Is your God too safe?

Playing it safe is the mantra for many people.  Taking risks and placing themselves in situations that may be dangerous does not enter their mind.  I am not advocating taking unnecessary risks but in most advances in life one has to be willing to take on things that involve risk.  Often it is the fear of failure that stunts people in their growth.  In our life with Christ, he at times calls us to go places and attempt things that involve risk.

I am always inspired by stories of missionaries who have ventured into new areas to reach unreached people.  They may face diseases, incredible hardships and even death just as the first missionaries to Africa in the 1800.  Almost all died within the first 2 years and many within the first 2 months.  False teeth were the norm for most as well as dental care was nonexistent.  Back then they shipped their goods in coffins, knowing that they would not return, willing to spend their lives and if necessary lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel being proclaimed.  They did not die in vain but paved the way for other missionaries to follow and build upon the work.  The results were worth the risks and the costs.

The Moravians with Count Zinzendorf wanted to reach the workers in the sugar cane fields of St. Thomas Island and the only way they could get there was to sell themselves as slaves and board the boat with the other slaves to go to the island.  It was a risk they were willing to take because they saw the potential impact to be of greater importance than the risks they were taking. 

One of my heroes is a native Minnesotan named Bruce Olson.  His story is told in the book Bruchko that I first read over 30 years ago. He is still alive and continues to work among the indigenous of South America.  When he was 17 years old he felt called to travel to South America to reach the Motilone tribe.  This tribe was known to kill strangers and the oil companies who were trying to enter their land suffered many casualties.  The dangers were real but he was willing to take the risk.  He had no real support when he left and the missionary whom he had contacted did not show up at the airport to meet him.  Yet Bruce ventured into the Motilone tribe to live among them, learn their language just to have the opportunity to share the gospel.  After 4 years of living in harsh conditions and suffering many sicknesses he had a break through and many of the tribe became believers.  The potential results outweighed the risks he had to face.

When Jesus called his disciple to follow him, it was a full time call.  They left their businesses behind to follow a man that they may not have known all that well when they made the decision.  There was something about this Jesus that compelled them to abandon their known life to experience something that they did not even envision.  The three years they walked with him were unforgettable. They saw and experienced miracles, healings, opposition, threats, pressing crowds of people, demonized people being set free, dead being raised, multiplication of food and many more incredible events.  When they were called to follow him there was no looking back, family matters were important but not as important as following him, financial security was not to be considered, and a willingness to die with him was part of the call.  For many people this seems too extreme, too radical, they want a safe God who will keep them from harm and make sure they have what they need.

“In 1996 the staff at Bridger Wilderness Park in Wyoming in posted some of the suggestions that had been returned to them by park visitors.  Here are a few:

1.       Trails need to be reconstructed.  Please avoid building trails that go uphill.

2.      Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs.  Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests.

3.      Please pave the trails so that they can be plowed of snow during the winter.

4.      Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without have to hike to them.

5.      The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake.  Please eradicate these annoying animals.

6.      A small deer came into my camp and stole my jar of pickles.  Is there a way I can get reimbursed?

7.      Escalators would help on steep sections.

8.      A McDonald’s would be nice at the trailhead.

9.      Too many rocks in the mountains.”

Source: “Your God is too Safe”  by Mark Buchannan

Changing all these inconveniences takes away from the adventure and the enjoyment we have when we are able to overcome them or have to work harder to be able to enjoy things.

We tend to want things easy and can be demanding of our rights for certain things.

One of the teachings of YWAM is being willing to lay down your rights so that God can use you to fulfill the desire of his heart.  We have rights to family, education, clean water, food, health care, jobs, housing and many other things that are part of life.  But there comes a time in our lives when we are asked to lay down the rights to make ourselves available to be used of God in an area that perhaps involves a risk that others are not willing to take.  If we maintain our rights we often forfeit opportunities to see God use us in new adventures that could have an eternal impact on the people we encounter. 

The Apostle Paul was one who had a conversion experience that shook him to the core and launched him into a ministry that impacted thousands of people and continues to impact millions of people through his writings.  He gave up many rights to make himself available to God’s call on his life.  He faced incredible hardships that would cause most people to change their occupation.  When he was warned about going to Jerusalem where he would face opposition from the Jews, it did not faze him.  He had such a strong desire to reach his own people that he was willing to take whatever risks involved for the opportunity to share his testimony and preach the gospel. He even got upset with their protests.

Act 21:10-14  While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will of the Lord be done.

Paul was determined, maybe some thought out of his mind, taking a risk that did not seem to make sense to them.  In spite of their protests, he went and the trouble predicted met him but it did not stop him and it did not thwart God’s purposes.  God was in control and in Paul’s darkest hours met him and confirmed to him that what was happening had a divine purpose.

