Have you ever ask for something more than once? How do you respond when you don't get what you want? Satan is a condemning intimidator. He will go to any length to destroy our confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1-John 3:21 states; "that if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence in our Lord."
I am convinced that it's hell that comes to strip away our confidence in our God. Satan doesn't want us to believe that God is there for us in our test and trials, that He has abandoned us in our deepest valley, that He is to busy to hear the cry of our hearts in our storms, and to direct our lives.
Ps 34:17 "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and delivereth them from all their troubles."
" Accident or Design?"
The Sun is 93 million miles away from the earth. I don't believe that happen by accident. God is a great designer. If the sun were at a different distance, the temperatures would be some 50 degrees either way. There would be no life here on planet, as we know it.
The Rotation of the earth moves 365 times a year around the sun. If it only went 50 times around the sun, part of the planet would be in darkness and the other part would be mostly daylight. Again life wouldn't exist as they do here on earth if it were any other way.
The Air in the earth's atmosphere is 21% oxygen. If it were say 65% instead of what it is, every time someone lit a match, we would all be toast. God is a great designer and has a blueprint for your life. Refuse to believe the lies of hell that God has somehow forgotten about you in your deepest dark hour. Refuse to believe that God doesn't have time to design his perfect will for your life.
The key and answer to receiving what we need from God is based on our confidence that He hears us when we pray. Ephesians 3:20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think of him according to the power that worketh within us."
What power is working in your heart today? Is there confidence in your heart? Satan's greatest weapons against us are doubt and discouragement. Allow the weapon of the word of God cut down his dirty lies.
Paul says in Philippines 1:6 "Be confident of this very thing that He which hath begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." God has a plan for the storm your in today. He says in Romans 8:28; "And we know that all things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose." What the devil means for evil, God will turn it for good.
Go to God every morning with confidence that He is waiting to hear the cry of your heart. "If God be for us, who can be against us." Remind him that He is the great designer of the earth and the developer of your life as well. Go ahead, ask again with confidence in you're heart that He is standing in heaven waiting to hear the cry of your heart.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Asking More Than Once? (2) Persistence
Some people brought to Jesus a blind man and begged Jesus to give him a healing touch. Jesus spit in the mans eyes and laid hands on him and asked, "Do you see anything?" The blind man said; " I see men walking as trees." Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again. From this point on the man could see clearly.
If Jesus prayed more than once, why would you and I only pray once and quit? Several places Jesus cried out to his father more than once in prayer.
Jesus has just been ask by his disciples in Luke 11:1-13 "Lord teach us how to pray?" Jesus tells the story in this text how that a man came at midnight to ask his friend for 3 loafs of bread. The friends response is; "leave me alone, I have already put the kids to bed, come back another time another day. The man continues to knock. This is the point that Christ was making. Have you quit knocking? Where is your own persistence? Where is your boldness?
Jesus is teaching his disciples don't give up so easy. Keep asking, keep knocking and keep seeking. We so quickly get discourage and dishearten that we turn away thinking that God is not hearing the cry of our hearts.
"The righteous cry out and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all of their troubles." Psalms 34:17 Tell me what father or mother wouldn't come running to the cry of his own baby that is in need?
This man kept knocking at the door. Jesus states that the man got up out of bed and got the man 3 loaves of bread not because it was convenient, not because it was the right time, not because he was up watching the late night show, not because it was easy. No No No.
Jesus states because of his importunity, the word means persistence. When your traveling on the road and your hungry, do you give up because you passed the exit with your favorite food? If I was betting, you will keep looking at the next exit. If you didn't find it on the next exit, you would keep looking until you found what you were looking for. That something that would fill your belly.
Why do we give up so easy? Some of you have been praying for your son who is on drugs, your daughter that is in jail, your health that has gone sour, your in-laws that have become outlaws, your marriage that is broke.
Jesus says when you have a need, keep asking, keep knocking, and keep seeking. I don't know why He hasn't answered your prayer yet, but He is a very present help in the time of need.
May God give you boldness that will stand up in you and never bail or give up on the cry in the pit of your soul. Keep asking with persistence and see what the Lord will do.
If Jesus prayed more than once, why would you and I only pray once and quit? Several places Jesus cried out to his father more than once in prayer.
