"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matt 4:19-20)
Behind these words is the power of belief. Jesus believed in His disciples and it showed through in their reaction when they were called. It was not just an opportunity to reclaim a lost dream (from the disciples viewpoint, the second chance to follow a Rabbi) but it was more than that, the beginning seeds of belief in “ONE”.
Worship the “ONE” true and only God and find that “ONE” to serve. It is the motto of Living Hope Church. More and more we are called not to impact the thousands of people that we don’t know while missing those we actually know. No instead God is calling you to focus on the field that you are currently in, those that you pass by each day without a notice of eternal significance. That repairman that you just pay to fix this or that, that dog groomer that you pass your pet off to, that friend that you randomly visit when it fits your schedule, it’s those people God is calling you to.
It’s those people in which you will change the generation of thousands, it’s in those people that the “ONE” will be found. You may honestly not think that you can change the world by believing in one person but I would beg to differ. Countless stories are told that bring a one, two or even a four tear jerk to one’s eye because of the difference one person made by believing in another person.
Take for example this powerful story of belief; Nothing - not even the nasty comment of a meddling aunt - would keep Roy from claiming his daughter.
When Roy married his wife, she had a young daughter from a previous marriage. Roy adopted her as his own, and then, in what seemed like no time, the couple had five more children. This oldest daughter, as you might expect, felt a little bit like an outsider at times, and it didn't help that some members of the extended family kept bringing up the fact that she wasn't Roy's daughter.
One aunt seemed especially obsessed with letting everybody know what was what. One evening, the family was hosting a small gathering of family and friends. As Roy was introducing his daughter - who was thirteen at the time - the aunt stepped forward and said, "Well, she isn't actually his daughter; she is from another relationship."
I can't explain this aunt's actions, but I sure admire Roy's response. He said adamantly, "No, she's my daughter. And she's an important member of our family." That was followed by a tense silence, except for the daughter - she was beaming. She had been claimed clearly and publicly.
Today, as this woman looks back on those events, she points to that incident as a turning point in her life. It brought security and confidence to her as she faced some difficult challenges in the following years. She says that her father's commitment to claim her as his own has had an almost supernatural effect on her life.
Through stories like this one person’s belief in another sparks a new generation of changed people in which belief overtakes unbelief and accomplishment triumphs over inaction. It’s time to start adding to your life something more than what you currently have. Ask yourself these questions; What do you want to do? What does God want you to do? What do you want to be? Who does God want you to be? Who is that “ONE” you can invest in?
“Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” (1 Cor 14:20)
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Giving Your Best
A long time ago I heard a statement that really resonated with me. “You can’t divorce your belief from your behavior!” As I have watched myself and others over the years I have found that if this seems to be inaccurate, it’s because a person is not willing to acknowledge what their real behavior is.
See many times we believe things about our lives that are more positive than they really are and thus the negative effect of belief takes its course. As powerful as belief in something or someone is to propel us beyond our limitations, it can also keep us from acting on that which is inconsistent in our lives. Sometimes it takes looking at how we are living through the eyes of others to determine the best course of action.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11) “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
We all have stories and memories of people that encouraged us to do something great or “encouraged” us to address an issue in life. You learned a lot from those people, they imparted to you spiritual life that has helped you become the man or woman you are today. Take the next few moments to read and reflect on these questions and passages of Scripture.
• What was one of the most important things you learned from your parents while growing up?
With your Bible or YouVersion, read Matthew 16:24-28 and Psalm 71:17-18. These passages encourage us not to be distracted by worldly culture so that we can be focused on training the next generation to be Christ-centered world-changers.
• What are some distractions in today’s world that keep adults from training young people in the way God desires?
• Why is it so important for adults to guide and train children to be Christ-centered?
• What are some things that your parents did or did not do while you were growing up that helped shape you spiritually into the person you are today?
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 1 Corinthians 13:11-12. These verses show us the best ways to impart spiritual life on the next generation.
• Who are some of the people that regularly speak biblical truth to you and your family? How have they impacted you and your family’s spiritual life?
• Why is it important that adults enlist the help of others when training children to live a Christ-centered life?