Act 23:11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.

 Any doubts he may have entertained were set aside by the confirming words spoken to him.  Had Paul played it safe we can only speculate what the final results would have been for the church in that day and today.

When the Jewish leaders plotted to kill him as he left Jerusalem, God made sure that the plans were foiled so that Paul could fulfill his mission. 

Act 23:12-14  When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.

When the ship he headed for Rome was in a horrible storm and all hope was gone among the sailors, Paul, gave words of encouragement because he knew his mission was not going to end in a shipwreck that would take his life.

Act 27:21-25  Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.' So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.

God was in control once again and when they were waiting on the island of Malta Paul was given an opportunity to share the gospel with the people.  All of this was orchestrated by God because Paul was willing to take the risk of going to Jerusalem. 

When we respond to God’s call we have to entrust our lives to his plans and purposes.  We do not know the details or the final results but we know that God will be at work to do great things through us as we follow his call.  Our lives are in his hands and he will never abandon us.  We will face hardships, tribulations, suffering, perhaps persecution.  Jesus said this was part of the benefit package of being his disciple.  

Joh 16:33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

We do not have to go look for it, we have an enemy who will bring it to us.  The church is facing intense persecution in many countries such as Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Iran, and Afghanistan.  The believers’ homes and businesses are being destroyed and bombs set off in their churches.  There are more Christian martyrs today than at any time in history.  The risks of being a follower of Jesus are very real to these believers.  They are faced with the decision of fleeing for safety or staying and face the opposition in an opposite spirit.

Each of us make decisions on how we will live our lives.  Will we seek for safety or seek for opportunities that will require a risk that may seem uncomfortable and undesirable to many.  Jesus set the example for us in the way he reached out to people that were not wanted, rejected, hurting, poor, sick, demonized and marginalized by society.  He challenged people to live from their heart and not live to have an appearance of being righteous while the heart was unchanged. He calls to live with his compassion toward all people, not just the ones that are the easiest to live with or are less hassle.  He invites us to take steps of faith to pursue his desires of reaching all people, going to them, actively pursuing them to help them and demonstrate his love for them.  He challenges us to live sacrificially and give generously of the resources he has given to us.  He calls us to lay down our rights so we can take up his desires to share the gospel with those who have never heard or understood its transforming message. 

The opportunities are all around us if we are willing to see them as God sees them.  Once we see them then we have to make ourselves available and responsive to God’s instructions and guidance to move forward in faith, face the risks and trust God to bring about the results he desires.

God calls us to a life of adventure with him.  He is always on the move, his plans are being accomplished and he invites us to co-labor with him.  It does not mean you have to leave your present situation although for some it may be required to be obedient to his call.

I have shared this testimony with our staff and students but it bears repeating as it is an example to encourage all of us.

David Bowler shared this story that was passed on to me from a friend.

At one of his services he gave and Altar call and a young lady named Marcy, who graduated from Bible College came forward.  She was a very petite lady.  She surrendered her life to God to go to the foreign field. She had a desire to go to Malaysia, to a group of head hunters. No missionaries had gone there for 11 years.  These people were cannibals and had eaten people who tried to reach them.  The oil companies left the area because of their people being attacked and eaten. 

David Bowler, was a special forces Green Beret, highly decorated soldier who could lift 650 lbs.  All he could think of was the conditions were not right for this young girl to go to these people.  Her parents tried to talk her out of it.  David Bowler tried to talk her out of it but she replied to him, “You are the man of God who taught me of the God of the impossible”.  Marcy asked for prayer.  David felt he was putting a death sentence on her by allowing her to go.  He thought she would be eaten. He prayed for her, that God would let her die quickly.  No mission board would send her because it was a suicide mission.  Marcy spent 30 days in preparation hoping and praying that someone would go with her but, no one would go, and she would have to go alone.  The day arrived when Marcy would be taken to the cannibal people.  There were no roads to the people, she would have to enter by helicopter and even this was dangerous.  The cannibals knew how to bring down a helicopter with their spears, so Marcy had to repel 250 feet to get to the ground.

They dropped her down and told her they would come back 60 days later.  The pilot said he would be back but she would not.  He asked her if she understood the conditions were not right. Marcy replied that she had asked and she was going.   

When they dropped her down, the pilot began to cry. Their thoughts were to say goodbye because you will never see her again.  For the next 60 days everyone prayed for her protection and prayed God would just take her and not suffer if she was attacked.

