December 17, 2014

Has your “expecter” expired? Have you have been disappointed by God? Are you got tired of praying and believing without seeing an answer? Are you tired of expecting little – and getting it? Would you like to expect big things?

“Expecters” are powerful because expectations are powerful. Expectation and faith are “kissin’ cousins” and faith is powerful. Faith is expecting God to be Who He says He is and to do what He says He will do.

The challenge of faith is to keep your “expecter” expecting.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is an example of someone who had a good “expecter”. What if Mary would have had the same mindset that Leah and Lydia had? But she didn’t! She believed God!

Even though nothing had happened in Bethlehem it didn’t keep Mary from believing it could! Rather than believe what she had seen she chose to believe what God said, “Nothing is impossible with God!”

Here’s the story:

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:26-38

So, what can you do if your “expecter” is expired? How do you inspire your expired expector?

What you have to do is develop a “Mary mindset”. You need to have the same expectations of God that she had.

We have two very different mind-sets on display here! One mind-set says:

“NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE”

The other mind-set says:

“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD”

Could it be possible that nothing ever happens here (where you are) is because nothing is happening here (in your head) or here (pointing to heart)?

Last week I talked about a “Joseph Heart” – being willing to do whatever God asks you to do, be willing to not do want you want to do and be willing to get no credit.

When you develop a “Joseph Heart” that is one of the things that must happen here (your heart). This morning I want to talk about what needs to happen here (point to head) and that is a “Mary mind-set”.

How do I inspire my “expired expecter”? How do I get a “Mary mind-set”? How can I get to where I believe that something CAN happen where you are?

LEARN FROM MARY:

1) MARY EXPECTED GOD TO BE BIG AND POWERFUL

2) MARY EXPECTED GO TO DO BIG AND POWERFUL THINGS

3) MARY EXPECTED GOD TO USE HER IN BIG AND POWERFUL WAYS

4) GOD EXPECTED MARY TO BE USABLE

BIG THINGS HAPPENED IN BETHLEHEM BECAUSE THINGS HAPPENED HERE (POINT TO HEART) AND HERE (POINT TO HEAD) FOR MARY AND JOSEPH.

WHEN YOU HAVE A JOSEPH HEART AND A MARY MIND-SET YOU WILL SEE SOME MIRACLE MOMENTS HAPPEN WHERE YOU ARE.

IS YOUR “EXPECTER EXPIRED”?

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN YOUR HEART?

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN YOUR MIND?

December 16, 2014

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8

Christmas was driven by love.

In these three incredible verses Paul reveals the motive of why Jesus gave up His exalted position and all the privileges of being God and did some serious down-sizing to become flesh and blood. He stepped out of eternity and into time. He came from a serene and secure paradise to a sinful, selfish and savage world.

What would possess Him to do such a thing?

LOVE! No other explanation makes sense.

Not only was Christmas driven by love but it defines love.

Love begins with an attitude - "have the same mindset as Christ". No one loves accidentally. No one loves naturally. Love is a decision. You and I love because we choose to love. Even Jesus, Who was God - and God IS love - had to set His mind on leaving Heaven.

Love becomes an action - "He made Himself nothing". Love has to be more than a thought or a feeling. Love has to be demonstrated with corresponding actions. Love seeks! Love serves! Love sacrifices! The Bible says that God loves us BUT Christmas showed it!

Love bought atonement - "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross"

Love properly expressed results in life-change. Real love is transformational! It changes the heart, it changes the head and it changes the habits. Loving like Jesus loved changed the world! When you receive His love it changes you - it helps you love yourself. Loving yourself enables you to live for God and love others. Paul begins this portion of Scripture by commanding us to love like this in ALL of our relationships!

What drives your life? What defines your life? What difference does your life make?

Christmas demands an answer! Christmas holds you accountable to love! Christ took away all the excuses!

December 15, 2014

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8

I am having trouble getting my mind around this Scripture. This is pretty radical stuff! On one hand it sends a comforting message of how much God loves us, but it also confronts us with our responsibility to love each other like Christ loved us! What Christ demonstrated at Christmas must be how we love each other year-round!

Let's examine that love again today.

The first thing I notice is that Christmas love sees the needs of others.

Romans 5:8 tells us, "God demonstrated His love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us!" Wow! God provided for our need before we were even aware we had a need! He provided a solution before we even understood the problem!

How attuned are you to the needs of others? Are you too consumed with your own problems and pains that you become oblivious to the plight of others? Christmas love sees the needs of others and seeks to ways to minister to those needs. Christmas love is not selfish.

Can you imagine a church fellowship where each member saw the needs of others and stood ready to help? What a radical place that would be!

