"Be still and know that I am God...." Psalm 46:10
There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of waiting.
It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season.
It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities--simply inactivity.
During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is an isolation chamber designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith.
It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something," while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God."
You know the signs that you have been brought into this chamber when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.
Most religious people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot say what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.
Has God brought you to a place of being still?
Be still and know that He really is God.
When this happens, the chamber will open soon after.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
DO FOR OTHERS WHAT GOD DOES FOR YOU
You and I have the privilege to do for others what God does for us. How do we show people that we believe in them?
SHOW UP
Nothing takes the place of your presence. Letters are nice. Phone calls are special, but being there in the flesh sends a message.
Do you believe in your kids? Then show up. Show up at their games. Show up at their plays. Show up at their recitals. It may not be possible to make each one, but it's sure worth the effort. Do you believe in your friends?
Then show up. Show up at their graduations and weddings. Spend time with them. You want to bring out the best in someone? Then show up.
LISTEN UP
You don't have to speak to encourage. The Bible says, "It is best to listen much, speak little" (James 1:19 TLB). We tend to speak much and listen little. There is a time to speak. But there is also a time to be quiet. That's what my father did.
Dropping a fly ball may not be a big deal to most people, but if you are thirteen years old and have aspirations of the big leagues, it is a big deal. Not only was it my second error of the game, it allowed the winning run to score.
I didn't even go back to the dugout. I turned around in the middle of left field and climbed over the fence. I was halfway home when my dad found me. He didn't say a word. Just pulled over to the side of the road, leaned
across the seat, and opened the passenger door. We didn't speak. We didn't need to. We both knew the world had come to an end. When we got home, I went
straight to my room, and he went straight to the kitchen. Presently he appeared in front of me with cookies and milk. He took a seat on the bed, and we broke bread together. Somewhere in the dunking of the cookies I began to realize that life and my father's love would go on. In the economy of male adolescence, if you love the guy who drops the ball, then you really love him. My skill as a baseball player didn't improve, but my confidence in Dad's love did. Dad never said a word. But he did show up. He did listen up. To bring out the best in others, do the same, and then, when appropriate:
SPEAK UP
You have the power to change someone's life simply by the words that you speak. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21 NKJV).
That's why Paul urges you and me to be careful. "When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need-words that will help others become stronger" (Eph. 4:29).
Earlier I gave you a test for love. There's also a test for the tongue.
Before you speak, ask: Will what I'm about to say help others become
stronger? You have the ability, with your words, to make a person stronger.
Your words are to their soul what a vitamin is to their body.
If you had food and saw someone starving, would you not share it? If you had water and saw someone dying of thirst, would you not give it? Of course you would.
Then won't you do the same for their hearts? Your words are food and water! Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged.
Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down! Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God has believed in you.
SHOW UP
Nothing takes the place of your presence. Letters are nice. Phone calls are special, but being there in the flesh sends a message.
Do you believe in your kids? Then show up. Show up at their games. Show up at their plays. Show up at their recitals. It may not be possible to make each one, but it's sure worth the effort. Do you believe in your friends?
Then show up. Show up at their graduations and weddings. Spend time with them. You want to bring out the best in someone? Then show up.
LISTEN UP
You don't have to speak to encourage. The Bible says, "It is best to listen much, speak little" (James 1:19 TLB). We tend to speak much and listen little. There is a time to speak. But there is also a time to be quiet. That's what my father did.
Dropping a fly ball may not be a big deal to most people, but if you are thirteen years old and have aspirations of the big leagues, it is a big deal. Not only was it my second error of the game, it allowed the winning run to score.
I didn't even go back to the dugout. I turned around in the middle of left field and climbed over the fence. I was halfway home when my dad found me. He didn't say a word. Just pulled over to the side of the road, leaned
across the seat, and opened the passenger door. We didn't speak. We didn't need to. We both knew the world had come to an end. When we got home, I went
straight to my room, and he went straight to the kitchen. Presently he appeared in front of me with cookies and milk. He took a seat on the bed, and we broke bread together. Somewhere in the dunking of the cookies I began to realize that life and my father's love would go on. In the economy of male adolescence, if you love the guy who drops the ball, then you really love him. My skill as a baseball player didn't improve, but my confidence in Dad's love did. Dad never said a word. But he did show up. He did listen up. To bring out the best in others, do the same, and then, when appropriate:
SPEAK UP
You have the power to change someone's life simply by the words that you speak. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21 NKJV).
That's why Paul urges you and me to be careful. "When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need-words that will help others become stronger" (Eph. 4:29).
