Lord I'm Amazed At Your "Right Turns"

UPS has learned a new way of delivering packages. In 2004 they discovered that 53% of accidents on the highway are caused when making a left-hand turn across traffic. When one makes a right-hand turn accidents are only 5-7% of the time. Not only did UPS cut down on their accidents but they also saved 10 million gallons of gas plus saved on emissions, the equivalent of taking 5300 cars off the highway. They also discovered a left-hand turn takes more time waiting in traffic. The more man-hours for labor were unproductive. That’s pretty amazing, all in routing their deliveries to take a Right Hand Turn.

God’s word is also clear about making right hand turns. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT)

You can avoid yourself grief and pain if you will follow God’s Word that is designed by the creator “Jehovah Elohim” the architect of the world and your life. If you refuse to follow His instruction manual, you will waste a lot of time, get-up-and-go and productivity.

Jonah was instructed by God to go to Nineveh. He was to warn them of a coming judgment, but decided to make a left-hand turn and run from the Lord some 2500 miles. That wrong turn caused him a lot of grief and pain and almost cost him his life. God loved him so much that He sent him a wind; whale and a three-day submarine ride in the deep.

Have you chosen to go left in your marriage by running away from God’s plan? Have you taken a left in withholding the 10% of your paycheck that belongs to the Lord? God says; “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse.”(Malachi 3:10a) Spending it on your whims and wants is making a bad left-hand turn from God’s word. The wrong turns will cost you Big Time!

We should all be thankful that God is a God of mercy. Jonah soon woke up to the fact that his left-hand turn was painful and unproductive. God gave him another chance and he changed his course traveling now 5000 miles in the right direction. It’s not to late to do what is right today. Don’t put it off, do it now. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”  (John 14:6a)

Momentum in Reaching People

Henry Ford was very passionate about making it possible for the common man to drive his automobile. He worked his car cost down from 850.00 to 300.00 dollars per car in five years. His first year he sold ten thousand Model T’s, but from 1913-1925 he sold 15 million cars in America and Europe. Can you imagine the momentum that picked up every time someone drove their beautiful automobile down the road?

What do other people see when you go about your day at work, eating at restaurants, going to a ballgame, and living your everyday life? Are people attracted to your attitude, actions, and the altitude you live? Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

The business world spends a lot of energy, effort, and advertising dollars to make a connection with the world they’re trying to reach. Jesus teaches us to make a connection an investment in reaching those who are still lost in their blindness. Do you shine, smile or give out a reflection of God’s goodness, grace and glory?

In Mark 2:1-12, we read the exciting story of four men who brought a cripple man to Jesus.  It was a difficult process. When they got to Jesus, there were so many people there at the home. They had to climb on the roof and take the roof off to get him down to Jesus. When they did, a miracle took place and the man was healed and he began to walk.

How determined are you in getting people to Jesus? God wants each of us to love people right where they are. Jesus never said, “Love people when they get their act together.” Rather Jesus says to Love people regardless if they are a drug addict, drunkard, or a thief. The thief said to Jesus while being on the cross, “Would you remember me when you come into your Kingdom?” Jesus said, “Today you shall be with me in paradise.” Jesus didn’t wait for people to get their act together in order to love and change them. These four men had something unique in getting their friend to Jesus.

·       They had Compassion. Without compassion you’ll never reach those who need Christ. You have to get passed their mess and muddle and see a miracle in the making for their life.

·       They had Determination. There were so many at the house, seemly there was no way to get him to Christ. But, they were tenacious by taking the roof off to get him to Christ.

·       They were Committed. Once these four men started their travel to Jesus, there was no turning back from getting this man to Christ. He is the one who changes lives, not us.

·       They were very Courageous. Fear always tries to hinder us in our getting people to Christ. Their courage wasn’t about to back out from seeing their friend’s life changed

Henry Ford made an investment one hundred years ago that forever changed the world. But there’s no greater investment in life than investing in someone’s eternity.  Is there a co-worker, son or daughter, neighbor or someone God has placed on your heart? You will never regret being tenacious in getting your friend to Jesus. Do it today and enjoy a miracle of Christ in someone’s life before your eyes.

Momentum on God's Assembly Line 3

WHAT DOES GOD SEE WHEN YOU OPEN UP YOUR GIFT PACKAGES IN LIFE?

 YOUR BOLDNESS OR YOUR FEAR? 

Only Joshua and Caleb used their faith as they approached the new space in the Promise Land. The other ten spies were driven with fear as they saw the giants in the land. If you are to move ahead with the gifts that God has given you, you must approach your serving with, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.”

