Good morning! Like me I’m sure many of you have been watching the movements of hurricane Katrina. I think we are all awestruck by the devastating power of a storm like this. Can you imagine facing that type of destructive fury without having some advance notice? Fortunately in this day and age, we have the benefit of radar and satellite imagery that helps us track, predict and prepare for the impending storms.
Watches and warnings are meant for the safety of the public. The watch tells us to “look out” and the warning tells us to “take cover.” Watches and warnings have the potential to save countless lives, but they are only effective if acted upon.
Lets shift our focus to the destructive forces that are closing in on your life. Are you paying attention to the alerts in your life. Consider these words of caution:
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.
Look at those words…”Be careful! Watch out…” God is issuing a severe weather alert for life. He is preparing you for the attack…you know it is coming. Now the question is what are you doing about it?
Let’s focus on some precautionary steps each one of should be taking to “storm proof” our lives.
First of all stay in constant communication with God. So many of us neglect our prayer lives until we are in the middle of the storm. The time to establish contact isn’t when the waves are crashing in, but during the calm and peaceful times. A vibrant consistent prayer life, will strengthen you, prepare you and equip you for the challenges that lie ahead.
The second step is to anchor yourself with a solid foundation. Daily time in the Bible will equip you with truths that are applicable every day even in the face of changing circumstances. A firm foundation allows for a strong defensive stance or provides leverage for going on the offensive.
The final step is to surround yourself with people who can keep your head above the waves. So many of us try to fight through our storms without leaning on those people God has put around us. When I was a kid at camp we always were required to use the buddy system. As a buddy, you were responsible for the well being and safety of your “buddy.” Who is your buddy when you need a lifeline, a helping hand, or simply a word of affirmation?
As hurricane Katrina comes on shore, lets keep those affected in our prayers.
This week pay heed to the watches and warnings God sends your way. Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Monday Morning Encouragement - August 22, 2005
Good morning! As I write to you today I am in South Carolina. Today I spoke at a church that is going to partner with my church for the next several years. This partnership will allow our church to accomplish projects and ministries that we would not be able to achieve on our own.
It is this idea of partnership that I want to focus on today. Too many of us live our lives in nearly complete isolation. We have adopted a lone ranger mentality to life, never utilizing the gifts, talents and abilities of those that God has placed around us. God never intended for people to live the life of a hermit. Instead he intended for us to live in community.
Take a look at the following passage from the book of Exodus:
Exodus 17:8-13 (NLT)
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek came to fight against them. [9] Moses commanded Joshua, "Call the Israelites to arms, and fight the army of Amalek. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
[10] So Joshua did what Moses had commanded. He led his men out to fight the army of Amalek. Meanwhile Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a nearby hill. [11] As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. [12] Moses' arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff any longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset. [13] As a result, Joshua and his troops were able to crush the army of Amalek.
The fate of the Israelites army was dependent upon Moses’ ability to keep the staff held high. Imagine the weight of responsibility that was upon his shoulders. Imagine the overwhelming burden as his arms began to tire. He watched his army lose the upper hand and yet try as he might he struggled to keep his arms raised.
God knew that Moses would be weary and he had already prepared a way. Aaron and Hur had accompanied Moses to the mountain top. They were aware of Moses’ condition and took steps to support his effort. Not only did they find a seat for Moses but then they came along side of him, each holding a hand and keeping it raised. In spite of Moses’ best intentions he could not go it alone. He needed the support of those God had placed around him.
What are the challenges that you are facing today? Have you shared those challenges with others that God has placed into your life? Most of us tend to play our cards close to our chest. Our pride keeps us from reaching out to others for strength and encouragement. Today remember that God has placed others around you as a resource to get you through these challenges. Lean on them, utilize their wisdom and strength.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
It is this idea of partnership that I want to focus on today. Too many of us live our lives in nearly complete isolation. We have adopted a lone ranger mentality to life, never utilizing the gifts, talents and abilities of those that God has placed around us. God never intended for people to live the life of a hermit. Instead he intended for us to live in community.
Take a look at the following passage from the book of Exodus:
Exodus 17:8-13 (NLT)
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek came to fight against them. [9] Moses commanded Joshua, "Call the Israelites to arms, and fight the army of Amalek. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
[10] So Joshua did what Moses had commanded. He led his men out to fight the army of Amalek. Meanwhile Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a nearby hill. [11] As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. [12] Moses' arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff any longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset. [13] As a result, Joshua and his troops were able to crush the army of Amalek.
