Let Your Light Shine...: 2009

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

- Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

As the New Year approaches, I, like so many Americans find myself reflecting back on the year that is drawing to an end and making note of the changes I would like to make in my life. However, even as I do this, one simple but powerful phrase from Joshua 24:15 keeps playing over and over in my mind, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." I meditated on these words for several weeks and the message revealed to me is, "Why are you making empty resolutions? Why do you concern yourself with empty desires and striving?" This is when it hit me; the only thing I desire to focus on this year is serving the LORD! I know that if I purpose in my heart each and every day of this week, this month, and this year, to serve the LORD that everything else will fall into place. There is no need to have a long list of "New Year's Resolutions." So, I am not waiting for the clock to strike midnight or the ball to drop in Times Square to ring in my resolutions with the New Year. I have decided that beginning today, I will purpose in my heart every morning when I awake that I will serve the LORD today.

The New Year is just around the corner, it is time for you to choose for yourself. Will you choose to serve the gods of this world? Or, will you choose to serve the LORD? As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

What resolutions are you making this year?
As you look over your resolutions, take note of how they reflect on your priorities in life...the god you serve.
Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve and modify your resolutions accordingly.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

WOE TO HIM WHO IS ALONE WHEN HE FALLS

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NKJV)

“But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” (Eccl. 4:10) As I read these words today, I could not help but think of the medic alert commercials that came out several years ago with an elderly woman who had fallen in her house and though she cried out, “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up,” there was no one there to respond; no one to care for her in her time of need…she was alone.

Have you ever fallen and not been able to get up? I have a couple of times and it is a terrifying experience…especially when you are alone. A few years ago I fell in the church parking lot while walking in for Sunday morning service with my family. When I fell, I injured my knee and I was in so much pain that I could not get up. I was blessed that day, not because I fell, but because I was surrounded by my family. My husband and my brother were there to lift me up off the pavement and carry me inside and my brothers and sisters in Christ were there to care for my injury. After this fall, my knee was very weak and it has taken several years to rehabilitate. Within those years of rehabilitation, there were many occasions where it gave out on me, frequently on the stairs. There was this one instance in particular that I doubt I will ever forget; my husband was at work and my children had just left to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa, as I was walking down the stairs in my house, my knee gave out and my other foot caught on my pant leg and I tumbled down the stairs. There I sat, in a heap on my floor crying out in agony, unable to stand or even move due to the pain screaming through my leg. It was only a few minutes before the pain subsided enough for me to be able to pull myself off of the floor, but those few minutes seemed to last forever as terrifying thoughts raced through my mind while I considered how long I might be “stuck” there on that floor in pain with no one to help me.

A fall, whether it is physical or spiritual, can leave us in a heap on the floor crying out in agony, unable to pick ourselves up. We need our brothers and sisters in Christ to pick us up when we cannot stand, to encourage us and stand beside us in battle. We are all in the trenches fighting a battle, not of flesh and blood but a spiritual battle; wrestling against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”(Ecclesiastes 4:12) We are so much stronger as the Body of Christ, working together, than one member standing alone. We must encourage one another, pick each other up and help one another to stand against the wiles of Satan. Ask the Lord to show you who needs encouragement, who needs you to pick them up off the pavement, who needs you to stand beside them in battle today.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

Ask the Lord to show you who needs encouragement, who needs you to pick them up off the pavement, who needs you to stand beside them in battle today.
Walk in faithful obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit as He directs your paths.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

JUST AN ANIMAL?

I said in my heart, “Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals.” For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them; as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust. Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth? So I perceived that nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

-Ecclesiastes 3:18-22 (NKJV)

What makes man different from any given animal? As Solomon reveals here in Ecclesiastes 3, when you approach life from a humanistic perspective, man is nothing more than an animal. We live, we die. From this point of view, there is nothing to look forward to, nothing to live for; life is just monotony. Therefore, “nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage.” (Ecclesiastes 3:22)

As I was reading Ecclesiastes 3 today, I was struck by Solomon’s comparison of man to animals and I could not help but think of what life would be like as my cat, Smoky. Basically it comes down to this: I eat, I sleep, I sleep, I sleep, I play a little, I get some lovin’, and so on day in and day out. At first glance this may seem like a blissful existence as there are few worries, but I ask you this, if this was all there is to life every day of your life for your entire life and then one day it just ends, you die and turn to dust; is it really all that appealing? From all the self-help books out there on purpose and helping the lost find their’s, I would think it obvious that man is different than animal. In the beginning when God was creating man, He didn’t lump us in with the other animals; man was set apart and man specifically was created in the image of God, according to His likeness. (Genesis 1:26) We long to find our purpose in life, our reason for existing; we search for a job or career that gives us a sense of purpose all so we can fill that space inside us to make us feel whole. That space, that emptiness we have inside longing to be filled is part of our design and was put there by God for “He has put eternity in their hearts.”(Ecclesiastes 3:11) Though many things may fit into that emptiness; only One will fill it. That emptiness can only be filled completely with Jesus Christ; that purpose we seek comes from Him. This is how we were designed by the Father so that we may be complete and whole in the Son.

So what do we have if we don’t have Christ? We end up in a place where “nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage.” (Ecclesiastes 3:22) We work to possess that which our heart desires and that which we possess is our only heritage. Look around you, our world is filled with people living an empty existence; focused on building up possessions in this world, living in the here and now. It may seem appealing from the outside, but don’t let appearances deceive you; it is all vanity, an empty existence. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:18-21) For both animal and man alike, our time on this earth is temporary; but for all of mankind, eternity awaits. The choice is yours, the choice is mine…will you, will I spend eternity in communion with the Father in Heaven or separated from Him in Hell?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

For what purpose where you created, what is the reason for your existence?

Thursday, December 3, 2009

GRASPING FOR THE WIND

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure. For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.

-Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (NKJV)

Grasping for the wind; have you ever tried to catch the wind in your hands on a windy day? Try as you might, the wind cannot be contained in your hand; it is futile to try. Solomon’s pursuit of pleasure was unmatched; he did not deny himself any desire but indulged in every delight of this world. At the end of a lifetime of living after the desires of his flesh, with what does he equate his riches, his extravagant life? He equates it all with grasping for the wind; it’s all vanity, futile, hopeless, and worthless.

The other day as I was reorganizing the kid’s playroom, I was struck by the abundance of toys they had accumulated over just the past year from birthdays, Christmas, etc. At that moment I was taken back to my childhood. As I reflected back, I remembered a little red, white and blue toy box in our living room that housed all of our toys. Every toy that we owned (outside of the outdoor sporting equipment) was located in that modest little toy box and yet, I don’t recall ever really wanting more. I have such wonderful memories of my childhood, none of which involve a particular toy. In fact, a regular occurrence and one of my best memories was playing capture the flag outside with the neighbor kids which required the use of an old t-shirt that had been torn into rags.