Christmas love also serves the needs of others. Jesus wasn't simply an observer that saw the needs from the security of Heaven and waited for someone else to do something. Christ, the omnipotent sovereign Son of God, shed all His power and privileges to become a servant! He surrendered control and became vulnerable so He could serve a needy race! Christmas love is humble in order to be helpful.

How about you? Are you willing to humble yourself to serve someone else? Are you willing to give up control and allow yourself to be vulnerable if it means meeting the needs of others? Can you be weak to strengthen someone else?

Imagine a fellowship like that! What a radical place that would be! Why can't there be a place where members see each others needs and step up (or down) to serve those needs?

Also, Christmas love sacrifices for the needs of others. This may be the most radical of all because it usually involves death. For Jesus, the sacrifice didn't begin at the cross. It because at the throne of His Father in the most exalted place in Heaven! Everything we dream about and desire, Jesus had - and He laid them down! He saw our needs and judged our crisis to be more urgent than His own comfort. Christmas love willingly traded Paradise for pain. How can God die? BECAUSE HE WANTED TO!

What have you sacrificed for someone else? It is nice to see a need and feel compassion. But Christmas love sees the need, serves the need and sacrifices what ever it takes to solve the need. Love is hard work! Love is costly! Love hurts! You can't love safely and conveniently - you must love sacrificially!

I dream of a fellowship where Christmas love is a reality. Why can't we love until it hurts? Why can't we die to serve others? Didn't Jesus call us to "deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him"? What if there was a group of believers who actually decided to be that radical!

Christmas love will cost you, but Christmas love will change you - and everyone around you! Christmas love could create a contagious fellowship! It could be Christmas in July - and August, and September and...........

December 14, 2014

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation”. Romans 5:1-11

According to this GREAT portion of Scripture, even if you are the Grinch and you don’t believe any of the Christmas story, Christmas means this – GOD BELIEVED IN YOU!

How do I know that?

The verses above clearly say so. There are a number of other portions of Scriptures declaring the same truth.

“But I don’t believe the Bible”, you say.

That changes nothing! He still believes in you!

Christmas happened because God believed in you. He believed you were worth redeeming. He thinks you should have a second chance to be rescued from your sins. He believed it so strongly that He gave His Son in exchange for your salvation. He believes that you are worthy of an even swap – His son for your sins.

Think about that for a moment. Even though you may not believe in God, He believes in you! Even though you may not believe in you, He does! And He is the One Who knows EVERYTHING about you! Imagine all those secrets that you hide from every one for fear if you’re ever exposed you would be flatly rejected by those you love – He knows! And knowing every ugly truth about you He still chooses to believe in you and offers you a chance to be more like Him!

Christmas can make believers out of unbelievers! That is the point of Christmas! God was willing to prove He believes in you in hopes that you would some day be convinced to believe in Him.

Believe it!

December 13, 2014

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52

One more thought on this comprehensive verse that chronicles the growth and development of our Savior. I have been using His development as a model for rearing our own youngsters. Jesus was well-grounded in His faith, well-rounded in His interests and unbounded in His potential.

I contend we could benefit by adopting this model and establishing these goals in the development of our children.

You may ask, "Are you saying I should expect my child to grow up and become like Jesus? Isn't that unrealistic?"

Well, let's think about that.

Can your child be well-grounded?

Yes!

Your child can and should come to a realization of his need for Christ resulting in a decision to receive Christ as Savior.

Is that not true?

Then your child CAN be well-grounded!

Can your child grow in grace and in knowledge of God's Word?

Of course, if he is exposed to and taught those principals in a regular and consistent basis!

Then your child CAN be well-grounded!

Can your child be well-rounded?

Children are born naturally inquisitive. Young children are on a steep learning curve and find themselves interested in practically everything. 

The real challenge is not as much about making them interested in life but rather directing their interests into areas where they possess the most talent to be effective. Anyone who tries to be good at everything will find himself mediocre in many things.

Your child would benefit from experiencing and experimenting with music, art, sports, handicrafts, outdoor activities, travel, and cultural events.

Once the child shows an aptitude for a few things after experimenting with many things, being well-rounded involves rounding him down to a focus on the few things he does best. There is a life principle that states, "the more narrow the wedge the deeper it cuts."

Jesus, as the Son of God probably did many things well, but the closer He got to launching His earthly ministry the more He narrowed the focus of His life. His life cut deep into the moral history of mankind!

Help your child become well-grounded and well-rounded! But also help your child to become unbounded. Jesus was unbounded in His pursuit of His Father's will.

Brad, what do you mean by unbounded?

By unbounded, I mean unhindered in the ultimate pursuit of God's will and purpose for your life.

Joseph and Mary did that for Jesus!

What are some of the tendencies parents must overcome in order to keep their children unbounded?

Avoid the tendency to over-protect.

