Allowing God to Direct Your Steps

Good morning. I hope you had a great Christmas weekend.

2 Chronicles 27:6 (NASB)
So Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.

Traditionally for me, the week between Christmas and New Years Day is a time of reflection, a time of prayer, a time of course plotting and a time for setting goals. During this week, I spend a great deal of time alone with God, allowing Him to guide my thoughts.

It is during these times that the Lord shows me all that I have to be thankful for from the current year. He shows me places where He strengthened me, guided me and sustained me. He also uses this as a time to show me where I got off course and reminds me of how He guided me back to the right path.

From there I begin to seek the Lord’s heart for the coming year. This is a time of asking Him, what He would like to accomplish through me? I find that I often come away with major themes or points of emphasis for my life in the coming year. It is during these times that I clarify what the Lord is revealing to me, and I ask Him to determine the work of my hands. It is from this dialogue with the Lord that I set my goals for the coming year.

This week, I hope you will take a cue from Jotham, and order your ways before the LORD your God. He sees the greater picture, and His goals will always be in your best interest.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Wait on it

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

One of the most difficult aspects of life for me is waiting. I’m not talking about the kind of waiting that comes from long lines of Christmas shoppers either. What I am referring to is the waiting for the promises of God in my life.

The Bible is filled with promises for our lives. The promises that a loving Father makes to His children. These are the promises that we encourage one another with, when life gets challenging. We also have those deeply personal promises that come to us in our time alone with God. These are the glimpses of things to come…the words that set our eyes to a certain direction.

The difficult thing in experiencing these glorious promises is the wait. All too often we lose hope, lose courage or just plain lose sight of all that God has promised to us. The vision of tomorrow get’s lost in the static snow of today, and all too often we give up and abandon the vision.

This past week, I was struggling with some of those visionary promises from the Lord, and found myself being led back to a familiar passage. In the book of Habakkuk we see a back and forth dialogue between Habakkuk and the Lord. In the second chapter of this Old Testament book, we read these words:

Habakkuk 2:3 (KJV)
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

The real issue is not the validity or reliability of God’s promises, but instead it is an issue of timing. Habakkuk reminds us that God’s plan is for a specific time, known only to God. He points out that in our sense of time, the fulfillment of this promise may even seem delayed. His instruction for us is wise…”wait for it; because it will surely come…”

Our faith is based in the sovereignty of God. If we truly believe that God is sovereign, then we must recognize that He knows what is best for us. His timing is perfect, because He sees our circumstances not just in the present, but down the road in the future.

Today, I want to encourage you to hold tight to the vision God has given you. What may seem to be a delay, is actually God’s perfect timing at work in your life. Determine in your heart to wait upon the vision He has given you. I assure you it will be worth the wait.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Quick to Hear

Good morning! I hope you had a terrific weekend.

James 1:19 (NASB)
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

As I was growing up, I had many a teacher say to a class: “God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth, use them in that proportion.” The point of this admonition echoed the teaching of James 1:19 to listen more than you speak.

Good communication is critical to healthy relationships. When we stop listening to one another, the quality of our relationship begins to erode as misunderstanding gains a foot hold. Sadly when this erosion begins to happen, our relationships begin to deteriorate into places hurt, animosity, resentment and deep rooted anger. So many times we only hear, but don’t allow ourselves to truly understand what we are hearing, and by doing so we have opened the doorway to anger. Often times our hearing becomes skewed as it comes through the lens of our perception of what was said, not truly reflecting what was said.

This counsel of the Scripture is practical to everyday life. This truly is a formula for not only resolving conflict, but many times avoiding conflict all together. It is imperative that we learn to truly listen to those around us. Salesmen are taught to clarify their dialogue with prospects by repeating what was said. I think this is a great principle not only for salesmen, but for all of us. When we listen, we need to listen with understanding, going the extra mile to clarify whether or not we have heard correctly what is being said. By doing this we avoid defensive and often hostile reactions that arise because of misunderstanding. By actively listening we are less likely to jump to conclusions, making erroneous assumptions about what has been spoken.

Today you will have many interactions with others. I encourage you to have fun with this. In places where you would normally dominate a conversation, make a choice to listen intently. You’ll be surprised at what you learn about those around you, and others will see you as someone who truly takes an interest in them.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Finding Joy in the Midst of Trials

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

During our lifetimes, we go through many different seasons. Some seasons are times of blessing and abundance. Other seasons are filled with difficulty, pain and intense challenge. These difficult seasons are the places where our character is forged and refined. Some of these seasons of difficulty seem to continue on with no end in sight, stretching us to our limits.

James 1:2-4 (NASB)

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

So where does the joy come from in these seasons of trial and testing? The joy comes from the knowledge that you are being built up. The word “endurance” is used to describe that process that is at work during these times. The word endurance gives the picture of continual forward progress in spite of great resistance in the opposite direction.

Consider the endurance of a runner. A runner trains by enduring countless miles of running. Each mile requires a new commitment to run the next mile. With each stride the muscles, the lungs, the circulatory system and the mind face resistance. As the days go by, the runner gains speed and increases distance. The distances that once were difficult to achieve are now commonplace and the runner has set their sight on even greater distances.

The same is true of life. During these times of trial the key components of our faith and character get a workout. Our prayer life deepens, our time in the scriptures increases, our reliance on those around us becomes greater and our willingness to trust God expands into new areas of our lives. The end result is new found strength and resolve. We are able to face new situations with confidence, because we can look behind us and see the “insurmountable” challenges that we have overcome, survived and endured. The endurance born out of trial has now become the foundation of our resolve to keep pressing forward in the face of new adversities.

Today you may find yourself dead center in a season of difficulty. Let your foothold of joy be found in the strength of character that is being built within you. When this season of testing comes to an end you will be much stronger, much faster and much better equipped for the challenges that lie ahead of you.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Responsibility for your choices

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Our daily lives are filled with choices. At each crossroads of decision we evaluate outcomes and make a choice, based on a variety of factors. Some of these factors include: Impulse, training, past experiences, core values, goals, needs and the influence of others. There are times when our decisions are appropriate, and there are also times that we simply make wrong choices.

There are always consequences for the decisions we make, good or bad. Our willingness to accept responsibility for those choices is critical, in spite of our nature that seeks to shift blame.

Genesis 3:9-12 (NASB)
9 Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”
10 And he said, “I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
12 And the man said, “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.”

In the Garden of Eden, Adam had been given instruction about which trees he could eat from and at the same time he was forbidden to eat from one particular tree. These directions were given specifically to Adam, thus making Adam completely responsible for any decisions regarding the forbidden tree. Having this knowledge, Adam made a choice to eat from the forbidden tree.

Notice in the above passage, how Adam responds to the question of “his” actions. Adam blames Eve for giving him the fruit from the tree, but he also blames God for putting her in the garden. We might paraphrase it this way: “That woman YOU put here with me (I wasn’t looking for her, I might add), she handed me the fruit (so technically she took it first) and gave it to me, and I ate it….but remember, she started it.”

Accountability is not always enjoyable, especially in the face of wrong choices and willful disobedience; however, accountability is what God has modeled even in the Garden of Eden. Notice, God asks Adam: “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Like it or not, Adam was personally responsible for his actions.

With accountability comes God’s grace. Yes, there are consequences for our actions, but there is also mercy in those consequences. For Adam and Eve, they were no longer allowed to remain in the Garden of Eden. The Bible also tells us that God provided animal skins to clothe Adam and Eve, covering the nakedness that had now become a source of shame.