Fear leads to hesitation, which leads to a pause, which leads to a direct “NO” to God’s leading and direction. That is why the ten spies said, “We are not able to go in and possess the land.” Their decision ultimately led two million people to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Only the young generation went into the new land and those 20 and older died in the wilderness.

It was Joshua and Caleb’s bold faith and tenacity that said, “We are more than able to go in and possess the land. Let us go up at once.”

What is it that God is leading you to do? Has he placed something in your heart that bigger than what you are? Have you said, “I don’t have the talents, resources, gifting, favor, or the knowhow?” It’s when the dream is bigger than what you are that God can step in and do His part.

When we were building our first buildings on our property here at I-295 and North Main Street in Jacksonville Fl, I said, “God why didn’t you call somebody that knew what they were doing? Don’t you know I’m too young to do something like this?” God said, “Danny, I choose the weak things of the earth to confound the wise.” Friend, when you let him use your weakness, that’s when He gets “ALL the Glory.” Are you ready to be driven with Boldness instead of Fear? When you do, you will see God do wonderful, glorious things.

Momentum on God's Assembly Line 2

I have never seen a gifted baseball team go to a World Series lethargic, bored, unenthused, or wanting to be somewhere else. What I have seen is excitement, enthusiasm, and an eagerness to play ball with excellence and tenacity like no other time in their life.

Last year my wife and I were excited to give our grand-kids, Caleb and Addison their Christmas gifts. We bought some pedal cars for their little feet to ride and enjoy. It took better than 3 hours to put together each contraption. I approached the BOXES with excitement and tenacity to see their little feet having the time of their life. As I began the project, I dealt with some frustrations and perplexity in completing the job; it’s usually no different in “opening the packages” that God has for our assignment in life.

Joshua, David, Nehemiah and many others opened their life packages, or “callings”, with excitement and enthusiasm which led to many challenges in fulfilling their call and mandate.

           WHAT DOES GOD SEE WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR GIFT PACKAGES IN LIFE?

·      YOUR Eagerness or Procrastination? When we gave our grand-kids their presents, it didn't take them long to sit in their new pedal cars and give it a go. Eagerness has a way of pushing everything else aside and moving you forward. Procrastination has a way of doing more pleasurable things in place of less pleasurable ones, and thus putting off impending tasks to a later time, sometimes to the "last minute" before the deadline. Will you act on God’s calling before YOUR deadline is up? “Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do.” (Mark Twain)

·        YOUR EXCITEMENT OR  BOREDOM? Nehemiah launched a new rebuilding of the broken walls in Jerusalem with great enthusiasm and passion. King Artaxerxes had given him permission, provision and a passport to move forward. There was no time to be bored with what God was putting together for Gods people. Have you seen something you can make better? Is there something broken that you can fix? Then ask God to give you favor, provision and a passport to make it happen. Is there a kids class without a teacher, a broken water pipe, a lawn gone ugly, a worship team without a drummer, or someone broken with pain?

·      YOUR EXCELLENCE OR MEDIOCRITY? Jesus said, “I MUST be about my Father’s business.” I doubt when you pass away you will be saying; “I sure wish I had of manicured my yard, worked more hours on my job, or spent more time improving my golf game.” I am sure you will be saying, “Why didn't I spend more time doing what Christ gifted me to do for Him?”

Momentum on God's Assembly Line?

When the Ford Model T was being built, a motor and rope pulled the chassis frame past workers and parts on the factory floor, cutting the man-hours required to complete one Model T from 12-1/2 hours to six. Within a year, further assembly line improvements reduced the time required to 93 man-minutes. The staggering increase in productivity affected by Ford's use of the moving assembly line allowed the company to drastically reduce the cost of the Model T. This accomplishment fulfilled Henry Ford’s dream of making the car affordable to ordinary consumers.

Does God have a dream for each of us? Each of us remembers the Momentum that began in our faith journeys with God. When you first came to Christ, do you remember your joy, confidence, enthusiasm, and excitement you experienced in your relationship with Him? As your development moves forward on God’s assembly line, you begin to experience tests, trials, setbacks and even hiccups that attempt to derail  you from the plan of God.

The way you deal with the hang-ups and setbacks of life will determine how well you come out on the other side. Instead of getting discouraged and resisting the issues that are thrown your way, be determined to let God, the designer, complete what He started. Many in Gods time-line have faced enormous pressures with their own momentum. What’s your attitude when stuff comes? David said; “It is good for me when I have been afflicted so I might learn thy statues.” (Ps 119:71) Paul said, “All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) James said, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2) When you add it all up, God is working something out for your own development, and yes, productivity in your life.

