Vision Power

Here is a good blog on vision. Does your church or organization have vision.
Think about how you live: are you living for something bigger than yourself? A vision can help individuals, churches, ministries, and businesses do more because they have the solid foundation of a vision.

http://shawnlovejoy.com/

Running Scared!!

Don’t Run... God is not done with you yet!”
I Kings 19

How do you handle the obstacles you face in life? What is your tendency when you face a struggle or a roadblock?
On smaller issues we often trust ourselves and even on some-what larger items we tend to think we can manage around the issue. Now when we face a “bigger-than-us” challenge, we either try to handle it ourselves or we run the other direction. This is what Elijah did here in our text – he ran in the other direction. It is interesting that Elijah had just experienced a great work of God on Mount Carmel (ch. 18), but he was still afraid. No matter what you are facing on today, God is still in control and ready to see you through.

What are you afraid of? Are you running the other way? Don’t run; learn to set a pattern of trusting the Lord regardless of the size of the issue. It will build character and deepen your walk with the Lord. Running often is our natural response, but don’t just try to get to the comfortable spot. Let the Lord lead you by His Spirit to where He knows you need to be.

Elijah ran and was ready to die. (Vs. 4-5) Elijah was tired and just wanted his life to end. He wanted to the Lord to be done with him but he was not done with Elijah. The truth is... the Lord is not done with you yet either. Don’t give up. I don’t know what you are facing, don’t throw in the towel or give it. Spiritual growth dose not happen by chance. God is at work and wants to lead you to further along the path He has set for you!

So Elijah whines his way into a cave and wants to have a pity party. But the Lord meets him there and asks him, “What are you doing here?” What about you? God knew that Elijah was running from the Him and the work he was to carry out. Are you running from the Lord? Don’t give up on God, for he has not given up on you. Are you having a hard time at work, relationship, finances, etc.? Regardless, lean into to the Lord and let Him lead you.

God speaks and clarifies His will for Elijah. The Lord will give guidance, although it may not be like we think, but the Lord will certainly reveal Himself to you. (Vs. 11-14) The Lord says, “Go back the way you came...” (vs.15) Some of the fears in our lives must faced and not placed under a rug. They will not go away. Elijah had to deal with His fear and he had more work to do. The work was just as important and just as needed as the previous work Elijah had done. The Lord new He wanted to use Elijah and wants to use you as well.

Read the passage and pray the Lord will give you courage to move forward today.

Good Enough?

How good do we have to be? Do you like to follow the rules? What does it mean to be legalistic? I think it really is a challenge to live by grace. I know this seems hard, but often it is easier when we can keep score. But Paul tells us in Galatians that it really is up to the cross! The cross is good news! The truth of the Gospel is amazing. Think about and pray through this passage from Galatians.

But when time had fully come,

God send his Son, born of a woman,

born under the law, to redeem those

under the law, that we might receive

full rights as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5

Now this is good stuff! The Lord is good!

The Road Less Traveled

It was good to be back in the saddle yesterday. I had been away for two Sundays and I am always thankful to get back to preach! It is fun to go on trips, but it is always good to be back home. I am thankful to do what I love. I think we were made to live like this! I can't imagine doing something just because it is a job. I really do believe the Lord made us for more than that. We were made with different interests and talents. We should make the most of them.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God has prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

This is awesome to me. I love this! God has made us in such a way that there is work that only we can do. He also has prepared work for us to do! How great is it that God has gone ahead of us to prepare work for us to do! This reminds me that God does have a plan and a purpose for our lives. This is great, but will you take the time to allow God the time to lead you to this? Most of the time we just want it happen quickly, rather than being patient while seeking the Lord.

Robert Frost reminds us:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

And this has made all the difference.

Don't just wander down some path that seems easy or is filled with everyone else. I know it is hard but let the Lord lead you down the path he has for you. Take time to seek him and will lead you!

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then

you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -

his good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Romans 12:2

Prince of Peace

Most of us are quite hectic and frantic during the Christmas season. There is no doubt that we often move so quickly through this season that we miss how powerful the Christmas story really is. I know I can get so caught up in doing all the stuff of Christmas that my mind is frazzled and I am not a peace. But scripture reminds me that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He longs to keep me at peace as I go about my life. He longs to provide peace the world over. The question is... Do we allow him to bring this divine peace to us and through us?

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

God Will Complete Us

About five weeks ago I slammed my finger and it has been a slow healing process for sure. Now I am waiting for the nail to fall off. It no longer hurts but I just ready for this to be behind me. It will take time, but in few weeks my finger will look just fine. The waiting is the hard part.

The football team has had a couple of hard losses. These games have hurt so much. I know we will rebound and will get better, but it just takes time. There is no way to know just how long it will take, but I do know that we are better than we have been in several seasons. I am most excited about our bright future. The waiting is the hard part.

I am not complete. You are not complete. As much as we try to fool ourselves we are not complete. Phil 1:6 reminds us that God began a good work in us and he will faithful to complete it. There is no doubt that it takes time. It does not happen over night. The process is the hard part for me and I am sure it is that way for you as well.

John 15:5 tells us that we must stay connected to Christ and as we do, the Lord will enable us to bear fruit. God is good and we can trust his work in us!

This great news and hope for all of us incomplete disciples.

Creativity and God

I saw a great quote today. "Creativity, God invited it, Jesus modeled it, and the Holy Spirit empowers it."
Do you feel creative? Do you ever pray for it? Sound funny? It may sound like just a bunch of craziness, but I don't think so. If God is the most creative, then he can illumine our minds with His creative bent. God is the most creatively bent, so as we walk with Him it stands to reason that He can make us creative as well.

Take a few moments and read Genesis 1 and 2. Remind yourself just how creative God is.

Pray that God would open your eyes to His creativity just under you nose. Certainly in your front yard or down the street!

Pray for God to bring out His creativity in your life!!