Today you will encounter choices. Each choice is an opportunity for righteousness or selfishness. Those choices ride squarely on your shoulders and there is no one else responsible, but you. If you find yourself facing consequences of bad choice, remember in the midst of those consequences God also extends sufficient grace.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Calling in the next play

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

In the game of football each team enters into a “huddle” prior to the beginning of the next play. The huddle is the place where the strategy for the next play is disseminated to the players on the field. The play is actually called by a coach on the sidelines, but is communicated by the quarterback or on field defensive leader. The coach has chosen the play being communicated based of his observations of both his team and the other team’s strategy during the previous plays.

The coaching staff has taken great care in crafting plays for nearly any situation encountered on the field. There are plays for long yardage situations, goal line situations and limited time on the clock. Based on the play that is sent in, each player knows his specific role and duty in the next series of play.

This is a reminder of God’s work in our lives:

John 16:13 (NASB)
13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

God disseminates guidance to us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us through scripture, circumstances and those who surround us. The Holy Spirit operates only by what He hears from the mouth of God. It is these things that the Holy Spirit then communicates to us. This guidance is to prepare us for what is getting ready to take place in our lives. Because God sees the whole of our lives, we can place complete confidence in all that the Holy Spirit reveals to us.

Today you may find yourself up against difficult challenges and shifting circumstances. Listen close, because God is sending you the play that will guide your steps in the days to come. He has the whole field in view and His strategy is flawless. Once your direction is clear, focus on the flawless execution of what you have received.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Power of the Mind

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

We all have some understanding of the power of the mind. Words like “positive mental attitude” and “stinking thinking” are part of our working vocabulary. Our mind is the center of influence for much of what goes on in our lives. With our thoughts, we can harness great strength that leads us through the most difficult of circumstances. Sadly, we can also latch on to thoughts of negativity and depravity that lead us into dark places and actions that are detrimental to not only ourselves, but also to those around us.

In fact we find that sin has a pattern that starts in the mind. A passing thought becomes a lingering thought. As the mind dwells on that lingering thought, the thought develops into a plan. From the plan the mind develops a method of execution. From that method of execution, the body takes action.

God has given us the formula for harnessing the power of the mind for His purposes in our lives. This formula is a roadmap for bringing about His glory in each of our lives:

Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

The truth of the matter is simple: “Where your thoughts are, your actions will soon follow.” When we think on these things that are listed for us in Philippians 4; we can also see the outcome. These types of thoughts taking residence in our minds produce truth, honor, righteousness, purity, beauty, integrity, excellence and proper perspective upon God and His role in our lives. These things are transforming in nature and they radiate outward, visible to all who are influenced by our lives.

Today I encourage you to take note of the thoughts that enter your mind. Examine the places your mind seems to dwell. Take captive those thoughts that do not fit the profile of Philippians 4, and give them no dominion in your mind. Flood your mind with the thoughts listed above and watch the radiance of God emanate from your life.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Finding strength in failure

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

In life we all encounter times of testing. These times of testing expose not only our strengths, but also our weaknesses. Unfortunately, the weaknesses are often exposed through failure. We all too often view these times of failure as disqualifying events from further usefulness in the Kingdom of God; however, these times of failure take on a whole new purpose in the hands of Jesus. To clarify this point let’s look at the words Jesus had for Simon Peter in Luke 22:

Luke 22:32-33 (NASB)
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;
32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. “

Not only does Jesus tell Peter about Satan’s request to sift his life and the intercession that Jesus is making on Peter’s behalf, but he also reveals something else. I hope you noticed these words: “…and you, when once you have turned again…” Jesus is telling Peter that he is not only going to be put to the test, but that he will actually fail this test for a time. Jesus knew the outcome of Peter’s testing even before the test had begun.

This is a place where God’s grace and sovereignty become so evident. Jesus tells Peter that once he has turned back “strengthen your brothers.” The real message of these words is simple. God does not waste an experience good or bad. Even our greatest failures become victories in the hands of God. He takes our failures and makes them the building blocks of character and strength in our lives and the lives of others. Peter’s story of failure and redemption would become the strengthening agent for the other disciples.

Today you may be in a place where you have let God down in a big way. In your mind, you may feel unworthy to do anything of significance for Him. Let Peter be your example. Jesus knew Peter would fail and yet He also knew Peter would be restored. Peter’s weakness would become strength for others. His failure would be a building block for all who followed after him. Ask God to guide you back and allow you to strengthen others with your own story of failure and redemption.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

The Limitations of Testing

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

There are times in our lives when we go through severe adversity. Times of pressure and testing that seem almost too much to bear; times when our faith doesn’t seem substantial enough to see us through the storm. In reality these times of testing are the building blocks of faith that make us stronger in the end.

While most trials are the circumstances of life, common to all of us, there are those unique times when God allows the enemy to put us through the crucible. There are two occasions in Scripture where this is seen:

Job 1:7-12 (NASB)
7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”
8 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”
9 Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
10 “Hast Thou not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
11 “But put forth Thy hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse Thee to Thy face.”
12 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

Luke 22:31 (NASB)
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;
32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. “

In both of these instances Satan has been given permission to put someone through a time of testing. Satan’s intention of course is to steal, kill and destroy things like joy, faith, trust and obedience. In spite of Satan’s intentions, God sets the boundaries. Notice with Job, He defined what Satan could and couldn’t do in his testing of Job. In fact, Satan’s complaint was that Job was faithful to God, because the hand of God was always protecting Job. In the case of Simon Peter, Jesus not only states that he will be tested, but he also indicates the outcome: “…and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus was letting Simon Peter know that he even though he would fail this test; he would also pass this test and return to solid footing, to such a degree that his experience would strengthen others.

If you are currently going through a time of severe testing, this may be an instance where God is permitting the enemy to “sift” you. Know that just as Jesus interceded for Peter’s faith to fail not, He is doing the same for you. Take comfort in the knowledge that God has set the boundary lines, and that limitations have been put on the degree to which you can be tested. Finally realize that you will make it through this time of testing, and even if you fail at times, your experiences will become bedrock of strength that in due time will even strengthen others.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Waiting on God

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Waiting is one of the most difficult things we are asked to do in our lives. Often we know the promises of God, but we find ourselves wavering in our trust in those promises. This failure in our faith often comes when the pressure of our circumstance overrides our willingness to trust in the Lord and wait fully upon His promise. It is at these times that we begin to look for our own solutions. An example of this scenario is found in 1 Samuel 13:

1 Samuel 13:8-14 (NASB)
8 Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him.
9 So Saul said, “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering.
10 And it came about as soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, that behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him.
11 But Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash,
12 therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering. “
13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
14 “But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

King Saul knew that he was supposed to wait for Samuel, but Samuel was not on time and Saul’s circumstances were quickly deteriorating. King Saul knew that he would be in trouble without the favor of the Lord, so he took matters into his own hands. The end result was not the securing of God’s favor, but instead King Saul lost God’s favor and his rule over the nation of Israel.

King Saul’s story echoes many of our own. We know the promises of God, but we allow our circumstances to become seeds of doubt in our own minds. With good intentions we try to take matters into our own hands, but in doing so we become disobedient to the Lord’s instruction. When we take matters into our own hands, we are essentially saying to God: “I don’t trust You.” In essence, we are trying to lend God a hand, as foolish as that may sound.

Today you may find yourself in what seem to be impossible circumstances. I encourage you to stay the course and remain faithful, even when the outcomes are uncertain. Ask God to help you in your lack of trust and to strengthen you where you are weak. God will resolve your circumstances in His timing and in His way. If you jump the gun, you will miss out on His best, and the end result may in fact be disastrous.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Who's in your bullpen?

