Happy Thanksgiving!

“As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all his promises.” -David Wilkerson “In Everything Give Thanks”. A verse so familiar we recite it almost without thinking as an encouragement to one another in our everyday walk. However, like a woodman’s axe, the reality of life has a way of splitting “everything” into opposing halves. Good and bad. Pleasure and pain. Joys and sorrow. The front half of the “everything” is easy. Thankful for the birth of a child. For great health. Family. A good job. The backside of the “everything” is more difficult. The death of a loved one. Cancer. Divorce. A job lost. The empty chair at the head of the table from which dad said the Thanksgiving prayer just last year. It’s hard to get our hearts and emotions around thanking God for the dark days, for pain, or overwhelming loss. What’s interesting is that our Father does not ask us to. He asks us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to be thankful “in” the midst of those things. Consider the life of Jeremiah. His autobiography recorded in Lamentations chapter 3 paints a dismal portrait of his journey. Affliction. Darkness. Flesh wasting away. Broken bones. Bitterness. Hardship. Chains. Crooked paths. Bears. Lions. Arrows. Mocking. Rejection. Reflecting on all of this, Jeremiah bemoans, “I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.” (Lamentations 3:20 NIV) Too often, the tapestries of our own lives have the same threads woven through them. But, in the midst of despair — Hope always emerges. Jeremiah calls to mind an eternal truth upon which all thanksgiving has its foundation… “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.” (vs. 22 ESV) Every trial that enters your life comes through the doorway of the steadfast love of the Lord. It involves love that emanates from an eternally wise Father. “It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom…” (Jeremiah 10:12 ESV) Isaiah adds that the Lord of Hosts is “wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom” (Isaiah 28:29 ESV) God is infinitely wise. His steadfast love endures forever. Separate truths…which are inseparable. And they are truths that transform trials into thanksgiving. When life is not the way it is supposed to be…when the wheels come off…when looking up is the only choice you have, because you are flat on your back…be thankful. Be thankful that God is infinitely wise. Be thankful that His steadfast love never ceases and endures forever. In the midst of everything — give thanks. It will turn your life around. And your Thanksgiving. Source: AACC

Excellence

“Losing a game is heartbreaking. Losing your sense of excellence… is a tragedy” -Joe Paterno

At the start of the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., the U.S. hockey team was little more than an afterthought.  The Soviets were seeded No. 1, and deservedly so. They had won five gold medals and one bronze in the previous six Olympics. The U.S. team was seeded seventh.  The Soviets unleashed 30 shots in the first two periods to the United States’ 10. One dramatic save after another by goaltender Jim Craig kept the U.S. team close.  Mark Johnson scored with one second remaining in the first period to tie it at 2 all, but the Soviets led 3-2 after two periods.  Team member John Harrington was quoted later as saying, “We’d played 40 minutes, they were just one ahead, but we were younger. We wanted to take it to ‘em!“

Johnson tied it again 8:39 into the third period. At the 10 minute mark, Mike Eruzione, team captain, took Harrington’s pass from the corner and unleashed a shot past a Russian defenseman and through the goalie into the net.  The explosion of cheers was deafening, and most of the 10,000 fans began a chant of “USA! USA!” that did not end for the final 10 minutes.  At the final buzzer, against seemingly insurmountable odds, the U.S. team was victorious.  After the game, coach Herb Brooks pulled a yellow card from his pocket with the scrawled message on it that he had read to his team just before the game:

“You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here.”

What’s interesting is that the U.S. team was not playing to win the gold medal. That game was two days later (which they won). They were simply putting it all on the line against the best team they had ever played.  If you have ever seen the movie “Miracle”, you will remember the portrayal of young men with unyielding determination to excel, to be excellent, to be the best they could be.

Our faith-walk is no different. The Apostle Paul says, that like an Olympian runner, we are to strive in life to “press (earnestly endeavor to acquire) on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phillipians 3:14 ESV)

Consider these other verses of challenge in your journey to excellence:

“Whatever you hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NASB)

“But as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you…” 2 Corinthians 8:7 (ESV)

“And he (Jesus) said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your mind.’” Matthew 22:37 (ESV)

In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul admonishes the church in Corinth to be “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (ESV). The word translated “abounding” (perisseuo) literally means outstanding… doing over and above… excelling.

No matter what, do your best. Be your best. Strive for excellence. Excel!! And always keep your heart and mind centered on Him. It will turn your life around!

Source: AACC

Bounce Back

To “bounce” means the ability to fight through an issue, to be resilient, to be able to stabilize after adversity. To recover  and to thrive.

In 2009 Rick Hoyt completed the Boston Marathon. This race was officially his 1000th race. Since 1977, Rick has competed in marathons, duathlons, and triathlons (6 of them being Ironman competitions). In 1992 Rick “ran” 3,735 miles in 45 days. Coast-to-coast.  Rick was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick’s brain at the time of his birth, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. He would never walk or communicate as we do. He would never be “normal”. His life would be lived in a wheelchair.  In 1977, through the use of a special computer, Rick “told” his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Not being a long-distance runner, Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair. They finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. “Team Hoyt” rose up from seemingly insurmountable odds and adversity. That’s “Bounce”!

 When life simply isn’t fair. Filled with sickness… debt… or abandonment…

When the walls are pressing in… and you don’t even know your own name.

When you feel like you can’t breathe — or see. And there is absolutely nothing you can do.

When life isn’t the way it is supposed to be…

CONSIDER THIS:

He understands. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that “…we do not have a high priest (Jesus the Son of God) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses (frailty — feebleness — sickness — infirmities — troubles), but one who in every respect has been tempted (the trying and testing of our faith, virtue and character) as we are …” (4:14 ESV) He’s been there. He goes before you… and with you!

He will strengthen you. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace… will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1Peter 5:10 ESV) 

Bounce back!

Put the devil on notice in your life… It’s time to get your dreams back… Get your family back… Get your marriage back… Get your anointing back… Get your strength back… Get your step back… Get your confidence back… Get your fight back!

Claim the life changing principle in Genesis 50:20. What satan, or even other people in your life, meant for evil, God can turn it for your good.

“You are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)

Bounce back! It just might turn your life around. 

Source: AACC

‘Thank You’

“We need deliberately to call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day. We might begin; we could never end; there are not pens or paper enough in all the world.” -George A. Buttrick

It has been said that the most powerful prayer in the world is just two words long: “Thank You”.

When the worries and fears of life suddenly show up at our doorstep, we pray we ask God for help. Most of us quote the Apostle Paul — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication…”(Phillipians 4:6).  What’s interesting is that the verse continues with these words  “…with thanksgiving”. But, when life is not the way it is supposed to be  when nothing makes sense when the light at the end of the tunnel is a train coming your way  how do you pray “thank you”? I have found reflecting on these scriptures to be a wonderful help:

“When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17 ESV)

“…come into His presence with thanksgiving…” (Psalm 95:2 ESV)

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)

“Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving…” (Psalm 147:7 ESV)

Praying when you are burdened, and adding “thank you” is a conscious choice. It’s about choosing to put “life” in perspective, especially when I am troubled and anxious.  When you pray, add a “P.S.”  an “attitude of gratitude”. While you may not understand everything right now, tell God “Thank you” for being there… “Thank you” for your steadfast love… “Thank you” that I can trust your heart even though I don’t understand… “Thank you” for your grace… “Thank you” for… you fill in the blank.

