Guard Our Tongue

As I read/watch/listen to things in the news, I am often horrified at what I hear people saying.  My mother used to threaten to "wash my mouth out with soap" if she heard me saying anything wrong.  If that was carried out with people these days we might run out of soap!  As I was praying about one particularly grievous thing I heard, I felt the Lord remind me of my responsibility to put a guard over my tongue.  I'm usually pretty careful anyway, but I committed to a new standard of Godliness over my speech.  It starts with me, and you, and those around us.  We can be a Godly example.

"I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue."  Psalm 39:1

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."  Colossians 4:6 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."  Galatians 5:22-23

That's quite a standard for us!!

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16

I pray that my/our speech will "shine" in the world around us where so many are careless with their words.  I want to be a living example of Godly speech!  I pray for the Lord to help us all.

The Miracle of Enduring Grace

During these past weeks I've had some really good times with the Lord.  I listened to a couple sermons that gave me some insightful things to ponder.  I've been thinking and praying about several things.  I so love how God keeps teaching me things on this long journey. 

When we go through trials, sickness, suffering - any kind of a hard time - we pray for change, for healing, for miracles.  Sometimes we get the answer we're praying for, but often times we don't.  How we respond to those times is so important in our walk with the Lord.

I've been thinking that there are two kinds of miracles in answer to our prayers.  One is relief from the difficult thing we're praying for.  But the other kind of miracle is an enduring grace and faith to go through the hard time.  It's not something we can "work up" in ourselves.  It's a miracle from the Lord to walk through the painful and difficult thing.  I think this is the miracle I've been experiencing the past 9 years!  I couldn't have made it without God's "miracle" of enduring grace and faith.  The power seen in instant miracles is also seen in endurance - perhaps even more so!

Enduring faith helps build our character in the midst of the difficulty.  I know that has happened for me.  God has taught me so many precious lessons during these years - and He's drawn me closer and closer to Him.  I wouldn't trade that for anything.

When God doesn't answer a prayer in the way we thought would happen - when He says "no" - there is a better "yes" to follow in what He has for us.  A delayed answer is "gaining interest" in the ways that God works in our lives.  

A breakthrough, a miracle, in what we're praying for is not a formula.  It's all about relationship and trust in what God has for us.  We have to remember that "God is working in all things for good."  Saying "yes" to God no matter what happens is where we gain strength in our walk with Him.  This is where there is strength in the midst of our weakness, sickness, and trials.  Trust in Him in the midst of the trial keeps hope alive for whatever He has in store for us. 

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10 

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."  Hebrews 10:36

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.' "  Lamentations 3:22-24

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."  Proverbs 3:5,6

"We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives.  It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy."  Colossians 1:11 The Message

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."  Ephesians 3:16

Faith often brings answers, but not all the answers.  Enduring faith presses us into God for the answers He has for us.  There is power seen in miracles, but there is also much power, maybe even more, seen in endurance.  I sometimes look back over all these recent years at everything that has happened in my life.  I honestly don't know how I've made it.  It is only by the miracle of God's enduring grace and faith that I've survived.  And the wonderful thing with God helping us to endure is that we don't come through all bruised and battered.  Because we're walking with Him, learning the lessons He has for us - we come through in victory!  

As I've pondered these things the last few weeks, I have been overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord for His goodness to me.  My heart is so full of worship for how wonderful God has been to me day by day, week by week, month by month!  He is awesome!

One Cold Day at a Time

My heart sends warm greetings, but outside we are having freezing cold, wet winter days.  Definitely not my favorite thing!  I find the winter weather really hard to bear and discouraging.  I think one reason it's so hard is that I'm dealing with pain from my recent treatment.  The cold weather seems to accentuate the pain.  I was talking to the Lord about it - telling him I didn't know if I could cope with all the winter days ahead.  He lovingly reminded me that I am supposed to take it one day at a time......not days, weeks, or months at a time.  I know that, of course, but in the midst of these cold days it was easy to forget and focus on all that's ahead.

My part is to simply ask the Lord for grace and strength for one cold day at a time.  If I try to cope with all the days ahead, I would probably collapse under the load of discouragement that the cold days bring.  It was a good reminder of an important principle.

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  Matthew 6:34

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."  Psalm 62:1,2

"The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him."  Psalm 32:10

"The Lord is good.  A stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him."  Nahum 1:7 

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear."  Psalm 46:1

"How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."  Psalm 36:7

When I'm struggling with the cold or the pain, I find it helpful to speak out all the things Jesus is to me.  It's a helpful and powerful reminder!  He is so faithful.

