When you have a garden, you plant various seeds to have extra produce that is homegrown and also for just the enjoyment of doing it. Each plant produces a different kind of fruit, flower, or vegetable, as you know.
Do you think about the kind of fruit your life and lifestyle produces?
If you get angry easily and use it in the wrong way, then you have fruit of anger in your life. This can lead to injuries, abuse, unforgiveness, and a host of other problems. One man I know was hit in the head by someone he knew who was drunk. He had a horrible headache and upset stomach from it. This was not the first time this had happened from that person.
What kind of fruit do you show to the ones you love and who love you?
If you have bad habits like drugs, smoking, alcohol, and others, what fruit will they produce in consequences later on in your life? Bad health, possible death, cancer, ruined relationships and more are all possibilities. Is this what you want for your life?
When you die, you perhaps will leave a will to disperse what is left from your estate earmarked for others. Beyond those physical things you leave behind, what intangibles like love, hate, abuse, patience or impatience, and compassion will you be remembered for? Maybe you don't care about the legacy of your life, and that is your choice.
It is never too late to change the negative fruit of our lives until we die. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is given unto men once to die and then the judgment. You only get whatever your lifespan is to come close to God and let Him help you with your life. That can be short or long, but we don't know when our deaths will be. It could be tonight or it could be a long time yet to come.
Think about what your fruit is, and then ask God to help you change. He loves you and wants to make your life better.He has a wonderful purpose for your life, if you let Him help you. But it all boils down to your choice. The Bible is our guidebook to show us how to come close to God and stay there, along with a lot more information we need for our daily living.
What kind of fruit are you producing in the garden of your life?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
God Thinks Outside The Boxes
I was reflecting back on my life last night, and noticed that because of my blindness and epilepsy and other reasons, people had tried to put me in "boxes" of what they thought I should do with my life. All the while, God was directing my life outside the boxes, if I would listen.
I grew up with blindness from cataracts at birth, as well as epilepsy. I finally had to go to a special school that had a sight-saving class where I could use special equipment to do my schoolwork. After my birth when these problems surfaced, the doctor took my parents into his office and told them not to shelter me, but to let me live as normal of a life as possible. They didn't listen!
Whenever I tried to launch out in a new area, my Dad would say, "You can't do that because of your condition". My Mom who was my main encourager, had a phrase that didn't help me: "Are you sure you can do that?" So besides trying to fight the effects of these two things and others, I had to battle to keep following what God had put in my heart to be, a writer.
I tried a lot of different things but nothing seemed to work out as far as employment because I couldn't drive. I had jobs over the years, but nothing that really made a good living for me. I was a chaplain in a hospital for ten years where I learned to help people going through many problems, but I couldn't be a regular chaplain because of not driving. But I assisted the regular chaplain during his days off and vacations anyway. Now I am using these things I have learned to help people all over the world with my blogs and other means.
When we know God wants to have us do a special thing, it is hard to go against what people are trying to push on us. But if you really want to be fulfilled, you must follow what God is showing you, and you will be blessed.
God's ways are greater than ours, his thoughts supercede anything we could imagine. He has a magnificent plan for your life as well as mine. He will never abandon you or forsake you. He will be right there with you no matter what is happening in your life, but you must obey if you want to find the true purpose of your life.
People often try to put us in a box because they have a limited understanding of us, or are just trying to control us. God thinks outside the boxes, so dream big and use His wisdom to help others and watch what He will do for you. Do the things you can, and leave the things you can't to God. He is all-powerful and nothing is impossible for him.
Are you dreaming and obeying outside the boxes?
I grew up with blindness from cataracts at birth, as well as epilepsy. I finally had to go to a special school that had a sight-saving class where I could use special equipment to do my schoolwork. After my birth when these problems surfaced, the doctor took my parents into his office and told them not to shelter me, but to let me live as normal of a life as possible. They didn't listen!
Whenever I tried to launch out in a new area, my Dad would say, "You can't do that because of your condition". My Mom who was my main encourager, had a phrase that didn't help me: "Are you sure you can do that?" So besides trying to fight the effects of these two things and others, I had to battle to keep following what God had put in my heart to be, a writer.
I tried a lot of different things but nothing seemed to work out as far as employment because I couldn't drive. I had jobs over the years, but nothing that really made a good living for me. I was a chaplain in a hospital for ten years where I learned to help people going through many problems, but I couldn't be a regular chaplain because of not driving. But I assisted the regular chaplain during his days off and vacations anyway. Now I am using these things I have learned to help people all over the world with my blogs and other means.