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a minor league baseball game. During the game, my daughter asked me what a “relief pitcher” was. I pointed out to her the bullpen and explained that other pitchers warmed up there to come into the game and help when the starting pitcher gets tired, or simply isn’t pitching well.

Today I want to challenge you with the question: Who is in your bullpen?

Exodus 17:9-13 (NASB)
9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
10 And Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.
13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

In baseball, the starting pitcher begins the game and takes the team as far as he can get them on the strength of his arm. Once the pitcher gets tired, it is up to the relief pitcher to help protect the starting pitcher’s win or help the team recover from the starting pitcher’s poor showing. It is critical for a team to always have a pitcher warmed up in the bullpen and ready to go, at a moment’s notice.

In the above cited example of Moses, he needed Aaron and Hur to hold his arms high, when he was too tired to do so himself. He needed them to bring out the stone to support his weight, when his legs simply couldn’t do it anymore. It was the “relief” work of Aaron and Hur that allowed Moses to secure the victory for Israel. It is important to note that the real victory occurred in the beginning, when Moses brought Aaron and Hur to the top of the hill with him. Had Moses not brought these men with him, he would have ultimately come to the point that he could no longer hold his arms up and Israel may have been defeated in this battle.

The real issue for you and I is the preparation of others to step in at critical times to help us sustain our victories. All too often we shut others out and try to do everything ourselves. Many organizations are stifled because the key leaders have not adequately trained other leaders to step in and take their place if need be. Even many households have been put at a disadvantage when a spouse has died or become incapacitated, and the other is uninformed as to the nature of the household bills and routines.

Today, I encourage you to identify those who need to be in your bullpen. Who are the people that need to be equipped to provide you some relief when your arms are growing weary? Have you prepared others to step in to your role in a pinch? Take some time this week to give away a part of yourself, so that the victory you’ve worked so hard for is protected even if you are not throwing your best pitches.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

The Process of Discipline

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Yesterday, my youngest son and my daughter continued to have “issues” with one another, which primarily revolved around sharing and kindness. My son didn’t want my daughter in his room, so his solution was to send our friend’s 3 year old daughter to tell my wife that my daughter was being a “brat.” At the same time, I hear my daughter saying: “Please give me another chance and don’t tell mom.” Needless to say the situation was getting ridiculous, so I intervened and with my intervention came disciplinary action.

The discipline took on a form that dealt with the issues being revealed in the actions. For the next two days, my son and daughter have to spend the day in each other’s room together. Monday they are confined to my daughter’s room and Tuesday they are confined to my son’s room. While they are there they have to clean each others room together. Last night they were also required to clean the kitchen and the backyard together.

Job 5:17 (NASB)
“Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

When I left home as a young man, I assumed that my days of being disciplined had finally come to an end. Over the years I have learned that the process of discipline is life long. Just like my children, my actions often reveal attitudes and character weaknesses that need to be removed or strengthened. It is at these times that my Heavenly Father steps in and lovingly corrects me. He is not out to get me because I “messed up,” but instead He is in the process of building a son. It is important to Him that I be all that He has created me to be.

In all honesty, discipline is never enjoyable; however, in due time we look back and see the love and care that were at work in the discipline process. We become thankful that God loves us enough to guide us back on course when we need it. In due time my children will reflect back on the time they had to spend two days with each other in one another’s room…they will laugh at the foolishness of the actions that put them there and they will embrace the building of character that took place within them.

Today you may find yourself facing a time of discipline. Perhaps it is hardship that resulted from poor choices or a relationship under strain due to selfishness. Embrace the discipline of the circumstance and ask God to strengthen your character through it.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Pastor Carl Willis; Founder of Simplicity Church Network, Joins Us Today On: Embracing God's Best!

Pastor Carl Willis; Founder of Simplicity Church Network, Joins Us Today On: Embracing Gods Best!

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A Perfect Fit

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Any shade tree mechanic or do it yourself repair man knows the importance of having the right tool in hand. A slotted screwdriver just won’t do, when the task calls for a Phillips head. Needle nose pliers are just no substitute for a socket wrench. Without the right tools for the job, the job is likely to be done poorly or not at all.

The issue is purpose. The assorted tools in the toolbox were designed for specific purposes. They were not meant to function in all situations, but instead were meant to work in conjunction with the other tools in the toolbox. Being uniquely formed is not just limited to tools:

Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Your life is a masterpiece! God created you with uniqueness to fulfill a specific purpose. It is towards this specific purpose that He continues to mold and shape your life. When we look back, we can see how the steps interlock with one another and the shaping process becomes much more visible.

What is even more exciting is the understanding that our purpose was determined even before we were born. God needed to fulfill a great purpose, and your life was the only life perfectly suited to that purpose. From the day you were born, He has been guiding you towards the fulfillment of that greater purpose. It is this purpose that brings great meaning to your life and great joy to the Master Craftsman who has guided you every step of the way.

Today you may feel very disorganized and unsure of where life is taking you. Take comfort, God is molding you to fulfill a purpose that can only be fulfilled by you, because it was designed for you.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Tunnel Vision

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

During times of intense circumstance one of the natural reactions of the human body is a syndrome known as “tunnel vision.” During an instance of tunnel vision a person becomes focused in on a very narrow field of vision or object. During this time, peripheral vision becomes almost non-existent. Police officers are trained to be aware of tunnel vision during confrontations and emergency driving. A lack of peripheral vision in these circumstances could have deadly consequences.

Tunnel vision occurs in the day to day issues of physical and spiritual lives as well. We tend to get so focused in on the crisis of the moment that we miss the greater picture of what God is doing around us. The latest problem at work, problem relationship or problem at home becomes so all consuming that we miss seeing our life in a complete and total perspective. Choices made rashly during an episode of tunnel vision can become very costly in the days that follow.

So how do we deal with the tunnel vision we find occurring in our lives? The following passage of scripture may give us some guidance:

2 Kings 6:15-17 (NASB)
15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Elisha and his servant were encircled by an adversary out to cause them harm. Elisha could see the complete picture, but his servant could not. It was only after Elisha had prayed for the servant’s eyes to be open, that he could see the true circumstance around him. The first step any of us should take when we find that we cannot get our eyes off of a singular point or problem is to pray. Just as Elisha prayed, we need to ask God to open our eyes and let us see clearly and completely what is around us.

The second thing we need to do is force ourselves to look around. Police officers are taught to deal with tunnel vision by simply moving their eyes back and forth. This conscious sweeping of the eyes forces them to look beyond the tunnel, bringing the complete picture back into view. Elisha’s servant also looked around and found new strength in the defending army that had come to rescue him.

Today you may find yourself fixated on a problem, person or situation that is taking away your ability to see the complete picture of what God is doing in your life. Take time today and ask the Lord for open eyes and new sight. Look around you and see what else is going on in the complete picture.
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Weighing the Evidence

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This week I have been summoned for jury duty. Over the years I have been called as a witness for the prosecution on many occasions, but this will be possibly be my first time to fill the role of a juror. I was thinking this afternoon about the burden of proof required in criminal and civil cases. In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove “beyond a reasonable doubt,” that the defendant committed the crime they have been accused of. In a civil case the plaintiff must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is responsible for a particular issue of litigation.

This got me thinking about a question that I have heard ministers ask over the years: “If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

Acts 4:13-16 (NASB)
13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.
15 But when they had ordered them to go aside out of the Council, they began to confer with one another,
16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

In the 4th chapter of Acts, Peter and John have been brought before a council of religious leaders to face questioning over a miraculous healing. In this healing, Peter had used the name of Jesus. During this time of questioning, a few things stood out to the religious council:
• The boldness with which Peter and John spoke
• The influence of Jesus upon their lives
• The once crippled man standing near them, completely healed

In the face of examination the words and actions of these two men bore out the faith in Jesus that they claimed. The harmony between their convictions and their actions left the religious council no place to go.