We live in a culture today that encourages us to indulge our fleshly desires. The Law of Attraction, an overwhelmingly popular idea that would have you believe that you can attract anything you want into your life; anything your heart desires can be yours. So what, what if it’s true? What if you can attract everything your heart desires, what if you can possess it all? What then? Will you ever be satisfied, will you ever be content? When our focus is on the pleasures of this world, we are never satisfied, we are never content with what we have; there is always something newer, bigger, and/or better on the horizon. Solomon had built himself houses, planted vineyards, made himself gardens and orchards and water pools, acquired servants and singers and musical instruments of all kinds, gathered for himself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and provinces; he had more herds and flocks than anyone else in Jerusalem. (Ecclesiastes 2:4-8) Yet, at the end of his life, Solomon saw it all for what it is; vanity, empty.

This world is filled with people grasping for the wind and it is easy to become one of them. It is time for Christians, starting with me, to stop buying in to the wisdom of the world, it offers nothing. We must start relying on the wisdom of God and His Word. We are called to be salt and light, isn’t it time we stopped grasping for the wind with everyone else? “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

In what ways have you been grasping for the wind in your life?
What would it look like to stop grasping for the wind?
What steps must you take to have and keep your focus on the eternal?

Thursday, November 26, 2009

I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

-Psalm 23:1 (NKJV)

The Lord is our shepherd, our great provider. He gives us everything we need: guidance, rest, drink, strength, comfort, protection, shelter, food. Our God is the same God that provided for David even in the face of his enemies...how wonderful it is to know that He is on the throne and providing for us like He did for David.

Today I awoke with Psalm 23 playing in my head and I realized that I really do have everything I need and everything I have is truly a gift from God. Yet, I still find myself wanting more at times and not truly appreciating how God has provided for me, His sheep. He has blessed me with so much today and today I choose to be thankful and grateful for all my blessings. Each morning brings a new today and if, when I awake each morning, I choose to give thanks and be grateful for how the Lord has provided in my life I know that I am going to have a totally different attitude than if I start out worried about where the money is going to come from to pay for this, that or anything else that is looming over me at the time. By starting each morning being thankful, I have no need to worry because I know the Lord will provide for every need I have. God has blessed me with so much, but what I realized this morning is the He is my greatest blessing of all.

LORD, thank you for being my shepherd, my great provider. Thank you for giving me everything I need; for giving me shelter, food when I am hungry, drink when I thirst, guidance, comfort in Your arms, strength when I am weak, and rest when I am weary. I am so grateful that you provide for me the way you did for David and I know that even in the face of my enemies I have nothing to fear for you are with me each and every day of my life. What a blessing it is to have YOU as my shepherd, as my protector, as my provider. I lift up my arms to praise you Lord and thank you, Amen.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

How is the Lord your shepherd, your provider?
What are you thankful for today?
How does being thankful and grateful for what the Lord has provided change the way things appear?

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

ARE YOU USING THE RIGHT MAP?

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again. All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.

-Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 (NKJV)

There is nothing new under the sun…we still see the same sin, the same corruption, the same desires of the flesh, the same wickedness today as thousands of years ago recorded in God’s word. When you look at life today and then, what is different? Yes, on the surface the world today looks very different, but when you look deeper; beneath the surface to the heart of man, there is nothing new. Solomon, like so many of us today, had devoted his life to the pursuit of pleasure and riches only to discover it was empty; there was no fulfillment in it. Here he was near the end of his life looking back at a life wasted chasing after worldly pleasures and realizing all is vanity when you lose sight of God.

A few years ago, I found myself feeling empty and unfulfilled in my job, my marriage, and my life. I was working sixty to seventy hours a week and when I was home physically; my mind was still at work. We had just moved in to a newer, larger home; I had just received a promotion at work; I had a loving husband who did more than his share around the house; and I had two beautiful, healthy children…but there was an emptiness inside of me. On the surface, I had everything, so what was missing? While I didn’t know it at the time, God was the missing piece. I was empty and unfulfilled because my life was lacking real purpose without God. I was searching for the treasure of fulfillment but I had the wrong map! I was running around in circles, lost and not knowing which way to turn. However, God is faithful and as He revealed Himself to me and drew me closer to Him, I realized that fulfillment didn’t come from a newer, bigger house; my job or a promotion at work; or even my family. Fulfillment comes from God and living your life for Christ.

So often we strive for bigger, better and more in life; hoping the void we feel inside will be filled. The only way to fill that void; the only way to truly experience fulfillment is with Christ at the center of your life. I used to tell myself, “If I can just get through this week, it will be ok; everything will be better.” One week turned into a month which turned into a year until several years had passed me by, wasted. I am so thankful I didn’t waste any more of my life searching for the treasure with the wrong map. The true treasure is Christ and the map is God’s word. Are you searching for the right treasure? Are you using the right map?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

What is the treasure you have been seeking after?
What treasure map have you used to guide you to your treasure?
How will you know when you have found your treasure?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

TO LAY DOWN ONE'S LIFE

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

John 15:13 (NKJV)

Freedom, it seems there is always a price to be paid for freedom. Throughout history, many have laid down their life for our freedom. And while we may not always agree with the politics involved in the military conflicts sending our brothers and sisters into battle, that does not diminish the sacrifice these men and women in the United States military willingly made and make for their country...for you, for me. Our brothers and sisters in the armed forces are willing to die for us and many have died for us; for our freedom.

As we here in the U.S. take pause this Veteran’s Day to remember and honor those who fought for our freedom, let us not forget the One who made the ultimate sacrifice and freed us all from the chains of our sin. The Son has made us free and we are free indeed. (John 8:36) So, this Veteran’s Day may we honor and remember all of the men and women who willingly gave of themselves, who willingly risked their own safety, their life, for us. And, may we remember and honor the Lord our God every day for the sacrifice He made for all mankind, that everyone, in the U.S. and throughout the world could be free from the bondage of sin through Him. Thank you Jesus!

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

Pray for the veteran’s who were willing to lay down their own life for us; who fought for you, for me and our children.
How will you remember and honor the One who made the ultimate sacrifice for you; the Lord your God?