60 days later the helicopter returned.  They found Marcy, with 70 people she led to Christ!  She found out that they only ate men!!!  The people had a 200 year Legend that a female god would come to them from the sky.  So when she was lowered by the helicopter they thought God had arrive so they worshiped her. She told them she was not God but would lead them to God.

An incredible story but we have an incredible God who call us to follow him, to take risks with him. Age, experience, conditions are not a problem for God so we can set them aside and believe that he will take us as we are to make us what he wants and needs us to be.  Nothing is too difficult for him.

Where will your journey of faith take you?  Are you willing to take risks with God directing your steps?  Are you holding back and giving more power to fears or the counsel of others?  Whatever hindrances we see are not always the same in God’s view and that gives us hope for an exciting future.  Is your God too safe?

Resolutions for a New Year???

Many people make New Year’s resolution of things they want to change or do differently in the present year.  Most people fizzle out in a month or two and never see the changes they desired.  Statistics compiled by University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology verify it.

News Years Resolution Statistics	Data
Percent of Americans who usually make New Year’s Resolutions	45%
Percent of Americans who infrequently make New Year’s Resolutions	17%
Percent of Americans who absolutely never make New Year’s Resolutions	38%
Percent of people who are successful in achieving their resolution	8%
Percent who have infrequent success	49%
Percent who never succeed and fail on their resolution each year	24%

It is good and important to set goals for things you desire to change but seeing them realized takes a level of dedication that many seem to lose over a short time.  It could be that the goals were too difficult to achieve, unrealistic to your situation or things changed making it not possible to achieve them.  The goal may also have been something that really was not in your heart to achieve.  It looked good on paper but in reality you did not have it in your heart to exert the time and energy to achieve it.

Inspiration

 As you begin the New Year it is important that you have some concrete goals you want to achieve. Goals emanate from the God given inspiration of a vision or dream you have about your life and purpose.  They flow out of the values you have and what is most important to you and what you believe God is calling you to do.  Once you know who you are, what your talents and interests are and what you believe God has called you to do, you can begin to dream, cast a vision and set goals that will guide in the process.   

The story of Nehemiah is often used to give advice in pursing visions and goals. 

² one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. ³ They replied, “The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.”  ⁴ When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.  Neh. 1.2-3

When he heard of the devastation of Jerusalem and the condition of the people who lived there, his heart was moved.  This was the inspiration he needed to begin to envision a new Jerusalem by rebuilding the city and rebuilding the nation.  He confirmed this vision in prayer and began to work toward achieving it. Vision and goals have to flow out or a heart desire in line with God’s call.

Establishing goals help you in many ways. 

• They help you stay focused on what is important.  
• You can make better decisions about the use of your time, money and energy when you know what is valuable to you and what you are willing to sacrifice to achieve it.  
• Goals help you be accountable for how you use your time and talents.  
• You can evaluate your progress toward a concrete goal.  
• Goals also build confidence when you see that you are on the path to achieving them and they are a cause for celebration when you do accomplish them.  

The benefits of goal setting and working toward achieving them are obvious.  Goals that are specific, definable, measurable and achievable should be a normal part of our lives.  Those who live without any real purpose and goals tend to let other things fill their time.  There are always time fillers but those who have learned to focus on using their time for the goals they set will always achieve more and have greater satisfaction in life. Drifters, wanderers, busy bodies, and undisciplined people allow others to fill their time or spend their time in activities that are not helping them use and develop the gifts and talents they have.  Our days are numbered and as Moses prayed,

¹² Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Ps 90.12)

We too need the same attitude.  We have to have a heart of wisdom to know what we are called to do and accomplish for the Lord.

So what are the areas of your life that you want to see growth or change in this year?  What are the things that are most important to you and are worthy of your time and energy?  Is there an area of your life you have always wanted to uncover, discover and develop? Perhaps an area that has been hidden but now revealed that you want to explore and take a step of faith to pursue?

One of the TV programs that has spread to many countries is “American Idol.”  This is an opportunity for people with a special talent to be recognized and pursue their dreams.  I was watching some videos of the 2012 Britain’s God Talent contest that were pretty incredible.  One was about a couple of singers appearing at their first audition. Maybe you have seen it but it is worth seeing again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UoGMdf7lek

Undiscovered talent, unrealized potential is in each of us created in God’s image and likeness. Sometimes we just need someone else to see it and encourage us to pursue it.

 What area or areas to you want to gain expertise?  Have you taken time to look at where you are and what you want to achieve in the time God has given you? Put it in writing and keep it where you can frequently refer to it.  The University of Scranton report stated:

“People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions.”