The fate of the Israelites army was dependent upon Moses’ ability to keep the staff held high. Imagine the weight of responsibility that was upon his shoulders. Imagine the overwhelming burden as his arms began to tire. He watched his army lose the upper hand and yet try as he might he struggled to keep his arms raised.
God knew that Moses would be weary and he had already prepared a way. Aaron and Hur had accompanied Moses to the mountain top. They were aware of Moses’ condition and took steps to support his effort. Not only did they find a seat for Moses but then they came along side of him, each holding a hand and keeping it raised. In spite of Moses’ best intentions he could not go it alone. He needed the support of those God had placed around him.
What are the challenges that you are facing today? Have you shared those challenges with others that God has placed into your life? Most of us tend to play our cards close to our chest. Our pride keeps us from reaching out to others for strength and encouragement. Today remember that God has placed others around you as a resource to get you through these challenges. Lean on them, utilize their wisdom and strength.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, August 15, 2005
Good morning! I am glad to finally wake up to some comfortable weather. This last week or so of high heat/high humidity has been miserable. For the past week I have sought out those places where I could stay close to a fan or an air conditioner. I’m glad to finally see some relief.
Enough about the temperature, I want to talk about those times when it is really “hot.” What do you do when the heat is on? How do you survive when the thermometer of life is climbing? You know what I’m talking about. Your boss just added to your workload and wants it done yesterday. Your money just ran out but your bills for the month didn’t. Your doctor has just informed you that you have a physical challenge ahead of you. These are just a few examples of the things that bring heat into our lives.
First of all let me encourage you that trials and temptations are a normal part of life. Look at what the Bible says:
1 Peter 4:12 (NLT)
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
James 1:2 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.
There are a couple of points for you to consider from these two verses. First of all there is the admonition to not be surprised at your trials. Trials are a part of everyone’s life and no one is exempt. Secondarily the admonition is for “whenever” trouble comes your way. This verse doesn’t say “if” trouble comes your way, but instead “when” trouble comes your way. Trouble will come…you will endure trials, this is part of life.
Now I want you to focus on the last part of James 1:2. Why should trials be an opportunity for joy? Look at verses 3 and 4:
James 1:3-4 (NLT)
For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
The joy comes from the fact that you are being developed. Look at the things that God uses the trials in our lives to develop: Endurance, strong character and personal readiness. Let me give you an example. When I was younger I went through 6 months of training in a police academy to prepare me for a law enforcement career. Those of you who went through military boot camp will understand this point as well. Part of the process of my academy training was to push me to my physical and mental limits. Some of these times of training were physically painful and mentally excruciating, but ultimately they made me stronger. They also instilled survival tactics and instincts that became second nature. I was trained so that under fire I would be already prepared to respond.
If you look back on your own life you will probably see how the difficulties of the past have prepared you for later challenges. Each one has been a building block for the next. We are given another great promise when it comes to times of heat:
1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)
These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
I want you notice the words strong and pure. The example given here is gold. Gold is purified by heating it up. As gold is heated the impurities within rise to the top where they are skimmed away. In similar fashion in times of trial the impurities within us become more evident…character flaws are more visible and recognizable. God uses these times to bring purity into your life. As your faith becomes pure you become a greater reflection of God’s glory.
If today your heat index is way up…take a moment to praise God for allowing you to be refined. Until next Monday may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Enough about the temperature, I want to talk about those times when it is really “hot.” What do you do when the heat is on? How do you survive when the thermometer of life is climbing? You know what I’m talking about. Your boss just added to your workload and wants it done yesterday. Your money just ran out but your bills for the month didn’t. Your doctor has just informed you that you have a physical challenge ahead of you. These are just a few examples of the things that bring heat into our lives.
First of all let me encourage you that trials and temptations are a normal part of life. Look at what the Bible says:
1 Peter 4:12 (NLT)
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
James 1:2 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.
There are a couple of points for you to consider from these two verses. First of all there is the admonition to not be surprised at your trials. Trials are a part of everyone’s life and no one is exempt. Secondarily the admonition is for “whenever” trouble comes your way. This verse doesn’t say “if” trouble comes your way, but instead “when” trouble comes your way. Trouble will come…you will endure trials, this is part of life.
Now I want you to focus on the last part of James 1:2. Why should trials be an opportunity for joy? Look at verses 3 and 4:
James 1:3-4 (NLT)
For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
The joy comes from the fact that you are being developed. Look at the things that God uses the trials in our lives to develop: Endurance, strong character and personal readiness. Let me give you an example. When I was younger I went through 6 months of training in a police academy to prepare me for a law enforcement career. Those of you who went through military boot camp will understand this point as well. Part of the process of my academy training was to push me to my physical and mental limits. Some of these times of training were physically painful and mentally excruciating, but ultimately they made me stronger. They also instilled survival tactics and instincts that became second nature. I was trained so that under fire I would be already prepared to respond.