Pray? Of course. Ask God for help? Yes. But be sure to add “Thank You”. It just might turn your prayers and your life  around. 

Source: AACC,

Don’t Be So Jammed Up!

Economic unrest. Job loss. Illness. Wars. The deaths of precious lives. Uncertainty of the future. Panic. Fear. Anxiety. Worry.  These must have also been issues in Jesus’ day. Five times in Matthew chapter 6 He uses the expression, “Take no thought”. (vs. 25-34 KJV) “No thought” for… our lives… for what we will eat… what we will drink. Even about what we will wear. The original Greek meaning behind this phrase does not mean mindless existence. Proverbs 21:5 teaches us that “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance…” (ESV) It’s important to plan. This phrase, “take no thought” would better be interpreted as do not be anxious or worried to the point of “fretting”.  Jesus then uses a simple and yet profound example. The “birds of the air”. They do not sow seeds. They don’t reap a harvest. Neither do they “store up” for the future. And yet, “your heavenly Father feeds them.” (vs. 26 ESV)

So what is Jesus really teaching us? In verse 32 we are reminded that our heavenly Father knows that we have a need for food and clothing. Then he brings it all together in vs. 33 — “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (ESV)  Rather than seeking our “day to day” needs out of a sense of desperation, Jesus is admonishing us to seek Godly attributes first and foremost.

Relax. Allow faith in your heavenly Father to replace fear and fretting. No matter what, trust in His goodness. Let him calm your troubled spirit. Consider the birds of the air. It just might turn your life around.


Source: AACC

When You Praise Him

God loves it when we “praise” Him. Psalm 22:3 portrays a picture of “God inhabiting the praises of His people”. The Hebrew essence of “inhabited” is a depiction of the Lord sitting down and dwelling. Our praises are so precious to Him that He stops and abides with us in the very midst of our praise. Think about that. The word “praise” occurs nearly 300 times in scripture. Interestingly, a vast majority of those references are in The Psalms, including:

Psalm 9:2 “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” ESV

Psalm 22:22 “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will raise you.” ESV

Psalm 22:23 “You who fear the LORD, praise Him…glorify Him…stand in awe of Him…” ESV

Psalm 33:1 “Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.” ESV

Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” ESV

Psalm 113:1 “Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!” ESV

Are the waters deep? Are you lonely? Discouraged? Do you find yourself even doubting whether or not God hears your prayers or cares about your troubles? Every time you try to “look on the bright side” is a dark future all you see? Maybe it’s time to praise Him and ask Him to come and dwell in your life.

When it begins to rain in your life, praise Him. When you can’t breathe, praise him. He is in the midst of it all. The chorus of one of my favorite Casting Crowns songs says, “And I’ll praise you in this storm — and I will lift my hands — for You are who You are — no matter where I am…” You may not sing your troubles away, but I’ll bet you feel the presence of One who sticks closer than a brother. And I promise you that when He “inhabits your praise” it will turn your life around.


Source:AACC

Laugh Again

Kids smile an average of 45 times an hour, and they will “belly laugh” 1 time every 7.5 minutes. By the time we become an adult that drops to 15 times a day. In hospitals it is nearly 0. When was the last time you had a good laugh? The popular saying, “Laughter is the best medicine” is not actually a bible quote. However, the concept comes directly out of the book of Proverbs:“A happy heart is good medicine, and a cheerful mind works healing…” (17:22 Amplified Bible)

The focus of this verse is inward, on a happy heart. The function of the verse is outward, working healing. What’s interesting is that the word translated “medicine” in this verse, literally means the “removal of a bandage, the healing of a wound.” (Strong’s Concordance)

Dr. Thomas Sydenham, a seventeenth-century physician, claimed that “The arrival of a good clown exercises more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than of twenty mules laden with drugs.”

Determine to let your thoughts and attitudes reflect the “joy of the Lord”. He is in control and His love toward us is steadfast. A cheerful disposition out of the overflow of our heart also, will often bring healing to those we come into contact with. Stop living with your head hung down, focusing on the negative, and being a joy sucker. And get away from those who are. The results of such living is a “drying up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22b).

An old Sunday school chorus goes, “If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it, No matter what, smile! Laugh again. Laugh often. Bring back the joy. It’s ‘a medicine’ that will turn your life around.


Source:AACC, Strong's Concordance

Why can’t we all just get along?

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV)

Bickering,backbiting, selfishness, grudges, fighting over things that don’t matter with family and friends, even in the church!

Disagreements happen. Arguments are inevitable. But our calling from God is to oneness to unity with brothers and sisters in the Lord. Perhaps that is why David penned Psalm 133 for his many sons, to instruct them and encourage them to dwell together in harmony. His admonition goes beyond simply not quarreling, to a much deeper depth of relationship, delighting in one another.

The precious holy oil used in anointing that David references, was strongly perfumed. The fragrance would have been pleasant and refreshing to everyone nearby. In the same way, the aroma of getting along with, and honoring, other Christian brothers and sisters, brings joyful blessing to those who see our love for one another.

It is interesting that when Jesus prayed for us in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17, He acknowledged that the world would hate those who trust and believe in Him. The clear message is that life would be hard, even battling the “evil one”. But in verse 21, He asks His Father that “they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (ESV) Jesus understood that unity among His children would be a reality that convinces the unbelieving world of who He truly is, the Son of God.

Pastor A. T. Pierson (1837-1911) wrote, “To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is far more tender, and lasting and precious; and as we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring disciples permanently together. All other plans for promoting the unity of the Church have failed.”

Difference in backgrounds and personality dictate that we simply will not get along with everyone. That will happen. However, as the Apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV) Press through the hard times with one another. God will give you windows of relationship restoration. Watch for them and, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 (ESV) Unity — it just might turn your life around.


Source:AACC

Do you want to be healed?

38 years in a bed. Next to a pool. Sounds relaxing doesn’t it? But as we read on, the story says the man was alone and horribly crippled. Probably twisted feet, pencil thin legs and atrophied muscles barely covered by a thin blanket. Why? Because this was the pool of Bethesda near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. There was something miraculous about this pool. Periodically the water stirred, and the first one into it was instantly healed.

Suddenly a commotion just inside the gate caused everyone to turn and look. A Man, followed by a large crowd, walked through one of five alcoves. With humble determination, He moved to the crippled man’s side. Whispers filled the air. “Is it Him?” some ask. Every ear strains to hear what He might say as He kneels tenderly next to the man. And then, with a quiet strong voice full of power and grace, He asked, “Do you want to be healed?”

The broken man feebly hangs his head and utters an interesting reply, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.” His answer only goes to affirm the depths of his hopelessness. Not “yes” or even “no”. Just discouragement and despair.