If you have not done this step I encourage you to do it sooner than later.  Pick out a couple areas that are very important to you and begin there.  A long list of resolutions may not work for you so keep it to a few that are most important to you.  You may not be good at many things but you can be good at one thing if you put the time needed and avail yourself to the resources, training and teaching that are needed to grow in that area.  I read a comment in an article in the NY Times the other day in which the author quoted another person who said, “If you are going to be good at one thing, be good at lying because then you will be good at everything!”  Definitely not a worthwhile goal but it does demonstrate a focused goal.

Preparation

Once you know what you want, have defined it as best as you can through a written goal the next step is to take the risks involved in pursuing it.  You can minimize your risks by proper planning. Risk taking does not mean you move forward without making plans and calculations of what you need.  You need to be prepared and not just abandon it all to chase after a dream, vision or goal.  Your steps need to be ordered and that will take thoughtful, honest planning to help minimize the risks and maximize your success.  One of the exercises we had our DTS students do at the end of the 5 months was to identify areas in their spiritual lives that they wanted to gain more knowledge, experience, training or education.  After identifying the area they were to write a goal and objectives clarifying what they wanted to accomplish. Then they listed the resources that they would need to contact, purchase, use, make a list of people and mentors who could help them attain the skills or knowledge they desired. 

In Nehemiah’s story he knew what he needed to be able to rebuild the wall and he made specific requests of the King to be able to get time off, people to join him, protection in the journey and the building materials he needed.

⁴ Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. ⁵ Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may rebuild it.” ⁶ The king said to me (the queen also was sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set him a date. ⁷ Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may grant me passage until I arrive in Judah; ⁸ and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, directing him to give me timber to make beams for the gates of the temple fortress, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the gracious hand of my God was upon me. Neh. 2.4-8

There are many resources available today via the internet that are free or very affordable.  There are seminars offered through ministry organizations, universities, trade schools etc. that can help you gain what you have set as your goal.  It may take some research on your part and it may cost some money but it will be worth it.  Rick Warren has stated that if you want to make changes in your life you will need a mentor or coach.  Someone who has gone before you to accomplish what you desire and can provide the help and encouragement you will need.  A mentor can help you stay on task by holding you accountable for your progress.  Break your goals into daily tasks that will move you forward.  There are apps you can use to help you do this and they will remind you of what you need to do as well as record what you have done.  Many of us need visual reminders to help us stay on track.  Others will find great help in sharing your goals with another person who can check up on your progress. 

Dedication & Perspiration

The next step is to begin to work toward your goals and stay at it until you have completed them.  This is where motivation, time management and hard work have to kick in and stay kicked in until you have arrived at your goal.

Maintaining motivation to accomplish your goals will always be a challenge and that is why you need the support of other people.  Connect with a few people who are like you, working toward making changes in their lives, developing their God given talents to make a difference in the world.  Being with likeminded people will be a great motivational factor in your life. 

Nehemiah recruited likeminded people to go with him and motivated them to do the work.

¹⁷ Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer suffer disgrace.” ¹⁸ I told them that the hand of my God had been gracious upon me, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us start building!” So they committed themselves to the common good. Neh. 2.17-18

Keep the vision and goal in front of you all the time. It will help keep you motivated to keep working until you achieve it.  Also keep in mind the eternal value of what you are doing, how what you want to accomplish fits into the bigger picture of the work of the Kingdom of God.  What you are doing will have in influence on many people’s lives. 

When Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall it was not just for personal gain but he had in mind the generations that would follow that would benefit from the work they were doing. When they were being threatened by Sanballat and Tobiah, he spoke these encouraging words to them

¹⁴ After I looked these things over, I stood up and said to the nobles and the officials and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Neh. 4.14

Walt Disney when Disney World was being designed understood the importance of seeing the big picture.  He was advised by all the contractors to build the Disney castle last.  They had good reason behind their recommendation, it would save a lot of money by waiting until all the roads, water, electricity etc. were already in place before the construction began.  Walt listened to their advice and he told them to build the castle first. The castle would be the show piece of Disney World and he knew that if it was constructed first the workers would be motivated to build the rest of the complex as they could see the castle every day and how everything fit together.  The castle has become the Disney logo symbol known throughout the world.

To achieve your goal you will have to manage your time and energy.  One thing we all have equal amounts of is time.  What we do with it is our decision.   Making time available is also required and this means you will have to eliminate some things from your life that are time wasters or are not moving you forward.

·         It could be you need to be more organized in your work area so you are not wasting time looking for things that you have failed to put in their proper place.

·         It could be eliminating relationships that are not going anywhere or are holding you back and are taking an emotional toll on your life.

·          It could be eliminating activities at work or home that are not getting you where you want to go. Facebook, video games, watching movies, recreational activities, phone calls, etc. have a place in our lives but often they can become consuming and really be time wasters.

