Day 34 - Nugget - Faith Living

"We're not rich just because of God's blessings; we're rich because of God Himself."

I really like this statement, I find that is very encouraging and challenging in the big context of my relationship with Jesus.  Partly, it is because I know that monetarily I am not rich by American standards but, by the standards of God's blessings and by God's economy I am rich.
One thing that I find interesting is that God's blessings blessings are so real and so available - if I am searching for them, when I am aware of His presence I am overwhelmed by His blessing.   Whether it be encouragement or an overwhelming since of joy, I am blessed and filled with the  riches of God.  These riches come in many ways, it it time to get mining!

Day 33 - Monopoly: The Pursuit of More

Wow, this is an interesting reading for today.  I honestly do not have much to say about this reading, I feel like it is very straight forward and gives us the insight that we need.

John Wesley said regarding money, (This is a lose translation but you understand).  Make all you can, give all you can, save all you can.  His basic thought was money is what it is, make it, give it away and save it.  On top of all this was the importance of not allowing money to control you.  And I think that is the necessary thing for us to understand, when money controls us, we are slave to it and that is all we think about.

This was a great reading for the day.

Life Sign - "I am a faithful steward if all God has given me."

Day 32 - Making a Way

As I read this days reading regarding the hospitality of Gaius, I am reminded of a hospitality action I have the life of my extended family.

My wife's parents encountered missionaries that were home on furlough and they were in meed of a place yo stay for a period of time,  and I imagine with just a minimal amount of conversation, their home was opened and the missionaries had a place stay.  Not to boast about my in-laws, that is just the way they are going the extra mile to help.  And to be very honest my parents are similar.

I especially liked the critique of spiritual gifts of hospitality; because it reminds us that we are to be welcoming and hospitable.  "There is mo escape clause for those without a special spiritual gift, and the need for that kind of hospitality is just as important in today's world as it was in the time of Gaius. 

Hospitality goes a long way and is extremely important in the way we receive people where ever we are at; home, work, church, community, etc. 

Let's go beyond the norm and live the model if hospitality of Gaius!

Day 31 - Rich Man - Poor Man

Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

This is an imposing thought,  gigantic in scope and range.   It really encompasses the thoughts and ideas of this days reading.  Dr. Jeremiah is reminding us that we are given the choice of what we will do; give our everything to Jesus or just part of us.  Which in the long run is not what is asked of us, part was never an option.

Dietrich Bonhoffer wrote on his book "Cost of Discipleship" that "Jesus bids us come and die," and in a sense that is really what the rich young ruler was asked.   Give up everything that you value and come, follow me.

In my estimation we have been given the same options, we have been given the same choice, but we often get lost in the things of this world and ignore the true value of Jesus that over shadows all things.

So where do you stand?  The Life Sign is "Nothing stands in my way of following Jesus."  Not an easy question - but the answer is revealing to our priorities and what we value.

Day 30 - Empty-Pocket Living

I found this days reading to be challenging.  Challenging in the area of thought processes.  I have not often thought of my pockets to have so many partitions and please do not hear me disagreeing with Dr. Jeremiah, in fact I think he is on to some very good thoughts that could really change the focus of money in most peoples homes.

If the first thought that Dr. Jeremiah, I think that could transform the importance of money in our society.  Money then becomes about God and not about us.  It ceases to be about us, about our wants, our desires and our percieved needs.  And it becomes God's desire, God's plan, God's money and we are just stewards of His Stuff, His Money.

I never really understood what it means to be a Steward until I watched the movie, "Lord of the Rings."  It was this movie that helped me understand.  In the story, the Kings of Gondor where gone and a Steward was appointed to care for the kingdom.  They were given charge of the kingdom but it was not forever, when the Rightful King Returned, then the Kingdom would be given back to him.  But until that point in time the Steward was in charge of the Kings Kingdom.  In a sense that is what we have been given we have become stewards of God's kingdom and everything in it!  But ultimately it is His!  We are His and everything that we have is His!

Although, at the same time we are given the freedom to be a blessing to those around us that are in need.  I believe that in God's economy we have the ability to really look at those around us that need help and we can use the resources we have for others, which ultimately leads to God's Glory!!!

That is a Great thought!!!

Day 29 - Open Hands

It has been a few days since I have blogged, I am so sorry for the delay.