Opportunities for Grace

I'm always amazed at all the different ways God speaks to me.....from so many sources.....in unusual and creative ways.  I was reading a book last week, a novel, and out of nowhere in the story plot came something so powerful.  I have been thinking about it for days.  In the story a woman is going through a nightmare experience.  A young priest comes to counsel her.

"We're all given terrible trials sometimes, things that we think will break our spirit and kill us, and they make us stronger in the end.  They seem like the cruelest blows, but in a funny way they're like compliments from God.  I know that must sound crazy to you, but that's what they are.  If He didn't love you and believe in you, He wouldn't give you challenges like this.  They're opportunities for grace.  You'll be stronger from this.  I know it.  This is God's way of telling you that He loves you and believes in you.  It's a compliment from Him to you."  *** (quoted from "Ransom" by Danielle Steel)

Most likely you, like me, and like the woman in the book would say "no thank you."  I really don't need or want a compliment like that!  And yet, there's so much truth there.  In essence the young priest is saying that God trusts us when we go through these hard times.  With His help and grace, He knows we'll make it through - and we'll learn and grow through the experience.

I couldn't have made it through the last 8 1/2 years without God's goodness, faithfulness, and grace.  I haven't always liked what I've gone through, but I've seen God at work in amazing ways in the midst of the difficulty.  There have been many "opportunities for grace."  And His grace has been sufficient.

I don't particularly like the season I'm going through right now, but I'm trying to receive His grace and learn the lessons He has for me.  I'm very aware that He is walking with me, holding my right hand, and guiding me.  And I'm watching for ways, even unusual ones, that He wants to speak to me.

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me."  Luke 9:23

"For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ."  2 Corinthians 1:5

"That I may know Him...and the fellowship of His sufferings."  Philippians 3:10

"Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed."  1 Peter 4:13

"Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."  2 Corinthians 4:17

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him."  James 1:12

I trust God to help me through whatever "compliment" He wants to bring into my life

I'm sure that most of you, perhaps all, have been hearing about the revival that is taking place at Asbury University in Kentucky.  It is a wonderful spiritual awakening that is being led by the Spirit - no one person, no group - just God moving in hearts and lives.

I have been listening to testimonies of some of the students.  It's awesome to hear how God is touching lives, bringing repentance, ministering healing, giving vision and direction.....each story is different, but it's all pointing to Jesus.  It's all directed in worship.

This wasn't planned.  It broke out spontaneously.  And it's spreading to other campuses.  I'm praying that it will spread out of the schools and into churches, neighborhoods, businesses - truly come like a wave across the nation.  And across Europe, across Africa, across Asia.  May this continue and spread.  More Lord!!  My heart is hungry for a move of His Spirit. 

I suggest we join in prayer with what is happening - asking the Lord to help it grow and spread.  We may not be there, but we can join our hearts with how God is moving.  He can pour out His Spirit right where we are.

"Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?"  Psalm 85:6

"Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name."  Psalm 80:18

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14

Our world is a mess.  The earth itself is groaning with all the unusual weather events.  We need God to break in.  We need revival.  We need a move of His Spirit.  I may be old, but I'm joining my heart with what He's doing among the students.  I'm excited to see what God is going to do.

Leading Unlikelies

"Jesus loves terrorists. He loves Muslims. He loves rebels, critics, Democrats, liberals, gays, socialists, Communist comrades, Republicans, sassy teenagers, Goths, pot smokers, and ex-cons. Even worse, He wants them in His church. He even wants them on the front row of your church. In John 4, Jesus reached out to a crass, sleeping-around woman, and then went with her to the village to reach her friends as well. Jesus led a lot of “unlikelies.”

Jesus’ Lot of Unlikelies: • Zacchaeus – Jesus invited Himself to the home of a treacherous 
tax collector, not worrying about public opinion. • Woman Caught in Adultery – Jesus forgave an adulteress without first insisting that she confess her sins and make things right. • Peter, James and John – Jesus hung out with rough fishermen, synagogue rejects, violent terrorists, and soldiers of the occupational forces. • Simon the Zealot – Jesus called an urban terrorist to be on His team. The Zealots were an illegal political faction, committed to the violent overthrow of the Romans.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem but raised in Nazareth, a Galilean fishing village. He recruited a crew of fishermen - unlikely leaders among the young men of Galilee - as His first disciples, the future leaders of His movement. He didn’t start with graduates of the best Torah schools or followers of the most respected rabbis as His first disciples. He modeled the principle that it is better to raise up insiders than to import outsiders.