·          For some people learning to say NO is hard, they do not want to offend others are may be more concerned about being a people pleaser than a God pleaser.  People are generally task oriented or people oriented.  The task oriented find it easier to say NO while relationally oriented people find it more difficult. Finding the balance is not easy but is necessary.

Nehemiah was faced with distractions that would take away time dedicated to rebuilding the wall.

² Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. ³ So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you? Neh. 6.2-3

He knew it would be a waste of his time to meet with these men and he refused to do it.

Once you have identified the time wasters and negative activities in your life you have to make the decision to eliminate them.  This will free you to spend time on the things you have identified as more important.  It may be difficult to do but in time you will see the benefit as your goals become a reality. 

Most of us have a defined work day to accomplish what is expected of us.  The challenge is how we spend our off time, how are we using it to achieve the things that we have desired.  I went to a teacher workshop years ago and still remember a piece of advice given to us by Carol Kent. She stated that if you are willing to spend one hour a day, five days a week studying, learning and practicing one thing, in five years you will be considered an expert in that area.

Along with eliminating nonproductive activities you also have to guard against taking on new activities that are also going to take away the time and energy you need to accomplish what you truly want in your life.  Adding more activities to your schedule will not make life easier for you and you will either delay what you want to accomplish or do it at a level that is less than your best.

Henry Cloud in his book,”9 Things a Leader Must Do” uses what he calls the “cringe factor” to help determine whether he should engage in a certain activity.  When the little voice inside of you says the following it is a good indication that you should not pursue it.

            “This doesn’t quite feel right.”

            “I don’t feel comfortable doing this or agreeing to this.”

            “This not what I really want.”

            “This violates and important value.”

            “I am going to resent this for a long time.”

            “I wish this were not happening.”

King Solomon gave this advice, “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 22.3

The final aspect is simply a willingness to work hard to achieve your dream.  Very few things in life come without sweat equity, hard work, at times failing and starting over again but those who are willing give their best effort will receive the reward of the satisfaction of accomplishing their goal.  In a generation of people who have an entitlement mentality and a take it easy attitude they will never know the joy of giving your all to accomplish something of value that impacts other’s lives.  Many want to take short cuts, find an easier way to get what they want but in the end they short change themselves and miss out on all the growth that takes place in the process. 

Nehemiah and the people worked hard to build the wall to the half way mark.

⁶ So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. Neh. 4.6

The entire wall was rebuilt in 52 days, an amazing accomplishment.

¹⁵ So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. ¹⁶ And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem; for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. Neh. 6.15-16

Their hard work was a testimony to the neighboring nation and gave glory to God.

Paul said, ¹² Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3.12-14

I believe Paul was a man of many goals that he constantly pursued throughout his life.  His accomplishments were amazing and an inspiration to all believers of what God can do in one person’s life who is willing to pursue the goal of the high calling with all their heart.

I want to show one more video from the Britain’s Got Talent contest.  The group is called “Attraction” and their performance rocked the house. This group worked very hard to put together their performance that was done with excellence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAzYZ-E4l30

Our motivation is always to please the Lord and to do it in a way that demonstrates hard work and excellence.

Celebration

As you progress toward your goals remember to take time to celebrate your accomplishments.  If you are working with someone who is accomplishing their goals make sure you do something to celebrate with them.  Positive reinforcement accomplishes much more that negative or no reinforcement.  Celebration is not a matter of pride, showing how awesome you are but it should be a time of thanksgiving to the Lord for the abilities you have been given and for the help he has provided to move you toward the fulfillment of a God given dream or goal.  Graduation ceremonies are important as they recognize the hard work that has been exerted to finish your plans.

Nehemiah was not only concerned about rebuilding the wall but also rebuilding the nation that had fallen away from God.  In the rebuilding of the nation the people were read the Law and they recognized how they had failed to keep it.  They were saddened by their disobedience and neglect.  Instead of focusing on the failures Nehemiah encouraged them to celebrate what God had done and what he was doing among them to reform them as a nation.

⁹ And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ¹¹ So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” ¹² And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.  Neh. 8.9-13

Each of you here tonight have tremendous potential to accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God.  I want to encourage you to dream big for the Kingdom, set goals that are worthy of the Lord, ones that will stretch you and bring the changes you desire. Make the proper preparations to minimize the risks. Dedicate the time and energy and be willing to work hard to accomplish what God has put in your heart. Finally remember to celebrate as you go and when you reach your goal.

 Don’t let 2014 become a repeat of 2013.  There is much more God has for us as we partner with him. 

