Read the Instructions First

I'm one of those weird guys that likes to read the instructions before I assemble anything.  I have always been this way.  I'm a former/recovering perfectionist, so you other perfectionist instruction reading guys and gals can relate to my obsessiveness with reading instructions.  How else are you supposed to know what order to put things on and how clip things to this and screw things to that?  Some people I know think they know it all and don't need the instructions.  They just start putting things together and they just hope it is correct.  Most of the time when people do this, the item they assembled either falls apart, breaks, or doesn't work at all....and there are also usually many pieces left over that they just left off because they could not figure out where or how they went on the item.

Based on my word of mouth poll, I would say about half of you read the instructions before you put together that new trike for little Susie, and about half of you just wing it.  Based on another word of mouth poll only about 5% of those claiming to be Christians read their Bible consistently (for the purpose of this post I am defining consistently as reading 3.5 days per week).  Interestingly, about 95% of those I polled who claim to be Christians struggle with things like anger, bitterness, depression, fear, doubt, chronic illness, marriage problems, lust, etc.  See any correlation in my poll? 

Many people believe the Bible is not relevant to their daily life, but I believe that it is absolutely relevant and necessary for your daily life.  Who knows better what you need and how to communicate that to you than the One who created you?  The Bible is not about a set of rules for you to follow.  God saw that there was a better way than the law....it was JESUS!!!!!  The Bible is a love story.  The story of God's love for me.  His love for you.  He loves you.  The Bible is a manual on how to overcome, succeed, prosper, love, forgive, receive healing, and on and on I could go.  Dive into your Bible and start reading about how much God loves you.  I recommend reading  1 John, Ephesians, and Psalm 103-126 for starters. 

Just remember, its about relationship not results.  This post is not about condemnation for not reading your Bible, its a challenge for you to pursue a relationship with God. 

Learn to Love the Obstacles

Most people I know (including myself) have a tendency to freak out when faced with an obstacle in their lives.  Whether it be an unexpected bill you cant pay, you lost your job, you get a medical diagnosis that sounds bad, or your kid is failing the 7th grade, I can guarantee you with 100% certainty that you will face obstacles in your life.  So if we are going to face obstacles, why not try to embrace them?

I have found out in my short 32 years and 10 months of life experience that freaking out does absolutely no good at all.  It actually makes things worse.  Freaking out is just a selfish response to the situation because we are upset that things didn't go our way.  After all, it is all about us, right?  (sarcasm intended) (offense not intended) :-)

What if its not all about us???  What if we stopped thinking about ourselves and how horrible our life is because of this "obstacle", and, instead, just started praising Jesus for another opportunity for a miracle?  You see, I have learned to love the obstacles in my life.  I have learned that my God loves me so much that using obstacles for opportunities to do miracles for me is one of His favorite things to do!  He loves it when I trust in Him, have faith in what I cannot see, stand on the truth of His Word, and just BELIEVE!  I see miracles in my life all the time.  It's what I call rawesome! (more on my word inventions in a later post) 

Now don't misunderstand me...I don't believe that God causes or allows these "obstacles" so He can show off.  Many times, the obstacles I see in my life and the lives of others are just our spiritual enemy trying to steal from, kill, and destroy us.  Other times, they are just the consequences of our bad decisions.  Never are they from God trying to teach you a lesson.  He is your loving Father, not a harsh disciplinarian.  God doesn't need to create an obstacle in your life so He can show off.  He doesn't need to show off..., but just like a loving Father He likes to do it just for you!  He loves you! 

So what have you got to lose anyway?  If freaking out doesn't help, why not just try believing that God loves you as much as He says?  Why not just trust His Word instead of your circumstances?  I don't go looking for obstacles, but when one finds me, I start praising God for His healing, His provision, His promises, His prosperity, His blessing, His wisdom, and His love for me!  If you want to see miracles, you have to learn to love and embrace the obstacles as opportunities for miracles.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts!  Please comment below, share with your friends, and subscribe to future posts with the link on the right of the screen.

