this week to reach someone who falls into this category. Shine the light that Christ has asked us to shine, and do not be encumbered by your own world. Reach others and I know that God will bless you with the satisfaction of a job well done.

Difficult love

"Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (The Message)

      Love in its purest sense is a hard thing to understand. I mean how difficult is it to always look for the best when you feel hurt? Or never looking back to the past when it seems like all the enemy does is remind you of your past. Love quite possibly could be one of the most difficult characteristics to engender. Because it requires so many different actions that run counter to our human nature.

      But God didn't ask us to "love our neighbor as He loved us,"? He commanded us to do so and offered us His help in doing so. We cannot love like He expects without having Him guide us along the way in showing us how to love.

       Consider Jesus, a man who was beaten beyond physical recognition, tortured incessantly, and ended up saying, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." That is the example of love that 1 Corinthians 13 chooses to demonstrate. It's a hard task I know, but it's a worthwhile endeavor that we should allow Him to teach us.

Trust

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”- Romans 15:13 (NIV)

         To have joy and peace is a wonderful thing. If you stop to think about the people around you how many people can you confidently say have joy and peace? Not many for sure. Why? I think the reason is rather simple they are more self-reliant than they are God-reliant. Its only natural as we humans have a natural tendency to be self-sufficient. Its in giving up that self-reliance do we face a great area of uncertainty so much so that after giving it a small try we rush back to our self-sufficiency and sink deeper into less joy and peace. What a crazy cycle.

          To give things up to God requires a tenacious persistence to leave it in His hands. You have to almost will yourself to keep your hands away from what you want to handle so badly. Often times it takes much longer (in your mind) to see results because you're not used to trusting God and so you are flooded with anxiety. But as time goes by and God works on your behalf better than anything you could have ever tried you sit there and think to yourself... "I could have never done that." It is then where you feel that overwhelming sense of peace which leads to joy. 

           What am I saying? Simple. At first trusting God is not easy. It takes a tremendous amount of patience and hope in God. But when God works and you see how awesome that work is, that hope starts to well up inside to the point where it overflows in your life. I'm convinced that in this day God is looking to do something so incredible in our lives that after He's done, nothing can ever pull us away from our trust in Him. Not trials, nor tribulations. I want nothing more than for all of us to get there, but you have to take a step of trust first.

Being Fruitful

"For each tree is known and identified by its own fruit; for figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor is a cluster of grapes picked from a bramblebush...Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not [practice] what I tell you?" Luke 6:44,46

      I was sitting in on a group discussion years ago when one of the members there made an excellent point on identification. They said, "We can for the most part tell by looking at someone who they are and what they represent." She went on to use Mormon's as an example, the way they walk and talk is very distinguishing as well as the way they carry themselves. You can tell who they are by the evidence of their fruits.

      Every one is a figurative tree that produces a certain fruit. Christians are supposed to look like a certain tree but sometimes we fall short of meeting up to the standard... Jesus. Jesus is so perplexed by this that He asks a simple question..."why do you say you're my tree when your fruits prove otherwise?" (paraphrase)

       Point is, our identification in Christ is solely predicated on the fruit we produce IN Him. I did not say FOR Him because we on our own cannot produce fruit. In our human condition it is absolutely impossible to do so, because we are born into frailty. Our identification with Jesus is only possible THROUGH Him. Once we assume our position with Him living within us, then our fruit will grow into the form it was intended to take all along.

Loved

"...Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you." Jeremiah 31:3 (AMP)

     It never ceases to amaze me to discover the depth of God's love for us. Nothing draws people's attention more than acknowledging how much they are loved. If they sense from someone a deep affection and care then walls come down and people become more open.

      God knew this about us so He devised a plan to draw us not with condemnation but with love. Jesus' life on this earth was nothing more than God's message of love to us. The gift of grace is nothing more than God showing us that it doesn't matter what  we've done He still wants relationship with us. This is what true love is all about. I'm so happy to know that at the end of the day regardless of what's going on around me, I'm loved, and because I'm loved everything is going to be alright!

Sacrifice

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NIV)

        Once sin entered our lives through Adam we took on its appearance and form, and the only way someone could be sanctified before God, something pure had to be offered on their behalf. For example, in the days of Moses, there would be a priest that would enter the tabernacle of God and make a sacrifice on behalf of the people. This however, was not how God intended it to be for He created us to individually have a relationship with Him. Yet the sin we were clothed in prevented us from rightfully having this with God.