 James  Emery White, pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church posted 15 Resolutions for the New Year that I think were very good and worthy of your consideration. Church & Culture www.churchandculture.org

1.         Pray more.

   So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord…‘Not by might nor by power,  but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6, NIV)

2.         Invest in your spiritual gift(s).

   Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.  Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. (I Timothy 4:14-15, NIV)

3.    Get more intentional about evangelism.

   I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. (I Corinthians 9:22, NIV)

4.     Care for yourself spiritually.

 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12, NIV)

5.     Make the tough decisions you know are best.

 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.  I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (Acts 20:22-24, NIV)

6.     Confront debilitating patterns of sin.

  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1, NIV).

7.     Do the hard work needed to build community.

  If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. (Matthew 18:15, NIV)

8.     Keep in touch with contemporary culture.

 From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders…All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. (I Chronicles 12:32, NLT)

9.     Quit comparing yourself to other Christians, other leaders, and other churches.

  Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind.  When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, “Master, what’s going to happen to him?” Jesus said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You — follow me.” That is how the rumor got out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that is not what Jesus said. He simply said, “If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you?” (John 21:20-23, Msg)

10.   Read more.

    Timothy, please come as soon as you can…When you come, be sure to…bring my books,… (II Timothy 4:9, 13, NLT)

11.   Prioritize your family.

  A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife,…attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? (I Timothy 3:2-5, Msg)

12.   Refuse to use ministry to satisfy your personal ambition.

 Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. (Jeremiah 45:5, NIV)

13.   Love people, not just crowds.

   If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.  If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.  If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. (I Corinthians 13:1-3, Msg)

14.   Be more open to change.

  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19, NIV)

15.   Stay focused on the vision.

 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, NIV).

Bernardo

Yesterday our DTS team went to a park near Heredia to give food to the homeless and the poor. We did a couple of short dramas and the students shared testimonies of their experiences with God. After giving them food a man in his 30's came by and we gave him our last sandwiches. His name was Bernardo and he had not eaten in 4 days. He had been out of a job for 4 months and told how he had been stabbed by robbers awhile ago. His life was very hard and he was at the point of taking his own life. He saw no more reason to continue suffering. We talked with him about God and his plans for his life. He claimed he was an atheistic but he was very open and welcomed our invitation to pray.for him. He did not accept Jesus as his Savior but he walked away with a little hope in his heart that things will get better. The reality is that his life will not begin to get better until he receives Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Without Christ there is no hope of eternal life or the abundant life he promised to all who believe in him. Bernardo's only hope is a transformed life that only happens through an encounter with the Living God who loves him and wants a personal relationship with him. Pray for Bernardo to make the decision that will change his life.

Discipleship Training School Outreach

Our 12 students are in Costa Rica working with the YWAM Heredia base. Previously we were in Panama working with the YWAM bases in Chilibre and Chiriqui. We also spent 11 days in San Jose, Costa Rica YWAM base. Each base has its own ministry focus so the students have been exposed to a variety of ministries. The DTS provides a great learning experience and gives the students the opportunity to explore and develop ministry gifts. Our students range in age from 18-61years old. You are never to old to be a part of the five month training program.
We will be traveling back to Guatemala on November 30 and will travel by bus and pickups for 13 hours to arrive in Yulmacap, Guatemala for a week of ministry. We are looking forward to our ministry in this community that has several children and young adults who have a rare form of cancer that is caused by exposure to ultraviolet light.
Our next DTS will begin on February 15, 2014. For more information go to the YWAM Antigua website: ywamantigua.com

God's Plumb line

 The God’s Plumbline

A plumb line is a tool used in Guatemala by many block layers.  They hang it over the edge of the block when building a wall to ensure that the wall is straight and vertical.  It is an easy tool to use but it must be used frequently to make sure the wall stays straight.  I worked with a team one time and they were not very careful when checking to see if the blocks were straight and vertical and the result was a bowed wall.  The owner of the home was not very thrilled with the look of the wall and it could have been prevented had more care been taken.

 When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, committing high treason or betrayal against him, the consequence of the fall have had devastating effects.  If we use the symbol of the cross we can depict what has happened.

The vertical beam of the cross represents our relationship with God.  This once intimate relationship has been replaced with alienation from God.  Mankind seeks to hide from God, deny his existence and live in defiance of his rule.

The horizontal beam represents the relationship between human beings.  The peaceful unity between Adam and Eve was damaged.  Blame, accusations and lack of acceptance of personal responsibility were some of the immediate results.  A short time later murder entered the human race and mankind continued on a downhill slide.

The fall also effected creation.  Work would become more laborious, the animals attacked each other, and eventually after the flood the weather patterns changed.

In the center of the cross is a ring that represents each individual.  The fall of man has effected each of us in our identity, our purpose in living, our moral standards we choose to live by and our eternal destiny.

