Right Thinkin

How would you respond to this situation? You are in a hurry to go meet a person and get into your car and it won’t start! Do you say “(Explicit word) this always happens to me, it figures – it’s always something!” or do you say “Well I will just call and tell them we can meet another day, I guess I get to stay home today.” The difference is striking, one person is negative the other positive.

So how negative are you as a person? When things don’t go your way, what is your typical reaction? Each of us has negative situations that we go through on a daily basis, but what happens to you verses what happens in you is quite a different matter. Often we allow that which is external to become a part of us and we become negative in our thinking.

You will never change your life until you change the way you think.

This statement should bring us hope that no matter how negative we are, that we can change those negative thought patterns. “The hardest part of being set free from negativism is facing the truth and saying, “I’m a negative person, and I want to change. I can’t change myself, but I believe God will change me as I trust Him.”” (Joyce Meyer)

Usually this process takes time and our return to the more familiar ways of being negative during that time can breed discouragement. But the Bible tells us “God has begun a good work in me, and He is well able to bring it to full completion.” (Philippians 1:6).

So where do I start? Here are few things to chew on:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to you each time you give into being negative. As a new creation you don’t have to allow the old way of doing things to be the standard. According to God’s word your mind can and will be renewed each day, but you have to submit your actions to God. That is why Paul said we have to be “IN CHRIST”. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17)
   

2. Remember it will take time. Some of our habitual avenues are not so easily removed. Don’t give up, stick to the process the Holy Spirit is taking you through. God is capable and powerful enough to bring victory! (See Galatians 6:9)

3. Trust in God. That is why point number 2 exists. I have met people who think things like “well if He was REALLY God he could just take this away from me”. Yes let me tell you He can and often does, but to those things that remain they are a test of trust in Him. It builds your relationship with God. (See Psalm 9:10)

Remember a negative person is no fun to be around. There is a “heaviness” about that person, like no matter how many positive things happen they can and often always point out the one thing that went wrong. Because of what Jesus has done for us we don’t have to be that person that nobody really wants to be around. And we can like being around ourselves!

The change can happen, you can do it, expect that change, live in hope, see things the way God sees them and you will begin to see the change!

Stinkin-Thinkin

Thoughts matter more than we realize. The things we think without telling anyone are the seeds of our statements and the path of our tomorrows.

Growing up I got into a bad pattern of thinking. I would asses each situation in my life from the “what’s the worst possibility” and determine if I should commit to something based on that. Instead of looking for opportunity I looked for disaster and tried to manage my risk.

My encounter with Jesus Christ changed that. I realized for the first time that my thoughts were not helping me. I realized this pivotal statement.

You will never change your life until you change the way you think.

So I started to address my thoughts. God brought to me Scriptures like 2 Corinthians 10:5 where the Apostle Paul tells us that every thought is to be subjected to the Christ test. He tells us that thoughts that are not will bring “pre-tension” and will erect barriers between what you know about God. When you and I allow thoughts to control us that are contrary to God’s word we setup the “Pre-tension” (tension before the tension) and open the door for actual tension in our lives.

Here is the situation, “someone does something that makes you mad”. Natural reaction is to sit back and think and rethink everything that was said and done to determine what the real motive was. Like amateur mind-readers we assess conclusions to poorly developed facts with often disastrous results. Instead of holding that thought to the Christ test we let it in and give it the Captains chair of our lives.

So what is the Christ test for thoughts? Try a few of these on for size:

1. Does it bring tension, in you, between you & someone else or you and God? (2 Corinthians 10:5)
2. Does acting on those thoughts cause you to disobey Christ? (2 Corinthians 10:6)
3. Are those thoughts evil or sinful? (Matthew 9:4, Matthew 15:19)
4. Does it bring division or unity? (Luke 11:16-18)
5. Does the thought make you want to retaliate and bring retribution? (Ephesians 2:2-4)
6. Does the thought build up or tear down? (Ephesians 4:22-24)
7. Does the thought discriminate or show favoritism? (James 2:1-12)
8. Is it an immature thought? (1 Corinthians 14:20)
9. Does it elevate you over them? (Galatians 6:3)
10. Does it place your confidence in your strength verses God? (Psalm 20:7, Philippians 3:1-11)
11. Does it make you think God owes you? (James 1:7)
    