Jesus has just been ask by his disciples in Luke 11:1-13 "Lord teach us how to pray?" Jesus tells the story in this text how that a man came at midnight to ask his friend for 3 loafs of bread. The friends response is; "leave me alone, I have already put the kids to bed, come back another time another day. The man continues to knock. This is the point that Christ was making. Have you quit knocking? Where is your own persistence? Where is your boldness?
Jesus is teaching his disciples don't give up so easy. Keep asking, keep knocking and keep seeking. We so quickly get discourage and dishearten that we turn away thinking that God is not hearing the cry of our hearts.
"The righteous cry out and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all of their troubles." Psalms 34:17 Tell me what father or mother wouldn't come running to the cry of his own baby that is in need?
This man kept knocking at the door. Jesus states that the man got up out of bed and got the man 3 loaves of bread not because it was convenient, not because it was the right time, not because he was up watching the late night show, not because it was easy. No No No.
Jesus states because of his importunity, the word means persistence. When your traveling on the road and your hungry, do you give up because you passed the exit with your favorite food? If I was betting, you will keep looking at the next exit. If you didn't find it on the next exit, you would keep looking until you found what you were looking for. That something that would fill your belly.
Why do we give up so easy? Some of you have been praying for your son who is on drugs, your daughter that is in jail, your health that has gone sour, your in-laws that have become outlaws, your marriage that is broke.
Jesus says when you have a need, keep asking, keep knocking, and keep seeking. I don't know why He hasn't answered your prayer yet, but He is a very present help in the time of need.
May God give you boldness that will stand up in you and never bail or give up on the cry in the pit of your soul. Keep asking with persistence and see what the Lord will do.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Asking More Than Once? (1) God's Will
There are those in the body of Christ that have formed an opinion that it's a lack of faith to ask more than once. Let's take another look at why it's a God thing to ask more than once.
My wife and I raised 3 children in our home. I don't recall a time that they were ever hindered in their ability to ask for something more than once. When they wanted to stop at Mc Donald's, wanted something to drink, wanted the newest cabbage patch doll, wanted they latest Nintendo game, they had no problem in asking more than once. Now they didn't always get what they wanted when they wanted it.
In looking back on my walk with Christ, I'm very thankful that God didn't always give me what I wanted when I wanted it. The Lord teaches us that we are to pray, "thy kingdom come thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." I have to pray for the will of God to be processed in my life. There have been times that I didn't like it when God closed doors. God says; "I have set an open door before you." Friend quit trying to knock the door in. If God wants it open, He has the ability to open the door that is His will and plan for your life.
I was invited to preach with the possibly to pastor a church in Miami Florida. They call it; 'Trying out." After a great day in the ministering and seeing several come forward for salvation, God didn't open the door for us to move there. I was a bit upset with God. God why? I had prayed for the will of God, but when God shut the door, I didn't like His decision. We are to always pray for the will of God in all of our decisions. Year later I saw why God closed the door. He had a perfect plan in mind, where I'm pastoring today 26 years later.
Jesus on his way to the cross stopped at the garden of Gethsemane and prayed 3 times; "Father if it be thy will, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will but thy will be done." Yes he prayed the same prayer more than once.
God has placed within each of us a cry to ask more than once. Show me a cat that doesn't cry out more than once for their food. Show me a baby that doesn't cry out for their food more than once. God has placed within our hearts a God given desire to ask more than once.
Friend, many give up when they don't get what they want. Some choose their own plan and do their own thing. Some refuse to wait on God's season. Go ahead and ask again for the cry and passion in your heart. Many places in God's word show us how it's His plan for you and I to ask for his will more than once.
My wife and I raised 3 children in our home. I don't recall a time that they were ever hindered in their ability to ask for something more than once. When they wanted to stop at Mc Donald's, wanted something to drink, wanted the newest cabbage patch doll, wanted they latest Nintendo game, they had no problem in asking more than once. Now they didn't always get what they wanted when they wanted it.
In looking back on my walk with Christ, I'm very thankful that God didn't always give me what I wanted when I wanted it. The Lord teaches us that we are to pray, "thy kingdom come thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." I have to pray for the will of God to be processed in my life. There have been times that I didn't like it when God closed doors. God says; "I have set an open door before you." Friend quit trying to knock the door in. If God wants it open, He has the ability to open the door that is His will and plan for your life.
