Yesterday the world learned of the passing of Apple mogul Steve Jobs. Mr. Jobs was responsible for developing a great deal of technology that has impacted billions of people all over he world. The ipod and ipad totally revolutionized how people listen to music & communicate at the touch of a finger. People held candlelight vigils outside of the Apple gates, posted facebook messages and made mention of how grateful they were for his contribution to society.
It is a wonderful thing for a man to be celebrated at the end of his days. To have triumphed in life and made a difference must make one feel a sense of comfort and achievement. However, once you have breathed your last breath the only accolades that will matter will be those spoken to you by God. Have you done well in his eyes or not? The apostle Paul said in the book of Philippians, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." This is a message of faith in the fact that his life was a sacrifice to the name of Christ. All that he did and all that he was belonged to Him. He states that even in his death he wins! Why would he say that? What about living for Christ and dying in him brings gain?
When we think of all of those who have passed on this year-Steve Jobs & Michael Jackson to name a few, we have to wonder if in all of their glory in life they have found gain in death. The bible says, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36 Great inventions, the Forbes list, being voted most beautiful, etc. all of these things falls away at deaths door. The old saying, "You can't take it with you" is true when we are talking about things accumulated in this world. Yet, those things that we do for Christ will last into the next world. Our salvation, accomplishing what He has called us to do, changing lives, loving people, obeying His Word, etc. these things will bring a reward in the life to come that even death can't take away.
Those who are wise among us will seek after the things that are eternal. Excel in this life, fulfill your potential while alive on the earth, but don't forget the great thing-to live your life with an eternity mindset. If I die today will God be pleased with what I did with what He gave me? Our hope is not in the earth. I hope is in the promise of things to come.
Be encouraged everyone. Know that your labour down here is not in vain. Continue to lay up treasures in heaven and live this life to the fullest. Bring God glory in all that you do, and at the end of your days, may you find great gain.
Shalom.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Pathway to Freedom
At some point in our lives we all feel stuck. The feeling of being in bondage or trapped in an unwanted location, circumstance, or state of being can almost be maddening. No one wants to feel helpless. Our society prides itself on being self-starters, self-motivators, etc. etc., but what happens when you find yourself in a situation where nothing you do seems to bring about your desired change. It seems in fact that you are going in circles.
If you've ever watched a dog chase it's tail you may have wondered to yourself, "what's the point in that?" or you may have even judged the activity as stupid or mindless. Oftentimes when we find ourselves chasing our own tails through life we feel the same way. "What's wrong with me?" "What's the point of life?" "Will things ever change?" These are all things we say to ourselves as the negative tapes of defeat play in our minds. It is not until we determine in our minds that we have gone in circles long enough that true change can come.
So what's a guy or a gal to do? You've been dealing with this situation for awhile now. You are comfortable with it even though it is destroying you. Sadly, it has become a part of who you are. The very thing you run to for pleasure is destroying your peace. Will you continue to go in circles or will you make a conscious decision to stop dead in your tracks and declare..."I will never be the same again! This is a new day in my life, a day of freedom and liberation. Christ has set me free and I STAND FIRM in that freedom!"
So, how do we get free? We must first acknowledge that we are in bondage. Identify the area(s) of your life that are bringing death and destruction to you. Confront the issues head on. Don't icing coat it. This thing is out to steal your dream and it must die a miserable death! Be honest with yourself and with God. Sure, God already knows the magnitude of what you are dealing with, He just wants to know that you know. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." You can not move passed the sin if you do not acknowledge it!
Secondly, we must take steps towards freedom and recovery. Begin to do things that this bondage would not allow you to do. If you were in bondage to fear, begin to step out in faith in areas that you were afraid of. If you were in bondage to bitterness, begin to open your heart to the love of God and be willing to give and receive love to those you meet. The enemy desires to stifle all that God has created us to do. He is shameless in his efforts and will use anything in his power to do it. His greatest sphere of influence is in our mind. We must renew our mind thorough the Word of God daily in order to stay free from this bondage. Whatever your issue is pursue it in the Word. Find scriptures that will help you focus on your goal of freedom from that sin and confess them daily until they take root in your heart. This is a serious battle we are in. If the enemy can get our mind in bondage our bodies are soon to follow. We must be committed to undoing the old way of thinking and beginning anew. Ephesians 4:23 "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." One of my favorite scriptures in the book of Isaiah is Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." This scripture is awesome! It is a promise that God is moving in our dry desert place even if we don't perceive it. But we are told to first forget the former things- our mess, our junk, our failures and shortcomings. Do not dwell on the past-stop running in circles trying to get free, stop rehearsing the painful thing that someone did or said to you, stop allowing yesterday to suffocate your today & tomorrow! Why? Because God is making a way in the desert and streams (wetness,water, life) in the wasteland! Now we know there ain't nothing good coming out of a wasteland...until God touches it! Lord open our eyes in these dry places to see that you are with us and that you have already prepared a way for us that is good, fruitful, and pleasing for us. We MUST renew our minds.