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

…”looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;”

-Hebrews 12:15 (NKJV)

I spoke to a dear sister in Christ recently who was really struggling with some decisions her husband had made and as she spoke, I could not help but notice the anger and the bitterness she had in her heart toward her husband at that moment. This conversation made a profound impact on my day and my life as I contemplated her situation and prayed for her, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my own sin. I too had bitterness toward my husband beginning to sprout in my heart. What started as a righteous desire for my husband and my family had turned into an ugly weed of bitterness, but how did this happen? Oh yes, instead of taking that righteous desire to the Lord in prayer and allowing Him to do the work in my husband, I decided to try to make him change in my own strength with the words from my mouth and when that didn’t work, bitterness began to grow almost unnoticed until that very moment. As I began to examine this root of bitterness, I noticed that there was a small blossom emerging. What could this tiny blossom be? Oh now I recognize it, that tiny blossom emerging that looks so pretty on the outside was the blossom of self-righteousness. While my initial desires were righteous, I had allowed them to sow a seed of bitterness that was not of the Lord which if left alone to grow and flourish would only produce more bitterness, self-righteousness and ultimately trouble for my marriage and my family. This root of bitterness needed to be exterminated and I needed a professional, so I took it to the Lord and after repenting and asking for forgiveness, the Lord was faithful to exterminate the root of bitterness that had begun to sprout in my heart and it’s emerging blossoms of self-righteousness, leaving behind a heart of humility and thankfulness for the blessing of my husband.

It is so easy to allow bitterness to take root in your heart. It may begin with an unfulfilled desire, covetousness, or the residual pain after you have been hurt by another. Whatever the cause, the root of bitterness may spring up in your heart and go unnoticed until it causes trouble and it cannot be ignored any longer. However, the conviction of the Holy Spirit is critical here, for He must reveal the root of bitterness before we can take it to the Lord for extraction. Do you have a root of bitterness springing up in your heart? Not sure? Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal to you any bitterness within.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal to you any bitterness within.
What was revealed to you?
If any root of bitterness is revealed, repent and ask for forgiveness.
What did the Lord replace your root of bitterness with?

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

ARM CHAIR DISCIPLE

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

-1 John 1:5-10 (NKJV)

Have you ever heard the term “Arm Chair Quarterback?” Well an “Arm Chair Quarterback” is the man who sits in his recliner immersed in the football game and calling the plays “his” team should run as if he were actually in the game and then critiquing every aspect of the game. However, the reality is; he’s not in the game...in fact; he’s not even warming the bench! The “Arm Chair Quarterback” is in the comfort of his own home with his cozy recliner, his remote, a beverage and a less than healthy snack on most occasions. This is a far cry from the athletes that endure brutal weather extremes, a grueling training regiment and dietary restrictions, and the physical and mental challenges of the game itself.

As Christians, it is easy for us to become “Arm Chair Disciples,” lounging in the comfort of our sin; watching and critiquing the rest of the world for its failings as we feed our fleshly desires with temporary food and drink without experiencing the discipline, rejection and persecution that is synonymous with being a true Disciple of Christ. The “Arm Chair Disciple” is no more a disciple than the “Arm Chair Quarterback” is a quarterback, nor is he any more in the game. There are, however, some significant differences between the two. The “Arm Chair Quarterback” cannot jump into the game at any time and start playing. Yet, the “Arm Chair Disciple” can, at any moment, decide to confess his sins and walk in the light of the Lord. The biggest difference, however, is the consequence suffered...the “Arm Chair Quarterback” may pack on a few extra pounds from the less than healthy refreshments and inactivity which may or may not result in some residual health issues, but the consequence for the “Arm Chair Disciple” is certain death and eternal separation from the Father.

In James 2:26, we are reminded that faith without works is dead. To be a true Disciple of Christ, we must “walk the talk” as our actions are the outward showing of our faith. We must see our sin for what it is...sin, and repent if we are to walk in fellowship with the Lord. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) The choice is yours...“Arm Chair Disciple” or true Disciple of Christ, which do you choose?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

In what ways are you an “Arm Chair Disciple?”

What is the sin that you have been lounging in?

When will you step out of the darkness and repent to walk in the light of the Lord?

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

-1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

It is interesting to see that when Samuel was sent to Bethlehem to anoint a new king for the Lord, he was certain that Eliab (David’s oldest brother) was God’s anointed based on appearance and physical stature alone. However, God had refused Eliab and sought out David (the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse) not for his outward appearance or his physical stature, but for his heart.

We spend so much time and money making ourselves presentable to the world by focusing on our outward appearance. As a nation, we spend billions of dollars annually on cosmetic surgery, diets, cosmetics, apparel, and gym memberships. Not only do we give of our money to make our bodies presentable to others, but we also give of our time. We take time agonizing over what clothes we will wear, applying make-up (for some of us women), styling our hair just so and even exercising (not necessarily for health, but to “look” better or to be more attractive to the world). I draw your attention to these things not to condemn them or you, but to put things in perspective. Every day, we spend our money and our time creating a presentable shell for the world to see, but what do we do to prepare our hearts, that they may be presentable to the Lord?

The Lord’s ways are not our own, He sees our heart and is not concerned about our outward appearance. Maybe it’s time we get down to the heart of the matter. Let’s focus on what really matters...our spiritual fitness. When God looks at my heart, I want Him to see potential like He saw in David. I want Him to be able to use me for His purpose and His glory. How about you?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

What do you want God to see when He looks at your heart?
What are you doing to prepare your heart, that it may be presentable to God?
What steps will you take today to prepare your heart for the Lord?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

GOOD GROUND

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had not root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced; some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

“The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for the other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

-Mark 4:3-8; 14-20 (NKJV)

I love it when Jesus lays it right out for us...we don’t have to interpret what the parable of the sower means, Jesus has done it for us and who better to explain this parable than He! Jesus reveals four types of people in this parable of the sower: people who hear the word, but Satan immediately takes it from them; people who receive the word with gladness but are only able to endure for a time because they have no root; people who hear the word but their flesh and the desires for this world choke the word and no fruit can grow; and then there are those people who not only hear the word, but accept it and bear fruit.

As I read these descriptions of the four types of people, I realized that I have people in my life that fit into each of these categories. That is the easiest place to look though isn’t it...at other people, not ourselves. So looking at my own reflection, I am faced with the knowledge that I have been all of the people described here at different times in my life and for a season. I have been the one by the wayside that never really received the word, lost. I have been the one on stony ground who has heard the word and received it, but turned from it at the fear of rejection and persecution. I have been the one who hears the word, but my desire for the things of this world and the desire to feed my flesh choked the word. In fact, I think I have spent most of my “Christian” life here, unfruitful and choked by worldly desires and the hunger of my flesh. Until I was born again, I was not able to break free of the strangle hold the thorny vines of this world had on me because I cannot break free, I don’t have the strength to break out of the bondage of this world but God does and by accepting Jesus into my life, He is breaking the strangle hold of worldly desires one thorny vine at a time. I am so grateful that I don’t have to wrestle with the thorny vines of the flesh; Jesus has done and is doing this for me. All I need to do is give it to Him.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

Which of these people are you right now, in this season of your life?
What are the thorny vines that are choking the word in your life today?
What will you do about those thorny vines?