Even more interesting is the edict He gives in response. “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off. (John 5:1-9 MSG). Jesus asked him: Do you want to be healed? Each of us, at some point in our lives, have heard Him ask us the same question. Whether it’s physically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually. Too often, we answer with the same timidity he did. Our pain is too deep. The hurt has been lodged in our heart for way too long. The doctors have tried everything. Hopelessness fills our souls. When you really think about it, healing starts with a choice. And it is always for His glory.

Meditate on these words. Treasure them up and ponder them in your heart:

“But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV)

“O LORD, my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.” (Psalm 30:2 ESV)

“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14 ESV)

“And many followed Him. And He healed them all.” (Matthew 12:15 ESV)

“He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

“Do you want to be healed?” The next time He asks you that heartfelt question, reflect on these verses before you answer. And yes, He is always waiting and willing to turn our lives around.

Source:AACC

The Sneeze

When we hear someone sneeze, the first thing that comes out of our mouths is "God Bless You", I mean that seems to be ingrained in us, it seems to be an automatic response, but the question is; when did we started doing this and why?

What’s interesting is that the custom of saying “God bless you” after a sneeze began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory the Great (540-604 AD) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the bubonic plague (his successor Pope Pelagius II succumbed to it). Gregory called for unceasing prayer from the people for God’s help and intercession. Groups of people marched through the streets chanting, “Kyrie Eleison” (Greek for “Lord have mercy”). When someone sneezed, an immediate “God bless you!” followed from anyone nearby, in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the deadly plague. While we often use this phrase out of habit, these desperate people trusted that God would hear, and the blessing of health and protection would follow.

The history of this common phrase magnifies the meaning of Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (ESV) The words we say matter. More than we realize. Maybe our communication would change if we truly understood that the words we speak either have life breathed into them or death.

James takes this fundamental principle to a much deeper level. He acknowledges that “With it (the tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” (3:9-10 ESV) Granted. But then he strongly reprimands the readers with, “My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (vs. 10 ESV) James then gives vivid examples from nature to support his reproof. A spring of water does not simultaneously produce fresh water and salt water. A fig tree does not produce olives. Grapevines don’t grow figs. A salt water pond does not contain fresh water. (vs. 11-12)

Relationships are not perfect. Harsh words are sometimes spoken. Tempers flare and painful, even hurtful things are said. In writing to the Christians in Asia Minor, Peter encouraged them in this way “…be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless — that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing, and also get a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 The Message)

The next time you hear a sneeze and reply with “God bless you”, let it serve as a reminder that the power of life and death is in what we “say” or “don’t say” to others! It might turn your life or someone else’s around.

Source: AACC

Practice

It’s been said, “Practice makes perfect”. That is not necessarily true. Practice makes permanent. Do it over and over again incorrectly, and you have simply developed a bad habit. “Perfect practice makes perfect”. It takes a lot of sacrifice blood, sweat and guts to achieve excellence to separate yourself. The Apostle Paul understood that this same degree of intensity was necessary to reach a level of “spiritual” excellence. In his letter to young Timothy, Paul urges him to “… train yourself for godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7 ESV) It’s interesting that the Greek word for “train” is gymnazo, from which we get the word gymnasium, and it means to exercise vigorously. Strenuous spiritual exercise in order to produce godliness. Paul goes on to say, “…godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (vs. 8 ESV)

Promise for the life to come but also for this present life. Too often in this world, our spiritual lives are lethargic and weak. Maybe our lack of power as Christians is simply spiritual inactivity. Maybe we need to get our fight back. Get back in the Word. Seek spiritual excellence in prayer. Inspiration comes by perspiration. Paul must have known that there would be a tendency for Timothy to be lackadaisical in his day-to-day journey. He reminded him, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you…” (1 Timothy 4:14 NAS)… “For to this end we toil and strive…” (vs. 10 ESV)… “Practice these things… immerse yourself in them…” (vs. 10)


Spiritual determination. Sacred vigorous exercise. Daily devotional discipline. Who knows you just might get yourself out of a mess and turn your life around.

Source: AACC

A Letter Just for Dad

To send a letter is a good way to move somewhere without moving anything but your heart. -Phyllis Theroux

“Honor your father…” Eph 6:2

In The Little Red Book of Wisdom’s revised addition, Mark DeMoss laments the lost art of letter writing and states, “Where letter writing is practiced, some letters leave indelible prints on hearts and souls.”

There is something incredibly powerful in written words. Perhaps that is why the words “write” or “written” are used over 300 times in the (written by the way) Bible. The Ten Commandments were written on stone tablets by the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18 ESV) After commanding Israel to keep His statutes to teach them to their children to talk about them to keep them on their hearts to bind them to their hands, He then said, “write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:9 ESV) Writing His words down gave them added value.

I love what the Apostle John expresses in 1 John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” (ESV)

As a way to express our affection, and to give honor to Dad, over 102 million cards will be given this Father’s Day. Each one will have a wonderful rhyming poem or lyric printed inside, with too often, only a simple signature added at the bottom. This year, try something different. Write your dad a note. Express your heartfelt feelings. It may take some time, but it is a beautiful way to convey honor to your father. You may have been hurt or wounded by your father. A note of forgiveness will build a bridge over the pain and bring healing. Perhaps your father has passed on. Write him a note anyway. You will be amazed how personal and close just the act of writing will make you feel. If your dad is still living, and it is at all possible, deliver it to him in person. It just might turn his Father’s Day around.


Source: AACC

Remember

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. -From the television show The Wonder Years.

Flowers, flags, parades and picnics. This past weekend we remembered. Memorial Day is time of remembering the more than 3.9 million men and women who have bravely given the ultimate sacrifice to guarantee our freedom, their lives. It is a day where “We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them". -Francis A. Walker

We were created with an amazing capacity to remember. Sometimes our memories haunt us. They are painful and filled with hurts that require a journey of deep healing. Often the healing is mostly about changing our focus from grievous experiences to the faithfulness of God. Paul challenges us to think often about, and remember, the good things. “…whatever is true… honorable… just… pure… lovely… commendable… think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

It is interesting that the word remember is used over 150 times in the Bible. Like the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2, we have the propensity to forget our first love to forget God to forget His fidelity and His faithfulness in our everyday life. And like that church, the spirit of God calls us to remember.

“…remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So shall you remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.” (Number 15:39-40 ESV)

“Remember the wondrous works He (God) has done…” (1 Chronicles 16:12 ESV)

“Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14 ESV)

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.” (Psalm 143:5 ESV)

“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your words.” (Psalm 119:16 ESV)

Celebrating the good reminds us of His faithfulness, especially during times of brokenness. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Set up some “memorial days” in your life. Times where you stop, commemorate, and remember the good things of God. “Remembering” just might turn your life around.

Source: AACC, The Wonder Years, Francis A. Walker.

Abba Father

In Mark 14 we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is in deep distress as he looks ahead to the Cross. Usually, Jesus referred to God as “Father”. With his soul grieved to the point of death, Jesus prays, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you…” (Vs. 36 ESV). The word “Abba” can be easily translated as “daddy”. It is a very intimate term that Jesus uses at a point of incredible anxiety, dismay and fear.