Are You Dehydrated?

This weekend we celebrated Memorial Day with some friends as we were hanging out in their pool, playing with the kids, and sharing our favorite foods!  It was close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside in the sun, but the pool was nice and cool so my kids and I spent most of our time in there.  After about 3.5 hours of fun in the sun, my kids were worn out and so was I.  Later that evening, I realized that I had only had one glass of water and one glass of lemonade all day long.  My body had started sending me cues that I may be dehydrated, like "please drink 10 gallons of water now!"  I was so thirsty that I drank several glasses before bed, but it was too late.  I woke up this morning with a splitting headache and feeling exhausted, just a couple of the symptoms of dehydration.

Dehydration is, according to the free online medical dictionary, the loss of water and salts essential for normal body function.  Although I have been drinking water all morning (about 32oz so far), I can still feel the effects of being dehydrated.  Until my body has taken the water I am drinking and carried it through my bloodstream to every part of my body, my body is not going to be functioning as it could and should be. 

As I was thinking about my situation, the Spirit gave me a revelation about this that I have to share.  You see, as I was hanging out in the pool I felt cool and I didnt think I needed any water because, well, I was in the water.  How could I get dehydrated if Im covered in water right?  Obviously this type of thinking is flawed, and its the same type of flawed thinking that has penetrated the Church.  We think if we go to church on Sunday, listen to Christian music, and only hang out with "good Christian friends from church" that we are keeping ourselves "spiritually hydrated."  It's just like when I was in the pool.  The problem is that these things do not line up with God's Word on how to stay hydrated.  Look at what Jesus says in John 4:10-14:

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 11 "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?" 13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Jesus, not church, music, or our friends, is the source of the living water that keeps us hydrated.  He is a never-ending supply of living water that will allow us to never thirst again.  However, if we do not consume the living water, how will we be filled?  So how do you consume this living water?  Jesus is the living water, and John 1 tells us that Jesus is also the Word.  If you are consuming the Word daily, I'm talking about the Bible, you will stay hydrated with the Living Water!  Don't be deceived like I was in the swimming pool.  You can't get the Living Water you need from 1 hour at church on Sunday, listening to your Christian music, and hanging out with your church friends.  Those are not bad things, but if you are not immersing yourself in the Living Word of God, you will become spiritually dehydrated.  Spiritual dehydration also has negative side effects just as my physical dehydration did.  If you are feeling condemned, hopeless, afraid, depressed, burdened, broken, selfish, dirty, shame, etc, you need to get yourself hydrated in the Word of God!!!

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts so please comment below!

Don't take credit

When I first started out in my insurance agency, I was having a lot of success. I had never had a sales job before, so I knew without a doubt I was walking in God's favor and blessing. I knew my success was all because of Him.

After about a year and a half, I had a slump in my life insurance sales. I was in some kind of terrible funk. I had to get things going again so I focused all my energy on selling life insurance. I thought I was in the slump because of something I was not doing right and/or something I was doing wrong.

Because "I" was working so hard I started taking credit for life sales. I did not know this at the time, but I realize now that because I blamed myself for the decrease, it also led me to take credit for the increase. Taking credit for God's blessing is dangerous territory to be walking in. When we do that, we are basically elevating our self above God, and we are denying our need to rely on Him.

Whether things are going great or if they are terrible, we have to remember the truth of God's word. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10 NLT).
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. (James 1:17 NLT)

If you start taking credit for your failures, you will also be tempted to take credit for your success. Don't take credit. If you are in what seems like knee deep failure, resist the enemy who is stealing from you and start praising Jesus for your success even though you don't see it yet. If you are floating in a river of success, praise Jesus for blessing you. Give thanks and praise Him at all times! Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT)

I would love to hear how this truth has impacted you and how you see failure and success!