Thursday, October 8, 2009

WHITE AS SNOW

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the LORD. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am wary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes, Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

-Isaiah 1:11-20 (NKJV)

So often we approach our relationship with the Lord like it is a checklist of things to be done; go to church (check), pray (check), tithe (check)… The Lord doesn’t want empty religious rituals; He wants a relationship with us. When we start seeing our relationship with the Lord as a mere “To Do” list to be checked off, there is no relationship and we are just going through the motions. Checking off tasks on our spiritual “To Do” list makes it really easy to be deceived into believing that we are leading a life that is pleasing to the Lord, after all, we are doing what we should right… we go to church, we pray, we tithe, etc. However, the reality is we cannot exchange our relationship with Jesus Christ for a spiritual “To Do” list and be made clean. Our spiritual “To Do” lists are just empty religious rituals and our sins are still red like crimson. We must choose to have a relationship with the Lord over our spiritual “To Do” lists if we are to be white as snow in the eyes of the Lord.

Yet, it is tempting choose our spiritual “To Do” list over a relationship with Christ since it is easier to keep doing what we want and continue in our sinful ways if we are the ones checking things off as we go. There is no one holding us accountable for our actions except ourselves and for most of us that is not much accountability. When we have a relationship with the Lord, we are accountable to Him and we must put away our sinful ways because there is no relationship if we don’t. If we choose to continue in sin, He will hide His eyes from us and even though we make many prayers, He will not hear them. (Isaiah 1:15) I don’t know about you, but if a friend or a spouse refused to hear me or even look at me, I wouldn't think that to be much of a relationship. Yet this is the relationship many of us have with the Lord because this is what we choose to have. I want a real relationship with the Lord, I want Him to hear me when I cry out to Him and I want to know Him and His will for my life. How about you, do you want a real relationship with the Lord or a spiritual checklist of things to do?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

What kind of relationship do you want with the Lord?
How do spiritual “To Do” lists keep you from having an intimate relationship with the Lord?
Write down everything on your spiritual “To Do” list, and then, turn it over to the Lord in prayer.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

MY STRENGTH AND MY PORTION FOREVER

“My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

-Psalm 73:26 (NKJV)

I was reminded of my mortality recently as I lay on the couch in my living room with a box of tissues at my side and praying with every cough and sneeze that the Lord would come soon. My aching body reminded me that my body here on this earth is temporary and it will fail. I cannot rely on my body or my heart to get me through from one day to the next; nor can I count on either to lead me down the path everlasting. My flesh and my heart fail me regularly, yet I keep looking for strength from within. How silly is this; to keep doing what I have always done and expect the outcome to somehow be different?

The Psalmist reminds us that while our flesh and heart fail, we can rely on God; for He is our strength and portion forever. I have had many hours to reflect and meditate on these words over the past weeks and through this reflection time, the Lord has revealed to me how I have relied on my flesh and my heart continually and then I find myself shocked and disappointed when I fail. I keep trying to control my eating, to wake up early for dedicated time with the Lord, to manage my schedule, to manage my house, to train my children in and of myself; my own strength. Then I wonder why I keep binging on sweets, oversleeping, stressing out trying to get my schedule to work, falling short on my household duties, and struggling not to lose my temper with the kids. I look around me, at my life, and notice all the little things that scream “failure!” But what makes one a success or a failure? Is the measure of one’s success his wealth, his home, his possessions? I have come to realize the only true measure of success is living for Christ; being obedient to God’s calling on your life whether that makes you a success or failure by the world’s standard. So, I am surrendering my struggle with sweets, my desire to sleep in, my schedule, my household duties, and the training of my children. I am surrendering it all to Him; my strength and my portion forever. I am trusting that He is wiser and stronger than I and I am turning my life over to Him in complete surrender for the things of this world are temporary, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!

Freedom awaits, will you join me today in surrendering all, everything; every burden, every desire, every struggle, every fear, every challenge, every decision to the Lord?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

Pray and ask the Lord to reveal what He wants you to surrender, what He wants you to let go of and give over to Him.
Listen…what is His answer?
Each and every thing He has revealed, surrender it all to Him in prayer.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

HAVE YOU LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE?

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent.”

-Revelation 2:2-5 (NKJV)

As I sat listening to the sermon in church this past Sunday, I came to realize that like the church at Ephesus, I have left my first love. My passion for the Lord, that once burned hot and bright, has waned to a small flickering flame that barely has the strength to endure. Wow, I cannot begin to express how this pains me to know that I have allowed myself to leave my first love; I have allowed myself to be lured away from my Lord, my God! Yes, I am still doing the same “good works” that I did before, but it is without the passion for the Lord that I once had. So where do I go from here? How do I return to my first love? How do I rekindle the flame that is threatening to extinguish? The answer I seek is found as I read on to Revelation 2:5, “Remember from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent.” I remember from where I have fallen, it is now time for me to repent and return to my first love; my Lord, my God!

It is so easy to get distracted by the things of this life and lured away from our first love. I encourage you today to search your heart and ask yourself, “Is my passion for the Lord just as strong today or stronger than it once was or have I left my first love?” If you find your passion and love for the Lord have waned, I exhort you today to remember from where you have fallen, repent and do the first works.

May you never leave your first love and may your passion for the Lord burn bright for all to see! “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV)

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

From where have you fallen?
What does a life passionate for Christ look like for you?
When will you begin?

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

PATIENTLY WAITING ON THE LORD

And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore, I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”
-1 Samuel 13:11-12 (NKJV)

Here in 1 Samuel 13, we see how Saul made a foolish error in judgment. Saul panicked when he saw his people scattering from him in fear of the Philistines. He didn’t know what to do when Samuel was delayed and did not arrive when expected. So, rather than wait patiently on the Lord and trust that Samuel would come, Saul decided to take matters into his own hands. Saul took it upon himself to offer up a burnt offering which he was not qualified to do. Because of this error in judgment, Saul’s dynasty would end.

Have you ever felt compelled to take action without God’s direction? I know I have. There are definitely times when I grow impatient, I get excited about something, or I panic out of fear; when I get tired of waiting and I take action…my action. I would definitely not consider these shining moments in my life because the Lord was not a part of them, His hand wasn’t in them. This reminds me of a story my brother shared with me a few months back that I now share with his permission.