Most often, we conceptualize God as distant and far away. He is God, Holy, Magnificent, Powerful, Almighty. It somehow goes against our nature to think of Him with such a depth of affectionate that we can call him “dad” or “daddy”. After all, Jesus is His only begotten son. He has a relationship with His Father that we simply do not believe is possible for us to have.

In Romans 8:15, Paul turns this upside down when he says, “…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’”. (ESV) Again in Galatians 4:6 Paul confirms this line of thought. “And because you are sons, God has sent the spirit of His son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father’”. (ESV) Remember the Garden where we found Jesus? He went from the garden, to Golgotha, and there drank the bitter cup of the “cross” that God had prepared for Him, for us. A cup that Jesus drank out of obedience to His “Abba Father”.

“For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)

For what? So that we could become the sons and daughters of God. Joint heirs with Christ. And so that your Heavenly Father, especially in the distresses of life, can be found. (Psalm 46:1) Yes, He is there for you… even now. Waiting to turn your life around.

Source: AACC

Forgiveness

“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” -Jesus Christ

In his book “Unconditional” Brian Zahnd asks this question, “So what is your story? Who has been cruel to you? Perhaps bitterly cruel. What injustice have you suffered? How have you been mistreated? Perhaps miserably so. Who has cheated you? Abused you? Lied to you? Lied about you? Maybe it was last week. Maybe it was a lifetime ago.”

It is interesting to look at Jesus’ words in Mark 11 concerning interpersonal forgiveness, “And, whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive your trespasses.” (vs. 25 ESV) Christ is in effect saying that our vertical relationship with God is much more related to our horizontal relationships with those around us, than we would like to admit.

As our personal creator, Jesus understands how we are made. Not just spiritually, but physiologically as well. Our bodies simply are not fashioned to carry the burden and weight of unforgiveness. Psychiatrist Loren Olson recently noted that “those more inclined to pardon the transgressions of others have been found to have lower blood pressure, fewer depressive symptoms and, once they hit late middle age, better overall mental and physical health than those who do not forgive easily.”

Forgive easily? Is that even possible? We all have heard someone say (or maybe even said it ourselves), “I will forgive, but I will never forget!” Ev Worthington, whose elderly mother was brutally beaten, raped, and left alone to slowly bleed to death by an enraged burglar, gives personal insight into this. “Sometimes people have a hard time admitting that they aren’t forgiving a person who hurt them. They think that forgiving is a matter of saying certain words ‘I forgive you’, but there is a heart by-pass. Being able to say the words is a step, but the Lord really wants our hearts touched.” At the core, forgiveness is releasing a debt. Choosing not to harbor the hurt and anger anymore. Opening the door for healing maybe even reconciliation.

Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s always necessary. And it only takes one to forgive. When you get to the heart of the matter, our ability to forgive is rooted in the fact that we have been forgiven by Christ, in God. (2Corinthians 5:18-20)

All relationships demand the deep oil of forgiveness. When we forgive it breaks the poisonous cycle of revenge, and allows the broken to walk in peace. The Jesus way is always the way of forgiveness. We forgive to free ourselves and to get our lives back. His way is the way that gives the future hope a hope that can turn your life around.


Source:AACC, Zahnd, B., (2010). Unconditional? The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness. Orlando, FL: Charisma House. Olson, L. A., (2011, March/April). Forgiveness: You Life Depends Upon It. Family Therapy Magazine, 10(2), 28-31.

Seeing Red

“In your anger, do not sin.” -Apostle Paul

Throwing a chair across the basketball court. Slamming a fist through a wall. The frustration when someone cuts you off in traffic. Those feelings you get when someone tells a trusted secret. How a child feels when dad doesn’t come home. When life isn’t the way we think it should be, it’s easy to get angry. God wired us that way.

Anger is one of the most often misunderstood, yet significant concepts in life. Best understood as "A state of preparedness" to respond to a real or perceived wrong doing or injustice in life, anger motivates a person to action.

Paul taught in Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger, don’t sin.” (NIV) While anger always finds an expression, what you decide to do in your “state of preparedness” determines whether or not you will “sin”.

Anger management starts when we:

1. See it — Identifying the cause of anger in your life especially opens your spirit for God’s help. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 ESV)

2.Delay it — Learn the value of "calming" to allow the anger to subside. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14:29 ESV)

3.Control it — Control your response rather than reacting emotionally. “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32 NIV)

4.Settle it — Commit to not only “doing” the right things, but also “being” the right person. “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9NIV)

When you invite God to help you identify your anger and take positive action, anger becomes a servant rather than a master.

In your anger — choose not to sin. It just might turn your life around.

Source: AACC

Compassion

“We must never minimize the suffering of another. Scripture’s mandate to us is, ‘Weep with them that weep.’” -Billy Graham

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” -Jesus Christ

Tucked in the midst of the 50 verses of Luke chapter 7, we find 5 verses that give us great insight into the heart of Jesus. As He approaches a little town called Nain, a funeral procession is just coming out of the gate of the city. A man has died. Luke is careful to point out that the man was the “only son of his mother”. As a widow, the death of her only son relegated her to a life of poverty and degradation. Sounds of her deep bewailing brought tears to the eyes of all who heard. A considerable crowd from the town is with her. Just as the cemetery comes into view, she meets Jesus. “And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her…” (vs. 13 ESV)

“Splagchnizomai” the Greek word for compassion literally means “to be moved as to one’s bowels” (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity). Henri J. M. Nouwen asserts that (Jesus) felt the pain of that woman in His guts. It is interesting that this deep empathy drew out of Jesus a much higher level of response than anyone expected, as well as the desire to meet the real need of the widow“ and (He) said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then He came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, Arise.’ And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.” (vs. 13-14 ESV)

Nearly every day, God places someone in our life who is consumed with deep pain. A friend whose dad has died. A couple who have tragically abandoned their marriage. The teenage girl, pregnant, scared and confused. A mom and dad whose son or daughter has been killed in the line of duty. Someone’s daughter attempted suicide. Too often, we are so busy and preoccupied that we trivialize anothers pain. We are aware, but not touched. Even our own pain is masked and dismissed.

Christlike compassion sees beyond the surface and begs for a truly empathetic “from the bowels” response. Could Jesus have seen the widow and merely walked by? I think not. His very nature compelled Him to go beyond the “expected” and to fulfill “the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:11 ESV) I believe that God has no greater plan than to use His people as His ambassadors of compassion and mercy.

Let’s slow down and really pay attention to those who are “in our way”. Next time, look beyond what is apparent to see the real need. Offer the compassion of Jesus. Lives will be turned around. Not just theirs, but yours as well.

Source:AACC, Billy Graham.