  The prophet Amos used a plumb line as a visual demonstration of how the nation of Israel was not in alignment with God’s ways.  They were like a wall that was warped because of their rebellion against God. 

Amo 7:7-9  This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass by them; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword."

Like the nation of Israel we are prone to wander away from God’s pathway of holiness.  We must constantly make adjustments to keep us going the right direction toward the destination God has for us.  The pathway of the plumb line I will call the highway of holiness.  It is the way of righteousness and truth that God wants us to follow.  God is holy and he has made it clear that without holiness no one will see him (Heb 12.14) But we find ourselves at times wandering off the pathway which is represented by the two lines veering off to each side. 

  On one side we have the force of the world that wants to draw us away.

1Jn 2:15-16  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

The goal of the world is conformity to standards that are not of God.

  The goal of the desires of flesh is depravity.

Gal 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The world is driven by fleshly desires that push man further and further into a depraved state of mind.  Depravity is moral corruption, perversion and evil.  It is a progressive downward spiral that seems to have no end.  A depraved mind seeks for new and more evil experiences to satisfy their lust.  Before the flood man reached this depraved state of mind in which every thought and intent of the heart was evil.

 The goal of the desires of the eyes is covetousness, jealousy and envy.

Gen 3:1  Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?"

Gen 3:2-6  And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Adam and Even coveted what God had.  They wanted to be wise like God and were deceived into thinking that by eating a forbidden fruit it would happen.  How could a fruit have that much power?  When covet, become envious and jealous of what others have it begins to consume our thoughts and we strategize how we can have what they have or we develop a hatred for the person who has it.  It breeds an unthankful heart and lack of recognition of what one has been given.

  The goal of the pride of life is superiority.

King Nebuchadnezzar is a primary example of a king whom God used to bring his people into captivity and become exceedingly proud of his prosperity.  He demanded that people bow down to worship him and when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused, he threw them into a superhot furnace.  When they came out alive, he realized that there was a power greater than he.  Yet in a matter of a few years his pride once again took control and God humbled him by turning him into an animal.

Dan 4:29-33  At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?" While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, "O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will." Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

 Pride is manifested in our lives by our pursuit of positions of power so we can rule over people and get our way.  Pride drives people to focus their energies and resources to gain wealth to enable them to do what they want to do and have control over people who work for them or depend upon them.  Pursuit of wealth and the possessions one can buy with it can also be a way of demonstrating superiority over others.

  All of the things of the world are the work of the devil.  His goal is domination of mankind.  He wants to be in control through oppression or possession.  He is actively at work through his legion of demons influencing, oppressing and possessing people who have invited him into their lives through these desires or lusts.

These forces are at work to pull us away from God’s divine plumb line and we must constantly be aware of their influence or attempts to keep us from God’s best for us.  We also deal with attitudes and beliefs that keep us from following God’s pathway. 

 One area that believers have to guard against is legalism.  This is another tool of the enemy to keep us from enjoying a relationship with God that is based on grace.  Legalism confines our thinking to a system that often is devised by someone else with the intention of keeping the rules while at the same time depriving us of a real relationship with God.  This was the problem of the Pharisees whose legalism led people away from knowing God as he wanted to be known and kept them from showing mercy, grace and compassion toward others. Following the rules and making up new rules to make sure they were following the main rules became their life.   One can follow a system of rules without having any true interaction with the one who made the rules. Josh McDowell made an observation about rules that I think warrants repeating: “Rules without a relationship leads to rebellion.”  Rebellion is the result of questioning why these rules exist without getting any understanding of the heart of the person who made them or is required to enforce them. When following the rules are the main objective and focus and are not based on our relationship with God and our fellow man disaster will happen and we will stray from the true pathway God has for us.

  Another force that pulls us away is unbelief.  When we find ourselves doubting the character of God and the truthfulness of the Word of God and deny it as the source of truth we fall into relativism and no longer have a firm foundation to rely upon in making decisions.  We also lose the ability to make judgments as to what is morally right or wrong for our culture.  Our beliefs are viewed as no more important than anyone else’s and to demand compliance is viewed as a threat to personal freedom. Unbelief in the faithfulness of God to fulfill his promises drives us away from him because we lose our trust in him.  All relationships are built upon trust and unbelief destroys one of the key ingredients in a relationship. Ahithophel was one of David’s trusted counselors. When Absalom temporarily overthrew his father’s rule, Ahithophel remained in his office as counselor. 

2Sa 16:23  Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.

When his counsel was rejected his trust of Absalom as well as Absalom’s trust of him ended.  Ahithophel returned to his home and hung himself.

