Stop Freaking Out!

Believe it or not, but there are many people who live every day full of worry and anxiety. In other words they live a "freaking out" lifestyle. Do you have any idea how draining, wearisome and stressful living like this can be? Why do people live full of worry and anxiety? Because of a lack of trust in the Lord. Yesterday I heard a wonderful message from Pastor Rabonda who really made me think about this topic. If you live full of trust in the Lord then worry and anxiety will have no opportunity to enter your life. Psalm 94:19 says, "In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." All of us have the opportunity to open the door to anxieties and worry, however, when we trust the Lord there's a peace and comfort that flow from Him that can be found nowhere else. I'm not saying we won't encounter difficult situations. What I am saying is that as you do encounter them, keep your eyes on the Lord and allow His peace and comfort to fill you and give you grace to walk through your situation. It's time for some people to stop freaking out at everything and enjoy what the Lord has to offer :)

The Best "But"

Occasionally I'll come across a picture or a friend from my past, prior to me becoming a born again Christian. Today I have so much contentment with how much my life has changed and with the man I've become. One of the best passages of Scripture to describe who I once was, where I came from and who I am  today, is found in Titus 3:3-7. It describes the man I used to be in verse 3, "Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other." I was a foolish and disobedient slave, full of lusts, evil and envy that were my master. In verse 4 you'll see a commonly used word which totally turned the tables of my life's direction. That simple word is "but." This word bridges the gap, taking me from the place I was at to a whole new world. Verses 4-7 continually encourage me and lift me up by saying, "But—“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of His grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” Could it get any better? I was transformed from being a man bound and chained to a man of freedom, hope and eternal life. Will you receive the blessing and benefit of a "but"? I did and it was the best thing that ever happened to me :)

Worry Is Your Enemy!

Have you ever noticed how much people worry about things? Worrying about this and that. The world is full of worrywarts. Webster's Dictionary defines a worrywart as someone "who is inclined to worry unduly." Worrying can negatively affect your appetite, lifestyle, relationships, sleep, job performance. It also seems to increase your chances of smoking, overeating, and the use of alcohol and drugs. We live in such a stress induced culture where the walls always seems to be closing in on us, which in turn produces a constant level of stress and anxiety. The Bible clearly addresses the worry we constantly seem to face in Matthew 6:25-34. Verse 25 throws out a great question to us by asking us, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?" Isn't life more than food, us and our clothes? It certainly is. It's too easy for us to worry ourselves about things we shouldn't. Our focus should always be on the Lord. When my eyes are off Him things around me suddenly seem to be impossible and overwhelming. Yet when my eyes are on Him, I can find peace in the middle of a storm. Today, you will have the opportunity to worry and open the door to anxiety. But you also have the opportunity to trust in the Lord and let His peace fill you. He's aware of what's going on, what needs to take place, the best way to do it, and in the best possible timing. Don't let worry plunder you today. Instead relax in His peace, knowing you're way more valuable to Him than anything else :)

Incredibly Challenged By Jesus' Words...

As I read the words of Jesus I can't help but feel completely challenged. Not only are His words counter-culture, but they're so often opposite of our will and what we'd do. His words are so radical as they oppose traditions and the norm, that they cause you to examine your very own heart and motives for doing things the way you do them. Take for instance this passage of Scripture in Matthew 5:38-44, "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.  And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..." These few words contradict everything that we hear in culture. It contradicts the norms and everything else. However, if I call myself a Christian, how I live and what I say shouldn't remind others of what everyone else does. It should remind people of Jesus. My prayer today is that I could live as Jesus did. Living the words He spoke by God's grace. Yes His words are challenging to the core, yet in them is found truth and life :)

Jesus and Leadership

When most people think of leadership, they often tend to think of someone being in charge telling everyone else what to do. But I don't think this is a very accurate picture of Biblical leadership. To Jesus, leadership was all about serving others. One of the best examples we have of Jesus demonstrating servant leadership is in John 13 where He washes the feet of His disciples. Foot washing was usually done by a servant or child as a sign of hospitality to travelers entering a home. But in this case, although there was a basin of water and towel, there was no servant or child in the room to wash feet. Jesus modeled servant leadership to His disciples by washing their feet and not only that, but He challenged them to go and do likewise. In John 13:14-15 Jesus tells His disciples, "And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. ¹⁵ I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you." To a group of men who were always arguing about who among them was the greatest, Jesus laid out a pretty clear model of greatness. A model of serving. The greatest leaders are those who serve others and not the other way around. If you consider yourself a leader in any way, today I challenge you to be a servant leader. Serve those around you and follow the pattern Jesus gave to us. I know I'm challenged to become a better leader, and I think this is where it starts :)

Who Are You?

I think most people from time to time face the battle of self-worth, value and significance. I think it's very easy to become overwhelmed by the negativity, criticism and views of others. Many people can get to the place where they are so bombarded by this "junk" that they lose all perspective of who they really are and what they're called to do. I'm so thankful for the Bible. In the midst of trials and storms it's there as our steady anchor and rock. Ephesians 2:10 is one of my favorite verses because it reminds me of who I am and what I've been called to do. It's words are kind, full of hope, inspiring and comforting as it proclaims, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Think about it for a moment. I am and you are God's masterpiece. I'm His product and the work of His hands. And yes, my flaws may be obvious to some, but I can never forget the fact that I'm His masterpiece. Not only that, but I've been made new through Jesus Christ so I can do everything that I've been called to do. If I keep my eyes and focus on what God says, I'll be unstoppable in being the man God created me to be :) Are you ready to be who God's called you to be? See yourself as God sees you and lay hold of everything God has for you...

Genuine Concern & Sincerity

Yesterday I was trying to take care of something that needed to be done. It was a task that needed my full attention. All of a sudden someone I knew appeared in front of me. I was kind of in a hurry to get my task done, but I needed to take a moment to say a quick hello. Well I guess that's what I thought. The person then began to ask me a few questions. These were everyday common questions, but there was something very different about this person. This person was asking me questions and not only that but they were very sincere. They truly wanted to know my answers because I could tell they truly cared about me. Have you ever noticed how we can stop to talk with people but it's more out of duty rather than out of genuine concern or love for the person. We can be so focused on our tasks or even self that we blow by people as if they weren't even there. This person who talked with me yesterday took a moment to be truly interested in what was going on in my life. It makes me think about how much more I need to do this. Jesus gives me such a great example to follow. He came to earth for one reason--people. He came out of His love for people. He was never too busy to talk to people. He was always genuine, always caring and always sincere. I pray that others would be able to say the same about me and other Christians :)