If you look back on your own life you will probably see how the difficulties of the past have prepared you for later challenges. Each one has been a building block for the next. We are given another great promise when it comes to times of heat:
1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)
These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
I want you notice the words strong and pure. The example given here is gold. Gold is purified by heating it up. As gold is heated the impurities within rise to the top where they are skimmed away. In similar fashion in times of trial the impurities within us become more evident…character flaws are more visible and recognizable. God uses these times to bring purity into your life. As your faith becomes pure you become a greater reflection of God’s glory.
If today your heat index is way up…take a moment to praise God for allowing you to be refined. Until next Monday may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, August 08, 2005
Monday Morning Encouragement - August 8, 2005
Good morning!
This morning as I write to you, the landing of the space shuttle discovery has been delayed by 24 hours. Due to safety concerns the shuttle crew has been instructed to orbit for one more day before they attempt to land.
Sometimes in life we too find ourselves in a holding pattern. We live in a society that demands instant gratification. We carry cell phones, we get cash from ATMs, we cook our food in microwave ovens, fast food chains abound on every corner and we have access to information 24 hours a day. In our world today we do not like to wait and we will do anything to avoid waiting. But has all of that instant gratification really been in our best interest. We work more hours with less down time, rates of heart disease, obesity and other health ailments are on the rise. Fast is not always the best.
Now I want you to consider your prayer life. Don’t we all too often take our consumer mentality into the prayer closet with us. We come before God with our laundry list of requests and we expect instant answers and gratification. We attempt to dictate to God what is in our best interest and expect Him to deliver on our timetable.
The verse I want to challenge you with today comes from Lamentations. As the name would suggest the book of Lamentations is written out of suffering and pain. It is out of this suffering and pain that the following promise is found shining like a jewel in the sun:
Lamentations 3:25-26 (NLT)
The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. [26] So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.
There are two words we need to pay special attention to here: Wait and seek. Many times when we bring a request before God we get no immediate response, other than to wait. It is important to remember that God is not bound by time. He sees all of eternity all of the time. You on the other hand see life through a very limited lens. You see only what is directly ahead of you, but you cannot see clearly into the future. Often what we are praying for is not what is best in our lives. God allows us to wait so that we can see His plan and His glory revealed clearly.
Secondarily there is the issue of seeking. To seek is an active searching. I like to think about seeking in the terms of digging for shells at the beach. When you do this type of searching, you sift the sand through your fingers. You dig your hands down into the sand and carefully examine the contents of each handful of sand. When you seek God in prayer we need to do the same. Carefully examine His word in your hands. What does that verse mean to you? What is God saying about your circumstance? What are those around you speaking into your life?
Today as the shuttle astronauts wait for their return to earth, their main task is to orbit and enjoy the view. If you are in a holding pattern right now, I encourage you to do the same. Relax, wait patiently and enjoy God’s handiwork around you. Trust in His competence to bring you safely through and wait quietly for His salvation.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
This morning as I write to you, the landing of the space shuttle discovery has been delayed by 24 hours. Due to safety concerns the shuttle crew has been instructed to orbit for one more day before they attempt to land.
Sometimes in life we too find ourselves in a holding pattern. We live in a society that demands instant gratification. We carry cell phones, we get cash from ATMs, we cook our food in microwave ovens, fast food chains abound on every corner and we have access to information 24 hours a day. In our world today we do not like to wait and we will do anything to avoid waiting. But has all of that instant gratification really been in our best interest. We work more hours with less down time, rates of heart disease, obesity and other health ailments are on the rise. Fast is not always the best.
Now I want you to consider your prayer life. Don’t we all too often take our consumer mentality into the prayer closet with us. We come before God with our laundry list of requests and we expect instant answers and gratification. We attempt to dictate to God what is in our best interest and expect Him to deliver on our timetable.
The verse I want to challenge you with today comes from Lamentations. As the name would suggest the book of Lamentations is written out of suffering and pain. It is out of this suffering and pain that the following promise is found shining like a jewel in the sun:
Lamentations 3:25-26 (NLT)
The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. [26] So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.
There are two words we need to pay special attention to here: Wait and seek. Many times when we bring a request before God we get no immediate response, other than to wait. It is important to remember that God is not bound by time. He sees all of eternity all of the time. You on the other hand see life through a very limited lens. You see only what is directly ahead of you, but you cannot see clearly into the future. Often what we are praying for is not what is best in our lives. God allows us to wait so that we can see His plan and His glory revealed clearly.