When you are charged with the responsibility of bringing up the Son of God Who will save the world from sin, wouldn't you find it tempting to be over-protective?

I would! 

Who wants to be remembered as the person who let something bad happen to God's Son?

But, to their credit, this young couple chosen to be Jesus' earthly parents resisted the urge to over-protect.

Will you ask God to help you keep your kid(s) unbounded in that area?

Avoid the tendency to over-correct.

Can you imagine that Joseph and Mary may have felt the pressure of not allowing the Son of God to become an unruly brat? Don't think for a moment that Jesus wasn't subject to the foolish behavior that afflicts every child. Their challenge was to correct the humanity of Jesus without hindering His divinity! And history reveals that they got it right! 

Will you ask God to help keep your child on the correct path without over-correcting and becoming overly strict.

Avoid the tendency to over-direct.

Every parent knows the temptation of being overly directive toward your child. Any why not? You have lived many years and learned many things with many scars to prove it but your child is young and very inexperienced at living.

Joseph and Mary had the Son of God. They pretty much knew the plan God had for His Son so it may have been less tempting for them to over-direct Jesus.

Pray that God will keep you from over-directing your child so His will can direct them instead!

Those aren't the only ways of putting barriers or speed bumps in the path of your children and hindering how God wants them to develop, but they are three of the most common!

Like Joseph and Mary did with Jesus, we want FredWes kids to grow up well-grounded, well-rounded and unbounded!

Sunday morning when the FredWes kids are up front doing their Christmas program and overwhelming us with their charm. Will you whisper a prayer for each of them and their parents?

December 12, 2014

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52

Jesus, the Perfect Child was well-grounded and well-rounded. We have already discussed those two aspects of His life and we have held them up as goals for our own children as they develop.

Today, I want to call your attention to a third aspect of Jesus' development as a child, He was unbounded.

What do I mean by unbounded?

Joseph and Mary set up boundaries around Jesus but didn't set up obstacles or barriers in front of Him! Jesus' parents were wise enough to know He belonged to God more than He belonged to them. They knew He belonged to the ages  and not for those years.

Joseph and Mary keep Jesus unbounded by not pressuring Him into a career of their choice or pushing onto a path that pleased them. Instead, they steered Him toward God's Word, toward God's Will and toward His own areas of giftedness. They guided Jesus toward the discovery of His Master and  toward His mission and as He made those discoveries His life took on new meaning. They made sure Jesus life would be defined by nothing less than God's vision for His life.

That is a great model of parenting for those who have small children today. Establish boundaries around them and enforce those boundaries with loving guidance and discipline, but don't put unnecessary barriers in front of them. 

Resist the temptation to relive your dreams or desires through your children. Refuse to superimpose your dreams for your children upon them, but commit to helping them discover God's vision for their life.

Just like Jesus, your child's calling should be decided for him on the basis of God's Word, God's will and the gifts God has invested in his life. 

That is parenting that shapes unbounded children. The only limitations on their lives are those placed by their faith, their commitment, their talents, their gifts, their personal discipline, their motivation, the people they bring around themselves  and their opportunities.

An unbounded child is like a blank check that you have created and nurtured and then given to God to write in the amount.

At FredWes, we want to develop unbounded children! We want to raise up world-changing champions for God who trust Him use their lives "exceedingly abundantly more than they can ask or think".

Jesus grew to greatness by being well-grounded, well-rounded and unbounded. God help us to develop Christ-like kids!

December 11, 2014

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52

Jesus, the Perfect Child, was well grounded in His faith and beliefs!

At FredWes, we believe in well-grounded kids! We will do the best we can to work with our parents in developing well-grounded youngsters!

Also, we desire well-rounded kids!

Jesus was well-rounded! This verse declares that He grew intellectually, He grew physically, He grew spiritually and He developed socially!

It is not easy for one man to change the world, even if He is the Son of God! For Jesus to have the impact on history that He has He needed to be well-rounded. We know He was intellectually developed because at age 12 He was found in the synagogue debating with Rabbis and Scholars. There are too many examples of His spirituality to list in this short article, take His teachings for starters. And, He had to be physically strong to withstand 40 days of fasting! We also know He was a carpenter. Being a carpenter was physically demanding job.

At FredWes, we want our kids to get the best education available to them. It is important they develop their intellect. It is also important for our kids to be as physically strong and healthy. We encourage our kids to be involved in some sort of athletic activity. Team sports are helpful in teaching many good life lessons. But, we want our kids to put God first and place a priority on their spiritual commitment. Sports are important but always secondary to spiritual commitments. Why would you put temporary involvements above those things that are eternal? Finally, we want our kids to be socially healthy! Faith is best experienced in relationship with others and faith is effectively shared within trusted relationships.

Our goal at FredWes: kids that are well-grounded and well-rounded, just like Jesus!