Next, we need to set goals that will drive us forward towards our true destiny. We were believing the lie, but now we are standing firm on the truth of God's word and need to know how to press ahead. Pastor Joel Osteen has to be one of the most positive guys out there. At least, that is the perception we get from him when he speaks. He talks a lot about the power of a positive confession and he is right. After we have released the past we need to begin to declare to our future the great and mighty things we are believing God to bring to pass. Replace those negative thoughts with healthy, Christ-centered confessions about your character, goals, and destiny. Thank God in advance for the good things He desires to bring into your life, and continue to press out of bondage towards your goals and freedom in Christ.
If you've ever watched a dog chase it's tail you may have wondered to yourself, "what's the point in that?" or you may have even judged the activity as stupid or mindless. Oftentimes when we find ourselves chasing our own tails through life we feel the same way. "What's wrong with me?" "What's the point of life?" "Will things ever change?" These are all things we say to ourselves as the negative tapes of defeat play in our minds. It is not until we determine in our minds that we have gone in circles long enough that true change can come.
So what's a guy or a gal to do? You've been dealing with this situation for awhile now. You are comfortable with it even though it is destroying you. Sadly, it has become a part of who you are. The very thing you run to for pleasure is destroying your peace. Will you continue to go in circles or will you make a conscious decision to stop dead in your tracks and declare..."I will never be the same again! This is a new day in my life, a day of freedom and liberation. Christ has set me free and I STAND FIRM in that freedom!"
So, how do we get free? We must first acknowledge that we are in bondage. Identify the area(s) of your life that are bringing death and destruction to you. Confront the issues head on. Don't icing coat it. This thing is out to steal your dream and it must die a miserable death! Be honest with yourself and with God. Sure, God already knows the magnitude of what you are dealing with, He just wants to know that you know. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." You can not move passed the sin if you do not acknowledge it!
Secondly, we must take steps towards freedom and recovery. Begin to do things that this bondage would not allow you to do. If you were in bondage to fear, begin to step out in faith in areas that you were afraid of. If you were in bondage to bitterness, begin to open your heart to the love of God and be willing to give and receive love to those you meet. The enemy desires to stifle all that God has created us to do. He is shameless in his efforts and will use anything in his power to do it. His greatest sphere of influence is in our mind. We must renew our mind thorough the Word of God daily in order to stay free from this bondage. Whatever your issue is pursue it in the Word. Find scriptures that will help you focus on your goal of freedom from that sin and confess them daily until they take root in your heart. This is a serious battle we are in. If the enemy can get our mind in bondage our bodies are soon to follow. We must be committed to undoing the old way of thinking and beginning anew. Ephesians 4:23 "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." One of my favorite scriptures in the book of Isaiah is Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." This scripture is awesome! It is a promise that God is moving in our dry desert place even if we don't perceive it. But we are told to first forget the former things- our mess, our junk, our failures and shortcomings. Do not dwell on the past-stop running in circles trying to get free, stop rehearsing the painful thing that someone did or said to you, stop allowing yesterday to suffocate your today & tomorrow! Why? Because God is making a way in the desert and streams (wetness,water, life) in the wasteland! Now we know there ain't nothing good coming out of a wasteland...until God touches it! Lord open our eyes in these dry places to see that you are with us and that you have already prepared a way for us that is good, fruitful, and pleasing for us. We MUST renew our minds.
Next, we need to set goals that will drive us forward towards our true destiny. We were believing the lie, but now we are standing firm on the truth of God's word and need to know how to press ahead. Pastor Joel Osteen has to be one of the most positive guys out there. At least, that is the perception we get from him when he speaks. He talks a lot about the power of a positive confession and he is right. After we have released the past we need to begin to declare to our future the great and mighty things we are believing God to bring to pass. Replace those negative thoughts with healthy, Christ-centered confessions about your character, goals, and destiny. Thank God in advance for the good things He desires to bring into your life, and continue to press out of bondage towards your goals and freedom in Christ.
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