Every day people are examining the evidence and testimony of your life. When the evidence is weighed, what conclusions will be made about your life? Can it be said with certainty that you have been with Jesus? Is there evidence to corroborate your testimony of faith?

This week, I encourage you to go through a process of personal “discovery.” Evaluate the evidence that you are leaving day by day and ask yourself: Is there enough evidence to convict me of a vibrant, growing walk with Jesus?”

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

One Step at a Time

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

“How do you eat an elephant?” “One bite at a time,” the answer goes. This question and answer is often used when discussing an overwhelming challenge that looms larger than life in front of another. It is a reminder not to focus on the totality of the challenge, but instead to conquer it one step at a time.

In life, we face many challenges that are so much bigger than we are. Circumstances that seem insurmountable bring to the surface a host of fears, doubts and worries that we never knew were lurking deep within us. Often we find ourselves unsure whether we should charge, flee or just remain frozen in a catatonic state of indecision. Looking back at the workings of God in the lives of His people can give us great insight into what our own responses should be.

Joshua 3:13-17 (NASB)
13 “And it shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above shall stand in one heap.”
14 So it came about when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people,
15 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest),
16 that the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho.
17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.

The plan seemed simple enough. The people of Israel would break camp with the Ark of the Covenant out front. They would cross at the Jordan River and enter into the Promised Land. Sounds simple enough doesn’t it? It is the details that bring the “elephant” of the situation into view. For the Israelites, the point of crossing would not be visible until the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water. Scripture also reveals that the Jordan River was at flood stage.

It is at these places in our lives, that we have to rely on faith for the confidence to take the next step. The priests had to trust that they would be able to stand once they stepped into the water and they would have to remain in that place until dry land was before them. This brings out an important point for our lives. The miracle of the Jordan River parting began as soon as the priests stepped into the water, but the miracle was not visible until the water had piled up at Adam and been cut off in the direction of the Sea of Arabah.

Today you may find yourself staring at a challenge that is frighteningly large from your perspective. You are now at the place where you must walk by faith and not with sight. Take confidence that the steps God has led you to take up to this point are the beginnings of greater things to come. It is your obedience and trust in taking the next steps, which will allow you to see the challenge dissipate before your very eyes as God intervenes in ways that you cannot even begin to understand.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

The Endorsement of Your Life

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Over the weekend, the most famous pitchman in America passed away. Billy Mays was the king of infomercials, having made a name for himself by passionately extolling the virtues of numerous household products. Before any of us knew Billy’s name we knew him by the products he represented. We would often refer to him as the Oxi-Clean guy or the Mighty Putty guy. We knew Billy, not for who he was, but instead what he represented. Billy knew not only how to talk about, but demonstrate before our eyes the value of his products.

Acts 4:33 (NASB)
And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

The life of the Christian is also a demonstration. It is the demonstration and revelation of God’s transforming power upon the life of a person. The good news of Jesus has always been God’s ability to transform a life marked by sin, pain, guilt, etc…into a life of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness and self control. A life that once seemed incomplete and weak is now a life marked by divine power.

The early apostles were known for one thing…Jesus. They talked about Jesus, they performed miracles in Jesus’ name and they cared for widows and orphans in Jesus’ name. Everything they did centered upon the transforming message of Jesus Christ. Their testimony was not just a testimony of words, but it was also supported by the demonstration of transformation in their own lives. Peter was a fisherman who denied Jesus in fear, but the power of God transformed him into a fearless spokesman for Jesus. Paul set out to arrest and even put to death followers of Jesus, but his encounter with God transformed him into the greatest missionary for the cause of Christ.

So the question for you today is this: Who are you representing? More importantly, does anyone around you know who you are representing? You have been given the power and authority to boldly represent Jesus at all times and in all places. So go out and demonstrate the changes in your life with confidence and passion, because you are representing the One who cleans lives and leaves them without stain or blemish.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Get Your Praise On

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This morning as my wife and I were out for our morning walk, we found ourselves talking about praise. Praise is such a critical component in our relationship to God, because it acknowledges who He is. For example:

Revelation 4:8 (NASB)
And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.”

In fact, scripture tells us that God dwells among the praises of His people:

Psalm 22:3 (NASB)
Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises of Israel.

Unfortunately, all too often we substitute “thanksgiving” for “praise.” Many times when I ask for people to give praise to God, I hear something like this: “I’m thankful because the Lord did _____ for me this week.” Now this statement does bring honor to God, but it is based on His actions toward the person. Praise on the other hand has nothing to do with the actions of God, but simply deals with the “person” of God.

Notice how Jesus taught us to pray in the model prayer we know as “The Lord’s Prayer:”

Matthew 6:9 (NASB)
“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

There is a significant reason for this statement of praise in the beginning of the prayer. Those first words give us proper perspective for prayer. If God is not who He is, then prayer would be powerless. The power of prayer is not based in the person praying, but in the One to whom the petition of prayer is given. When we take the time to praise we willingly humble ourselves and acknowledge God’s proper place in our lives. We also acknowledge that He is both capable and able to establish, forgive, provide and deliver. The time we spend in praise takes our eyes off of our own lives and puts them squarely upon the One who gives life. It is at this point that we are now ready to seek Him for our needs, because we have our focus in the right place.

Today, I encourage you to spend some time in praise. Keep actions out of this time of communicating with God and instead focus on His attributes. If you need help use verses like Revelation 4:8 to help you.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

The Value of Understanding

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to visit the Kitale Museum in Kitale, Kenya. The Kitale Museum has exhibits that teach about the cultural heritage and natural eco-system of this region of Kenya. The true blessing of this visit to the museum came from the instruction of my tour guide, Andrew. Andrew allowed me not just to see the exhibits and learn, but he provided me with understanding as well.

For example as we toured the mud tribal huts, he explained why I had to stoop down so low as I entered each one. The huts were built with low entrances, so that an attacker had to stoop to enter into the hut, while the resident of the hut was upright on the inside to defend their home. Without Andrew at my side, I would have only had the knowledge that this round domicile made of mud was a hut. Andrew opened my understanding the function…the “how” and “why” of the hut.

Proverbs 3:13 (NASB)
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding.

Too many of us settle for being informed, but not enlightened. I often laugh that I am the king of worthless trivia. I can spout many useless facts about a great variety of subjects, but it is those things in which I have garnered understanding that I truly am an expert.

In this information age, a person’s ability to take the knowledge available and truly apply it is unique indeed. When you take the time to gain understanding you will be a real asset in this world of information overload. A person of understanding brings proper perspective to those who are suffering from information overload.

Today I want to challenge you to explore something at a deeper level. Maybe today you need to look at a passage from the Bible and move past the surface, or perhaps you need to probe deeper into a conversation with a friend. Ask the Lord for understanding and enjoy seeing things through a new lens of perspective.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours today.

Carl

In Hot Pursuit

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

In our home we have 2 cats, “Max and Smokey” and a German Shepherd named “Seth.” One of the daily happenings in our house revolves around these 3 animals. At least once every day we will observe Seth chasing one of the two cats around the house. Seth pursues them from room to room until he finally gets them cornered. Once he has them cornered he sniffs, licks and playfully nips at them, but truly he isn’t sure why he chased them in the first place and he eventually walks away. Unfortunately for Seth, there is no lasting satisfaction in this pursuit, but he is still compelled daily to undertake this pursuit once again.