Teacher

Mary Magdalene. A woman whose entire life and persona had been controlled and dominated by demonic activity. She battled not just one spirit of evil. She was consumed with seven. Until one day, when she had a divine appointment with Jesus — “Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out…” (Luke 8:2 ESV) After that encounter, she became a committed follower of Christ. Her story had become His story. Perhaps that is why she was the first person to visit the tomb on that Resurrection morning – even while it was still dark. When she found the stone rolled away, and the tomb empty, she ran to find Peter and John, who ran back to the tomb to see for themselves. And Mary? She “stood weeping outside the tomb” (John 20:11 ESV). Weeping with the pain and grief that is only felt when mourning the death of someone deeply loved. Through her tears, Mary stoops to look inside of the place where her Savior had been laid just a few days before. Two angels tell her that Jesus is not there. When she turns around to leave, she runs right into Jesus. Perhaps because she was in such deep anguish, Mary did not recognize Him. In fact, she thought He was the gardener. After a brief discussion she turns to walk away. Jesus says one word — “Mary!” She “turned and said to Him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni‘” (vs. 16) The meaning of the word is Teacher or Master. Can you imagine how she must have felt? Relief and joy certainly flooded her heart.

Rewind the story a few days, back to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had just finished agonizing in prayer, and was now speaking with Peter, James and John. Suddenly, “Judas came… and with him a crowd with swords and clubs… and when he came, he went up to Him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ And he kissed him.” (Mark 14:43-46 ESV)

Two followers of Christ. Both have life changing personal encounters with Him. Both spoke directly to Him, using the same basic word. A word that means teacher or master. However, when Judas uses the word, the meaning is simply that Master as a title of honor, which is how Judas viewed Him. When Mary calls Jesus “Rabboni”, the added emphasis deepens the word to express who He really was to her Lord.

What’s interesting is that some early Christian writings portray Mary Magdalene as a visionary who became a leader in the early church. We know without a doubt from scripture that Judas went out in remorse and hung himself. The difference? Judas had years of head knowledge. Mary’s heart had been changed. Judas was a trusted disciple (he kept the money bag) who “honored God with His lips, but his heart was far from Him” (Matthew 15:8 ESV). Judas said the right things. He believed the wrong things. On the other hand, Mary “believed with her heart and was justified” (Romans 10:10 ESV). Jesus knew her name Mary. Mary knew His saving power Lord.

Coming to grips with this difference personally honoring God with your lips or believing in your heart will turn your life around. Not just today, but for eternity.


Source:AACC

He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!

This is the story:

THE Passion. “And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly.” (Luke 22:44 ESV) The Garden. A place where Jesus had come many times before to pray. But this time was different. This time He was in an agony. What’s interesting is that this is the only time this phrase is used in all of scripture. It was not just agony. It was an agony. A battle,a fight,a struggle in deep anguish. “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me…” Lying on His face, prostrate before His Father. Crying out in such deep distress that the capillaries under his skin burst and “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (vs. 44). Typically this kind of agony can cause brain damage, or even death. But Jesus lived on,to die.

THE Punishment. “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV) Being hung on a cross to die was common in those days. But this was different. Before the actual crucifixion, Jesus was brutally beaten. Burly Roman soldiers used their clenched fists and pounded His face over and over again “we esteemed Him stricken” (vs. 4). Handfuls of His beard were yanked out. Onlookers walked up to him, cleared their throats, and spit in His face. A crown of thorns was placed on His head, and then driven deep into His skull with wooden reeds “He was afflicted” (vs. 7). Stripped naked, He was scourged with a cat of nine tails, so named because there were nine strands, and on the end of those nine strands were pieces of metal or bone, designed to dig into the skin and rip it open. Normally a man was whipped with 39 lashes. 39 lashes with 9 strands. Do the math. When they were done Jesus’ lacerated flesh hung from His body in long strips, exposing muscle, sinew and even bone, “with His stripes we are healed” (vs. 5) After all of that, He was then made to carry His own cross “Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows” (vs. 4). Nailed to the cross, the One who knew no sin, became sin for us “and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (vs. 6).

THE Proclamation. Hours of wretched suffering. One last time Jesus pushed up against the nail in His feet to take the pressure off of His diaphragm so He could take His final breath. Burning lungs filled with air, and then from a parched throat, through swollen, broken bleeding lips, the very Son of God cried out, “It Is Finished!” Every Jew within earshot knew those words. They were the words the high priest used every year to proclaim that their sins had once again been atoned for, by the sacrificing of a spotless, unblemished lamb. But this was different. The Lamb of God, the perfect Passover Lamb, who came to take away the sin of the world, (John 1:29) was proclaiming for all to hear, that once and for all, the final sacrifice had been made. “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by the means of the blood of goats and calves, but by the means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12 ESV) Then He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.

THE Promise. A few days before, Jesus had told His disciples that He was about to die. Sensing the fear and anxiety that they were experiencing, He gave them this promise, “I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3 NASV) A dead god could never keep that promise. Surely He couldn’t mean that He would actually die. But then, albeit from distant hiding places, they watched Him do just that, die. Now what? Hopes, dreams and promises dashed upon the stone placed and sealed at the entrance of His borrowed tomb. Hear these words. In them you will find the hope of His promise, “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James came to the tomb and looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here!!‘” (Mark 16:1-6 NASV) Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o’er His foes! We do not believe in a God who was once alive and now He is dead. We follow after a God who became a man to dwell among us with the purpose of dying for our redemption and now He is alive. Life is no longer a hopeless end it is an endless hope.

The death, burial and resurrection of Christ was THE moment in time that changed the course of humanity. A perfect offering presented. That which had been spoken of by the prophets in Scripture, fulfilled. God’s gift of love, freely given to all who will receive.

In the great “Resurrection Chapter”, Paul presents the gospel “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15 ESV). These words are not a defense of the resurrection. They are in effect a declaration of the most important words in Christianity. He is risen! Words that turned the world around.

Our response? He is risen indeed! Our opportunity? To “know Him, and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10 ESV)

Happy Resurrection Sunday!


Source:AACC

Respect

R – E – S – P – E – C – T. This 1967 smash hit by Aretha Franklin quickly exploded up the charts. While it was written by Otis Redding in 1965 as a man’s plea for respect and recognition, the roles were reversed for Franklin’s version. Her rendition was a landmark for the feminist movement, and is often considered one of the best songs of the R&B era. The popularity of this song (she won 2 Grammys in 1968) seemed to voice the general feeling of people everywhere. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored Franklin’s version by adding it to the National Recording Registry.

Rodney Dangerfield developed a whole comedy routine, and ultimately career, with one simple bi-line — “I don’t get no RESPECT!!” His comedy album No Respect also won a Grammy Award.

In her book, For Women Only, Christian author, Shaunti Feldhahn, writes that when men are asked which they would choose, to be alone and unloved, or feel inadequate and disrespected (not that we men would really want either) nearly 75% chose alone and unloved. Think about that. These men would rather be alone with no love, than to be made to feel inadequate and disrespected. What’s interesting is that if you pay close attention to today’s teens, you will hear them express a desire not to be ‘dissed"… slang for disrespected. Often this disrespect comes in the form of insulting put downs, rejection, or dismissive behavior. It seems that everyone yearns in some way for this seemingly innate desire to feel respected.

