A Life of Impact

2 Kings 20: ⁴ Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: ⁵ “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 

⁶ I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”

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“What are you guys going to do today?” one of my fathers asked. My buddy and I said “I don’t know, probably go out and have some fun.” “Is that it?” he questioned. Then he said some “blah, blah” stuff.  Why is he asking me about my future? Doesn’t he know there is a new club that just opened and we wanted to check it out?

• Sometimes I act like I will live forever.
• Sometimes I don’t look into the future.
• Sometimes I waste precious moments doing nothing of value.

I have known people who have faced their mortality and when they recover they live life very differently.  Each day seemed to be a blessing and the worries they used to have seemed to disappear. As I observed these people they did have some common.

• They told me “Care about people.”
• They told me “Trust in the LORD.”
• They told me “Count your blessings.”

Life is too short to be worrying and complaining all the time. Being preoccupied on the trials takes away time I could have spent with GOD, doing what HE wants me to do. Someone else said this to me… “What if you KNEW you were going to die next week, how would you spend your time living your life?” Then live that life now.

This statement reached me. Now I see life as a marvelous adventure GOD has placed in front of me. Every day is a blessing that HE made and the more I realize HE made it, the less I complain or worry.

• Are you complaining about something?
• Are you overcome with worry, fear and doubt?
• What if you knew you were going to die soon, how should you live your life?
• Are you seeking GOD’s kingdom and preparing people for CHRIST’s return?

Sneaky and apathy don’t mix

Genesis 25: ²⁹ Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. ³⁰ He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)

³¹ Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

³² “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

³³ But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.

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We walked around the store mindlessly browsing and I ran into one of the neighborhood thugs. He was changing clothes in the middle of the store. He looked at me and placed a finger over his lips with a shushing motion. He stuffed his old clothes behind the rack and walked out of the store. I thought to myself, this store deserves to be robbed.  I mean, just last week the manager yelled at us for something we didn’t do.

• When I become apathetic I don’t care about right or wrong.
• When I lose my caring I overlook being involved with people.
• When I overlook people I tend to focus on my problems.

Wait a minute, Esau sold his entire inheritance for a meal from a sneaky brother so what does that have to do with me? Well, instead of helping the guy or talking to him I just let him do what he was going to do.  Also, my apathy towards the store manager was based on not enough information to understand or respect his position. Sometimes just standing there is a problem.

• GOD wants me to treat people with enough respect to try to bring them to CHRIST.
• GOD wants me to understand where people are so I can explain the great gift CHRIST gave me.
• GOD wants me to forget self-preservation for a moment so I can be used as a messenger for HIM.

Whether I’m the sneaky one or the apathetic one or the bystander, I have a role in pointing people to GOD.

• Where are you?
• Are you standing on the sidelines letting things fall apart or are you helping?
• Won’t you allow GOD to speak through you even though it may be uncomfortable?

Sold out for GOD

Acts 21: ¹⁰ After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

 ¹² When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

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Cartoons depicting an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other are a good example of how I have lived my life in the past. It seems like a temptation would pop up in front of me and I would have a choice.  Go with what seems to be fun or remain pure to GOD which usually seemed boring.

Well after being burned, hurt and left empty GOD’s way seems to be a better way.

• Some of my sins seem so harmless so why should I change?
• Some of my sins are too much of a habit so why should I change?
• Some of my sins are because of someone else or something out of my control so why should I change?

Excuses for me not changing my mind will be taken up with no one else BUT GOD! HE wants me to be sold out for serving HIM and desires me to live a victorious life.  HE does understand my flaws and knows I will fail time after time BUT HE desires that I change my ways little by little until I can do HIS will without fighting HIM to do my will. 

• Being sold out for GOD means nothing is more important than helping someone else understand the freedom HE has given me.
• Being sold out for GOD means nothing is more important than telling others GOD forgave me and HE will forgive you.
• Being sold out for GOD means nothing is more important than believing in HIS SON and following HIS will.

No person, no job, no trinket, no safe feeling, no self-preservation and especially no sin should be placed in front of doing GOD’s will. Now, I have to tell you that all of these items I have just listed are a struggle; BUT GOD has patience with me and helps me get it right. HE loves the way I am “becoming” sold out for HIM!

• Are you completely sold out for God or are you reserving most of you for you?
• What is holding you back from doing more for HIM?
• When will you give up a little of your lifestyle and start living for GOD more?

Who likes rejection?

Acts 13: ⁴⁷ For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

   “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,

   that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

 ⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

 ⁴⁹ The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. ⁵⁰ But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. ⁵¹ So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

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Walking across the dance floor seemed like the longest walk in the world. I don’t know how but the boys always ended up on one side and the girls on the other. With confidence I asked someone to dance and with dejection I lurked back over to my friends who were busy laughing.

I mean all I wanted was a dance. Why did I get rejected in front of my friends?

• Many times I don’t speak about CHRIST because I don’t want to get rejected.
• Many times I don’t speak about CHRIST because I want to keep my status.
• Many times I don’t speak about CHRIST because I don’t want to look like a religious fanatic.

Memories of public rejection actually helped me become bolder about speaking about JESUS. I mean actually it was quite funny when I replay the rejection in my mind.  Hair uncombed, untrendy clothes and glasses as large as windshields made for a situation comedy that I later learned to laugh at.

• When I don’t take myself too seriously I can share my issues with others and speak about JESUS.
• When I understand that some people will accept what GOD has to say and others won’t, it makes it easier to speak about JESUS.
• When I drop “my way” and understand “GOD’s way” then I know the person is not rejecting “me” but they are rejecting GOD’s message.