Today I want to bring forth a diagnostic question for your life: “What are you pursuing?” Whether we realize it or not, each of us is pursuing something in this life. At every crossroads of choice, we are making decisions based on the path of those things we are in pursuit of. Unfortunately, like Seth too many of us are chasing things that bring no lasting satisfaction. Once we’ve obtained them, we are still unfulfilled, but because we’ve convinced ourselves that true peace and happiness are found in these things, we will continue to pursue them day after day.

I want to challenge you this morning from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to his young protégé’ Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:10-11 (NASB)
10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.
11 But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

I want us to focus on two words that Paul uses in his admonition to Timothy. Those words are “flee” and “pursue.” Flee means to run away from and has the connotation of escaping danger. Fleeing brings with it an understanding of running as fast as you can as far as you can in the opposite direction of the things that bring you harm. In this case Paul was talking about “the love of money.” This verse is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. Paul is not saying that money in itself is bad, in fact money is a great tool when used wisely; however, Paul is saying that a love of money leads to all manner of calamity and that Timothy should flee the things associated with this type of misplaced love. Paul understood that a love of money is similar to Seth’s love of our two cats…once you’ve obtained the object of your desire, you still find it unsatisfying.

The word pursue, on the other hand, means following with the intention of overtaking. When Seth chases our cats, he goes wherever they go. Whatever turn they take, he takes. What ever furniture they go under, he goes under. Seth does not stop until he has overtaken and “captured” the object of his desire. In the Apostle Paul’s instruction to Timothy, he lists 6 things that should be the objects of desire in our daily pursuits. These things are: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. There is a lasting quality with each of these things. Once obtained, they bring an ongoing fulfillment and satisfaction.

Today you may find yourself in a fruitless pattern. Like Seth you’ve been chasing things that look good, but leave you unfulfilled and empty. I invite you to look for a new object of desire, something that is eternal and lasting. Once you’ve identified those things, pursue them with all passion, energy and fervor.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Get Out of the Penalty Box

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

The past two evenings I watched the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals. One of the unique features of ice hockey is the power play. A power play occurs when the member of one team commits a penalty. When a penalty is committed, the officials levy a 2 minute or 5 minute penalty against the offending team. During this time, the penalized team is required to play with fewer players on the ice than their opponent.
During the power play, the penalized team finds itself playing at a disadvantage, unable to play at a maximum level of potential.

In our lives, God has surrounded us with people who are necessary for us to operate at a peak level. Unfortunately many go through life without realizing this truth and penalize themselves and those unnecessarily. The reasons we penalize ourselves can vary. Perhaps it is feelings of unworthiness, guilt or anger that sideline us.

1 Corinthians 12:20-21 (NASB)
20 But now there are many members, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

When we don’t recognize the importance of the roles that each of us plays in the lives of others, we can very easily hinder the potential of ourselves and others. When you don’t do your part, someone else is required to take up the slack. This creates extra burden upon them and may even take them away from their greatest strengths. Additionally, the group misses out on the gifts and strengths that you bring. This lack of people operating in their respective roles creates a loss of synergy within the group.

This week you may be sitting on the sidelines watching the action. I encourage you to get out of the box and back on the ice. Your team needs your skill, talent and giftedness if they are to operate at full strength once again.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Learning to Swim

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This weekend I had the opportunity to spend some time in the pool with my daughter. She is still in the process of learning how to swim and has become pretty proficient with a life jacket on. This weekend I determined that I needed to work with her on floating without a life jacket. I began by holding on to her hands and instructing her on how to lay out in the water, how to hold her breath and how to lift her head when she needed to breathe. After a while she had mastered these foundational tasks and it was time to try it without her daddy holding her hands.

This was the place that she had to work off of her trust in my ability to keep her safe. She knew that if she got in trouble I would be there to lift her up and keep her from harm. It is from this example that I would like to bring forth this morning’s encouragement.

Psalms 56:11
In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

My daughter has learned that she can trust me through experience. Throughout her life she has seen me provide, protect, instruct and assist her through many situations. These experiences have built that unshakable confidence in my ability to sustain her. She also swims with me regularly, so she knows my confidence and skill in the water. As I gave her instructions, she never doubted the reasoning behind them or questioned why she needed to do these things. In her mind she realizes that I am taking her through a process that will allow her to swim without the aid of a life jacket.

In our lives, we must display the same confidence in our Heavenly Father. As we acknowledge His faithfulness in our lives, we find the stepping stones of trust that allow us to venture into the new adventures before us. We are able to undertake these new experiences with the confidence of knowing that God is always present to protect us if we get over our heads. This does not mean that He won’t allow us to struggle, because it is through the struggle that we learn; however, He will never allow that struggle to destroy us.

Today, you may find yourself treading the waters of life without a life jacket. Take heart God is with you, ready to keep you afloat when you begin to sink and through it all He is patiently and lovingly teaching you the principles necessary to swim.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Making Preparation

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This morning I find myself in the final hours of preparation before I leave on a mission trip to Africa. Even though there is a flurry of preparatory activity, my preparations have actually been ongoing for a few months now. It is the preparations for the journey that make the journey possible.

Joshua 1:11 (NASB)
“Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘ Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it. ‘”

The success of our life’s journey is greatly influenced by the degree to which we’ve prepared for that journey. Can you imagine trying to make a productive trip to a far away land without having secured airfare, obtained visas or researching your point of destination? Such an undertaking would be disastrous at best.

Sadly, many people today are trying to undertake the journey of life with little to no preparation. Couples rush into marriage without planning a budget, discussing their expectations or even identifying their biases and differences. Men and women chase dreams without giving the slightest thought to the sacrifices and work that will be required to achieve those dreams. In the long run, the dream of a bright tomorrow comes crashing down as the poorly laid foundation gives way.

When we take the time to prepare the outcomes are markedly different. Preparations of prayer, discernment and wise counsel equip us with the tools and resources necessary to see our journey through. When we move out towards our destination we have all that we need to make the trek. Our good intentions are now bolstered by our supporting preparations.

This week you may find yourself in preparation mode. Anticipate the journey, but don’t forget the necessity of laying a solid foundation.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

When Expectancy becomes Expectation

Good morning! This edition of the Monday Morning Encouragement is coming to you a few days late, but I’m sure you might find this just as encouraging on a Wednesday morning.

Over the past few days I have been finishing out a series of prayer retreats that I started last year. The purpose of this retreat was to spend an extended amount of time in silence and solitude in the presence of God.

As I entered into this time, my mind was preoccupied with the many things that are on the horizon. There are things that I have been praying through and listening for God’s responses on for some period of time now. I found myself wanting to go farther with God, but feeling like I was at a bit of a standstill.

During the retreat the Lord revealed something profound to me. I was allowing my sense of expectancy to become something else…an expectation. This shift was creating impatience within me for the things of God. I had to be reminded of the following truth:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NASB)
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—

God has my journey mapped out. He knows what is ahead of me and, just as importantly, He knows the molding, shaping and equipping that are necessary in my life if I am to successfully navigate the road ahead. I sometimes forget that “wait” and “no” are not the same words; however, my impatience leads me to treat one like the other.

This week you may be feeling like you are also in a standstill. Remember that God has already determined the point of movement and transition in your life. Ask Him to give you a contented spirit, even when the delays seem never ending. In due time, you’ll look back and realize that the end result was well worth the wait.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Don't Forget the Cheese

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This weekend our church came together to serve another church. The church we were assisting has a ministry to the homeless and less fortunate in our area. Every Sunday this church meets under a large tent in a vacant lot and serves up Biblical truth, followed by a warm meal.