Joshua’s leadership faced the challenge of crossing the Jordon River to take the people of God in to the Promise Land. Once he miraculously crossed over the Jordon, there would be TEN cities that he would conquer.  He probably wondered, God could there be another way, another route, another trajectory you could use to take us forward in the land? No, God ordained the path for Joshua’s development.

God could have used another means and another route, but God was more interested in developing courage and faith in Joshua’s heart. You will never be what God has intended you to be by choosing an easier path. When it came time for our church to build a new sanctuary. I said, “God, why didn’t you call somebody else to do this job, somebody more qualified?”  God wasn’t just interested in us building a new building; rather He was trying to BUILD ME. Each of us needs to quit telling God how to run His assembly line that He has planned for our lives. When I do, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. “ (Eccl  7:8)

Momentum in Connecting with People

Many people use Facebook, Instagram and other Social Media to get connected with friends, family and others. What did Jesus do to Connect with People? There was no electronic social media when He walked this earth, yet He Connected with people like no other Person in history. What can we learn from the Greatest Connector in the entire world?

        Jesus Connected With People By:

 Accepting People just the way they were. Regardless of their color, nationality, status, politics or religion, He took people just the way they were. He wasn’t judgmental or condemning; nor did he point His finger at them in judgement. The Pharisees caught a woman in adultery, ready to stone her to death. Jesus said; “He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” (John 8:7) His acceptance and mercy changed her life forever.

Serving People. Jesus said; “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:25) When will we learn that Life isn’t about us? It’s really about serving others. Jesus took two fish and five loaves of bread as a gift from a boy, He then multiplied it and fed 5000 men plus women and children. He was thinking about their belly before He fed them spiritual food.

 Showing Compassion to People. When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion. Jesus tells a story of a man who had been beaten on the road to Jericho. He describes in detail a Priest and Levite who passed by, yet a Samaritan man stopped to help. Jesus says; “Go and do likewise.” If you want to connect with people, stop and show compassion when they’re hurting. You will find that where you’ve hurt, God will use your own pain to reach out and help others. Have you thought of ways that you could serve? Taking someone to the doctor, picking up groceries for a shut-in, buying someone a cup of coffee in the drive-through, putting your cell phone out of sight while talking to them, or cancelling a debt they owe.

Giving His Life to People. Jesus could have said to the Father, “Send somebody else to the earth to give their life.” But Jesus wasn’t willing that anybody should perish but that all should come to repentance. The longer you live you realize we only have one life opportunity to make a difference. Jesus made a significant difference while He walked here on earth. By the way, He’s still making a difference through those who will allow His gifts of compassion, serving and accepting others just the way they are. Why not do something TODAY and Connect with those around you who are lost, hurting, and dying? You can. Will You?

MOMENTUM "TIME OUT"

Have you ever experienced being “on a roll”? Some people call it being “in the zone.” Have you ever noticed when a basketball team gains momentum against their opponent, the other coach steps in and calls a TIME OUT? Is it because his team is out of breath, lost their focus, or not as good as the other team? Regardless, he calls a time out to Break the Other Teams Momentum!

David was on a roll when he killed a bear, lion and then a giant named Goliath. The ladies were singing in the streets, “Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands.” Once David was on a roll, King Saul’s jealousy said, “I’ve heard enough of this song.” Satan always finds ways to call a time out; “I’ll put a stop to this nonsense.”

Has the enemy called a time out on you? Once you came to Christ, all kind of alarms went off in Hell. When you fell in love with Him who changed and transformed your life, the devil didn’t like it one bit. Satan continues to plot and plan ways to break your momentum in your “Worship to God.” He finds ways to hinder you on Sunday morning when it’s time to go to the House of the Lord. Do we really say like David, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go to the house of the Lord?” (Psalm 122:1) Many times we have to fight off distractions that are trying to hinder us from being in Gods house.

How about your time alone with God each day? When you first got saved, you wouldn’t think about missing a church service of worship, or your Bible reading, or time with Him in prayer. But the enemy sends in a tidal wave of disturbance to “break your momentum” in God. Some wonder where their zeal and enthusiasm has gone in the Lord, but they haven’t recognized that Satan is very, very busy calling time outs on them.

 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12) Friend, fight back today against hell and know that God is for you and will give you the power and focus to keep your eyes on Him when you have lost momentum.

David recognized that the threats against him were really Satan who was attempting to stop Gods purpose and plan in his life. Rise up today and say; “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17) David pressed until the day he reigned as King of Israel for forty years. Will you press ahead, or allow Satan’s time out to stop you?