Open Hands, truly is a beautiful picture, the image of hands being slowly opened to the things of life around them, or the sense that we get when our hearts are opened for the first time to a new portion of God's Character.  As I reading this days reading - I had many images floating around in my head, images of hands being opened (I know it is very creative) but more then that - hands that are both giving and receiving, because I think it is about both, not just one or the other and Dr. Jeremiah talks about both in the reading but to have the mental image is extremely important, I think it solidifies the whole section.  Giving and Receiving.

In the story of Abraham, he was told by God, I will bless you, you be a blessing.  I have read that passage of Genesis 12 over and over, for a number of years and it never seems to be far from my mind.  "I will bless you, you be a blessing.  Within this passage is exactly what we are talking about in today's reading.  Receptivity = receiving the blessing of God and Generosity = being a blessing.

May that be our model - Genesis Chapter 12 - the call of Abraham - receive the blessing of God and be a blessing!

Day 28 - Jesus' Rolled up Sleeves

"This humble man was willing to lead by example, willing to put others before Himself."

One of the sections of today's reading is titled "Being Like Jesus."  A simple phrase isn't it, a simple yet complex phrase that challenges the very nature of our being, Be Like Jesus.  Not as easy as it sounds but yet is as simple as it sounds. 

Bases on today's reading - we have a model set up for us.  Jesus took the opportunity to show the love that He had for His disciples by serving them.  "Taking the very nature of a servant," (Phil. 2 paraphrase) and literally washing the dirty grimmy feet of those who followed Him.  This was not done to scold the disciples because one of them did not do it - it was done as an example of love and compassion and as model for the disciples, and by extension you and I, to live by. 

The question that I have is being a Jesus Follower rapped up solely in the acts of compassion and service alone?  The easy answer is, No, not completely.  it is definitely part of it, but being a Jesus follower is comprised of a both/and attitude.  Love for God and Love for others - Serve God/ Serve Others.  Loving God is seen in the way that we love others - Serving God is seen in the way that we serve others.

So the Rolled up Sleeves of Jesus reminds us that we love others and Love God at the same time!  And they are not done in an attitude that draws attention to ourselves but draws attention to Jesus, first and foremost.

Our life Sign for the day - "Humility is the hall mark of my service!"

Day 27 - Ripple Effect

You may or may not remember the great 80's movie, "Back to the Future."  A fantastic sci-fi film, about time travel.  One of the main themes of this movie, is not disrupting the "space-time continuum."  Which means a few different things, First, don't mess anything up in the current past - that would mess up the future that was a reality for the main character, second, don't run into yourself from the past or the future.

Marty McFly, does everything he can to make the wrongs right, fix the mess ups and not see himself and thus save the future from the destruction that could be done by his actions.  At one point in the movie the ripple effect of actions is significant, life altering to the all the characters of the show.  If you have not watched it - you should, it is a good movie.

I mention this movie, because of Dr. Jeremiah's reference to the Ripple Effect, the things that we do now may have an effect on the things, people, events around us - for good or for bad!  The things that were going on in Back to the Future - were deeply impacted by a series of events - as it always in a movie, it is the cause and effect principle.

And I think the same thing can be said for the way that we live out the lives that we have, when we do something for the right reason the impact of that one things can be huge.  Maybe the person that you have a everyday conversation shares with you a need and you in the heart of your compassion decide that you can help and because of that willing hand - that person sees the true nature of a follower of Jesus - for the very first time!  If you remember back it was a simple conversation, not rocket science, a conversation, compassion and it changed the person's life.

Life Sign for today - "My life makes waves int he hearts of those around me."

May the day that you have today be a day where the ripples of your actions impact people for the Good.

Day 26 - On the Threshold of Opportunity

"You can be sure that God will open the right door at the right time."

Here are 5 different quotes about opportunity, take them for they are.

"Four things come not back: The spoken word, The sped arrow, The past life, The neglected opportunity." Arabian Proverb

"If God shuts one door, He opens another." Irish

"Teachers open the doors, but you must enter by yourself. Chinese Proverb

"Even when opportunity knocks, a man still has to get up off his seat and open the door." Anonymous

"For every problem there is an opportunity." Anonymous

The way I see it, there are opportunities all around us, things that we can do or can't do, choices we make or don't make.  The chance encounter with a person in need, what do you do (1) help, (2) keep on driving, (3) pray as you go by, (4) turn and go the other way.  The opportunity is before you, did you recognize the potential, did you recognize your chance of being a blessing in the life of someone else?

