March 21, 2015

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

One reason many people miss out on the Home Run Life is they worship their career instead of worshiping Christ.

Why would they do that?

They probably do that because they regard their career as their provider rather more than they trust Christ as provider.

Perhaps you have struggled with that.

Do you find yourself frequently missing church in order to get work done?

When you are in church or Bible study, do you find yourself thinking about what you need to do at work?

Have you found yourself cheating your family out of time because you spend too much time working?

Do you find yourself getting more satisfaction and fulfillment out of work than you do out of time with your wife or children?

If so, here is a principle to live by:

“My purpose is in my Creator not my career! So I will live and work for my Creator first!”

That is another way of saying what Jesus stated in our text. Put God first and God will help you put everything else in order. Get the big thing right and the smaller things will line up better as well.

Another way to say this is “run the bases in order”!

If you start with your connection with God at home plate you are putting Him first!

If you get to first base and allow God’s Spirit to shape your character you are putting Him first!

If you learn how to live in love and fellowship with others at second base you will put Him first and others second.

When Jesus says to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” I believe that is exactly what He is saying! “Run the bases in order!” Jesus says!

People who are more career devoted than Christ committed find themselves getting more fulfillment from their job than they do from their Jesus.

Those who are more career oriented than Christ oriented will run directly to third base trying to be more productive. It will not occur to him how counter-productive that is until he finds his relationships suffering or himself making moral compromises to “get ahead”.

Temporary success brought about through taking shortcuts will cause one to because more dependent on self and less dependent on God. When he is riding high he will think of himself as a self-made man in no need of a God.

For long-term success in this life and eternal success in the next one, run the bases in order! Make sure you begin by connecting with God the allowing Him to correct you and make healthy connections with others! Do those three things before you do anything else?”

Run the bases in order! Do it every day in every way!

March 20, 2015

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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

The Home Run Life is based on this Biblical fact that God has a pattern for your life!

Likewise, this verse states that the world also has a pattern to follow.

Obviously, these two patterns conflict with each other so when you are living according to one pattern you are living in opposition to the other.

If life is illustrated by a baseball diamond and the four bases represent the four critical issues of life, connecting with God, developing character, learning to live in community and being productive in life, then God’s pattern would be represented by running the bases in order.  By contrast, the pattern of the world is demonstrated by running the bases backward.

There are two ways to get to third base. Third base represents the competency base where you produce what you need to prosper in life. Third base is a very important base and getting there is crucial.

One way to get there is to run from home plate up the third base line directly to the base. That is the fastest and easiest way to get to third. Why wouldn’t you do that?

You wouldn’t do that because it is against the rules! It is against the rules because it leaves out the right half of the field! If you tried this is a baseball game you would be out and perhaps kicked off your team.

How would you feel if you were watching the seventh game of the World Series and with the game and the Series on the line in the bottom of the ninth with the winning run out at second base, the star player from your team rips a base hit and the runner at second takes off determined to round third and score? But about the time he gets to third, so does the hitter who ran from home to third. The batter is called out and the base runner in his confusion stops short of third base and is tagged out.

How upset would you be? Wouldn’t you be yelling at your TV and calling that player a fool? Of course you would!

As ridiculous as that scenario seems, it is exactly how most people live their lives. It is the pattern of our world! It is how you run in life apart from knowing God through Christ.

Third base is the production base and we all long to be productive, so why not run there and make it happen? It sounds logical doesn’t it?

To the sinful mind it sounds logical. But in fact, that effort to be productive is actually counter-productive. It results in failure every time. It takes the fun out of the game and deprives you of the joys of being on first base or second base.

This clearly illustrates the truth Paul is proclaiming to the Romans, “God’s pattern is better!” So, you should surrender to God and submit to His way of playing the game! When you do, He will transform how you think about the game and change how you play it. As you connect with Him at home, as He develops His character within you at first base, as you learn to live in community with others at second and when you learn to produce results at third, you will discover a game you never knew before! You will enjoy it more than you ever have before! You will enjoy your team mates as never before! You will win more than you ever won before!

What I have just described is the Home Run Life! Everyone wants to live the Home Run Life but few ever do because it takes a commitment to allow God to fundamentally transform your life. It requires a change of direction and submission to a new manager. You must submit to a new set of rules and a new umpire.

Are you ready to play to win?

March 19, 2015

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

I understand the inherent risk of mixing politics with religion but since liberal/progressives insist on politicizing just about everything, they have changed the game. Since they have, I’ll play.

First, praise God for a political victory in Israel!

On a far less significant note, but a matter worth addressing, the Starbucks decision to have their baristas raise the issue of racism is another reason to avoid Starbucks and support some of the locally owned coffee shops.

Let me say, I have always enjoyed going to Starbucks. I have a couple gift cards I need to use up so I will likely continue to go until those are spent. I will miss going there, so hopefully they will reconsider their policy.