This weekend it was our turn to prepare the meal, so our leadership decided that these folks were probably sick of spaghetti, so we decided to make chili dogs. Today after church we started our cooking. Hot dogs were boiled, chili was made and the lemonade was made. One of the things that no chili dog should be without is shredded cheese. We purchased a 5 pound bag, but we were also concerned we would forget to take it out of the refrigerator before we left.

To prevent such a catastrophe from happening, my co-pastor’s wife made a sign with a drawing that said “cheese,” and hung it on the garage door. I laughed and commented that I would probably walk past the sign. She explained that it was hung at eye level for just such a reason.

I tell you this story today for two reasons. The first reason is that she dared me to write a Monday Morning Encouragement using the story of the cheese (this one’s for you Kim). Secondarily, there is a great truth in this story as well.

Romans 15:15 (NASB)
15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points, so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God…

One of the common traits we all have as people is the tendency to quickly forget things that are not right in front of us. We have all heard the saying: “Out of sight, out of mind.” As God moves powerfully in our lives we celebrate, but within a few days, weeks or months the distance of the divine has faded from view. Before long we are no longer affected by the memory of His work, unless we make an effort to remember.

Many of the Old Testament festivals and offerings were established for just such a purpose. Each memorial reminded the people of God working in their lives throughout time. These reminders were the building blocks of present and future faith. If we don’t set up reminders in our own lives, we too will be quick to forget and our faith will lack the strength for today’s challenges.

This week I encourage you to spend some time developing your own reminders. Take a good look at them; reflect on the events and circumstances that surrounded those times of your life. On a regular basis revisit those reminders and draw strength from them. Your walk of faith is incomplete without them (just like a chili dog with no cheese).

Until next Monday may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Into the Fire

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

There are times in life that we find ourselves captive to our circumstances. We can see the peril ahead of us, but deliverance doesn’t come. Maybe you’ve been there, praying for a way out, but instead you find yourself headed straight towards the thing that is going to ruin your life.

The Biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fits this profile:

Daniel 3:19-27 (NASB)
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
20 And he commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire.
21 Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire.
22 For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.
23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he responded and said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “Certainly, O king.”
25 He answered and said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire.
27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew that staying faithful meant they would have to refuse the King Nebuchadnezzar’s command to worship an idol. They also knew the consequence of refusing this command could be death.

Once these three men made their choice to stand firm, they found themselves with no options but to follow the course of that decision. They were bound up and thrown into a blazing furnace…a punishment that surely meant the end of their lives. Something miraculous happened at that furnace. Unlike their captors, they survived the heat of the furnace and once inside were no longer bound, but free to move around. It was also in the midst of these flames that they found their deliverer. He met them at their point of need and brought them through what seemed liked certain destruction. God even went a step further…no singed hair, no charred clothing and not even the smell of smoke.

There are times that God chooses not deliver us before the uncomfortable situations of life, but instead He allows us to enter into the flames of refinement. It is in those flames that we find ourselves set free and accompanied by the very presence of God Himself.

Today you may be wondering why God isn’t removing you from your circumstances. I want to encourage you to begin looking around in those circumstances for the presence of God. Once you see Him, you will experience freedom in the flames and you will come out on the other side without a hint of char or smoke.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

At the end of belief

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

As we go through life, we at times encounter places where our faith is stretched beyond its limits. These are the crossroads and crisis times where our trust in God’s ability to deliver us seems to be less than sufficient. These are the hours of desperation in which a person gropes for even the dimmest ray of hope to enter the picture.

Scripture gives us a picture of a father who was at this point. Mark chapter 9 describes the account of a boy who was possessed by a demon. The demon rendered the boy unable to speak and would often seek to drown or burn the child. The father of this boy saw a glimmer of hope when he encountered Jesus’ disciples, but he found only disappointment in their ability to deliver his son.

During this frustrating and desperate hour Jesus appears and the boy’s father makes a desperate plea for the sake of the boy. The father calls upon the compassion of Jesus, but at the same time reveals his uncertainty of there being any resolution. Take note of this father’s plea. It is both a heart cry that is transparent and the petition of a man who has not other answers:

Mark 9:23-24 (NASB)
23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can!’ All things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and began saying, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Today you may find yourself in a place where your faith is being stretched thin. The solutions you have pursued to date have been only dead ends. You would trade the world for a change in circumstance, but you are not sure how much longer you can hold on. If this describes your situation, I encourage you to make this father’s cry your own: “Jesus, I believe you can deliver me, but help me in my unbelief!”

I leave you with one of my favorite promises of scripture:

Psalm 34:17-19
17 The righteous cry and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Lonely Times

Good morning! I hope you had a tremendous weekend.

Have you ever spent an extended period of time alone? Most of us are surrounded by the touch and input of others. We can hardly imagine a day without the cell phone, television or conversations with others. I have taken a few extended times in silence and solitude, but never more than a few days, and those were of my choosing.

The times of silence and solitude that push you to the limits are the ones you don’t choose. These are the times when your support system falls apart; the times when no one needs your services; the times quite frankly when you are out of sight and therefore also out of mind. It is during these times that we find out what we are truly made of. We discover whether our faith has foundation and stability.

Some of the darkest hours of life come when the resumes go unnoticed, the social invitations stop coming, those who once journeyed with you are no longer present and the circumstances remain unchanging even after continual fervent prayer. It is in these dark hours that voices declare that hope is lost and shout at you to quit, give up or move on.

The Bible reveals that these dark times are not unique to us. Take note of Joseph’s life:

Genesis 40:23 (NASB)
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Joseph had been sold out by his brothers, sent to a foreign land as a slave, raised to a place of prominence in his master’s home only to be falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Joseph’s life of favor has now been replaced by a life of confinement and solitude. His only hope was a flimsy promise from the king’s cupbearer that he would remember Joseph once he was set free, a promise that went unfulfilled for another two years.

We don’t know Joseph’s private thoughts during that time, but we can only assume they were filled with doubts, despair and a questioning of God’s love. What Joseph didn’t see was the larger plan. He needed to be in prison to meet the chief cupbearer, who would ultimately bring him before Pharaoh. It was his interaction with Pharaoh that would bring him into a place of prominence making famine provisions that would ultimately save his people. A difficult path indeed, but each step was necessary to bring forth the carefully orchestrated plan of God.

Today you may find yourself in a lonely place; a place that in many ways seems desolate and nearly abandoned. You may be questioning why God has allowed you to be cut off and wondering what heinous sin you’ve committed to deserve such a punishment? This is the place where the foundation of your faith will be tested to its limits as you trust in things which at this moment are unknown and unseen. It is upon this foundation of endurance and faith that God will display the beauty of His workmanship in your life.

If you find yourself in a place of isolation this week, I encourage you to spend a few moments thanking God for seeing the bigger picture. Acknowledge that He sees the things that you don’t and as best you know how articulate your trust in His greater plan.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Change of Course

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

This past week I was invited by a friend to go out on the streets with him to share with those we encountered the life changing message of Christ. When we got together, we took a few minutes and prayed, asking the Lord to direct to the place where He could best use us. As we drove around listening for God’s prompting we came upon a small church not far from the Sunday meeting place of the church I pastor. Both of us felt the prompting of God to stop there and join those who had come together for Bible study.

Acts 13:4 (NASB)
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

The other night was a shining example of the mysterious ways of God. Our intention was to go and share our faith with people who were looking for true hope. Instead, God led us to a little church to watch and listen. In fact for me, the journey was not for what was said in the service, but instead for two brief statements the pastor made to me during a 10 minute conversation on the sidewalk afterwards.