While in prison, the great Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Philippi. The overall message of the letter is "joy". Paul is not writing to just the "saints" as he did in Ephesians and Colossians. It is striking that he adds the overseers and deacons (1:1 NASV) to his greeting, as if to make a special effort to include those in leadership. In chapter 2, Paul makes a heartfelt appeal. He asks that all reading his letter would make his joy complete. How? By being intent on one purpose — “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” (vs. 3 KJV) The ultimate in respect. Each person esteeming every other person better than themselves. Perhaps that is why he added the leadership to his salutation. It’s as if he was saying that status doesn’t negate responsibility. Dignity and worth were to be attributed to every person equally. Could Paul have been remembering what David voiced in Psalm 8, “What is man that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God (ELOHIM) and dost crown him with glory and majesty.” (vs. 4-5 NASV) If God feels that way about us, then we too ought to hold each other in high regard. If we lived out our lives exhibiting this kind of respect, where each person thinks of everyone else as more worthy than themselves, it just might turn some marriages, families, teens, work relationships, and maybe even counseling sessions around.


Source:AACC, Feldham, Shaunti Christine, (2004) For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishing

An Issue of the Heart

Delilah said to him, “How can you say ‘I love you’ when your heart is not with me?. So Sampson told her all that was in his heart… when Delilah saw that he had told her all that was in his heart, she sent and called the lord of the Philistines… and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his hair… she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Sampson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had abandoned him. (Judges 16)

Sampson. Powerful and strong. It is interesting that his strength was not really in his hair. His strength was in his heart. He was a Nazirite. The Hebrew word nazir means consecrated or separated. And it was by choice. His mother Manoah had dedicated him to this Nazirite vow before his birth. However, Hebrew law required that when he was old enough to understand, he recommit his life, permanently to this vow. His heart belonged solely to his God. Until he gave it up to Delilah.

In a similar story, Amaziah served as king in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 25:2 records this indictment, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.” Again, the original Hebrew language gives incredible insight into this verse. The word perfect (shalem), denotes complete full finished. Most of Amaziah’s heart was God’s. But he had saved out a little portion for himself. In the end, he was defeated and captured by Joash.

Could it be that many of the struggles in our Christian walk can be traced back to the same issue that Sampson and Amaziah had? A heart that is not “perfect” toward God. Those tiny areas that we hang onto for ourselves. The hidden parts. It has been said, “You’re only as sick as your secrets”. Perhaps that is why the Psalmist David pleaded “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me.” Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV) Again in Psalm 19:12 “… cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (KJV)

The “grace” piece in all of this, is that God will do just that. He will show you the fragment of your heart that is not His. His Light will shine in the dark places of your heart to reveal the “secret place”. The sin that we cover, He will uncover the sin that we uncover, He will cover. Surrender your whole heart to Him. Without a doubt, it will turn your life around.


Source:AACC

Be an Encourager

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” -Plato

Let me add, be an encourager. It has been said that everyone is either in the midst of the battle, just coming out of a battle, or about to enter the battle. At first glance, this is often not visible. A smile often masks deep feelings. The writer of the Proverbs put it this way, “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief.” (Proverbs 14:13 NASV)

God’s directive to Moses in Deuteronomy 3 is very interesting. The children of Israel had finished 40 years in the wilderness. They were about to enter the land of “milk and honey”. The “promised land”. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But God knew that the real battle was just ahead. Amorites, Hittites and all of the other “ites” were waiting to steal, kill and destroy God’s promises to His children. In verse 28 God tells Moses to “charge Joshua,”and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.” (KJV) This “encourage” was not just a “pep talk”. The meaning of the word is to “fasten upon… strengthen to become even stronger… fortify”. I can imagine that this took quite some time. They probably had a few “counseling sessions” as Moses poured into Joshua’s heart, and spirit, the encouragement that it would take to persevere in the days ahead.

“Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together”. We have all heard this admonition to remind us not to miss church. But why? Why do we assemble together? To “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” and “encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NASV). Worship is important. Sermons are wonderful. But could it be possible, that a core reason to meet together is to encourage one another? Something far beyond the “How ya doing?” and “Good to see ya!” platitudes we usually give each other as we pass in the aisle.

Just like the children of Israel, we have an enemy who came to steal, kill and destroy our walk with Christ. Too often we try to fight this battle alone. Remember that the enemy is strong and powerful. Someone once said, “The strength of the wolf is the pack,and the strength of the pack is the wolf”. Sounds like Hebrews 3:13, “But encourage one another, day after day, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” When reminding the church at Thessalonica of the sure return of the Lord, Paul ended with this exhortation, “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another…” (5:11 NASV).

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle. Encourage them. Fortify them. Pour words of strength and courage into their hearts and spirits. And one more thing, be encouraged yourself. You don’t walk alone. You always have an “audience of one”. He is with you and He has a “Barnabas the Encourager” on the way to encourage you, and to just maybe, help turn your life around.


Source:AACC

Soul Care

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 have been encouraging verses for me for a very long time. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (ESV)

Often in the New Testament, the writers refer to the “God of all grace”… or the “Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Amazing Grace. What’s important to understand is that we sometimes received the Grace of God poured into our lives through the life of others. Strong’s Concordance describes grace (charis) with these words, divine influence upon the heart, and it’s reflection in the life. And don’t miss this, God comforts us in ALL our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in ANY affliction.

Let me paraphrase all of this if I might:

When we are going through hard times, God comforts us with grace, and that grace has a divine influence upon our hearts. Often he uses someone else to help bring that grace to us. And He comforts us in ALL of our trials. Then, further down the road, when we meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time, the grace that God poured into our lives is now reflected into their life, so that further down the road, when they meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time. And on and on it goes.

Life is tough. Struggles, trials and hard times will come. When they do, look around you. God is probably bringing someone along side of you to pour grace into your life. Grace to turn your life around, so that one day you can help turn someone else’s life around.


Source:AACC

"Hope"

“Speak Lord, because I am listening! I don’t want to hear any other voice but Yours, the voice of truth. The words You speak to my heart are powerful and convicting. You are telling me that I can do it…that I can make the finish line! The Lord is telling me to run to Him Who is waiting with open arms. The Lord is waiting to come to my rescue! Amen. Thank you, Daddy!” — Jen Barrick in Hope out Loud

Hope. The concept may be one of the least understood, and yet most common phrases we hear. “I hope I get that job.” “I hope today is better than yesterday.” “I hope it doesn’t rain on our parade.” Somehow, that is not the feeling that I get when I read Jen’s prayer. Her prayer of hope is much deeper. Much more active. Hope birthed through pain and trial.

At age 15, Jen was involved in a horrible head-on car crash. A drunk driver going around 80 miles per hour hit the family van and, as a result, she suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Before that tragic day, Jen was blossoming into a beautiful young woman. She loved God with all of her heart. She read His word every morning and memorized many verses. Then, in an instant, she was changed into a broken girl, in a deep coma, struggling for life. The doctors warned her family that even if she did emerge from the coma in a timely manner, she would be different. Probably angry and irritable, cursing and crying. That’s why it was a miracle when, even in the coma, she would start praying out loud in the middle of the night. And, as she did begin to come out of the coma, before she could even recognize her own mother, brother or dad, Jen started quoting Scripture out loud.