Also, I must defend their right to institute whatever policy they choose on any issue they support. It is their business and their stores and they are free to operate the company and the stores as they see fit. I believe in free enterprise and capitalism and I don’t want either of those important freedoms abridged.

But, by the same standard, I have a right to shop elsewhere or to continue going to Starbucks until one of their baristas actually throws the race issue out there. Here are several possible responses I could give should that happen:

1) If they raise the issue as I order, I can cancel the order and announce I am going to Blackstone instead.

2) If they raise the issue after I have ordered and paid I can refuse my order and ask for a refund.

3) I can respond, “I don’t want to talk about racism because race isn’t the issue sin is. Would you like to talk about Jesus?”

4) I can grab my phone and proudly show them pictures of my beautiful mixed-race grandchildren and great-children and ask to see theirs.

5) I can also respond, “I belong to a movement (Wesleyan Church) that has been at the forefront of fighting slavery and racism for nearly 200 years! So, how about you?”  In fact, the Founders of The Wesleyan Church were some of the earliest leaders in the abolitionist movement 30 years before the Civil War. We became a separate denomination because our Founders were kicked out of the Methodist Church due to their strong moral opposition to slavery.

6) I could give them a history lesson on the fact that it has predominantly Liberals who have consistently opposed freedom and civil rights for black Americans from the early days of our nation and especially during the Civil Rights Movement of the 50’s and 60’s. Google names like Margaret Sanger, George Wallace, Bull Connors, Orville Faubus, Albert Gore Sr. and Robert Byrd, just for a few.

7) If I am standing behind a person or people in line who have been engaged in the discussion, thereby hindering customer service I can step out of line and mention I am going to another coffee shop where the service is better.

You can probably think of other appropriate and polite responses.

It is time to kindly, respectfully, and clearly confront the foolish ideas of our culture with Gospel truth. You have more influence than you think you do and God’s truth has more power than you realize.

Jesus has called you and me to be salt and light! Salt refers to the godly influence we should have as followers of Christ. Light refers to the truth of God’s Word that guides our decisions and shapes our convictions.

The time for silence is over. It’s time to speak up and stand up and live up for the truth!

March 18, 2015

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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

A triple is a hit in baseball that allows the batter to make it safely all the way to third base. Triples are rather rare in baseball. Last season in Major League Baseball only 2% of all the hits were triples.

The great Babe Ruth had a total of 2,873 hits. 714 of those hits were home runs, 506 hits were doubles but only 136 hits were triples.

Ted Williams, regarded by many as the greatest hitter in the history of the Major Leagues, had 2,654 hits. 521 of those hits were home runs, 525 were doubles and only 71 were triples.

It is hard to get to third base in baseball. Getting to third base requires a solid connection at home plate and then successfully rounding first base and second base before arriving at third.

But once a runner makes it to third his chances of crossing the plate for a score are good. From third base you can score on a hit, an error, a passed ball, a wild pitch, a sacrifice or even a steal. Third base is a great place to be - if you can get there!

Getting to third base in the Home Run life is huge as well. To get there requires a solid connection with God at home plate and the finding success at first base and at second base.

Success at home plate means winning with God by connecting with His salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Success at home plate will get you down the line to first base. First base is the personal character base. Success at first base means winning within as the character of Christ develops in your spirit.

Second base is the community base. Success at second is winning with people. God created you to belong to him and belong with others. Winning at second is evidence of success at home and at first base.

Third base is the competence base. At third base you win with results. You made it to third base because you were successful at home, at first and at second. Those are significant results!

Arriving at third is not only evidence of past success but puts you in a position where you are likely to score!

Everyone wants to have a Home Run life but few ever do.

Are you in the game?

Have you connected with God?

How are you doing on the bases?

Where do you need to win today?

March 17, 2015

"God commended His love toward you in this way; when you were yet a sinner Christ died for you." Romans 5:8

Sunday I talked about some of the issues involved with getting from first base into scoring position. The one that seemed to connect well was the point about keeping short accounts. The advice was threefold: forgive what you can't fix, bitterness is unnecessary baggage and when you get wronged get right. 

During that part of the message I shared some painful childhood experiences I suffered because of my absent father who was unable to keep his word and find time for me. Even though I hesitate to share painful things out of my past, I need to do that so you are able to know me and my struggles.

Some of the things I shared Sunday Barbara hadn't even heard before, so we were talking after church and it occurred to me I should share how I got through that without any bitterness. Perhaps it will be helpful for you to know.

The most important thing I was able to do was accept him for he was rather than what I wanted him to be. He was a hurting person who hurt others because of his unresolved pain. His attempts to dull the spiritual and emotional pain that plagued his life was to drink. Since I lived with an alcoholic step-father I knew first-hand how it affects people. That gave me insights into some of his thinking and behavior.

Because, by the grace of God, I was able to accept him as he was and not expect him to be what I wanted him to be I was able to see him more objectively and not project his problems on myself.