I think that the first observation by Dr. Jeremiah is profoundly correct, "Opportunities are often disguised as problems."  This is simply a great way of looking at opportunities, many times they are cased in the disguise of problems, they look like a huge boulder in the middle of the road that stops any advancement. While it might be a problem on the outside, underneath the surface there is a huge opportunity. 

I am not sure what boulder is in your road, but will you be willing to not look at as a problem but as an opportunity for something else, a chance to be a blessing?

Our life sign for the day - "I courageously walk through the open doors God puts before me."

Day 25 - Making the "E" List

I am sure you have come across that one person, that one person that when you are around them, you leave their presence with a smile, a bounce in your step, because of the encouragement that you have just received because of them.  There is something about them, they have that unique ability to encourage you with out know it, that is just who they are!

We love it when we have an interaction, don't we?!?!?!  Yes we do!!! it makes our day.

On the other hand not every person that we come across is not that encouraging person, we, as a society have a unique knack for being grumpy, grouchy, at times mean-spirited and just not that pleasant to be around.  I admit it, I am this way at times.  Why I am not sure, but I can be honest enough to know that I have made my home in the land of unpleasantness on occasion. 

The truth of the matter is that we love to be encouraged, we absolutely love it, but we often forget to be that encouraging person.  It is a viscous cycle that we live in.  But don't we have have a peace that passes understanding? Don't we have a joy that is insatiable? Aren't we loved even though we are deserving of death?  Don't we have a savior that took our punishment?  If the answer is, Yes, and it is then let's not be that grumpy old "Christian" that has no fun and does not enjoy anything - to people that Love Jesus, Love others and shows it in their encouragement and interactions with people.

Life Sign - Those who come in contact with me leave encouraged.

Day 24 - Profiling the Mind of a Christian

You can tell a lot about a person by the things that they do or by the things that they do no do.

This days reading is very straight forward, not a single punch is missed, they land one by one straight to the gut of the reader.  I really feel that Dr. Jeremiah is helping us and encouraging us to ask the hard questions of ourselves. What would my profile read about me if someone studied me for a long period of time, what would it reveal about me and the way that I live?

As I read this reading for today, there is a part of me that wants to do the investigating, but there is another side of me that is hesitant, and for good reason, I have a pat just like you do, we have regrets and disappointments and the hope is that we would learn from them.  The question is: Have I learned from them and am I committing to live with the "profile of Christ" as me blueprint for life?

"My behavior reflects the teachings of Jesus."  Our Life Sign for the day!

Day 23 - Artistic Impressions

The "Life Sign" for today reads, "The major theme of my life is love."

I have been stuck, honestly stuck today, not knowing what to blog about.  Sometimes there are mental blocks or writing blocks that can get the best of me.  (More times than not it is a mental block.)

So here is my thought, I am only going to write on one of the five palettes of love (Words, Deeds, Thoughts, Gifts or Steps) and I will count on you to fill in the gaps.

Thoughts of Love - it was the great philosopher, Descartes that once said, "I think therefor I am."  Depending on your philosophical ideologies, we could discuss a lot of different issues and understandings on this one simple statement.  I think Descartes, at least according to my Philosophy Professors (who shall remain nameless), helped the understanding of that statement, as this was a proof of existence.  Because philosophers doubted and debated much - this was a philosophical break through.  But for the sake of our discussion, thoughts are extremely important.

Without really thinking we do nothing, everything becomes a reaction - no thought, no thoughtfulness, just reaction.  I often say to my own kids that we have to think before we act,  no matter what it is, we must think.  Although, thought can easily be thrown out the window without morality (although, that is a subject for another day.)

Thoughts of love, actions are birthed out of seeds of thought.  Actions begin as a thought, a spark of intuition and brain power, should I or shouldn't I, it begins somewhere.  One of the things that I think we need to do is, put the thoughts of Love in our minds and commit ourselves to trust God for the outcome.  Our thoughts must be pure and holy and acceptable to God.  Love begins somewhere, may it begin in our minds and come out in our hands and feet!

Day 22 - Rolled up Sleeves

It sounds very simple doesn’t it?  I have the slogan of Nike in my head as I reflect on this days reading; Just Do It! 