I was invited to preach with the possibly to pastor a church in Miami Florida. They call it; 'Trying out." After a great day in the ministering and seeing several come forward for salvation, God didn't open the door for us to move there. I was a bit upset with God. God why? I had prayed for the will of God, but when God shut the door, I didn't like His decision. We are to always pray for the will of God in all of our decisions. Year later I saw why God closed the door. He had a perfect plan in mind, where I'm pastoring today 26 years later.
Jesus on his way to the cross stopped at the garden of Gethsemane and prayed 3 times; "Father if it be thy will, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will but thy will be done." Yes he prayed the same prayer more than once.
God has placed within each of us a cry to ask more than once. Show me a cat that doesn't cry out more than once for their food. Show me a baby that doesn't cry out for their food more than once. God has placed within our hearts a God given desire to ask more than once.
Friend, many give up when they don't get what they want. Some choose their own plan and do their own thing. Some refuse to wait on God's season. Go ahead and ask again for the cry and passion in your heart. Many places in God's word show us how it's His plan for you and I to ask for his will more than once.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
A Dead Branch Floating Down The River?
Ephraim boasted," Look, I'm rich! I've made it big! And look how well I've covered my tracks: Not a hint of fraud, not a sigh of sin" Not so fast! I'm God."I'm going to put you back in tents, as in the old days when you worshiped in the wilderness."
God was saying to Ephraim, your not going to get away with the path of sin that you have chosen.
God didn't create any of us to be a drug addict, a prostitute, a con-artist, a rapist, a murderer, a thief, one lost in the forest. God has a perfect plan for each of us. God is the only one who can show us the way out of the wilderness of confusion and deception.
Where are you heading, where will you end up, where is the end of the road for you? Ephraim has lost her way in her sins and stubbornness. She is determined that she can get by with her sinful ways and God will just wink at her sins.
Romans declare; "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." It's a lie out of hell that you have to be a servant to porn, a life to lying and cheating and living in adultery. Jesus came to break us free from the chains that would bind and hold on to us.
It is a deceptive lie that the temptations of this world will bring you the reward that you are looking for. Satan plots and schemes and deceives people from the real fruit of life. God's plan is to bring us joy, peace, direction, contentment, fulfillment. Sin will only lead you to deadness and not life.
Sin will kill your purpose, your peace, and your path to everlasting life. Who wants to be a dead branch floating down the river? God calls us to be "a tree planted by the rivers of water than brings forth fruit in due season." He says; "our leaf will not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
If you were to take an assessment of your life today, is there any fruit on the branch? Are the limbs dying, or are there signs of life on the tree? You say what are the signs of life? Let me ask you.
Where is your focus? it will lead to your thinking, which leads to your emotions, which leads to your decisions,, which leads to actions, which leads to your habits, which leads to your character which leads to your destiny.
The decisions you are making today will determine if there will be any fruit on the tree in the future. God is for you today, God says; your valuable, your special, your my chosen one, you have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Today allow God to change you! He says; "old things will pass away and all things will become new."
Go ahead; call on God today and new life will start now. John 10:10 "The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy, but I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly."
God was saying to Ephraim, your not going to get away with the path of sin that you have chosen.
God didn't create any of us to be a drug addict, a prostitute, a con-artist, a rapist, a murderer, a thief, one lost in the forest. God has a perfect plan for each of us. God is the only one who can show us the way out of the wilderness of confusion and deception.
Where are you heading, where will you end up, where is the end of the road for you? Ephraim has lost her way in her sins and stubbornness. She is determined that she can get by with her sinful ways and God will just wink at her sins.
Romans declare; "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." It's a lie out of hell that you have to be a servant to porn, a life to lying and cheating and living in adultery. Jesus came to break us free from the chains that would bind and hold on to us.
It is a deceptive lie that the temptations of this world will bring you the reward that you are looking for. Satan plots and schemes and deceives people from the real fruit of life. God's plan is to bring us joy, peace, direction, contentment, fulfillment. Sin will only lead you to deadness and not life.