        So God set out a plan that would take care of this problem forever, and in the tribunal of heaven He devised a plan that would forever bridge the gap between man and Himself. The righteous sacrifice on our behalf would have to be a man who was wholly unblemished and tainted by sin that would come to this world and die taking on all our sins with Him and forever reconciling man with God. Enter Jesus. And the rest as they say is history.

        Why is this so important? Consider this... if Jesus never came then our condemnation would still justifiably exist. We would not be able to partake in the presence of God individually. I don't know about you but if I had to live a life without God being the epicenter of my life I'd desire death (which by the way is what I deserve). Thankfully, it does not end there and that's why the sacrifice of the cross is so meaningful to mankind because it took us out of the place we belonged and put us into the place God wanted us to be. How truly wonderful is this story, the sacrifice of Jesus for you and me. Wouldn't this be enough to compel others of God's love for mankind? It certainly does for me.

The Stable Force

"He who dwells in the secret place in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]" Psalm 91:1 (AMP)

    When I was going through school I loved "if/then" statements. Conditional statements for me brought about a finality to a problem. "If you do your chores, then you will get an allowance," My mother used to say. "If you do well in school, then you're going to get a scholarship..." the education system tells us.

     The Psalmist here is taking a similar approach. He's telling us, "if you remain stable in the presence of God, then no enemy can overcome you." For me this verse motivates me to find the secret place of the Most High so that I could always remain powerful in His shadow. Sure the enemy may come against you, but if you remain stable, He can't do anything to you. To me that is power on display for all to take notice.

Development

"Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Psalm 119:27-28 (NIV)

      The only way to get stronger in anything is through repetition. If you want to be in shape... you can't expect to go to the gym just once a week to get in shape. It is a matter of discipline to go at least 3 maybe 4 times a week if you expect results. But it doesn't stop there... you have to also incorporate a disciplined eating lifestyle so that the work you put in would be sustained. 

       In similar fashion, if we expect to be strong spiritually we have to read the word of God consistently. Reading and meditating on the word of God is so vital to our lives that if we strengthen ourselves through it we would overcome great obstacles. Job 4:4 says, "Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees." This doesn't sound like a person who just started working out but rather someone who made working out in the word a repetitive exercise that brought about more strength, and just as incorporating a disciplined eating style sustains the workout so does a disciplined prayer life. If you speak to God about His word your relationship with Him grows deeper because you understand better who God is and what He intends to do with your life.

        Develop yourself spiritually. That you might grow stronger spiritually to overcome the evil in this world, but not only that... To also strengthen those who stumble along the way. This is our calling.

God

"What other great nation has gods that are intimate with them the way God, our God, is with us, always ready to listen to us? And what other great nation has rules and regulations as good and fair as this Revelation that I'm setting before you today?" Deuteronomy 4:7-8 (The Message)

        Stop and think for a moment, have you ever heard of another God capable of what our God can do, or has done? Has Buddha ever saved his followers from the oppression of nations? Did Mohammed die on the cross to rid us of the condemnation that sin brought down upon us? 

         Is there a God like our God? The answer? A resounding no.  No God loves His people so much that He would personally guides them out of captivity, and ensure that they have all they need on their journey. That's what makes our God so great. There is no one like Him. You could try and search the annals of history and you would never come up with a God so lasting, so loving, so just.

        I try (just like Moses) to understand how can we stray from a God with such a track record? What more does God need to do to make us believe? He has done everything imaginable and so much more. All He asks of us is our allegiance and our love. Simple and plain... what He asks of us doesn't even come close to comparing what He does for us. If doubt ever enters your consciousness, just pick up the Bible and rift through what God has done, for that God is the same today, and will be the same for all eternity.

The Word

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11

       The word of God is essential in providing proper illumination for our daily walk. A key element of living in the word of God is that we learn how to avoid sin. We were born into sin through the fall of man, so we are constantly striving against our own sinful nature. But thank God we have a way to fight sin. Constantly focusing on the word of God allows us to not only understand who God is but also see what His desires are for His children. 