Nike always does a good job of making us feel like we can do it, the commercials, the advertising, and the mental changes that comes with their ads, I feel like I can do it, I can do it, or can’t I?  What does it take for me to actually believe that I can, how many motivational commercials do I have to watch before I actually think I can?  I am not sure, but I think with a change of mindset, unbeliever and non-involved to believer and involved is the change needed.

I think this is our challenge today, we have heard and listened to the lies so long that what we do does not make a difference, it does nothing for no one and you do not have the time to actually do anything, it does not matter, Stop listening to the lie!  What you do matters, how you serve matters, how you impact a person for the goodness of the Gospel of Jesus matters, even if it is just a kind word, it matters.  In God’s economy, when things are done for a purpose and done in His name, they matter.  They are a catalyst for the Gospel to be realized and the Gospel to be advanced in the hearts of His creation.

I am not sure about you but the fact that we can be a blessing to unsuspecting people really is a great opportunity to care for someone we can have an impact on them, but we must rise up to the challenge.  Matthew 25 is such a poignant chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, I am not sure why but it is so challenging, although at the same time it is so affirming, because it reminds me that when I do serve others I am serving Him!  May we see His face shine on us when we Serve and love others.

Day 21 - Greater Works Than Jesus

"Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

I have heard this somewhere before (haha, today's reading is mentioned a few times in the message from last Sunday morning!).  And as I am reading this it is a great reminder of the words were spoke this Sunday.  And I will be honest with you, I have thought about the words of Jesus, regarding our being able to do greater works and I looked at it in a different way.  I had looked at it as physical miracles, after all, Peter and John did a few miracles in their days of ministry.  Where I was insufficient in my understanding was on the spiritual side of things.  Can God still work physical miracles? Absolutely and there is evidence of it in the world, if you listen to the stories you will find them.

On the other hand, a person being born into the kingdom of God, salvation coming to a person of any age is truly a miracle, a fantastic miracle worthy of being praised.  But like many others who have heard this passage have not really thought of it in the spiritual sense - we missed the importance of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the impact The Spirit brings to the life of a disciple.  It is the difference maker, it allows us to see the will of God and the direction that we should follow.

When it comes to the will of God, we understand it through prayer, making ourselves humble and willing to listen to the direction of God.  A commitment to prayer is how we gain the perspective of God and His desires for us as His followers.  I think of what this days reading has to do with is the Impact of Ministry - the Reach and the Result, of ministry is greater because of the Holy Spirit and the Power of Prayer.

That should be a great encouragement to us all!

Day 20 - The Potter's Hand

I always wanted to sit at the potters wheel, but I never did, they were available in the High School that I went to, but I never took the classes, I guess I was always doing something else.  I do remember that in my 6th grade art class we got to make something out of clay, paint it and then our teacher put it in to the kiln and eventually we got to see our clay creations.  Looking back on in in my memory, I remember how proud of this dragon I was - to me it was a prized object, after all "I made this with my own hands."  To me it was special. 

And as I think about the importance of that object to me, it helps me to know that the dragon was never going to win a First prize award at art show or anything like that, although it should (hahaha).  But as i am thinking and typing this I can still the movement of my hands to form different aspects of the dragon, the tools I used to score the wings and the claws, the eyes and mouth.  There really was great care given to this project.  

But my hands were not "skilled" like the hands of a master potter, not even close.  The master potter knows when things are going just right, or when the project needs to start again from the beginning.  Clay itself is an inanimate object, it does not get to say what it wants to become, or any say in the shape or size of the vessel or the purpose of the vessel.  On the other hand we, as the clay of the master potter, God Almighty, we don't have a say in what God does and how God uses us.  Although, I firmly believe that we have a say in whether or not we are willing to be shaped, formed, designed and used by God. 

Going through the work to make the clay vessel is not an easy thing - there is squeezing, pinching, making groves and much more, but are we willing to be put on the wheel and formed, are we willing once we are formed to sit in kiln to be fired up and hardened for a purpose?

May God have his way in our hearts as he molds and makes us, for his purposes.

Day 19 - On Pins and Needles

There are some people in this world that on a level one to ten, if we asked them how much they worried - the number would exceed the limits of ten, on the other hand there are other people that would be below the limits of one.  Where do you fit?  We all have our place in the grid, but what we do with that worry is something that we can control.  We may not be able to adequately tell ourselves to stop worrying, but when we do we can choose to channel the worry to the appropriate places. 