So what do I do with my thoughts? Well you don’t let them land. And the best way to keep them from landing is to pray. Pray harder than you ever have before. Get verbal in your prayers, passionate in your prayers, physical in your prayers. Let your pray life be the avenue in which all “stinkin thinking” evaporates. Without prayer, bad thoughts will dominate your life and lead you to sin. Don’t let your thoughts dominate your life, you dominate them. Christ has given you that possibility through His power.

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6 NLT)

Flying with Friends

Every time I get on an airplane I am amazed! I don’t get scared, I just am amazed! Maybe it’s because as a youth I flew often in my dad’s private plane and being in the sky was as normal as zits and girls. So flying amazes me, I am amazed at the machine that flies me to my destination (I always touch the outside of the plane when I board. I love thinking my handprint is flying 50,000 feet in the air). I am amazed at the cockpit, amazed at the point in which the air flow takes over the weight of plane. I am amazed at the thrust once we lift off as I am pushed back in my seat. I am amazed at the view, amazed at the speed and amazed at how people treat it as common, until something goes wrong. The ability to travel through the air is a special gift and as much as it amazes some; for most it is a commodity. In the same manner friendship is amazing and a very special gift.

As I write this I am spending time with my best friend. Years ago the LORD brought us together through unusual circumstances. In the many years that we have known each other I have come to understand the vast ocean of good friendship. As I sit and enjoy the wonderful nature of a good friend, I reflect on how many times he and his family have been there for us. They have helped us with perspective, prayer, and purpose. They have stood by us through it all as have we have for them. We have helped each other when our hearts are heavy, when our hope is high and when our heads are hurting. We are true friends and God’s glory shines through us even though we hardly ever see it. We are just good friends.

Just like sitting in amazement as I fly, good friendship amazes me. Friendship is a unique relationship. But most treat their friends as common until something goes wrong. Your friendships focus you and open doors that are not available unless that friendship exists. I guess this is why Jesus gave us this promise to those that believe in Him and follow Him.

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)

What friends do you have? Are they hurting or helping your life? Maybe it’s time to start over. I suggest you begin with the best friend of all, Jesus! Pray to Him today.

Leave it to Beaver

The days of “Leave it to Beaver” are over. I am certain that is not much of a news flash for you except to say, “What is Leave it to Beaver?”. (For that you will have to watch the TVland channel)

Author GK Chesterton said: "What we suffer from today is humility in the wrong place. A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth. This is now exactly reversed." The family is a core component of a developing person. The positive or negative effects shape the individual. Unfortunately the home or family is not living up to its potential in producing great Americans in truth. Instead the fundamental truth of the family is considered expendable in today’s modern American exposure. It’s something to shed, to break out from, and to ignore. How did we get here?

Instead of blaming society, which is so easy to do, I want to focus this evotional on parenting. Being a parent myself I have gone through many lessons and experiences here are a few things I have come to understand. First off understand there are three basic approaches to parenting. First is Authoritarian, the second is Permissive and the third is Biblical. Let’s look at each one individually.

• Authoritarian

The parent that chooses this model seeks obedience in all situations. They rarely if ever consider the principle of the situation. They become over incensed about outward outbursts and are more concerned about the external conformity. They say things like, “You will do it or else” and the “or else” becomes the motivation for behavior change. Principles that penetrate the heart never take hold and as a result manipulation on behalf of the child becomes a common occurrence. In response the parent also manipulates and the relationship breaks down; for no one will stay close to a person that manipulates them.