Sin will kill your purpose, your peace, and your path to everlasting life. Who wants to be a dead branch floating down the river? God calls us to be "a tree planted by the rivers of water than brings forth fruit in due season." He says; "our leaf will not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
If you were to take an assessment of your life today, is there any fruit on the branch? Are the limbs dying, or are there signs of life on the tree? You say what are the signs of life? Let me ask you.
Where is your focus? it will lead to your thinking, which leads to your emotions, which leads to your decisions,, which leads to actions, which leads to your habits, which leads to your character which leads to your destiny.
The decisions you are making today will determine if there will be any fruit on the tree in the future. God is for you today, God says; your valuable, your special, your my chosen one, you have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Today allow God to change you! He says; "old things will pass away and all things will become new."
Go ahead; call on God today and new life will start now. John 10:10 "The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy, but I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly."
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Considering A Daniel's Fast?
Daniel and others were chosen by king Nebuchadnezzar's to be apart of his leadership team. Something in Daniel said; "Were going to chose not to eat the king's meat, will eat nothing but veggies and fruit."
What could have gotten in Daniel to go on this particular diet? What was in his heart to think that this was a need and a dire necessity? He knew that God's hand was up to something unique and special in the coming days.
I believe that Daniel knew that they were up for challenges far beyond their own wisdom, and their own strengths, their own power. Daniel was right on target with his intuition and being spirit driven and spirit led.
The King would be asking them to do things far beyond man's natural wisdom. In Daniel's chapters ahead, you and I will read why it was critical for he and his friends to go on this fast.
In life, you and I are going to face challenges far beyond our natural abilities. I have learned that when the stress and pressure is on, a fast will give us the edge, the supernatural that goes beyond what we are able to do in the natural.
Have you come to a place in your marriage, your work, your business, and your ministry that you need the edge, far beyond your own natural abilities? Jesus taught his disciples to do three things. He said; "when you pray, when you give, and when you fast." Notice that he didn't say; "if you pray or if you give or if you fast, but rather when you fast."
Many of us have had times in our lives when we just didn't have the answer, we didn't know where to turn next, and we just didn't have the ump to keep going.
At the end of the 10 day test, the king's steward took note that the complexion of Daniel and his men were better than the other's. These guys were more robust than the ones eating from the royal menu.
God will do some things far beyond your own talents and abilities when you choose to take God at his word. God will lead and direct each of us when it's time to start a fast. It may the knowledge of a coming battle or today's struggle that will lead you into starting a new fast.
The word of God will prove that in every difficult dilemma you face, fasting will give you the edge and will catapult you over your own impossible situation?
What could have gotten in Daniel to go on this particular diet? What was in his heart to think that this was a need and a dire necessity? He knew that God's hand was up to something unique and special in the coming days.
I believe that Daniel knew that they were up for challenges far beyond their own wisdom, and their own strengths, their own power. Daniel was right on target with his intuition and being spirit driven and spirit led.
The King would be asking them to do things far beyond man's natural wisdom. In Daniel's chapters ahead, you and I will read why it was critical for he and his friends to go on this fast.
In life, you and I are going to face challenges far beyond our natural abilities. I have learned that when the stress and pressure is on, a fast will give us the edge, the supernatural that goes beyond what we are able to do in the natural.
Have you come to a place in your marriage, your work, your business, and your ministry that you need the edge, far beyond your own natural abilities? Jesus taught his disciples to do three things. He said; "when you pray, when you give, and when you fast." Notice that he didn't say; "if you pray or if you give or if you fast, but rather when you fast."
Many of us have had times in our lives when we just didn't have the answer, we didn't know where to turn next, and we just didn't have the ump to keep going.
At the end of the 10 day test, the king's steward took note that the complexion of Daniel and his men were better than the other's. These guys were more robust than the ones eating from the royal menu.
God will do some things far beyond your own talents and abilities when you choose to take God at his word. God will lead and direct each of us when it's time to start a fast. It may the knowledge of a coming battle or today's struggle that will lead you into starting a new fast.
The word of God will prove that in every difficult dilemma you face, fasting will give you the edge and will catapult you over your own impossible situation?
Friday, November 18, 2011
God's Hand Is On The Thermostat
Daniel 3:25 "But look!" he said. "I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!"