7 Leadership Lessons from Craig Groeschel

I recently attended the Gateway Church pastors Connect Conference at the Gateway NRH Campus in Ft. Worth, Texas.  My pastor, Craig Groeschel, spoke to us, and it was such great wisdom I thought all of my friends in the blogosphere would benefit from it as well.  So, here are 7 leadership lessons from Pastor Craig Groeschel:

1- To step toward your destiny, you have to step away from your security....It's time to get out of the boat.  Wouldn't it be better to be sinking in the water with Jesus at arms length instead of back in the boat?

2- We generally overestimate what God wants to do in the short run, and we underestimate what He wants to do in the long run....The greatest enemy of your success is the limitations of your mind.

3- God's strength is made perfect in your weakness...Stop with the excuses that you cant speak in front of people, or you aren't a good team builder, or that you don't know what you are doing because God knows what He is doing.

4- The difference between where you are and where God wants you to be is the pain you are unwilling to endure...Maybe you need to end a relationship, let a division causing staff member go, or admit a mistake you have been covering up.

5- You have everything you need to do everything God wants you to do...Stop putting your faith in yourself, and put your faith in the Almighty God!

6- You should live poised and prepared for a miracle...5 year plans are out.  Prepare (time and resources) for what God wants to do and follow His lead/plan.

7- Everything rises and falls on leadership...If you feel like things are falling apart stop whining, your sharp, fix it!

You are Blessed to be a Blessing!

I have a treat for you today!  My friend, Jay Randolph, founder of Favor Communications International, is sharing a word with us today from his "Weekly Word" e-newsletter.  You can read more about Jay, Favor Comm, and sign up for the "Weekly Word" at www.fcint.org.  Here is a great word from Jay about generosity!  Enjoy

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.             Philippians 1:21-26

Faced with the tremendous opportunity of being able to go home to the Lord in heaven, Paul was not only thinking of himself. When confronted with the very real possibility of being executed due to his faithful witness of Christ, the apostle was more concerned about staying and helping others than he was about escaping all his problems and enjoying his eternal rewards. He simply practiced what he preached.

In the very next chapter, Paul encouraged believers to esteem others better than themselves (Phil. 2:3). He continued saying that everyone should look out not only for their own interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:4). The Lord Himself is our example (Phil. 2:5-11). Timothy and Epaphroditus, other early church leaders, were good examples too (Phil. 2:19-30). Mature believers in Christ are not self-centered; they're Jesus and others-centered.

In today's world, I find myself coming across more and more people who are completely self-absorbed. Even in the church, so many are just focused on themselves. Their wants. Their needs. Their problems. Their interests. Me, myself, and I (the three of us) are the center of all their thoughts and conversation! Seldom do they esteem others better than themselves. Not very often do they look beyond their own interests to the interests of others. Instead of dying to self and cultivating the fruit of self-control, self has free reign (Gal. 5:22-23).

As maturing believers in Christ, our focus is on worshiping Jesus and serving other people. We've received our needs met through our intimate relationship with the Lord, so we're able to overflow His love to other people. We recognize that we're blessed to be a blessing. As His provision goes through us, there's plenty for others too. Instead of being like the Dead Sea, which receives intake but has no outflow, we are open channels for God's living waters to flow through us to those all around. We lift Him up, and we reach out to others. As we interact with different people, we're constantly alert and asking the Lord, "How can I be a blessing to them?"

Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). God is the biggest Giver of all. He gave His only Son for us (John 3:16-17). Let's manifest His unselfish nature. Let's consider the other people in our life, and how the Lord wants to use us to minister to them. It may be a smile, a hug, or a listening ear. It might be a word of encouragement or a gift of some kind. Just be observant of others' needs and open to the Holy Spirit's prompting. He'll lead you!

Father, thank You that all our needs are met in You. Our spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial needs are abundantly supplied through what Your Son, our Lord, accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection. We are now complete in Christ (Col. 2:10). As we interact with others in Your body and in the world, may we overcome self-centeredness by fixing our eyes on You and looking out for the interests of others. Amen!