Paul and Barnabas fully understood their words would be twisted but they insisted on telling people about JESUS and spoke to those who would listen.

• Are you afraid of being rejected?
• Are you afraid of looking weird because you speak about JESUS?
• Are you more afraid of humans or are you afraid of not following what GOD wants you to do?

I want “heartburn.”

Luke 24: ³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

 ³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

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My faith in GOD is pretty weak at times. I want to see some of the cool stuff happen that’s written in the Bible. The only problem is I want to see the miraculous situations before I believe GOD and HIS power. I mean, why did HE do all those marvelous things in front of the people in the Bible and not in front of me?

• JESUS can be sitting right in front of me and I am too blind to see HIM.
• JESUS can be saying something to me and I am too deaf to hear HIM.
• JESUS can be walking with me and I am too scared to notice HIM.

JESUS explained how the entire Bible was written about HIM to Cleopas and his friend. On this seven mile journey to Emmaus JESUS explained everything.

• HE talked about how HE walked in the garden with Adam and Eve.
• HE explained how HE would meet with Moses and how HE showed him HIS glory as HE walked past Moses.
• HE explained how it was HIM in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
• HE explained ever interaction HE had with the prophets and David.

JESUS is the only ONE who can tell humans what the Bible really means. Preachers and teachers do a good job but they can only relate to GOD’s messages. JESUS can set my heart on fire so that it truly burns. This requires me to open my spiritual ears and eyes to what GOD is doing right in front of me.

When my eyes are opened, there GOD is right in front of me. HE usually appears as the person in need or HE sends me the antagonist who is trying to thwart HIS plans. Either way the HOLY SPIRIT stirs my heart to act as only GOD would want me to act. HE wants me to serve because HE sacrificed everything for me.

• When you “hear” a message from GOD through reading, listening or seeing does it stir you to actually do something?
• Do you have a sense of urgency regarding your relationship with GOD?
• What message is HE giving you to tell “that” person?

Am I being called to “go?”

Matthew 9:  ³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

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As I sat and listened to the preacher request for volunteers to go on trip with him, something different went through my mind and heart that day. My mind began racing, thinking about the poor conditions I would face.

“What would I eat,” “How would I sleep” “what if something goes wrong?” were all the questions that plagued my decision. My heart had the answer that defied all logic, “Don’t worry GO!”

• Humans are not “evolving” rather they are “degrading.”
• Humans scoff at the return of our LORD and savior JESUS.
• Humans are too busy looking at their own situations to help others.

There are many reasons I can think of that would keep me from telling others about the greatness of JESUS. My coworkers would think I’m weird or the global company I work for won’t accept my views or everyone is going in the opposite direction and I don’t want to be singled out. BUT GOD feels different.

• There are so many people out there who need some “good news.”
• There are so many people out there who could use a little “hope.”
• There are so many people out there who want a “loving relationship with GOD.”

When I went on my first trip abroad, many people said “there are plenty of people here who need to hear the same message.” When I got “there” I saw the same need but more people who were willing to listen to the great message of CHRIST. They came in droves as we taught, prayed and cried with them over their plight.

The harvest is truly plentiful and I am glad I listened to my heart.

• Is GOD asking you to speak up about HIS SON?
• What is holding you back from doing more for GOD?
• Can you deliberately be an example or use your mouth to tell someone about GOD?
• Do you have compassion for GOD's humans?
• Isn’t there someone that comes to mind who you can tell about CHRIST?

I don’t think I like that sermon!

2 Timothy 4: ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

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Driving down each street I noticed signs and marquis advertising clever sermons from a number of churches. We were looking for a church that “fit our needs.” My criteria was a large group that had many programs for my kids to learn the Bible, coffee bar, comfy seats, and a cool message that I could hear every Sunday. Sounds nice, right?

But there was something missing from “my criteria” namely “my desire” to learn about GOD for the purpose of being trained to teach others. I was far too busy for that! I mean, I travelled ever week and barely saw my family. I just wanted to go to church, listen to a man tell me I’m wrong “a little” and live my life the way I want to live.

• In the last days I will want church to be a self-help group instead of learning about JESUS.
• In the last days I will want sermons to be preached about growing the congregation but not stretching me to grow.
• In the last days I will demand the preacher to preach what I want to hear, not what I’m supposed to hear.

So many boards and congregations are steering pastors to preach about marriages and families in a therapeutic way which seems to be a nice thing to do. BUT GOD wants me to see a much larger picture of HIM.

• GOD wants me to know the Earth and surrounding solar system as far as the eye can see is cursed.
• GOD wants me to know I am cursed at birth just like every other human except one.
• GOD wants me to know HE made a way to salvation by volunteering to take my punishment.
• GOD wants me to preach or teach others not to reject JESUS as the only savior.

Well, that sounds simple enough doesn’t it? Then why are there so many churches and one Bible? Why are some churches tied to politics and others tied to wealth? Why are races and languages separated? The only reason I could find was “me.” I am the barrier when it comes to hearing GOD, not my church.

When I stop seeking GOD “my way” and begin listening to “sound doctrine” then I will hear sermons that encourage me, rebuke me and grow me for the purpose of growing others to believe in JESUS as the one and only savior.

• Are you reading the Bible for your own growth?
• Are you seeking for things to be “better” in your life or can GOD do what HE wants to with the life HE gave you?
• Is GOD supreme in your life and can you praise HIM through trials?
• Do you grade sermons or are you preparing yourself to teach or preach to people GOD has delivered to you?