Jen will never be the same. She will never do most of the things that she used to do. But she radiates with God’s presence. The prayer quoted above is from her journal that she wrote after the accident. Full of hope. Full of trust. Full of God.

Isaiah 40:31 says “but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”(NIV) In the Hebrew, the word is qavah (kaw-vaw) and means “to bind together by twisting”. This is not a sit back and “hope” something happens. The word here speaks of “hope” in action, and yet, it is not about activity. This is not the flurry we so often get caught up in of trying to make things happen. Rather, the energy in this kind of hope is found in deep, intimate, uninhibited communication with God. Intertwining ourselves with Him. Immersed in His presence. Now read the verse again,those who “bind themselves to God by intertwining themselves with Him”, will renew their strength. Wow, the verse takes on a new life does it not?

Your story may not hold the pain that Jen’s does. Or it may. It really doesn’t matter. This kind of hope is offered to all who will journey with God. Bound to Him. Intertwined. A hope that will turn your life around.

Source:AACC,Jen Barrick

“W-I-I-F-M”.

Most really good sales people can immediately tell you what this acronym means. It has been pounded into their psyche. The knowledge of the depth of its meaning will drive them to success. The words? “What’s In It For Me?” The question every person asks every day, about seemingly everything in their lives. Answer this question for the prospective buyer, and you make the sale. In this self consumed world that we live in, the concept of “others” and “generosity” is sadly, a forgotten grace.

God loves a “cheerful giver”. (2 Corinthians 9:7) And so does everyone I know. However, in scripture, it is not the receiving of gifts (as much fun as that is) that is really significant. The greater blessing comes from giving the gift. Paul goes on to say in verses 6-11, “The point is this”… when we give “bountifully” (generously)… not grudgingly, or because we feel that we “must – or else”, God will then pour out His grace abundantly on us. Not just for our sufficiency, but so that we can be generous to those around us. Why? To produce “thanksgiving to God.”

When was the last time you were generous? It could have been a simple word of encouragement. An “at-a-boy” at a ball game. (I love what Benjamin West said, “A kiss from my mother made me a painter.”) How about a handwritten note to a friend? Or taking a couple out to dinner that is going through hard times? Maybe an anonymous gift to a family with no job? Gifts that are given with no motive beyond the simple joy of generosity.

The true spirit of giving can only flow out of a heart that has experienced God’s gift of Grace. Paul’s exhortation concerning generosity was anchored in God’s “indescribable gift” — His son Jesus (vs 15). Our generosity must be fixed securely there as well.

W-I-I-F-M? Cheerful giving brings abundant sufficiency and blessings from God.

Generosity. It just might turn your life around.

Source:AACC

Three Essentials

In Matthew 6, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged His followers by identifying three opportunities that every Christian can, and should, participate in.

“When you give…” (vs 2)

“When you pray…” (vs 2)

“When you fast…” (vs 2)

Much today exists on the subjects of giving and praying, but very little is said about fasting. And yet, probably the most profound lesson found in the life of Jesus was His 40 day fast in the wilderness. Immanuel God with us abstained from food and pressed in with His Father to prepare not only for the temptation that would follow, but also for the days of ministry ahead. As we face the challenges of this life, this mindset of Christ should be ours as well.

Fasting is truly the source of great power in these three “D’s” of your spiritual journey:

Discipline. In 1 Corinthians 9 the Apostle Paul uses athletics as an illustration to describe a disciplined life. In verse 25, a great competitor “exercises self-control” (NASV). Today, in the Church in America, too often “King Stomach” is on the throne, and controls most of what we think and do. We plan our lives around meals. Fasting disciplines us to “just say no” to the flesh. When we get to the place where we lay aside the “natural” desire for food, we begin to learn the discipline of putting on the “spiritual” desire our critical need to go deeper with God.

Discernment. “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting…” Acts 14:23 (ESV) Fasting coupled with prayer gave the early church discernment as they made leadership choices. Rather than making a decision, and then asking God to bless it, they discerned the heart and mind of God and then acted on it. One has to wonder how that might work today.

Direction. Jehoshaphat was in deep trouble. A “great multitude” of the enemy was coming against him. Overwhelming odds were stacked against him. And “Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord; and proclaimed a fast throughout ALL Judah.” 2 Chronicles 20:3 (NASV) All of Jerusalem and Judah fell down before the Lord. God then gave them clear directions and they watched as the enemy literally destroyed themselves. Better than that (if that is possible) it took the people 3 days to gather all of the loot!!

“Fasting positions you to discern the difference between your thoughts and God’s thoughts. There is no higher authority than to know the heart of God for a situation you are facing. His Word is final.”

Start practicing the big three, Give, pray, and fast. It might just turn your life around.

Source:AACC

Valentine's Basics

A husband and wife were driving down a country road. In the midst of a heated disagreement, everything went totally quiet. As they crested the top of a hill, there was a pasture filled with cows, goats and pigs. The husband looked over at his wife and sarcastically remarked, “Relatives of yours?” “Yep” she replied… “In-laws.” (lol).

Despite all that we know about love and relationships, the divorce rate is somewhere between 40 and 50% of those who actually get married today. And sadly, behind closed doors in the quiet corners of lots of hearts, resides profound sorrow. Pain from love gone bad.

Money, loss, work demands, illness, differences, expectations, so much works against our love and marriages. Solomon said that enjoying life with the woman whom we love all the days of our lives was our reward in life. (Ecclesiastes 9:9) More often than not, marriage can feel like anything but a reward. How can we get back to this place in our love and relationships?

When a basketball player struggles to find his 3 point shot, it’s important to get back to the foul line. He must work on the fundamentals and rhythm of his game to get his shot back. At the heart of every successful marriage you will find:

God. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”(NASV) God must be the center of your home. Not just knowing about Him, but abiding in an intimate relationship with Him. And not just as an individual, but as a couple. In the well known marriage “triangle concept”, with husband and wife on the two bottom corners and God at the apex, as a husband and wife move toward God, they get closer to each other.

Love. 1 John 3:18 “…let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.” (ESV) As trite as it may sound, it is all about “the love”. Remember, love is not a feeling. Feelings come and go. Love is a choice. We must choose every day, in “word and in deed”, to show love and kindness to our spouse. Make sure she or he knows that you love them.

Blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 “Not returning…insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead.” (NASV) Your words are important. They will either speak life into your marriage, or death. Instead of bickering back and forth, speak words of blessing into each other’s lives. Here’s the key; honor not expressed, is not honor.

This Valentine’s Day, get back to the basics so that you won’t “miss” what God has for your marriage.

Source:AACC

Hillsong United - Saviour King - With Subtitles/Lyrics - HD Version

Hillsong - Yahweh - Faith+Hope+Love - With Subtitles HQ

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

“Opportunity’s favorite disguise is trouble.” -Frank Tyger

Trouble: between a rock and a hard place, when life isn’t the way it is supposed to be. Ever been there? It’s been said that there are only three types of people, those who have just come out of trouble, are in the middle of trouble, or, are somewhere down the road, headed into trouble. Life’s like that.