• In what ways can you raise the expectations of your own spiritual life and in the lives of those that you influence?
• How can you strive to be more authentic in your relationship with Christ?
• What are some things you can do to become a stronger spiritual example to the people you currently influence?
NEXT STEPS
Here are some specific things you can do this week that will help you impart spiritual life to those you influence:
If you are a parent or have children who you currently influence, take time to evaluate whether or not you are successfully imparting spiritual life to them in the three ways we learned from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Identify the areas you struggle with and commit to improving them this week. If you need to enlist supporting voices, find out about the opportunities our church offers to create those relationships for your kids.
Children can easily spot a fake. Take time this week to examine where you are not being authentic when it comes to your relationship with Christ. Work towards being more authentic in all areas of your life. Some next steps to consider could be spending more time in prayer, more time reading your Bible and spending additional time with other believers.
See many times we believe things about our lives that are more positive than they really are and thus the negative effect of belief takes its course. As powerful as belief in something or someone is to propel us beyond our limitations, it can also keep us from acting on that which is inconsistent in our lives. Sometimes it takes looking at how we are living through the eyes of others to determine the best course of action.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11) “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
We all have stories and memories of people that encouraged us to do something great or “encouraged” us to address an issue in life. You learned a lot from those people, they imparted to you spiritual life that has helped you become the man or woman you are today. Take the next few moments to read and reflect on these questions and passages of Scripture.
• What was one of the most important things you learned from your parents while growing up?
With your Bible or YouVersion, read Matthew 16:24-28 and Psalm 71:17-18. These passages encourage us not to be distracted by worldly culture so that we can be focused on training the next generation to be Christ-centered world-changers.
• What are some distractions in today’s world that keep adults from training young people in the way God desires?
• Why is it so important for adults to guide and train children to be Christ-centered?
• What are some things that your parents did or did not do while you were growing up that helped shape you spiritually into the person you are today?
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 1 Corinthians 13:11-12. These verses show us the best ways to impart spiritual life on the next generation.
• Who are some of the people that regularly speak biblical truth to you and your family? How have they impacted you and your family’s spiritual life?
• Why is it important that adults enlist the help of others when training children to live a Christ-centered life?
• In what ways can you raise the expectations of your own spiritual life and in the lives of those that you influence?
• How can you strive to be more authentic in your relationship with Christ?
• What are some things you can do to become a stronger spiritual example to the people you currently influence?
NEXT STEPS
Here are some specific things you can do this week that will help you impart spiritual life to those you influence:
If you are a parent or have children who you currently influence, take time to evaluate whether or not you are successfully imparting spiritual life to them in the three ways we learned from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Identify the areas you struggle with and commit to improving them this week. If you need to enlist supporting voices, find out about the opportunities our church offers to create those relationships for your kids.
Children can easily spot a fake. Take time this week to examine where you are not being authentic when it comes to your relationship with Christ. Work towards being more authentic in all areas of your life. Some next steps to consider could be spending more time in prayer, more time reading your Bible and spending additional time with other believers.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Who Replaces YOU?
Who is someone that believed in you and encouraged you while you were growing up? Comon, there has to be someone. Research has shown us that we are molded and shaped by these experiences and mentors or role models have a significant impact on our development.
Their belief in you shaped you into who you are today. For me my first “believer” in me was my 6th grade History teacher, Mr. Shipley. See the short version of the story was I loved to play with my G.I. Joe action figures (a lot) and I did so all the way into Jr. High. What I did not realize was how much that love would impact my social status among my peers. I was consistently ridiculed as being a baby for playing with toys! One day before history period started my classmates where belittling me about this when Mr. Shipley came in to start the class. Overhearing the verbal onslaught, he stepped up to the plate and begins his lecture defending ME!!!!
What was this, someone that believed in me! It changed my outlook on life, that my teacher would stand up for me and additionally correct my classmates as to their misunderstanding that my desire to play with toys was actually admirable (funny how we never lose that in us, just buy more expensive “adult” toys).