Several years back, my brother (Steven) and his wife (Kim) had a wonderful yellow lab named Riley that would travel around with Steven when he went to visit his Home Care patients. Riley and Steven were pretty much inseparable. However, there came a time when Steven and Kim had to make the difficult decision to give Riley away to a family with older children since Riley had started to growl and act aggressive toward their young daughter. After this difficult time, Steven and Kim decided not to get another dog and went many years without one. Then several months ago, they went to a breeder to see some puppies that were for sale at the suggestion of a friend. Of course, when faced with the opportunity to take one of these adorable little puppies home, they could not resist. So, they purchased this cute little puppy and welcomed him into their family. However, they soon realized they had made a mistake. The Lord did not lead them nor direct them to purchase a puppy; He was not part of this decision. After having the puppy in their home for only one week, it became apparent to them that they had rushed into things. They had made this decision to buy this puppy because it was what they wanted, not where the Lord was leading them. Fortunately for the puppy, Steven and Kim had friends that were happy to take the little dog and give him a wonderful and loving home.

So often we take action out of impulse, impatience or fear but if God is not directing that action, it will most certainly not end the way we want it to. The Lord our God wants faithful servants who will trust and obey Him. Are you a faithful servant?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

What is it that you are feeling compelled to do?
What is it that is compelling you?
What would it look like to trust and obey the Lord and wait for His direction?

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

GO TO THE ANT

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep - So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.”

-Proverbs 6:6-11 (NKJV)

The ant does what it must to survive when it must do it, it doesn’t wait until it feels like gathering food to actually gather the food, it gathers food in the harvest...when it is time to gather food. You won’t find the ant making excuses or finding reasons to sleep longer, hitting the snooze button on the alarm and rolling over for just a couple more minutes of sleep. Yet, I often find myself wanting to sleep just a few minutes more...usually because I haven’t gone to bed early enough the night prior. I struggle with staying up late and watching television with my husband. This creates a slippery slope for me, because I stay up late watching television, I find it difficult to wake up and get going in the morning so I sleep in until the last possible second and then I rush around trying to get everything done in a very small window of time. No wonder I feel stressed in the mornings. No wonder my life is in chaos, my house is in disarray, and I am always rushing to where I need to go. I am a sluggard, convicted of choosing sleep over not only my workouts, but time with the Lord! When I choose sleep, I fail to put the Lord first in my life; I fail to give Him my first fruits. The Lord has revealed to me that I must say “NO” to staying up late watching television with my husband for me to say “YES” to being healthy, to getting my workouts in and most importantly, to say “YES” to the Lord and the plan He has for my life.

After 13 years in the Health and Fitness field, I have heard all of the barriers, excuses, reasons people have for not exercising, for not eating right, etc. The funny thing is, now as a life coach I see those same reasons stopping people from being who they are truly longing to be and more importantly, being who God has called them to be. So often we choose to be the sluggard rather than the ant and we either sooth and comfort ourselves for making those choices with reasons or excuses for doing so or we beat ourselves up for it until we feel even more miserable. The irony is, few choose to take the steps necessary to change the destructive cycles they are in and whether they choose to comfort and sooth or choose to condemn their choices, it often leads right back to the same behaviors. I am sure you have heard the saying “Knowledge is Power,” well, having the knowledge does not give us the power nor the strength to change. Knowledge only tells us what we should do, it is up to us to decide what we do with that knowledge; it is up to us to take action and apply it to our life and get the support we need when we are weak. Knowledge is found in the Word and the strength when we are weak is found in the Lord. So, it ultimately comes down to this: knowing God’s Word by hearing and reading the Bible, taking action and applying the Word of God to our life, and turning to the Lord in prayer for support and strength when we are weak.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

Where are you choosing to be the sluggard?
What would the ant be doing differently?
What action will you take today, this week to be more like the ant?
How will you seek out support to give you strength when you are weak?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

WASHED, SANCTIFIED AND JUSTIFIED

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

-1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NKJV)

I used to think that being a good person was enough; that being a good person, no matter what your beliefs or faith or religion, would be enough to gain access to heaven in death. Of course, I was such a person in my own mind; after all, I was nice to others, I tried to help others who needed help, I was pretty honest, I didn’t do drugs, I didn’t really steal, and most importantly I hadn’t killed anyone. I looked pretty good compared to those people you here about in the six o’clock news. Yes, when I used man’s standard of measurement, I was good or at least good enough. The problem with this reasoning is God does not use man’s standard of measurement, for all of man has fallen and all of man sins. We are measured against God’s standard of measurement and there is no curve, only pass/fail. As I read 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, it is painfully obvious to me that I was not as good as I thought I was; I was not good enough. When I measure my old self against God’s standard, I am faced with the harsh reality that I would have gotten seven check marks against me and all I needed was one to fail. When I look at my life through God’s eyes, I am definitely not good enough and in fact, I am pretty revolting. But the beauty and the hope for me comes in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” The day that I repented and looked to Christ, I was washed, I was sanctified, and I was justified in His name and by the Holy Spirit. Because of Christ, I am washed clean and I have been made as white as snow. Thank you Jesus!

The world would have you believe that being a good person is good enough, but what does that mean? What does it mean to be a “good person?” If all of man is corrupt, if all of man has fallen, then being a good person doesn’t really amount to much. I exhort you today, do not be deceived by the lies of the enemy that would have you believe that you are good enough in and of yourself; you are not, no man is. Take a close look at your life and measure not against other men, but against scripture, against the Word of God. My hope is that if you are like me, if you believe as I once did, that you are good enough; my hope is that the Lord would reveal the truth to you and bring you to the saving knowledge of His grace. I am so very thankful the Lord revealed the truth to me before I had to stand before Him in judgment and I pray that He would do the same for you. The final exam is coming, though we may not know when; are you in good standing, will you receive a passing grade?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

What does it mean to be a “good person?”
When using God’s standard of measurement, how do you measure up?
Were does your hope come from?

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

OUT OF THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

-Exodus 20:2 (NKJV)

God is reminding Israel who He is; He is the LORD, the One who brought them out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. As I think of these words today I am reminded of the journey the children of Israel experienced from the time the LORD brought them out of Egypt until the day they entered the Promised Land; a journey with mountain top experiences of faith and miracles to valleys full of fear, rebellion and chastisement. Throughout their journey, there were many times the Israelites thought they would be better off if they had never left Egypt, better off in bondage. Yet through it all God was faithful to bring them out of their bondage and into the land He promised; a land of milk and honey.

Not unlike the journey of the Israelites, my journey out of bondage has been a rocky one. I have experienced the beauty of what the Lord has for me as I take in the view from the mountain tops and I have felt the darkness and chill in the valleys as I contemplate returning to my Egypt; returning to the house of bondage. The house of bondage is not necessarily a fun place to be, but there is a certain amount of comfort there; comfort in knowing what to expect. To continue on through the valley requires faith and it is during these times in our life that we truly see if we have the faith of a mustard seed. In the valleys of our journey to the Promised Land, it is often easier to fear and rebel than it is to continue on in faith. But if we return to our Egypt, we cannot experience the freedom that only the Lord can give. If we return to our house of bondage, we cannot enter the land God has promised; the land of milk and honey.