A pastor friend recently told me a story of welcoming a known prostitute to his church congregation. At a church function for young people, she stripped down to a bikini and jumped in the swimming pool with the rest of the youth swimming at the party. Watching some older parishioners in his church looking at her with wide eyes and hard stares, he decided to prevent the certain judgment they were going to visit on the woman. He took off his shoes and jumped in the pool with her...clothes and all!

There are unlikelies all around us who have dismissed the church but are fascinated with Jesus. The most secure and courageous leaders are willing to risk rejection from the religious to reach the unlikelies.

Consider your circle of relationships. Is there anyone you might have overlooked for leadership training and development? Make a list of the least-likely candidates for leadership mentoring. Ask the Lord if you have overlooked anyone on that list.

If you would like to read the other 39 Chapters in my new book 'Leading Like Jesus' please click here to find it on Amazon Kindle. Or you can order a paperback copy at YWAM Publishing here.

Who Can You Trust?

God's trust in us is a gift based on His grace.  We should trust people for the same reason... His grace.  After all, everything outside of hell is grace.

Most people don't rise above the expectations of others unless there is someone who believes in them, who really thinks they are worth believing in.

Be a leader who believes in people and you will attract them to your cause and inspire them to grow.   Be a leader who sees the potential in others and draws them into their own personal greatness...

Quiet Time Religion

Here is a thought going through my head this morning, "What religion does not allow, grace does". 

I was speaking to someone recently about their struggles with their "quiet time". It struck me while we were talking that the goal of quiet times is not quiet times, but conversation with a person, with God. It's speaking to someone, and allowing them to speak as well. It's about relationship.

I don't know about you, but i don't approach talking with friends with a need for emotional connection or a huge sense of intimacy. I don't approach friendships in terms of duty to be together, but in delight in hanging out, catching up, sharing story, connecting with someone I enjoy. I don't place a burden on others to meet a need or give me some huge emotional lift. I spend time with people for the value of being with them, and allow the relationship to be what it is.

The goal of spending time with God is not found in how much emotional intimacy we feel, but in simply being with him. I approach being with my wife the same way... we just enjoy each other's company, sometimes laughter, sometimes sadness, sometimes just sitting together without talking, sometimes sharing our hearts very deeply... we talk while driving together, we talk over meals, we make dates to hang out without interruption, we turn off the phones, and give attention to each other. And if we get busy, then we go out of our way to make sure we have time to talk and be together.

It's about relationship, not religious duty. The same applies to our relationship with God.

I can tell you what happens if Sally and I don't have time together... we grow apart. We get disconnected. Hurts turn into offenses. Little things become big things.

Communication fosters deeper relationship with my wife, not an emotional relationship, but just pure relationship, sometimes with emotion sometimes not. It causes our hearts to stay connected, for trust to grow, for affection and commitment to be strengthened.

Spending time with Jesus is the same for me... it is not a thing to do, but someone to talk to. 

If this is true, then spending time with Jesus counts whenever it happens, any time of the day, any posture, any moment... walking, shopping, driving, it all counts! 

Growing, healthy relationships are intentional. If you want your relationship with someone to grow, then you get intentional about meeting up, about sharing dreams and disappointments. The same is true of our relationship with God. 

So let's chuck quiet time religion, as in the duty to do something to please God, and focus on talking to God, on speaking to him as a friend. Focus on the pure value of talking to him about burdens, about joys, and about the things that distress us. Tell him everything...

Does that mean there is no need to set aside time on a regular basis to read the Bible and pray?  Not at all... it will enhance your relationship actually. Be intentional about being spontaneous.

The big bonus is grace.  There is an impartation of God's grace that happens when we are intentional about being with God, about accepting his offer to give himself to us. So ask freely, and receive freely. If we love it when friends ask us for advice, for help, how much more does God delight in us when we ask him?

It's about grace flowing down...covering our sins, covering our fears and failures. Let it flow... ask for it, any time and all the time. When you shower or bathe and dress for the day. When you eat food. When you are driving or walking. Be intentional but don't be religious.

Remember, grace allows what religion does not. 

John's gospel says, "Of his fullness have we all received, grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth through Jesus Christ" John 1:16

Make it a receiving day today!  Be intentional but not religious.