A small incident like this shaped me to this day, so much that I remember the entire event as if it was yesterday. As powerful as negative experiences are, “Believing” experiences out class those by miles. I remember this incident not as a negative experience, but as an empowering, lifting moment in my life. From then on out I knew that if I believed in myself that nothing was impossible. I later learned the second half to that statement that “in Christ all things are possible”, but that is another story.
Take some time and read Mark 1:9-20. In this passage you see God’s approval of His son Jesus. If offers us a great example of mentorship and belief in another person. Listen to God the Father’s words,
“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Wow, what an affirming statement, one that any person would love to hear, let alone from the loudest sound system in the universe, (A voice came from heaven). Jesus then continues this pattern in this chapter by calling 12 unlikely men to become His disciples and do life together with Him.
So take it full circle and ask yourself these questions:
• What things can you learn about influencing others by the example Christ gave us in the way He called His disciples and in how He interacted with others?
• Describe a time when someone took a chance on you. How did you grow from that opportunity?
• Who are some of the people that are currently influencing you in a positive way? How is their influence impacting your life?
• Why do think this generation struggles so much with such temptations as a sense of entitlement and arrogance towards the truth?
NEXT STEPS
Here are some specific things you can do this week that will help you become the type of positive influence on others that God has called you to be:
Identify the person or people that you feel God has called you to influence. Take your next step in beginning that process. For example, if you feel called to influence teenagers, consider volunteering with our church youth ministry as your first step. If you feel called to influence young adults, consider leading a LifeGroup. One of the most important ways you can prepare yourself to expand your influence towards others is ensure you are being a positive influence in your most important relationships. This week examine those relationships with such people as your spouse, children, family, friends and co-workers and see where you can improve your influence in these relationships.
Their belief in you shaped you into who you are today. For me my first “believer” in me was my 6th grade History teacher, Mr. Shipley. See the short version of the story was I loved to play with my G.I. Joe action figures (a lot) and I did so all the way into Jr. High. What I did not realize was how much that love would impact my social status among my peers. I was consistently ridiculed as being a baby for playing with toys! One day before history period started my classmates where belittling me about this when Mr. Shipley came in to start the class. Overhearing the verbal onslaught, he stepped up to the plate and begins his lecture defending ME!!!!
What was this, someone that believed in me! It changed my outlook on life, that my teacher would stand up for me and additionally correct my classmates as to their misunderstanding that my desire to play with toys was actually admirable (funny how we never lose that in us, just buy more expensive “adult” toys).
A small incident like this shaped me to this day, so much that I remember the entire event as if it was yesterday. As powerful as negative experiences are, “Believing” experiences out class those by miles. I remember this incident not as a negative experience, but as an empowering, lifting moment in my life. From then on out I knew that if I believed in myself that nothing was impossible. I later learned the second half to that statement that “in Christ all things are possible”, but that is another story.
Take some time and read Mark 1:9-20. In this passage you see God’s approval of His son Jesus. If offers us a great example of mentorship and belief in another person. Listen to God the Father’s words,
“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Wow, what an affirming statement, one that any person would love to hear, let alone from the loudest sound system in the universe, (A voice came from heaven). Jesus then continues this pattern in this chapter by calling 12 unlikely men to become His disciples and do life together with Him.
So take it full circle and ask yourself these questions:
• What things can you learn about influencing others by the example Christ gave us in the way He called His disciples and in how He interacted with others?
• Describe a time when someone took a chance on you. How did you grow from that opportunity?
• Who are some of the people that are currently influencing you in a positive way? How is their influence impacting your life?
• Why do think this generation struggles so much with such temptations as a sense of entitlement and arrogance towards the truth?
NEXT STEPS
Here are some specific things you can do this week that will help you become the type of positive influence on others that God has called you to be:
Identify the person or people that you feel God has called you to influence. Take your next step in beginning that process. For example, if you feel called to influence teenagers, consider volunteering with our church youth ministry as your first step. If you feel called to influence young adults, consider leading a LifeGroup. One of the most important ways you can prepare yourself to expand your influence towards others is ensure you are being a positive influence in your most important relationships. This week examine those relationships with such people as your spouse, children, family, friends and co-workers and see where you can improve your influence in these relationships.
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