I have been camping out along the outskirts of my Egypt of late, tired of wandering through the desert as my faith in the Lord and where He is taking me has all but dried up. I want so desperately to strike out once again in my journey to the land God has promised, but fear and fatigue have kept me right where I am…in bondage. How long will I camp here? It won’t be long now, for even as I write, I am packing up my tent and looking to the Lord to see which direction He will take me for only He can bring me out of my Egypt. I now see that all I need to do is keep my eyes on Him and follow His lead as He guides me through the mountain tops, the valleys and the deserts in between. How beautiful even the valleys and the deserts when God is your guide!
Have you been camping on the outskirts of your Egypt? If so, I challenge you to pack up your tent today, to look to the Lord and to follow Him as He leads you through your journey to the Promised Land.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

What is your Egypt, your house of bondage?
When are you tempted to return to your Egypt or even camp there?
What would it look like to keep your eyes on the Lord throughout your journey to the Promised Land?

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

TOLERANCE OR LOVE?

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles – that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.”

-1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (NKJV)

There was an incestuous relationship going on within the Corinthian church. But the Corinthian church was not mournful as it should have been. This sexual immorality in the church should have broken their hearts; but instead they were tolerant of the sin and worse yet, they were proud to be tolerant.

We live in a society today that preaches tolerance. We are told we should tolerate each other’s beliefs, lifestyle and sexual orientation. While tolerance may help in “keeping the peace” to some extent, all it is really doing is avoiding and ignoring the issues. What we really should be preaching is love; not the love of the hippie era, but the love that can only come from Christ. Some would equate tolerance with love, but there is a distinct difference between love and tolerance. You can tolerate someone and still hate them. How then is tolerance the answer to ending hate crimes? Conversely, you can love someone and not tolerate their actions. A prime example of this is when parents exercise “tough love” with their children or even the simple act of disciplining their children when they do something wrong. A parent can absolutely love a child but not tolerate their behavior; and because of their love for that child will discipline the child for the behavior. Christ did not call us to tolerate each other, but to love one another! “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39, emphasis mine) Yet in many of our churches today we see prideful tolerance of sin, especially around sexual orientation. But what happens when the church prides itself on tolerance rather than truth and love? You have a church that doesn’t love their brothers and sisters in Christ enough to tell them the truth when they are going the wrong way on a One way street. You have a church that is more concerned with gaining members by tickling the ears than running the risk of offending someone by speaking the truth. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to my relationship with Christ, my salvation, I want to know the truth even if it is difficult to hear. One’s salvation and relationship with Christ is far too important to not share the truth in love with a brother or sister in Christ. By doing so, we give that brother or sister an opportunity to get right with the Lord; an opportunity for redemption.

I have been challenged by 1 Corinthians 5 and I pray that you too will be challenged today; challenged enough to share the truth in love with your brothers and sisters in Christ when they are headed the wrong way on a One way street; challenged enough to stop tolerating people, beliefs, lifestyles, sin and instead to start loving people as Christ loves you.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

Where in your life do you tolerate but not love?
How would it look if you were to replace tolerance in your life with love?
Where will you begin?

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

DO YOU HATE YOUR NEIGHBOR?

“Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin – but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”

-Exodus 32:31-32 (NKJV)

We see here in Exodus 32 the love Moses had for the Israelites. The Israelites had sinned against God by making a god of gold to worship and they deserved what was coming to them, but Moses intercedes on their behalf and asks God to forgive their sin. Then he takes it a step further and asks to have his name blotted out of the Book of Life if God is unwilling to forgive their sin. Wow, now that is love! In fact, it reminds me of the love Christ has for each of us.

Can you imagine caring so much for a nation or even an individual that you would be willing to have your name blotted out of the Book of Life? Maybe you can, but I find it difficult to fully comprehend. While some may consider me to be fairly bold with my faith, the reality is, it is easy to be bold when you are surrounded by like minded individuals. I find that when I am in the presence of those who need the Lord most, I am least likely to put my faith out there. I often shrink away from the opportunity to share Christ with others, fearing it would make things awkward or that they would think I was “wack job.” I recently watched a “Penn Says” segment on YouTube where Penn Gillette, an outspoken atheist, makes the following statement,

“If you believe there’s a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever; and you think, ‘Well, it’s not worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward.’ And atheists will think that people shouldn’t proselytize, ‘Just leave me alone, keep your religion to yourself.’ How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? I mean if I believed, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that a truck was going to hit you and you didn’t believe it and that truck was bearing down on you, there’s a certain point where I tackle you and this is more important than that.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM)

One’s salvation is more important that an oncoming truck, after all, this isn’t just life and death but eternal life and eternal death. Yet, we as Christians so often hide our faith from the world. We are so afraid to look different than the rest of the world and yet if we are truly walking with Christ, we cannot help but look different for we are not of the world. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19) We have been called to share the gospel with every creature, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”(Mark 16:15-16) How much must we hate someone to not share the truth of Christ?

I am challenged today by the love Moses showed toward the Israelites and who Jesus has called me to be as a disciple of Christ. I wonder how it might look if I truly loved my neighbor, how my conversations and actions might be different. I pray that you will be challenged today to step outside your comfort zone and be open and willing to go where the Spirit leads you in your interactions with others.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

Where or when do you shy away from sharing Christ with others?
What is it that causes you to shy away?
How would it look to have faith enough to trust the Holy Spirit to go where He sends you and to give you the words to speak?

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

REST FOR YOUR SOUL

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

-Matthew 11:28-30(NKJV)

I find that as I write today, I am tired and weary. In fact, today I just want to go back to bed and sleep, hoping that when I wake up all will be well. The problem is the tired and the weariness that I am experiencing can not be “cured” by sleep alone. Sleep is merely an avoidance mechanism I tend to fall back on when I am tired and don’t want to deal with anything. The problem is, sleep never gives me true rest; my burdens, my struggles are all still there when I wake up. The true rest I desire can only be found in Christ. Yet, it is so much easier to just curl up and hide under the covers and try to sleep away my burdens than to surrender them to Jesus.

Jesus calls us to Him and promises to give us rest for our souls. Yet we so often fight against Him for control of our lives. We struggle under the weight of our burdens needlessly, fearful of turning over the reigns to Christ. We have become reliant on pharmaceuticals, alcohol, drugs, sleep, sex and work in hopes of finding rest for our souls where we don’t have to think about or deal with our burdens, even if only for a moment. None of these, however, can give us the rest we long for; the rest for our souls. True rest can only be found in Christ, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

If you are struggling under a heavy burden of any kind today, I encourage you to surrender that burden to Christ. Go to Him in prayer and lay it at His feet and you will find the rest that you seek, rest for your soul.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

This week I would like to share an exercise with you that my coach, Kathryn Bonner once gave me for homework. I share this with you today in hopes that it will bless you as it has blessed me.