As someone who has closely with people over many years I have observed how common it is for people to struggle at this point. While it is hard to let go of your hopes and expectations for a person you love, real love, healthy love, is able to free the person from those expectations and come to an acceptance of the person as they are and for who they are.

When I finally came to that point of acceptance, it was hard to admit that I was never going to enjoy the blessing of an earthly father. Facing that painful fact led me to open my life more completely to my Heavenly Father.

That was the best decision I ever could have made! My Heavenly Father healed my heart and my spirit and has NEVER disappointed me!

Is there someone who continually disappoints you? 

Is there a hurting person in your life who persists in causing you pain? 

If you are not careful, the hurt they are causing you will cause you to hurt others.

Perhaps it is time to ask God to give you grace to accept this person for who he is, what he is, and stop expecting him to be other than what you accept him to be. This acceptance will actually treat the pain and open your heart to love that person in a healthy satisfying way.

This is how God loves! He saw you in your sin and knew exactly what sort of hurtful and hurting person you were. Seeing you at your worst, he accepted you and counted you worthy of salvation through His Son.

If God can love you like that can't he help you love someone else in that same way?

March 16, 2015

Here's a question for you this morning, "Would you rather impress Jesus or bless Him?"

Those are two very different ways of thinking about faith. That occurred to me as I was reading in Luke 21. You are probably familiar with this story:

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins."I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4

Imagine going to church one Sunday and there is Jesus standing next to the offering plate. How would that impact your giving pattern?

While this isn't my main point this morning, it is obvious that Jesus pays attention to what we give.

More to the point, Jesus knows why we give.

He watched as a wealthy member paraded past the offering plate and with great ceremony he pulled out his wad, peeled off some large bills and dropped them into the plate. I can imagine that after depositing that final bill he shoots a glance over to Jesus and nods.

Then the next guy in line has to step up and dig a little deeper. So it went all morning. One after another they step up trying to impress Jesus with their generosity, each trying to outdo the other. So it goes all morning.

Jesus isn't impressed.

As He turns to leave, Jesus catches movement out of the corner of His eye. Turning back he sees an elderly little lady slip out of the crowd, quickly deposit a couple of coins and try to fade back into the crowd. But Jesus won't allow that. He calls His disciples, "Whoa! Did you see that? That is impressive! All these other people have been trying to impress us by giving out of their abundance, but this dear lady emptied her bank account!"

Jesus was impressed - and blessed.

As I read that story for the billionth time, that is how it challenged me. What is my faith walk all about? Am I trying to impress Jesus or do I live to bless Him?

Sometimes I don't like the answer. Sometimes I serve Him with my leftovers instead of my all.

How about you?

I promise that today I will live to bless Jesus and not try to impress Him. 

Want to join me?

March 15, 2015

"Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just a Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

Second base is about loving others and living in Christian community with God's people. Second base is the evidence that you have done first base well.

Here's an important truth about your relationship with other people: you will either love them or you will leverage them. 

When you love someone you are preoccupied with how you can serve them or encourage them or bless them or comfort them. When you don't truly love them you find yourself calculating how they can serve you or help you or benefit you in some way.

There is a world of difference between those two attitudes!

Paul wrote to the Ephesians that they are to love as God loves and walk in His way of love.

What does that look like?

Keep your word!

One of the many ways God proves His love for you is by keeping His Word! So must you!

It is hard to love someone you can't trust and you won't trust someone who continually breaks his word.

Love is built on trust and respect but how can you trust or respect one who doesn't keep his word?

Keep your calendar aligned with your relationships!

Another way that love is demonstrated is through giving time to the one you love. Life is made of time so when you make time for someone you are sharing your life with them!

Think about it! When God wanted to demonstrate His love to a lost and dying world He stepped out of eternity and into time!

You will make time for the things you love! Make sure you love the right things! 

Every day of your life, carve out home plate time to connect with God. Plan first base time to allow God to work on your character. Set aside second base time to fellowship with and serve others. And schedule third base time so you can enjoy the fruits of your hard work.

Keep short accounts!

If the Omniscient Eternal God of the universe chooses to forgive AND then forgive your sins, shouldn't you be quick to forgive others?

As a follower of Christ you are commanded to forgive others, so why not do it quickly rather than eventually?

Here are some helpful suggestions to execute this plan:

• Forgive what you can't fix

God extended grace to you and continues to do so! Why should you not be willing grace others with forgiveness. If you don't grace them you will disgrace yourself and God.

• Bitterness is unnecessary baggage

Hebrews 12:14-15 says, "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

• When you get wronged - get right

Will you spend your life being either a victim or a victor, It is entirely your choice!

You can cry and complain over what has happened to you or you can choose to correct your attitude. You can become angry over your wrongs or you can act in love and do what's right.

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26

Second base is where you learn to win with people. Winning with people requires you to lose you pride, your arrogance, your selfishness, your spite and your ego. 

Second base reveals whether or not you have spent enough time at home plate and first base.