Here is one of the most exciting stories in the entire bible. King Nebuchadnezzar builds a great golden image and has a dedication ceremony for it. He declares; when the band begins to play, everyone must bow and worship his god.
It is reported that there are 3 Jews that have not bowed down. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are brought before the king. The king gives them another chance to bow before he throws them into his furnace.
They respond; "O king, your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you cook up. But even if he doesn't it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."
The king face turns purple with anger, and he orders the furnace to be fired up seven times hotter than usual. Strong men from the army tie them up, hands and feet and throw them in to the roaring furnace.
Some unbeliever's may read this story and say this is nothing but a fairy tale. The truth of the matter, there is nothing to hard for Jehovah God. What I most admire about these 3 Jewish men is their faith in the fire. How many times have we complain because the fire is seemingly to hot?
I would like to remind each of us that yes, God says; "when we walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you." Too many times we whine and bellyache over how hot and hard life's trials are.
Lets me remind you that God says; "There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man, but God is faithful who will suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape." 1Cor 10:13
Don't lose your confidence that God's hand is on the thermostat in your trial. He knows where your breaking point is. He knows how much stress, how much pressure, just how hot the fire can get. There has never been a time yet that God didn't see me through the fiery test, the fiery situation that I didn't come out better than when I went in.
Hell is the one that lies to you that "you're not going to make it through this one." Three men went into a kings fire, but a forth man showed up. Jesus came to their rescue and shielded them from being consumed by the enemies fire.
It's interesting that not one hair was singed, not a scorch mark on their flesh, not even the smell of fire on them.
Most of us in life have walked through some fiery places in our marriage, our job, in raising our kids, but don't forget God has got his hand on your life, in your test, in your difficulty. He is not slack on the job in your nightmare of life. If God delivered them, he can deliver you and I.
Somebody came out better and stronger in the end, and a wicked king saw there was a God that was greater and stronger than his. Could that be what's behind our test, our trial, and our fiery ordeal? Press on friend; He stands with his hand on the thermostat saying; " I'm here."
Here is one of the most exciting stories in the entire bible. King Nebuchadnezzar builds a great golden image and has a dedication ceremony for it. He declares; when the band begins to play, everyone must bow and worship his god.
It is reported that there are 3 Jews that have not bowed down. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are brought before the king. The king gives them another chance to bow before he throws them into his furnace.
They respond; "O king, your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you cook up. But even if he doesn't it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."
The king face turns purple with anger, and he orders the furnace to be fired up seven times hotter than usual. Strong men from the army tie them up, hands and feet and throw them in to the roaring furnace.
Some unbeliever's may read this story and say this is nothing but a fairy tale. The truth of the matter, there is nothing to hard for Jehovah God. What I most admire about these 3 Jewish men is their faith in the fire. How many times have we complain because the fire is seemingly to hot?
I would like to remind each of us that yes, God says; "when we walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you." Too many times we whine and bellyache over how hot and hard life's trials are.
Lets me remind you that God says; "There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man, but God is faithful who will suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape." 1Cor 10:13
Don't lose your confidence that God's hand is on the thermostat in your trial. He knows where your breaking point is. He knows how much stress, how much pressure, just how hot the fire can get. There has never been a time yet that God didn't see me through the fiery test, the fiery situation that I didn't come out better than when I went in.
Hell is the one that lies to you that "you're not going to make it through this one." Three men went into a kings fire, but a forth man showed up. Jesus came to their rescue and shielded them from being consumed by the enemies fire.
It's interesting that not one hair was singed, not a scorch mark on their flesh, not even the smell of fire on them.
Most of us in life have walked through some fiery places in our marriage, our job, in raising our kids, but don't forget God has got his hand on your life, in your test, in your difficulty. He is not slack on the job in your nightmare of life. If God delivered them, he can deliver you and I.
Somebody came out better and stronger in the end, and a wicked king saw there was a God that was greater and stronger than his. Could that be what's behind our test, our trial, and our fiery ordeal? Press on friend; He stands with his hand on the thermostat saying; " I'm here."
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Lead With Your Life
1 Tim 4:16 Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.
One of the most difficult things for any leader is to live a life without any errors or mistakes. Paul is writing to Timothy and states to him, in order to make a real impact on those your teaching, we must live what we preach.