  Another area that we are challenged in as believers is presumption.  To presume is to make a decision based on what you think is true yet is not proven.  This is a problem because it leads us to make decisions that are not based on facts or truth.  King Saul presumed that he could keep the best of the animals as spoil and offer them as sacrifices to God.  He presumed God would be pleased but he was wrong.

1Sa 15:23  For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.

Presumption can lead us to make a decision before we have all the information and often it leads to failure.  When this failure happens we can blame God because we thought we had him figured out and he let us down.  Presumption damages our relationship with God as well as with other believers.

  God has given us three things that will help us keep in alignment with his ways.  We all know what they are yet it bears repeating so they can be reinforced in our lives and become integrated into our lives.  The first thing we have is the Word of God.  This amazing book was written by the inspiration of God and is the source of truth for mankind.  Ignorance of the Word has caused great problems in the world because standards God has established for the wellbeing of mankind are not followed and chaos results.  The Word of God when understood correctly and applied brings transformation to people and nations. 

Spurgeon who experienced the power of God's Word, went on to become one of the greatest preachers of God's Word. The following Spurgeon anecdote beautifully illustrates the supernatural power of God's Word...

The renowned preacher C H Spurgeon once tested an auditorium in which he was to speak that evening. Stepping into the pulpit, he loudly proclaimed,

Behold the lamb of God ,Who takes away the sin of the world. (Jn 1:29)

Satisfied with the acoustics, he left and went his way. Unknown to him, there were two men working in the rafters of that large auditorium, neither one a Christian. One of the men was pricked in his conscience by the verse Spurgeon quoted and became a believer later that day! Such is the penetrating power of God's eternal word! (http://preceptaustin.org/the_power_of_god's_word.htm)

We as believers have to know the Word, live the Word and teach the Word.

Ezr_7:10  For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

  God’s Word keep us in alignment with his truth.  Truth is reality as defined by God and not by man.

The second thing we have as believers is the Holy Spirit.  Jesus told his disciples that it was imperative for him to leave so that the Holy Spirit could be poured out on them. 

Joh 16:13  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

The Holy Spirit is our teacher.  He reveals the truth of God’s Word to us.  He knows the mind of God and is able to communicate it to us.

  1Co 2:10-13  these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

 He is the gift God has given to us to be able to know the truth.  We desperately need the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and guide to keep us on the pathway of holiness.  He reveals truth as well as error.  He brings conviction to our hearts when we wander off the pathway. 

  The final thing God has given us to keep us on the pathway is the Body of Christ.  As a body of believers we can keep each other from straying from the truth and rescue those who are heading in the wrong direction.  We have to be willing to confront one another when truth is being compromised.  We have to be willing to speak the truth in love with a spirit of humility.  We are not called to a ministry of condemnation but of restoration.

Gal 6:1  Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

 In order to speak into another person’s life we have to have a relationship that is strong enough to bear the weight of truth that will be presented.  If we have not taken the time to build a strong relationship with someone, it will be more difficult for them to accept anything you may say to them even if it is the truth.

We have to be willing to receive from other people who are confronting us with things they see as errors. We can easily write people off through our prejudices against them.  “Who are they to tell me what I should or should not do?”  Is often the attitude that is demonstrated when we are approached by someone who is seeking to help us and correct us.  Pride will keep us from admitting we are wrong, it will keep us from apologizing to someone we have offended and will drive a wedge between us.

 As believers we are called to judge those within the body of Christ.  We are not to judge the world but we are to judge each other by the standard of God’s Word.  Paul gave the church at Corinth permission and the obligation of judging matters within the church in the situation of immorality.

1Co 5:9-12  I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.   For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

  Paul had to make many judgments during his ministry to keep the church following the right pathway.  He even had to confront Peter and Barnabas for false beliefs that he had against Gentiles.

Gal 2:11-14  But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"

Peter and Barnabas were strong men of faith yet they strayed from the truth and needed to be corrected.  We have to be open to correction as well as willing to confront to keep each other walking in the truth.

  God’s plumb line does not waver, it always is based on truth.  We have to keep ourselves in alignment with his truth, follow his highway of holiness and be aware of the forces that are at work to pull us away from him.

The forces of the world: lust of the eyes that produces covetousness, envy and jealousy, lust of the flesh that produces depravity and the pride of life that leads to superiority.

The spiritual forces of darkness that seek to oppress and possess to dominate our lives.

Our own issues of legalism, unbelief and presumption that separate us from God and from each other.

  Finally we must use the resources God has given to us to keep us in alignment with him.  The Word of God that is the Truth of God, The Holy Spirit who teaches and leads us into all truth and the Body of Christ that keeps us walking in the truth.