Many times we set out in a course or direction at God’s leading, believing we are going for, what is in our minds, a clearly defined purpose. As we continue on this journey we realize that our intended purpose was not really the purpose at all, but was instead the means of positioning us for things that God wants us to experience. For example, when I left law enforcement in 1997, I went into banking thinking that this would be my profession for the remainder of my days. In reality, God used the bank to position me in the right place to be groomed for my call to the ministry that would come 2 years later.

Today, you may find yourself in a place where you are asking the question: “What am I doing here? This was not the purpose I came here for.” When you trust God’s prompting, you can always be assured that you are in the right place at the right time; even if you cannot readily see that truth from your current perspective. Realize that God may simply be using this time and place in your life to position you for the things to come.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

When All Becomes New

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This past Thursday my co-pastor and his wife welcomed their second child into the world. It has been 7+ years since we last had a baby in our lives, so it has been fun watching the commotion around this little fellow. Eyes opening slowly to look around, fingers curling and uncurling, legs extending and bending all displaying the newness of life.

This got me to reflecting on one of my favorite descriptions of life in Christ:

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Take a moment to close your eyes and ponder this question: “What would it mean in your life for all things to become new?” Imagine a life where there was no past mistake, error in judgment, criminal record, first marriage, etc… Imagine for a minute that you had not been burned before, wounded by a friend or stepped on thoughtlessly. Imagine a carefree existence where only the future lay ahead, because the past has been put to rest.

I think if each of us is honest there are some things we would like another opportunity to do correctly, some pain we would like to altogether avoid and some guilt we would rather not be saddled with. All too often it is our experiences that are allowed to define us. The promise of this scripture is simple…today is a new day.

Christ expunged our sin record with His blood. What we do with that freedom today is our choice. We can both explore and experience the freedom of that newness or we can allow the past to hold us forever in its captivity.

Today if you are weighed down by the baggage of days gone by, I encourage you to try being a little infantile today. Open your eyes and look around at what has changed in your world. Stretch your fingers out towards the hand of God and enjoy the freedom of motion that He has blessed you with.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Line Changes

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

One of my favorite sports is ice hockey. I love the action of the game and the high level of physical intensity demonstrated by the players. When you watch a hockey game for the first time, one of the unique qualities you notice is the line changes that each team undertakes. Midstream in a game you will see players coming over the boards onto the ice while others go over the boards into the player’s box. The coach directs these line changes to refresh weary players, more evenly match on ice players with their opponents or to focus talent for an offensive or defensive thrust.

Over the years, I have seen God perform many line changes in my life. The team that started an endeavor with me is not the same team that finishes the game. At other times a specialist entered my life for a brief time to help me through difficulties, hone my skills or point me in new directions. We see one of these personnel adjustments take place in the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.

Acts 8:39 (NASB)
39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

God placed Philip in the Ethiopian’s life for just a moment in time, but that moment was a critical moment. Philip’s presence was necessary to bring understanding to the man’s search of the scriptures. Philip was God’s specialist for this critical juncture in the Ethiopian’s eternal journey. Philip had been carefully prepared for just such a moment.

Today you may find yourself in the midst of a changing life roster. The support system you thought would always be there have gone their separate ways and new faces are appearing in their place. Don’t be discouraged over those who have gone, but instead thank the Lord for the influence they have been. Thank Him for sending in those new faces who will become the supporting cast members who are necessary for you to make the next leg of life’s journey.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Getting By with a Little Help from My Friends

Good morning! I hope your weekend was tremendous and that you are hitting the ground running.

Over the past several days, my family and I have been in the process of moving from one home to another. Each day last week, I moved a load of boxes from one location to the other. On Thursday I spent the day steam cleaning the carpets in the new house. On Friday, I finished steam cleaning and moved the boxes that were already in the new home from the tiled floors to their respective carpeted locations. Saturday was the major moved of the larger household items, the assembling of beds, hanging of curtains, etc… Sunday was more unpacking and shuffling of furniture.

These things are tiring for even the most energetic person, but for me I face the additional challenge of having an arthritic compression fracture midway down my back. As the day goes by the muscles in my back begin to lock up to the point that I can hardly move or stand up straight. For me to successfully accomplish a major feat such as a household move requires help from my friends.

As I was considering what to write this morning, the following example of scripture was brought to mind:

Exodus 17:11-12 (NASB)
11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.

The Amalekites had come to make war with the people of Israel. Whether the people of Israel were to be victorious rested in Moses’ ability to keep his hand held up with the staff of God in it. Naturally, over time Moses strength began to fade and his arms began to drop from weariness. Unfortunately these drops of the arm led to a surge from the Amalekites. The only way for Israel to be assured a military victory was for Moses’ hand to stay airborne. It was the help of Moses’ friends that made this feat possible. They gave Moses a place on which to sit and each man took hold of an arm and held his hands up high.

For me to successfully accomplish the task at hand this weekend was going to require more than my bad back on lone rusty pickup. I need friends with energy, who were willing to sacrifice their time and vehicles to make this endeavor possible. I needed them to step in to help carry the burdens I could not carry alone. The task was simply too big.

Sadly, too many of us are trying to accomplish the major undertakings of life alone. In our solo efforts, we find that we are running out of steam, determination and hope. The task ahead is simply more than one person can manage in their own strength. It is during these times that we begin to see the value of true friendship. A real friend sees the bigger picture. They realize that their hand holding efforts will ensure a greater victory for all involved.

My friends weren’t just responding to a guy with a bad back who needed a few extra pickup trucks. They were seeing the bigger picture. They know that my home is a place of ministry, a place where people find love, shelter and acceptance. My home is a place where others come to discover God’s greater purpose for their lives. It is a place where God transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Today I want to challenge you with this question: “Who is standing beside you?” I hope that you can readily name the men and/or women who stand on either side of you, holding you up when you just don’t have the strength within you to press on. If you can’t name those people, then I encourage you to seek God’s provision for the Aaron and Hur in your life. Their presence may mean the difference between victory and defeat in your next battle.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Trusting Without Understanding

For the last few months Carol and I have been looking for a new place to live. Each time we thought we had our answer we would go down that trail, only to find a dead end. As the clock counted down to our moving day this coming weekend, we found our stress level getting a little higher with each new day. As we would pray over our housing situation, the Lord seemed to always lead us back to these two verses:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight

Every time we would hear these verses we would see so many different ways it could be applied to our search, but we just weren’t getting any further clarity on where we needed to be looking.

A few weeks ago, my business partner asked me if I would consider living in a mobile home and he even went so far as to go on a fact finding mission for me at a local mobile home park. As doors continued to close in front of Carol and I we decided to explore this option. Last Thursday night Carol and the kids toured several parks, but came away without a real sense of peace about any of the trailers they looked at. This past Friday, was our last real day to look at housing options, so we decided to go back to one of the parks after looking at some houses this morning that just didn’t fit our needs.

Carol showed me the trailer she had viewed the night before, but both of us came away with the same sense that this particular trailer wasn’t our answer either. As we were driving away, she pointed out an attractive double-wide that was for sale by owner at the far end of the trailer park. We called the number on the sign, and low and behold they were home (I must warn you, there is a twist in the unfolding of events…you haven’t solved the case yet Sherlock Holmes). We went inside and met the owners who were moving due to the husband’s terminal illness and his need for in home care. As I looked around, the trailer was nice, but there were large gaps between the two halves of the trailer and part of the ceiling was breaking away.