What burdens have you been carrying on your own?
Write each burden down separately on a piece of paper, a stone, whatever resonates for you.
Go to the Lord in prayer and surrender each burden to Him specifically and as you do, discard the piece of paper or stone that signifies that burden. Leave all of your burdens, your struggles at His feet in prayer and notice what He gives you in return.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

WHAT'S THAT IN YOUR EYE?

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

-Matthew 7:1-5(NKJV)

Wow, isn’t that one of the biggest things about the church that really rubs you the wrong way…all the hypocrites? I remember when I was still in college; the hypocrisy that I saw in the church was one of the instruments the enemy used to drive a wedge between myself and God. I couldn’t see how those who proclaimed to know Christ could say and do the things they did; I would hear such horrible judgments come from the mouths of Christians that it turned me away from the church. While my relationship with the Lord has since changed, I still hear those same thoughts that were once mine coming from the mouths of the lost today. The hypocrisy in the church seems to be an easy mark for the enemy to use to deceive the vulnerable and lead them astray.

This past weekend, the Lord revealed to me how I too am a hypocrite. My mother and I have always had a loving yet volatile relationship; while we love each other very much it is difficult to spend any length of time together without getting into some sort of argument. The Lord has really been working in me to honor my mother and I can honestly say that our relationship has definitely improved as a whole. However, these past few weeks I have been really struggling; everything she does seems to get under my skin and I have had little to no patience for her at all. So I sought counsel from friends and the general consensus was, “She has issues, you just need to limit your contact with her.” Not knowing what else to do, I tried to limit my exposure to my mother as a whole, however, even that did not work as I found even the smallest interaction with her was likely to ignite this anger and frustration inside of me and trigger a response that was anything but honoring to her. Then the Lord held up the mirror for me and revealed to me the plank that was in my eye. I had been so focused on the speck that was in my mother’s eye that I had failed to see or even be aware of the plank in my own. It was impossible to honor my mother because I was focused on her imperfections, her faults and failings all the while failing to notice my own sin. I am so grateful the Lord held up that mirror for me; now I can focus on getting that plank out of my own eye so that I might see clearly. In fact my vision is already improving…I now know that I must replace my judgment with love. What is going to allow me to honor my mother in all circumstances is LOVE!

We all have a tendency to make judgments about others, but how different would the church look if we as the body of Christ made a conscious effort to replace our judgments with love? How would relationships be changed? I challenge you today to take a look in the mirror and see the plank that is in your eye; to stop judging others and instead to simply love them.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

If you were to look into the mirror, what is the plank in your own eye that would be revealed?
What are you going to do about that plank in your eye?
What does it look like to set your judgments aside and replace them with love?

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

THE LORD IS MY SHIELD

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.
Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah

-Psalm 3(NKJV)

Wow, even when surrounded by ten thousand of his enemies, David does not lose faith in the Lord. How many of us would have the faith that David has? So often when faced with adversity we condemn God, we get angry with Him, we stop speaking to Him, we stop believing in Him…but He is always faithful.

Several years ago now, I was faced with significant adversity in my life. I, like so many, turned away from God…I was angry with Him for allowing the circumstances surrounding the adversity in my life to happen. I even got angry with my own brother because in my mind he had no adversity. I was jealous of him in so many ways and coveted what he had. God never let anything happen to him, everything always seemed so perfect for him, he never had to suffer at least not like I had to suffer. Of course, none of that was true but I thought it was and it took many years for me to let go of my resentment and anger toward my brother and just as long for me to come back to God. My envy and jealous heart kept me from truly experiencing God in my life. And how did God respond, did He write me off? No, looking back now, I realize that God’s hand was present in my life in and through the adversity. He was faithful, even when I was not. And the amazing thing is that the adversity I have had in my life has molded me into the person I am today, the person God is using for His purpose and I wouldn’t change it even if I could. He is the potter and I the clay to be molded and shaped for His purpose and His glory.

While we may not understand why we are facing the adversity and troubles we have in our lives, there is comfort and assurance in knowing that God is faithful, that He is on the throne and that He is a shield for us. What would it be like to have faith like David did? Even when you are being attacked on all sides and life looks grim, to know that God is with you and He is your shield. Ask God to be your shield today and take comfort in knowing that He is faithful.

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

How has the Lord been your shield, how has He sustained you when you have faced adversity and troubles in the past?
Who or what is rising up against you today?
What would it look like to have faith like David in this adversity today?

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

WHERE IS YOUR CITIZENSHIP?

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

-Philippians 3:18-21(NKJV)

As I read these verses in Philippians today, I am reminded how short sighted I can be in my flesh and how easy it is to allow my belly to be my god. On many occasions I have found myself consumed by my appetite to serve my flesh over the true and living God; and in so doing, I have allowed my belly to become my god. I have made it more important to satisfy the immediate desires of my flesh: the fleeting taste of sweetness on my tongue, being lazy and self-absorbed, hiding out and avoiding the challenges ahead, getting my way and being right, winning, being liked and accepted. These are all earthly, temporary and fleeting by nature and yet, I have chosen each of these over my Lord and Savior in just the last week or so. I have allowed my belly, my appetites to rule over my life rather than surrendering it all to the one true God, and submitting to His will, His purpose for my life. I have voluntarily allowed myself to be in bondage to my flesh. I have set my mind on earthly things and have temporarily forgotten that my citizenship is in heaven, not here on this earth.

However, if our eyes are eagerly awaiting the return of the Lord, we are not concerned with the immediate gratification of our fleshly appetites, but instead our focus is on Him. We have a heavenly perspective, knowing that we can surrender all our appetites, our hungers, our desires, everything to Jesus and He will give us rest, He will give us peace. A heavenly, eternal perspective is one of complete surrender, trust, faith, submission and obedience; it is willingly and joyfully surrendering all, everything in our lives to Him; trusting that He will take it from us; having faith that He is on the throne and that His will is perfect; and willingly and joyfully submitting to what He calls us to in faithful obedience.

I look forward to the day when I will no longer be tempted by my flesh, but until that day, I will be eagerly awaiting the return of the Lord Jesus Christ for my citizenship is not on earth but in heaven. Where is your citizenship?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

How have you allowed your belly to be your god?
How would things change if you were living in a heavenly perspective, of salvation and eternity?
What next? How will you apply this to your life today?

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

CALLED TO LIBERTY

For you brethren, have been called to liberty;
only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve
one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.”