Paul himself states his own struggles in Romans 7:15 NIV "I really don't understand myself, I want to do what is right, but I don't do it, Instead I do what I hate." There will always be within each of us a war within our flesh. There is only one man who has a perfect record and that is the Jesus Christ.
Like you, I am very thankful for God's abundant grace and mercy. The mercies of the Lord are new each and every morning. Many have never stepped up to lead because they have allowed Hell to beat them up with their past. WAKE UP, there is life beyond your blunders and mistakes.
There is a true story of a football player that picked up a fumble and ran the ball in the wrong direction. He came within a couple of yards of scoring for the other team, but one of his buddies ran him down and tackled him prior to his actions.
He was so ashamed of what he had done in front of thousands of fans, at half-time he heard the coach say, "The team who started the first half will also start the second half." The player said "coach there is no way I can go back out there and play" The coach said "get up, your going to play the greatest second half you have ever played." You know what, he did.
God is the one that picks each of us up with our blunders and errors. Now that we have settled that there are no perfect people. We must also realize that in order to lead, we must strive to walk right, to live right, to talk right, to act right, to lead right. We must learn from our taking the ball in the wrong direction.
The only way to be an effective Mom or Dad is to lead with our example. It would be very hard to convince your son to get up and go to church and worship the Lord on Sundays, if you yourself are spending your time on the river fishing each Sunday, or working in the yard while you put them on a bus to go to worship.
Paul is telling Timothy to lead by example. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.
God sets the bar high for each of us to live to the best of our ability. I truly believe that God puts within each of His children an incredible desire to be like Christ.
If we are to be effective in our leading, we must live the life. We must lead and teach with transparency. Often I have shared with our people my own blunders and mistakes. I don't believe that people can relate to someone who has never has their own struggles.
Come on get real, take the mask off. Look at the word of God and you will see that within every leader in the word of God, blunder after blunder. Thank God perfection was not a prerequisite for credentials to be used by God.
Let's step it up in leading by example. To be effective we must grow from our blunders and our fleshly ways, and press on to the mark and the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
One of the most difficult things for any leader is to live a life without any errors or mistakes. Paul is writing to Timothy and states to him, in order to make a real impact on those your teaching, we must live what we preach.
Paul himself states his own struggles in Romans 7:15 NIV "I really don't understand myself, I want to do what is right, but I don't do it, Instead I do what I hate." There will always be within each of us a war within our flesh. There is only one man who has a perfect record and that is the Jesus Christ.
Like you, I am very thankful for God's abundant grace and mercy. The mercies of the Lord are new each and every morning. Many have never stepped up to lead because they have allowed Hell to beat them up with their past. WAKE UP, there is life beyond your blunders and mistakes.
There is a true story of a football player that picked up a fumble and ran the ball in the wrong direction. He came within a couple of yards of scoring for the other team, but one of his buddies ran him down and tackled him prior to his actions.
He was so ashamed of what he had done in front of thousands of fans, at half-time he heard the coach say, "The team who started the first half will also start the second half." The player said "coach there is no way I can go back out there and play" The coach said "get up, your going to play the greatest second half you have ever played." You know what, he did.
God is the one that picks each of us up with our blunders and errors. Now that we have settled that there are no perfect people. We must also realize that in order to lead, we must strive to walk right, to live right, to talk right, to act right, to lead right. We must learn from our taking the ball in the wrong direction.
The only way to be an effective Mom or Dad is to lead with our example. It would be very hard to convince your son to get up and go to church and worship the Lord on Sundays, if you yourself are spending your time on the river fishing each Sunday, or working in the yard while you put them on a bus to go to worship.
Paul is telling Timothy to lead by example. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.
God sets the bar high for each of us to live to the best of our ability. I truly believe that God puts within each of His children an incredible desire to be like Christ.
If we are to be effective in our leading, we must live the life. We must lead and teach with transparency. Often I have shared with our people my own blunders and mistakes. I don't believe that people can relate to someone who has never has their own struggles.
Come on get real, take the mask off. Look at the word of God and you will see that within every leader in the word of God, blunder after blunder. Thank God perfection was not a prerequisite for credentials to be used by God.
Let's step it up in leading by example. To be effective we must grow from our blunders and our fleshly ways, and press on to the mark and the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
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