Carol and I left, dumbfounded and asking ourselves “now what?” As we were driving away, the phone rang. It was the wife from the trailer we had just been in. She told Carol that her sister, who had been at the trailer when we were there, had a house on Padre Island that had been wrecked by the previous tenants. She said that if we were willing to paint and clean carpets she would be willing to reduce the rental. As we turned back around, I told Carol: “this sounds like a God thing taking shape.”

When we returned to the trailer, we were met by the sister of the trailer owner’s wife. She jumped in the van and said, “Let me show you the house.” As we drove towards Padre Island, we learned that her husband had passed away a couple of years ago and that she didn’t want to live there anymore. She said the previous tenants had ruined the carpets and the walls, requiring a lot of elbow grease.

When we arrived, we found a 4 bedroom brick home with a pool and ample space for our house church ministry. The work needed was primarily clean up and cosmetic. When I asked her what she wanted for rent, she named a figure in our price range. When I asked her what the work was worth, she indicated that it was worth at least one month’s rent, but she also stated her need for some rental income from it. I told her what we were currently paying and asked her if we could pay her that same amount for February and March, discounting for the clean up work. We agreed to begin paying the full rental amount in April. She suggested we put it in writing, so on a notepad we drew up those terms and she handed us the key. No pet deposit, no rental deposit and just what we needed when we need it.

God being the loving Father that He is, went far above what we needed. We are now 3 blocks from my favorite fishing spot, I have a place to exercise daily with my favorite activity…swimming! And by positioning us on the Island, our ministry now has placement in 3 key areas of Corpus Christi.

These past few months have been a practical exercise in not leaning on our own understanding. This housing scenario could not have been designed by us on our best day. Maybe today you find yourself in the middle of a lengthy search for answers. Your best guesses and efforts are falling short. I encourage you to let go of the wheel and watch where God takes you. You may find that the answer had never even crossed your mind.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Loving Your Enemy

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Last night I was watching the AFC Championship Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Late in the game there was a devastating hit between a Steelers’ player and a Ravens’ player. The Ravens’ player laid motionless on the ground for a number of minutes and was ultimately placed on a stretcher and carted off of the field.

In football the rivalry between the Steelers and Ravens is generally described in these terms: “A bitter rivalry” or “these two teams hate each other.” Anytime these two rivals play, the energy level increases and the players dig a little deeper for every hit. In a game as big as the conference championship, no one holds back; yet, last night as a wounded warrior lay motionless on the field of battle, rivalry was set aside and compassion took over. All around the injured athlete, members of both teams gathered, many dropping to one knee with heads bowed. As I watched the scene unfold on my television screen, my mind went to the following admonition from Jesus:

Matthew 5:43-44 (NASB)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, and hate your enemy.’
44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you

Last night on that ball field, every athlete took pause with the realization that it could have been them lying motionless out on the turf. Life has a funny way of bringing us back to the simple truth that we are not as strong as we often think we are.

Times like these allow us to see our own frailties and shortcomings. Our first impulse may be to celebrate the misfortune of our rival, but soon enough we find ourselves remembering our own vulnerability, past injury or current challenges. Many times God has allowed me to watch my opponents stumble, only to use their fall as a reminder to me that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. What I mean by that statement is this: When it comes to being worthy of God’s favor, love and blessing…I am totally undeserving. In fact, I no more deserve than anyone else, no matter how bad their life and actions may seem to me. The only reason I am even a recipient of His goodness and grace, is because of the price Jesus paid, something I had no part in to begin with.

Having this realization, makes it much easier to endure those who adversaries in my life. Recognizing that from God’s perspective, we are equally in need of His grace and mercy, allows me to switch from adversary to advocate. I find myself bowing my head to pray for the needs of my greatest rivals.

Today you may be in the midst of the greatest battle of your career, education, or even life. Take time today to pray for the well-being of those who battle against you, because chances are the battle will expose their frailties as much as it will expose yours.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Trusting Your Guide

Good morning! I hope you had a terrific weekend.

Last week I went on a deep sea fishing charter in the Gulf of Mexico with my wife. After 2 hours of travelling across the water, our captain brought the boat to a stop and told us to let our lines out 80-90 feet.

Within a matter of moments the words “fish on” were heard up and down the deck. Fishing rods were seen bending and bouncing as our enthusiastic group of amateur anglers began reeling in their catch. Before long large game fish were seen coming out of the water and onto the deck. Before the day was over we had reached our limit of King Mackerel and Atlantic Sharpnose Shark.

The success of the trip had nothing to do with our skill, ingenuity or hard work. The real determinant of our productivity was the wisdom of our charter captain. He was the one who knew the waters, the behavior of the fish and the right fishing techniques. Without his guidance the outcome of our journey would have been much different. Our day to day lives are really not that different either.

John 21:6 (NASB)
And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch .” They cast therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.

In many ways our success in life is more about our dependency upon the Lord’s direction and less about our talents. When we trust His guidance to the right prospect, conversation or client, we see our efforts multiplied exponentially. Unfortunately, too many times we become overly confident in our own skills and abilities. We assume we have grown beyond the need for guidance, only to find in the lean times, that we need guidance more than ever.

Because God sees the past, present and future, he has perspective that you and I do not. He sees the storms, the mountains and valleys that affect our journey. He knows where the bounty is located and how to grab hold of it. Our only responsibility is to follow his lead. It is when we trust in him with all of our heart, leaning not on our own understanding, that we experience the limits of his abundance.

This week you may be wondering why the journey is taking so long. You may be unsure of why you have been given the tools that are currently in your hand. It is at these times that you rely upon the wisdom of God as your guide, knowing that he is leading you to the fullness of his blessing.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Remembering the Covenant

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This week is an exciting week for my wife and me. On Wednesday we will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Each year on our anniversary we go away by ourselves to reflect on our journey, dream for the future and remind ourselves of the covenant made on January 7, 1989.

Over the last 20 years things have changed. My hair no longer hangs down to my shoulders, nor does it completely cover the top of my head. My waistline left the 30’s years ago and now lives in the 40’s. Carol and I are no longer referred to as that “precious” newlywed couple, but instead we are “mom and dad” to three children ages 7 to 18. 20 years ago I sold water softeners in Wichita, KS today I plant churches and encourage pastors around the world.

Indeed, many things have changed over these 20 years, but one thing remains constant…the covenant. On that blustery day in January of 1989, Carol and I stood before God and man, pledging our commitment to one another through the covenant relationship of marriage. In that covenant we spelled out the lengths we would go to in expressing our undying love for one another. Words like “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part” were used to define this covenant.

God established covenants throughout scripture. They are His promises to His people. Our very redemption at the cross of Christ is the embodiment of our covenant relationship with God. It is no wonder that God was constantly instructing us to remember His covenants.

1 Chronicles 16:15
Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations

When my wife and I stood at the altar 20 years ago to exchange vows and make our covenant with God and one another, the only thing we could see was love and happiness. Eventually life brought the twists, turns, hardships and triumphs that we all face, turning the euphoria of getting married into the daily challenge of making it through another day. It is during the ups and downs of life that we often forget why we entered into that covenant in the first place. Each wedding anniversary becomes a regular time of remembrance that allows us to go back to day 1. In fact, we often will pull out the aging video tape of our wedding ceremony and reception to help relive the moment.

Taking time to remember the covenants of God remind us why we need those covenants to begin with. So often we get caught up in the crisis of the moment and forget the miraculous provisions of the past. It is only when we take the time to remember and reflect that we once again reconnect with the strength that is needed to face the challenges of today.

This week I encourage you to take some time to reflect and remember the promises of God for your life. Pull out the old photo albums, the long forgotten diary and remember where those promises have taken you over the years and gain strength for the places those promises will take you in the years to come.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl