Love Is The Deal!

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 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 12:1-2

In one of my recent posts I mentioned that the final verse of this twelfth chapter states the purpose of every believer, "Be not overcome by evil but overcome evil with good."

Someone might challenge that notion by saying that Matthew 28:19-20 is the purpose statement for believers. Matthew 28:18-20 says this, "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

I would suggest that is a strategy for overcoming evil with good. And an effective one at that! Becoming a disciple of Jesus certainly makes you better and helps you be better and do better things.

Someone else might argue that the First Commandment would be the purpose statement of Christians. Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39

Love is the deal! There is no doubt about that! But that is the source of doing good. Loving God is doing a good thing. There is no better thing. When you love God you will do what is best for Him and for you. And, when you love God you will do good for others as well. That sort of divine love WILL most definitely overcome evil.

So, living on purpose is a matter of loving on purpose. Loving God and loving others is evidence that God has overcome the evil in you, making you good and enabling you to overcome evil with the goodness of God.

Love is the power of your purpose and making disciples is the proof that His purpose is operating in you!

January 5, 2017

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

This great chapter of Romans would be just as great even if you read it backwards. You can start at the end and it still communicates the same great truths. Romans 12 has much to say about discovering God's purpose for your life and this final verse is the purpose statement.

The purpose of every believe is to overcome evil with good! Is that a great goal or what? Who could be against that? Why wouldn't everyone want to sign on with that purpose?

I can think of at least two reasons why this is not as easy as it sounds:

First, how can we overcome evil when we ARE evil?

What? Me evil?

Yes, you! And me. Thanks to Adam, all inherit an evil fallen moral nature. Everyone of us have been born into sin and that sin separates you and me from God. So, the fallen moral nature is cut off from the only hope it has of changing. So, the first evil that has to be overcome in the evil within!

Second, who defines good?

Does it make sense that evil people would be left to define what is good? No way! We would define goodness down to such a level that there would be little difference distinguishing good from evil. That largely describes where our culture is today. Goodness has been defined down because moral absolutes have been abandoned. So, goodness becomes the subjective opinion of each individual based on what works best for them. That is the moral chaos we see around us today. That is why we have political correctness. God has been replaced by the government and the worship of the earth, so goodness is defined by what is good for the state and what is good for the earth. Think where that ultimately leads - whoever has the most strength and power will ultimately define what is good and what is not. It is called totalitarianism. God is the Only One Who is good and only He is the source of all that is good! Good is what God says it is! Good is what God is!

Verses 1 and 2 of Romans 12 tells you how to overcome the WITHIN you so you can confront evil in the world AROUND you. That is your purpose. It is the only way you can fulfill the purpose statement delineated for you and me.

Tired of the evil within? 

Ready to become an over comer? 

Begin living on purpose today!

God of Hope

"Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

God is a God of hope!

A huge part of the hope He offers you is the power to change! Through the grace of Jesus, God can deliver you from your past and do a new work in your heart!

It is a fact that is change is inevitable. If it is impossible to NOT change then the question is, "Will I change for the better, will I knock myself out trying to stay the same by retreating into my comfort zone or will I become even more rigid and resistant to change?

A very wise man once told me there as three times people typically change:

1) When they care enough that they want to change.

2) When they know enough that they can change.

And.....

3) When they hurt enough that they have to.

Which of these is usually the cause of change in your life?

God is committed to changing you. His ultimate goal is to save you from your sinful self and rescue you from self-destruction. His hope is to transform you into the image of His Son, Jesus. He is the only One who has the power to change you that completely!

If He has to allow you to degenerate to the point of suffering painful live experiences in order to bring you to the point of positive change, He is willing to do that. But, why not surrender to His will for your life by acknowledging you need Him to be your Savior and let His Holy Spirit transform you into His image?

2017 will be a year of change. Let Him change you in ways that will help you change the world!

January 3, 2017

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

You are familiar with the quote, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over with the expectation of a different result."

When something goes wrong with my golf swing I make a minor adjustment or even a major change if necessary. I don't keep repeating the swing error and expect to score better. That would be insane! I may be crazy about golf but I'm not a crazy golfer!

It's the same with you. When there is something you are doing wrong in your marriage or in your parenting that is hurtful or ineffective you change that behavior. If there is something in your job that is wasting time and losing money you stop it and find a better way. You would be crazy not to!

I have come to love the promise in this verse, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Doesn't that sound great?

A new thing! Yes, Lord, do a new thing!

Making a way in the wilderness! Oh, God, make a way!

Sending streams in my desert? Open the the springs, Jesus!

But, how can God do something new for me if I'm not willing to give up some old things? It would be crazy for me to keep expecting God to do something new in me while I continue with the same old unproductive habits or behaviors.

There is no doubt God wants to do a new thing! That is Who He is! It is what He does! And there is no doubt that will require me to do away with some old things.

If God wants to do a new thing for you wouldn't you have to be crazy to not give up some old things?

January 2, 2017

"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." Luke 2:10

You have had it happen and so have I. It always happens at the most inconvenient time. You hurry to your car, slip the key into the ignition and turn the key but - nothing happens. Maybe you get a click or maybe not, but your battery is dead and your car is not going to start. What a horrible feeling! Your car needs a source of power to get started and your battery has no power. You are stranded! What will you do?

Obviously, you need to find a source of power to help start your car. You need a jump start. You need to get next to someone who has a poweful battery that your battery can draw power from. And since you are unable to move from where you are, someone needs to come and bring the power to you. When that helpful person arrives, either they or you should have some jumper cables to connect the powerless to the powerful. That transfer of power will get you started and on your way again! What a relief!

God sent His powerful Son, Jesus, to a powerless world to help jump start your joy. That is what Christmas was all about! God doesn't want you to be spiritually stranded. He is not pleased when your spiritual battery runs down. And since you were powerless to move, God sent Jesus to you! Jesus came with the power to jump start your joy!

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."Romans 5:6

"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— " John 1:11-12

That is the "good news of great joy" that the angel was sharing with the shepherds! That is the good news I share with you! You don't have to start a new year powerless! You don't have to be stranded in some lifeless useless unfulfilling spiritual place. God wants to connect with you to jump start your spirit and restore your joy! Jesus is the key! Not only is He the power source - He is the jumper cable. Not only does He recharge your spiritual battery, he replaces it!

On this second day of 2017, do you need a jump start? Are you tired of being spiritually powerless?

Connect - or reconnect with Jesus!

January 1, 2017

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

God's Word from the Prophet Isaiah for the New Year is this, "God wants to do a new thing!"

Would you like something new from God in 2017? You cannot get something new from God if you are dwelling in the past.

For 2017 I urge you to let go of your grudge(s) and take hold of God's grace! 

"How does that happen?" you ask.

Here's a three step plan to let go of your past so you can embrace your future:

1) Forgive

2) Factor

3) Focus

FORGIVE

Forgiving is the key to letting go of your past. Forgiveness is a decision between two options. You can choose to offer grace (forgiveness) or you can hold a grudge.

Choosing to forgive sets the offender free but also releases you to begin healing. Choosing to hold a grudge will hold you captive to bitterness and pain.

Forgiveness does not mean you have to forget the offense nor does it mean you must put yourself back into a place to be hurt again. It does mean that every time you think of the offense you choose to continue forgiving that offense. That's what it means to be a grace-giver! Every time you are tempted to hold a grudge you instead choose to extend grace.

I believe that is precisely what Jesus meant when He told the disciples to forgive "70 times 7". He didn't mean they had to forgive 490 separate times, what He was teaching them was to forgive once and choose to offer grace at each remembrance of that person or his offense.

Forgiveness is necessary for other reasons:

• You will need to be forgiven
• You have been forgive before
• You need God's forgiveness and if you don't forgive you aren't able to receive forgiveness
• God has more good things He wants to give you and blessings to offer grace-givers.

Are giving grace or are you holding grudges?

FACTOR

Grace-givers are also learners. Every time they remember the offense or the offender they factor their involvement in the situation. They ask, "What should I learn about myself in this instance?" "How did I contribute to the painful outcome?" "What should I have done differently?" "What will I do differently if I am in a similar situation again?" "How does this help me understand the offender better?" "What does God want to teach me from this?" "Have I forgiven myself for the poor decisions I made?"

When Paul wrote to the Romans, "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes." Romans 8:28

Can I understand how things are working together for good if I am not in touch with was was bad, what was wrong and how does God want to use this to help me grow?

If you don't learn from your mistakes or the mistakes of others you are doomed to repeat those mistakes and be stuck in bad places. Pain is a terrible thing to waste. Process your pain so you can turn it to gain.

Are you learning from your pain?

FOCUS

Once you have offered forgiveness and processed your pain you are free to focus on the future God has in mind for you!

You can't move forward if your focus is fixed on your past anymore than you can drive your car safely forward while you are staring at your rear-view mirror!

Isaiah promises that God wants to do a new thing in your life! He wants to make a way through your wilderness! He wants to give you refreshing in the dry, desert-like periods of your life.

Expect God to do a fresh new work in your heart and in your spirit! And expect Him to deposit His grace in the place where you have been gracious to others! 

Are you focused on the new things God has in store for you in 2017 or are you mired in pain and heartache of a past event?

For a joyous 2017, FOCUS - FACTOR - FOCUS!

December 31, 2016

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

If you want to make the New Year new you have today to make that happen!

"But Brad, how can I move on past my past in one day when I have been stuck here for years?" you may be thinking.

How to do that is the subject of the articles I have been posting all week. Here are the steps I have shared thus far, including today's fourth step.

1. Make the decision to let it go.

2. Express your pain — and your responsibility.

3. Stop being the victim and blaming others.

4. Focus on the present — the here and now — and joy.

5. Forgive them — and yourself.

We may not have to forget another person’s bad behaviors, but virtually everybody deserves our forgiveness. Sometimes we get stuck in our pain and our stubbornness, we can’t even imagine forgiveness. But forgiveness isn’t saying, “I agree with what you did.” Instead, it’s saying, “I don’t agree with what you did, but I forgive you anyway.”

Forgiveness isn’t a sign of weakness. Instead, it’s simply saying, “I need forgiveness. God forgave me . Other people have forgiven me. I must forgive others. You did something that hurt me. But I want to move forward in my life and welcome joy back into it. I can’t do that fully until I let this go.”

Forgiveness is a way of tangibly letting something go. It’s also a way of empathizing with the other person, and trying to see things from their point of view. Make an attempt to understand them. Remember they are fallible as you are. You sometimes you hurt others, most unintentionally but sometimes on purpose. As you humanize the other person it gives you some perspective.

And forgiving yourself may be an important part of this step as well, as sometimes we may end up blaming ourselves for the situation or hurt. While we indeed may have had some part to play in the hurt (see step 2), there’s no reason you need to keep beating yourself up over it. If you can’t forgive yourself, how will you be able to live in future peace and happiness? Learn from your failures and live better yourself!

I know this stuff is hard, that it’s incredibly hard to let go of one’s pain. If we’ve held onto it for a long time, it feels like an old friend. Justified. It would be sacrilegious to let it go.

But nobody’s life should be defined by their pain. It’s not healthy, it adds to our stress, it hurts our ability to focus, study and work, and it impacts every other relationship we have (even the ones not directly affected by the hurt). Every day you choose to hold on to the pain is another day everybody around you has to live with that decision. And feel its consequences.

So do everybody — and yourself — a big favor: Let go of the pain. Do something different today and welcome happiness back into your life. Let the New Year be new!