       Equally as important, we're able to use the word to encourage and help other people. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)

        I know in my own life the word of God has served as a catalyst in the most difficult circumstances. It has served as a crutch when I didn't feel like walking. A compass when I felt lost in this world. It humored me when I felt down and depressed, and showed me love when I didn't even want to love myself. God gave us His word so that we would live free. Why don't we take advantage of letting it be a vital aspect of our daily life? He's looking to reach us... through His word. Let Him!

Excellence

"This man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has exceptional ability and is filled with divine knowledge and understanding." Daniel 5:12a (NLT)

       If you read the book of Daniel you will quickly realize and understand that Daniel was a man given to excellence. He had an excellent spirit, which gave way to him being filled with divine knowledge and understanding. In fact, his excellence was so evident that 4 kings gave him prominence in their kingdom.

        God wants us to have that same favor, but we like Daniel have to commit ourselves to spending time with Him. Daniel was committed to consecrating himself to God even at his own expense (see Daniel 6), and in all this God protected Him. Which leads me to believe that the more time I spend with time not only will I be a man of excellence but His protection will always cover me (Psalm 91:1).

Boldness

"So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need." Hebrews 4:16 (TLB)

      I wonder if we went out to the streets today and asked people which of them needed some grace, I'm confident that you would be overwhelmed by their responses. What puzzles me is how few people know the access we have to grace, fewer still know how to activate it in their lives.

      It's all about being bold. I've never met a bold person who didn't commit their hearts and mind to pursuing something. A bold person is not tepid in action, rather they understand what they need and how to get it and pursue it with abandon.

       This is exactly how we ought to come to God. God is not interested in feeble requests, He's interested in knowing how bad you want it, and how far you're willing to trust Him to deliver it to you. A few examples from the bible: 1) "If my people, who are called by my name shall humble themselves, pray, seek, CRAVE, and require of necessity My face" (2 Chronicles 7:14a) 2) "Our Father who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come" (Matthew 6:9a) 3) "Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above anything we can ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20a). There are many more examples I could have used but I chose these in particular because a person of Boldness Craves the presence of God to activate grace in their lives, They understand His Kingship and want His rule to dominate their lives, finally, they know that He is able to do anything they need over and above anything they ask.

       Are you bold enough to see the limitless possibilities God can do in your life? He'll sustain you with His supernatural strength and you'll be able to withstand the trials and temptation our enemy brings upon us. Boldly lift your eyes toward heaven for your Deliver awaits!

Prayer

"If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health." 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (The Message)

       When Solomon had built the temple and consecrated it to God. His prayer made provision for the fact that the people would turn and grow selfish in the abundant blessings God would provide for them. Solomon did this because he was well aware of the history his country showed in turning from God in the good times. In difficulty and adversity however, they would pray because they knew God would bail them out.

       2 Chronicles 6:26 is Solomon's plea for God to continue to hear the prayer of the people when the affliction of their sin has done them in. God's response is succinct yet powerful. All God is looking for in these moments is humility and connection. "If my people who are called by my name would humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land." (NLT)

        A repentant prayer would not only cause our difficult situation to dissipate but it would also bring us healing and restoration. A sincere and earnest prayer would turn moments of famine and lack into a legacy harvest and abundance. This is why prayer is the lifeblood of any person connected to God. It is our way to ask for an escape and point us in a direction where we can see the love of God cover our sin. This is what we should want for our society, and our generation. Lets humble ourselves and pray to bring healing to our land.

Move Ahead

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back." Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message)

       It's rather obvious to say that the only way in life to advance is to move forward, but it seems to me like there are alot people who don't really get that. What do I mean? If I recounted all the people who make their past their reference point I'd be talking for days. The thing that really gets to me is why do they continue to go back there? It's not like there's anything there for them... what's done is done.

       Paul saw the same thing in the people of Philippi. Speaking from experience, he told them the best way for them to be fully effective for the Kingdom is if they started thinking ahead and not behind. If you don't know about Paul's past, you have to understand one critical thing. If anyone could have let their past beat them up it was Paul. After all, he supervised the martyr of Stephen, and was doing his level best to eradicate Christianity in the middle east. People throughout his life judged him on account of his past, but he refused to go back there instead he pressed towards the mark where Jesus called him to be.

       Are you being affected by your past? If so, lay it down. Don't get what I call Lot's wife syndrome, where what was behind was so appealing you couldn't let go and you become a prisoner of it. God wants you to move forward to where He's calling us all to be. Will you heed His calling?