-Galatians 5:13-14

According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, liberty is the freedom from slavery, captivity, etc. Here in the United States of America, most of us would not deny our freedom. We are free to say what we want to whomever we want, no matter who we might hurt in the process. We are free to carry weapons or to bare arms; we only need a permit...if we want to do it legally. We are free to watch television, play video games, eat, drink, dance, complain, sleep, and smoke as much as we want. We are free to worship the almighty dollar, the latest and greatest talk show host, professional athletes, the “stars”, and ourselves. We are free to spend our time, our money, and our talents as we choose. Yes, many would say that we in America are free.

The truth is that this is not freedom. So many Americans are not free at all but are living in bondage, slaves to the desires of the flesh. Paul warns that we are not to use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, yet that is exactly what liberty has become in this country...an opportunity for the flesh. Paul also reminds us that through love we are to serve one another and love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet, most of us get caught up in looking out for, what we deem, “#1” (A.K.A. our self). It is totally against our human nature to love anyone as our self, to serve anyone but our self and often when we try to love others and serve others just because we think it is what we should do...leaving us unfulfilled, resentful and wondering “when is it going to be my turn.” I know I have been here, in fact most of my life was spent in this place wondering, “when will it by my turn, when will I have what I want, when will someone do for me for a change.” You see, until we turn our life over to the Lord, we cannot truly serve one another nor can we truly love one another. If the Lord is not in it, then it ultimately comes down to serving the flesh and we are still in bondage. Without God, we cannot break the chains that bind us in this world to be truly free, to experience liberty.

We, here in America, have also been given a tremendous liberty in that we can choose to turn our life over to the Lord, we can choose to openly worship Him above all else and we can choose to serve Him first and always. Then, and only then, will we truly be free. Then, and only then, will we be able to experience and share true love with our neighbor. Then, and only then, will we be able to truly serve one another as Jesus did, in love and without bitterness or resentment. Yes, we have been called to liberty; the question is...will we answer the call?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

How have you allowed liberty to become an opportunity for your flesh?
This Independence Day, before all the parties and celebrations, won’t you join me in taking some quiet time with the Lord?

§ Thank Him for the liberty only He can give.
§ Surrender that which you have been unwilling, until now, to turn over to the Lord.
§ Be still, just sitting in His presence and listen for the words He speaks to you.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

BOUGHT AT A PRICE

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."

-1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)

The wisdom of the world tells us our bodies are our own and that we should indulge and pamper ourselves; indulge and pamper our flesh. In fact, this is evident in every aspect of the American culture; from the cars we drive to the houses we live in, from the vacations we take to the food we eat. We see our wants as necessities that we can’t live without. But God’s word gives us a much different picture. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6) The wisdom of the world leads to death, but if we stand fast to the truth of God’s word, we have peace and life eternal.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that we are not our own, but we belong to God for we have been bought at a price and our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I remember hearing that my body was the temple of God since I was a little girl, but I never really understood how that applied to my life until recently. The temple of the Holy Spirit, the temple of God is holy; it is set apart. Being in Christ, my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and is therefore holy and set apart by God and for God. Wow, let’s just let that sink in for a second. My body is holy, my body is God’s. As I look at my life and how I have cared for my body, I realize I have not been a very good steward in many regards and I have definitely not cared for it the way I would God’s temple. Instead, I have had my mind set on the things of the flesh and I have indulged my flesh time and time again. But there is no life in the flesh, only death. I can indulge my flesh all I want but ultimately there is no reward; there is no emptiness filled, no peace, no life. The truly wonderful and amazing thing is, once I started looking at my body as God’s and not my own, I was able to finally surrender those things of the flesh that I have been in bondage to and Christ has taken the chains from me and replaced them with freedom, peace and life.

You too have been bought at a price and have been called to glorify God in your body and your spirit which are God’s. Are you a good steward of God’s temple?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

What does it look like to be a good steward of “your” body, the temple of the Holy Spirit?
What do you need to surrender?
When your flesh and your heart fail, where will your strength come from?

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

THE STUBBORN CHILD

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD; who say to seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.’ ”

-Isaiah 30:9-11

In Isaiah 30, we see the people of Judah seeking protection from Egypt rather than the LORD. They sought counsel that was not of God. They made plans that were not led by the Spirit. They chose to hear only what they wanted to hear and see only what they wanted to see. They put their trust in Egypt, in the ways of the world, which is worthless. The world cannot protect us, the world cannot provide for us, the world cannot save us, only the LORD can protect us, only the LORD can provide for us, and only the LORD can save us.

I have considered myself a Christian for most of my life. The reality is, I was a selective Christian, if you could call me a Christian at all. I was a Christian when it served me and I had my own version of Christianity based on what I wanted to believe and what was convenient. My version of Christianity was a perverse twisting and melding of what I thought to be reasonable and what I liked. So, I chose to believe the Bible was a history book only, not a handbook for how I am to live my life today. If there was something I didn’t like in the Bible, I chalked it up to “well that was a different time, that doesn’t apply to our time and therefore, it doesn’t apply to me.” So, I believed you need only be a “good person” to go to heaven and that no matter what your faith was, whether you were Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or Atheist you would go to heaven when you died as long as you were a “good person” at heart. Oh, and I can’t tell you how much I struggled with the fact that I am to submit to my husband as stated in Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18 and in 1 Peter 3:1. I had spent most of my adult life trying to be a strong, independent woman, taking great pains to establish myself as an equal in the workplace and at home and here I am told I am to submit! How foolish and conceited I was to think that I could re-write the Word of God, that somehow I knew best, I knew better than God, that I was a good person and I could somehow save myself just by who I was. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I realized, by the grace of God, how ignorant I had been and how far from the truth I had strayed. I now know that it takes much more strength to submit to my husband than to defy him and while I still have those times when I struggle with God’s Word, I know that the answers I seek in my life can be found in the Word and by seeking counsel from God. I was a stubborn child, but God was patient with me and when I finally tired of doing things my way, He was gracious and showed mercy on me.

So often we choose to be selective Christians, we pick and choose what we like, what is convenient and discard all the rest, all the things that are challenging or unpleasant; choosing instead the wisdom of the world. We are stubborn children, fighting against our Father, believing what we want as truth, believing we can enjoy the pleasures of the world and of the flesh and still have salvation. We want the path to salvation to be broad, all inclusive and tolerant, but the truth is, the path is narrow and only those who walk that narrow path, those who are born again of the spirit are saved. God has given us His Word as a handbook, an owner’s manual for this life. But an owner’s manual is only helpful if you open it, read it and apply it. Are you opening the Bible, reading the scriptures and applying God’s Word to your life today?

COACH'S CALL TO ACTION

How are you a stubborn child or a selective Christian?
What is the lie that you are choosing to believe?
What is the truth?
What will you do to walk in truth today, this week, for the rest of your life?

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

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