Earlier I gave you a test for love. There's also a test for the tongue.
Before you speak, ask: Will what I'm about to say help others become
stronger? You have the ability, with your words, to make a person stronger.
Your words are to their soul what a vitamin is to their body.
If you had food and saw someone starving, would you not share it? If you had water and saw someone dying of thirst, would you not give it? Of course you would.
Then won't you do the same for their hearts? Your words are food and water! Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged.
Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down! Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God has believed in you.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
AN AUDIENCE OF ONE
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
What audience do you play to?
Each day you are seen by many who will make a judgment about the way you handle yourself among different audiences.
Politicians have learned to play to their audiences, customizing messages for the needs of their particular groups.
Musicians have learned to play to their audiences.
Pastors play to their congregations each Sunday morning.
Workplace believers play to the audiences who will buy their product.
Christ has called us to play to one audience--the audience of Himself.
When you seek to please any other audience in your life, you become susceptible to situational ethics and motivations based on the need for the moment. Your audience becomes a pawn in your hands because you know what they want. Is that wrong? Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.
Pure obedience to pleasing God in our lives will often meet the needs of those around us.
It is God's will that you and I love our spouses, provide good services to our customers, and look to the interests of others before ourselves. This will result in meeting many needs of the audiences in our lives.
However, there are other times when our audiences are asking for something contrary to God's will.
Politicians are often forced to appease their audiences, even though it may go against God's laws. When we are asked to go with the flow, we discover which audience is most important in our lives. Is it the audience of One, or the audience of many?
Today, be aware of which audience you are playing to.
Ask yourself why you are taking a particular action.
Is it to please the audience of One?
Or is it to please the audience of others who might negatively impact you should you not play to their tune?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
YOUR KINDNESS QUOTIENT
How kind are you? What is your kindness quotient? When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family - e.g., got a blanket, cleaned off the table, prepared the coffee - without being asked?
Think about your school or workplace. Which person is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy employee? Maybe he doesn't speak the language. Maybe she doesn't fit in. Are you kind to this person?
Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor's trash can that rolled into the street.
And they are especially kind at church. They understand that perhaps the neediest person they'll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: "When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers" (Gal. 6:10).
And, here is a challenge-what about your enemies? With the boss who fired you or the wife who left you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it's not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph. 4:32 NKJV). Jesus said:
"Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy." (Luke 6:27-28, 32, 35-36)
Kindness at home. Kindness in public. Kindness at church and kindness with your enemies. Pretty well covers the gamut, don't you think?
Almost. Someone else needs your kindness. Who could that be? You.
Since He is so kind to us, can't we be a little kinder to ourselves? Oh, but you don't know me, Max. You don't know my faults and my thoughts. You don't know the gripes I grumble and the complaints I mumble. No, I don't, but He does. He knows everything about you, yet He doesn't hold back His kindness toward you. Has He, knowing all your secrets, retracted one promise or
reclaimed one gift?
No, He is kind to you. Why don't you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don't you do the same?
He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don't you agree?
He believes in you enough to call you His ambassador, His follower, even His child. Why not take His cue and believe in yourself?
Be kind to yourself. God thinks you're worth His kindness. And He's a good judge of character.
Think about your school or workplace. Which person is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy employee? Maybe he doesn't speak the language. Maybe she doesn't fit in. Are you kind to this person?
Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor's trash can that rolled into the street.
And they are especially kind at church. They understand that perhaps the neediest person they'll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: "When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers" (Gal. 6:10).
And, here is a challenge-what about your enemies? With the boss who fired you or the wife who left you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it's not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph. 4:32 NKJV). Jesus said:
"Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy." (Luke 6:27-28, 32, 35-36)
Kindness at home. Kindness in public. Kindness at church and kindness with your enemies. Pretty well covers the gamut, don't you think?
Almost. Someone else needs your kindness. Who could that be? You.
Since He is so kind to us, can't we be a little kinder to ourselves? Oh, but you don't know me, Max. You don't know my faults and my thoughts. You don't know the gripes I grumble and the complaints I mumble. No, I don't, but He does. He knows everything about you, yet He doesn't hold back His kindness toward you. Has He, knowing all your secrets, retracted one promise or
reclaimed one gift?
No, He is kind to you. Why don't you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don't you do the same?
He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don't you agree?
He believes in you enough to call you His ambassador, His follower, even His child. Why not take His cue and believe in yourself?
Be kind to yourself. God thinks you're worth His kindness. And He's a good judge of character.
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