I think this is a very important choice that we have in our lives, we need to choose, when I am worrying, what am I going to do with that worry, keep it for myself or give the worry to God and trust in His provision?  That is ultimately the question when it comes to worry and for some of us because we are a worry wart, there will be plenty of time spent at the throne of God giving over the worry of our lives and trusting in the promises of God.  On the other hand those of us that do not worry need to remember that just because you do not worry, you to can come before God with the things around you and still trust in the promises of God, you are just coming before God in a different way for a different reason - but you still trust in God's promises.

I think worry is a paralyzing reality for people and Dr. David Jeremiah really challenges us to trust in the Promises of God, the Presence of God and The Truth of God.  These are great places to be no matter who we are.  I truly believe that the more we know about ourselves and honest with who we are regardless of where we are at on the spectrum, we must all trust completely on the truth of God, this is where we need to find ourselves.

Day 18 - Love's Boundaries

One of the greatest dangers we face everyday is the ploys of this world.  The bombardment of it is constant and difficult to withstand.  But if are able to do it, if we are not swayed one way or the other it is a true testimony of the victory of Christ.  Sadly I think there are times when we do not live in the victory that we should. many times we do live in defeat.

One of the questions that I do ask my self, "Do I love God more than I love this "stuff", "my stuff," "the world?"  This is a very difficult question, and I think it is not just a question for me but it is a question for every person that calls themselves "Disciple," "Christian," "Follower."  The reason I think it is a difficult question is that we have been engrained since our youth to love the things of this world, whether we realize it or not.  Bit by bit we let go and and hold on to the thing that really matter the most.  That is love of God and love for other people.

Another mind twisting question that I recently thought about, "Would I give up my relationship with God for the things of this world?  My honest answer is Absolutely Not, with a lot exclamation points!  But wait a minute, hold on before I start feeling to proud and good about my answer, I know that I have a deep down love for God, but there have also been times when I have abandoned Him for a desire, a want.  And before we start accusing and start pointing fingers, bring it back to you and yourself.  Where are you truly at?  Is your love for God more than the love of the world? What is the evidence of it?  Is it growing and growing?

I know these are difficult questions - but based on this days reading - we need to ask them!!!  We place boundaries on all areas of life, except on our boundary of love for God!!

Day 17 - Closer to You Than to Me

It is an odd thought by worlds standards, "Unconditional surrender to God brings me spiritual victory."  While it may be an odd thought, there is a cavern of truth within that statement, it is immense and real.

The world that we live in is filled with "conventional wisdom" that tells us that the only way we are successful is by "winning," and at the same time the "conventional wisdom" tells us that if you are not "winning" you are "losing" and no one wants to be a "loser."  Although, this is not the thought of Paul, we are told that he was crucified with Christ and he gains all by losing all.  That is not conventional wisdom, you don't gain anything by losing, except a few bruises, and a beaten up ego.

On the other hand, Surrendering to Christ does have it's own difficult implications.  Surrender to Christ means death.  Not necessarily physical death, at least not immediately, nor at the onset of surrender.  Death in the sense that the normal way of life is no longer the way for you.  Surrender means letting you; your selfishness, your desires that are not of God, your attitudes, your stuff that is not of God; die and exist no longer.

"Jesus offers one term of surrenders: the cross you died on positionally must be the cross you live on personally each and every day."

Surrender does lead to life - a new life, a good life, a pure life.

I do not regret the day that I surrendered my life to Christ, not the day that began to follow Christ, but the day that I said, "enough is enough, I can't do it on my own, I give up, I give all of me over to you Jesus."  What that day has become is the first day of the rest of life serving Jesus.  It was the day that I recognized a call on my life, to follow and pursue Him with all of who I am holding nothing back. 

Taking up our Crosses,as Luke describes in Chapter 9 verse 23 of his Gospel, reminds us of what we are to do; deny ourselves and follow.  Don't allow yourself to get in the way, Follow Him.

And in the midst of this we are in the week talking about "worn out knees," what do they have in common?  Surrender takes place when we are on our knees, humbling ourselves before our Savior, acknowledging His Sovereignty and His plea on our lives to come and follow Him!

Questions to close this blog today - "Can I honestly describe my life as yielded and surrendered to God?  Am I more yielded to the opinions of others or my own will than I am to my Lord?  What area(s) of my life do I need to give over to God?