• Permissive

As bad as you might be thinking the first one is, this one is even more dangerous. The parent that chooses this model seeks to create the right environment and bypasses any adverse behavior, thinking that if the right things are placed in front of the child they will demonstrate that “wonderful character” that they know is just waiting to come out. They equate permissiveness with love and seek the attitude in the relationship of “Why can’t we be friends”. They avoid all negative situations and emotions and do anything to keep the positives. They “love” the child, avoid conflict with the child and tolerate wrong behavior, hoping to get love in return. The liberated 1960’s psychology gave birth to this through the theory that every person at their core is “morally good”. The result is that character development never occurs and children don’t really try to reach for all they can be. The approach always backfires and causes resentment in the parent and anger in the child.

• Biblical

The parent that chooses this instructs the child with the principles behind directions. They focus on instructions and coaching that helps their children adopt their own methods of applying the principle behind the situation. In essence they give kid’s the moral and practical reason why. They invest in their kids for the future and understand the present behavior is not all the matters. They say “I want you to do this and this is why”, paying now and investing for the future.

Now, it does not obligate the parent to always explain why. The Bible tells us that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child so they will ask why to the most odd ball situations. So here is a good groundwork of the “why” questions you should answer:

1. The why of curiosity – Example: “why do birds fly?”

2. The why of comprehension – Example: “why should we…?”

3. The why of challenge – Example: “why do I have to….?”

When you answer the curiosity, comprehension or challenge question I suggest you offer a moral reason when situation concerns people or offer a practical reason when situation concerns things.

When we look at the 3 methods, it seems clear the two wrong methods and one correct method. As we apply the third method here a few closing thoughts to consistency:

1. Expect an immediate and complete response—“Did you understand what I said?” “Repeat what I said.” (Always catches them and teaches them to listen, BTW God does this to me often)

2. Never give a command unless you intend it to be obeyed. (Parents have a responsibility to think about what they say, the typical “By I count to three…—1,2,3, actually trains them to disobey. Instead train them on obedience even if they don’t like your answer.)

3. When a child disobeys, they are in sin. (When you tuck them in at night teach them they have sinned and to ask for forgiveness. This resets the relationship with them, with you and with God. It gives them clean hearts for a new day and a fresh start. When parents continually reinforce that it gives life and confidence that no matter what they face they will succeed because God and those that love them know their deepest failures and accept them anyway.

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Eph 6:4)

Money, Money, Money, Moooney

Money, Money, Money. The mighty dollar, the money tree, all of us could use more, right? Honestly, I thought growing up in mid-America that all I had to do was just earn enough money and I’d be set! I have sensed realized money only comes as I manage it well. Well then if management is the key to money, not making more, then who measures my progress? Is it my banker, my broker, my dad, my mom, my spouse? All of them only see a limited view of my finances and none of them see my heart. Only God sees the heart of mankind and sees the damage done by the dollar.

When God sees your heart, what does He see? When God puts forth a call to give, what comes out of our hearts? In 2 Chronicles 31 there is an interesting passage, you need to read the whole chapter to get the focus, but notice these verses…”He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. … and Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadok, answered, "Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the LORD has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over." Hezekiah gave orders to prepare storerooms in the temple of the LORD, and this was done. Then they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes and dedicated gifts. … This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”

As cool as this passage is I wonder why the order had to be given in the first place? What pulled them away from their devotion to God in giving? I wonder if their lives took their hearts. Hard times, busy times, changing times and legitimate issues caused them to forget the very fundamentals that would keep them long term. I encourage you not to forget the principles God has spoken to you. Remember that giving to God secures your heart as His.

Lets obey His financial advise, lets all consider what we are to bring into the storehouse of LHC and faithfully bring that so that this church can do all God wills for it to do and have more than enough.

Here is a commitment you can use as a way to connect this lesson to life, seek to do these 5 things:
1. I recognize that all I have comes from the hand of a gracious God. God owns me and everything I have and I will always check with Him first.
2. I will give the full tithe to the church that I’m called to worship in and more as the Spirit guides.
3. I will demonstrate discipline with my spending and live by the 10-10-80 principle. (10% to God, 10% to Savings, 80% to live on )
4. I will avoid debt so that His money doesn’t go to the wrong place.
5. I will make an effort to be generous on every occasion.