The children of Israel experienced times of great heartache and trouble. Granted, most often it was brought on by their own actions. Invariably however, these times became opportunities for God to teach His people to trust their true King. Psalm 46 is actually a song to be sung to God in times of trouble. Within it we find amazing expressions of opportunity.

Our responsibility? Press in to God. Vs. 1 declares that “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.”(NASV). In an emergency we “dial” 911. In times of trouble we can “dial” Psalm 91:1. When we dwell in the shelter of God, we will abide in His shadow. A place of refuge. And God is not just present. He is very present. The closer a train gets, the louder it becomes. The greater the trouble, the “louder” the presence of God.

Rest and relax. As difficult as it may seem when you are being pounded by trouble, God wants you to “Be still” and know that He is God (vs. 10 KJ). Let go, drop your hands, let Him be who He is, GOD. Take the opportunity to watch Him do what you could never do in your own strength.

Our response to trouble?

Don’t fear. “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea” (vs. 2 NASV). No matter what happens, He is in the midst of it. And Paul reminds us “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 (KJV). Trouble is an opportunity to draw near to God as He draws near to us, without fear.

Trouble. While you will probably never welcome it (me either), you will, over time, learn to embrace it as a window for opportunity.

Source:AACC

Be a Doer

“Que Sera Sera”… Whatever will be, will be. Or will it. Some resign themselves to a life of depending on fate. Others follow the thinking of Edmund Burke who said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

During the Revolutionary war in 1776, the American forces were so outnumbered that they were forced to retreat from New York. A retreat which did not end until the crossing of the Delaware River at Trenton. With severely reduced forces who were scantily clothed and poorly armed, the American troops were horribly depressed. Washington did not give up hope, and Henry Knox followed his lead, there would be no reason for despondency. It was on Christmas night that Washington made the decision to cross the Delaware, directed by Knox, to surprise the Hessian forces at Trenton, capturing 1000 men as well as supplies. This event gave a much needed boost to the American morale and, most believe, changed the course of the war.

Life may have a strangle hold on you, but don’t give in to a spirit of defeat. Don’t quit! Pray, watch and wait expectantly for the Lord. And get some “fight” back in you. When Nehemiah was carrying out God’s call to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem, enemies plotted to thwart the work. In the face of discouragement, Nehemiah energizes the people with, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14 (NASV) And get this… 52 days later the wall was complete.

The Lord, who is great and awesome, is also on your side. Fighting with you for your home, your family, your life. The great Apostle Paul says it this way, “Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO!” Phil 4:9 (KJV) And then the peace of God will flow, from the God of peace, into your heart and life.

Source:AACC

What A Difference A Letter Makes

Picture this, a desert. Hot, dry and uninviting. Now add something very small. The letter “s”. What do you have? Dessert. You decide, chocolate cake?, apple pie? The little things can make all the difference in the world!

F. B. Meyer once said, “Do not try to do a great thing; you may waste all your time waiting for the opportunity which may never come. But since little things are always claiming your attention, do them, for the Glory of God.”

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians to be faithful in everything they did. Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (ESV) In verse 23 Paul enhances this concept – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

Giving the kids a bath, showing up at the game, dropping a note to a friend, listening to someone share their heart as you leave church. What about those seemingly unnoticed tasks at work? Ecclesiastes 9:10 reminds us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might.”

Don’t let the small routine activities become ruts and rob you of your joy. You might try something simple like “whistling while you work.” Proverbs 17:22, “A joyful heart is good medicine…” (ESV) Change your perspective this week. View the “small things” in your life as deeds done directly for the Lord. Maybe no one sees what you do but God. The good news is that you always have an “Audience of One”. He sees what you think goes unnoticed.

In Luke 19:12-17, when the servant was faithful in the very little thing, the master then gave him ten cities to rule over. Details left undone can cause the wheels to come flying off. The little things will forever be clamoring for your attention. Do them well, it just might change your desert into dessert.

Source:AACC

GPS

“Inga”. “Freeda”. Even “Thomas”. Names given to the voices on the GPS in practically every car. Voices that help get you where you want to go. There never seems to be any hesitation or doubt to their instructions. In fact, make the inadvertent wrong turn and you will hear, “At the next available location, make a U-turn.” Or, my personal favorite, “Recalculating”. These little devices are constantly assessing where you are and if you are headed in the right direction.

The New Year seems to be the right time for so many to make changes in their lives. A time to reassess and recalculate. Look at these practical “G.P.S.” recommendations to help get you started:

Goals. Remember the old saying, “If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time”? Very true. Goals should be personal. They should be realistic. Most importantly, set goals that matter and reflect God’s heart. 1 Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God…” (NASV) Even the best of goals, however, need a plan.

Plans. This is where the rubber meets the road. A goal is the destination. Plans are the map to get you there. Great hitters in baseball don’t just happen. You will find them at the cage taking 3…4…even 5 hundred swings a day. Be specific in your plans, and then stick to them. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance…” Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) Even the greatest plans will fail however, without a strategy.

Strategy. The Web defines strategy as “an elaborate and systematic plan of action”. It’s what I do to execute my plans,to reach my goals. The best strategies are written down and placed where you can see them everyday,all day. After the Lord spoke to Habakkuk, He then confirmed His word by directing Habakkuk to “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets.” Habakkuk 2:2 (NASV) Strategies in written form will keep you on track.

So there you have it, GPS,Goals, Plans and Strategies…Let’s roll!!

Source:AACC

New day, New you.

Dieting. Reading the Bible. Spending time with family. Finally getting to that “bucket list”. It’s that time of year when “change is in the air”. Most of us don’t have trouble making New Year’s Resolutions. It’s the “keeping them” part that gets us. In fact, 40 to 45 percent of people do make a New Year’s Resolution, and while it is true that 97% of resolutions are never fulfilled, 75% do make it past the first week, and 46% make it past the six month mark.

As we start this New Year, there are three “C’s” in Psalm 37 that can offer some encouragement to help create your “breakthrough” year!

Commit
Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the LORD; Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Every morning, noon and night (Ps. 55:17) give your desires, plans and goals to Him. Ask Him to bring strength and light to your journey.

Confess
Often, when we think of confession, we turn to 1 John 1:9 which deals with confession of sin. While this is important in the life of a Christian, we should also consider confession to the Lord of our deep need for Him. In verses 39 & 40 of Psalm 37, David acknowledges “the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the LORD helps them, and delivers them…”(NAS) Confess to Him that you cannot “do life” without His help.

Confidence
David reminds us in verse 25 of the whole hearted confidence that He had in the Lord…“I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or His descendants begging bread.”(NAS) Such a bold perspective caused David to look expectantly to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 30, even when all was lost at Ziklag, David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (vs 6 NASV). He then “inquired of the LORD” (vs 8 NASV), believing that the LORD would hear and answer him. And He did…

As you set new goals, and face new horizons, come with a “spirit of expectation” to hear from, and be encouraged by God.

Sounds like a formula to help you join the “3%” club. New day…New you…

Source:AACC