Secondarily there is the issue of seeking. To seek is an active searching. I like to think about seeking in the terms of digging for shells at the beach. When you do this type of searching, you sift the sand through your fingers. You dig your hands down into the sand and carefully examine the contents of each handful of sand. When you seek God in prayer we need to do the same. Carefully examine His word in your hands. What does that verse mean to you? What is God saying about your circumstance? What are those around you speaking into your life?
Today as the shuttle astronauts wait for their return to earth, their main task is to orbit and enjoy the view. If you are in a holding pattern right now, I encourage you to do the same. Relax, wait patiently and enjoy God’s handiwork around you. Trust in His competence to bring you safely through and wait quietly for His salvation.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
Monday, August 01, 2005
Monday Morning Encouragement - August 1, 2005
Good morning!
I want to begin by asking you this question: Have you seen any miracles in your life lately? This past week I was in Buffalo, NY doing mission work with a team from our church. During the week we witnessed God doing the miraculous over and over again. The miracles ranged from physical healings to inexhaustible resources to the stirring of people’s hearts. So why did we see so many miraculous events…simple…it was the issue of belief.
I was having my personal time of devotions this last week when I came upon a verse of scripture that literally jumped from the page and held my attention captive.
Mark 6:4-6 (NLT)
Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family." [5] And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Notice verse 5, Jesus was hindered by the unbelief of the people. Now go to verse 4, those who were guilty of unbelief were his own people. Sadly we being God’s people get comfortable and complacent. We talk about belief and faith, but rarely do we live by it. Let me give you an example. How many times have you prayed for someone’s healing, but not really expected to see it? How many times have you prayed for financial provisions, but then sought to make your own solutions? How many times have you prayed for someone to have a relationship with God, but not expected it? Do you see what I am getting at…we pray with unbelief in our hearts and zero faith.
This past week it was easy to pray with belief, because we were out of our element, outside of our comfort zone and only God could provide for the needs at hand.
So what do you do about unbelief? First of all ask God to remove the unbelief in your life. Look at this example from Mark 9 about a father who needed a miracle:
Mark 9:21-24 (NLT)
"How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father.
He replied, "Since he was very small. [22] The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can."
[23] "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes."
[24] The father instantly replied, "I do believe, but help me not to doubt!"
This father was desperate for a miracle, but unbelief was a hindrance. His fervent cry was that Jesus would take away his doubt. The second thing is to pray in faith. When you pray for healing, visualize the moment of healing. When you pray for financial provision, visualize the provision. Thank God in advance for the answer to your prayers.
This week look for the miraculous around you. Ask God to remove the barriers of doubt and unbelief from your life.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
I want to begin by asking you this question: Have you seen any miracles in your life lately? This past week I was in Buffalo, NY doing mission work with a team from our church. During the week we witnessed God doing the miraculous over and over again. The miracles ranged from physical healings to inexhaustible resources to the stirring of people’s hearts. So why did we see so many miraculous events…simple…it was the issue of belief.
I was having my personal time of devotions this last week when I came upon a verse of scripture that literally jumped from the page and held my attention captive.
Mark 6:4-6 (NLT)
Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family." [5] And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Notice verse 5, Jesus was hindered by the unbelief of the people. Now go to verse 4, those who were guilty of unbelief were his own people. Sadly we being God’s people get comfortable and complacent. We talk about belief and faith, but rarely do we live by it. Let me give you an example. How many times have you prayed for someone’s healing, but not really expected to see it? How many times have you prayed for financial provisions, but then sought to make your own solutions? How many times have you prayed for someone to have a relationship with God, but not expected it? Do you see what I am getting at…we pray with unbelief in our hearts and zero faith.
This past week it was easy to pray with belief, because we were out of our element, outside of our comfort zone and only God could provide for the needs at hand.
So what do you do about unbelief? First of all ask God to remove the unbelief in your life. Look at this example from Mark 9 about a father who needed a miracle:
Mark 9:21-24 (NLT)
"How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father.
He replied, "Since he was very small. [22] The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can."
[23] "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes."
[24] The father instantly replied, "I do believe, but help me not to doubt!"
This father was desperate for a miracle, but unbelief was a hindrance. His fervent cry was that Jesus would take away his doubt. The second thing is to pray in faith. When you pray for healing, visualize the moment of healing. When you pray for financial provision, visualize the provision. Thank God in advance for the answer to your prayers.
This week look for the miraculous around you. Ask God to remove the barriers of doubt and unbelief from your life.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
Carl
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