When we know God wants to have us do a special thing, it is hard to go against what people are trying to push on us. But if you really want to be fulfilled, you must follow what God is showing you, and you will be blessed.
God's ways are greater than ours, his thoughts supercede anything we could imagine. He has a magnificent plan for your life as well as mine. He will never abandon you or forsake you. He will be right there with you no matter what is happening in your life, but you must obey if you want to find the true purpose of your life.
People often try to put us in a box because they have a limited understanding of us, or are just trying to control us. God thinks outside the boxes, so dream big and use His wisdom to help others and watch what He will do for you. Do the things you can, and leave the things you can't to God. He is all-powerful and nothing is impossible for him.
Are you dreaming and obeying outside the boxes?
Monday, June 13, 2011
When You Want Something Too Much
When you want something too much, it clouds your judgment and you can easily hurt someone----maybe yourself---- in the process. Here's how:
Let's say you really want a relationship in your life but you are in so much of a rush you do it without thinking. You may get online, give out personal information that you shouldn't, then regret it later.
Sometimes God wants us to have a speedy relationship because He has a purpose in mind. This is what happened with my second wife and I. My first wife had died after many years of marriage, and I was completely devastated. Several months later, I met someone online. We communicated online and by phone, and married 10 weeks after meeting.
My family was mad at me, and some of my friends too. But we knew it was from the Lord because we put Him first in our relationship. I moved to her state a couple of months later and we have been happily married since. But this doesn't work for everyone.
We can let our emotions get in the way of our good sense and fall into the enemy's trap, regretting it for the rest of our lives. Normally, I would not have conducted a relationship like this, but I knew the Lord had sent this woman to me to help me with the next phase of my life and ministry.
Another time we may want something so much is when we are wanting something to grow like a church where we attend. Setting up programs is great if you have committed people, but if not it is just going to be frustrating. If you are in a big hurry for something to get done like having a choir, but no one shows up regularly, how is that going to affect you?
God has perfect timing for growing a church just like He does for our lives. Like putting a building together, there are certain things that need to be in place before others can happen. People are in the habit of wanting a whole lot of things, but they won't back up their wants with attendance so that you can count on them to be there. So weigh this factor before you add new programs to your church and pray about it. If God is clearly leading in this area, then great, but if not it is going to frustrate you and probably burn you out.
Here is one area this happens that has a lot of people trapped in debt----credit cards. Some people don't want to hear this one because they want instant gratification when they want something. If you spend beyond your ability to pay back, you are going to be piled high in debt. I did this twice in my life and it was horrible. The Lord finally provided for everything to be paid off and I have never done that again.
It is a big temptation because of the way marketing and society is set up. You see all these products on TV and they make it so easy to make a call and get one. But then you have to pay it back, and that is where the trouble lies. You end up ruining your credit and suffer for many years if not a lifetime for it.
The fourth area this can happen is when you are in a bad relationship and want to get away from abuse or whatever. You may do something illegal or adultery because your situation is so bad. There is help for you in these kinds of problems, but don't act impulsively or you will be paying the rest of your life for it.
Be careful when you want something so overwhelmingly because there is a trap waiting to get you if you aren't watching carefully. Pray about it, and put that want on the shelf. One time I thought of getting a karaoke machine for my first wife and I to minister in rest homes. I had just told her about my idea before I went to work that day. I called her a while later and told her one of my friends had one he couldn't sell at his yard sale and was bringing it over. What a miracle!
Watch for God's timing in every area of your life and you will be a lot happier. You will keep out of a lot of traps and you won't be deep in debt. Think and pray before you act, and watch how God will bless you.
Let's say you really want a relationship in your life but you are in so much of a rush you do it without thinking. You may get online, give out personal information that you shouldn't, then regret it later.
Sometimes God wants us to have a speedy relationship because He has a purpose in mind. This is what happened with my second wife and I. My first wife had died after many years of marriage, and I was completely devastated. Several months later, I met someone online. We communicated online and by phone, and married 10 weeks after meeting.
My family was mad at me, and some of my friends too. But we knew it was from the Lord because we put Him first in our relationship. I moved to her state a couple of months later and we have been happily married since. But this doesn't work for everyone.
We can let our emotions get in the way of our good sense and fall into the enemy's trap, regretting it for the rest of our lives. Normally, I would not have conducted a relationship like this, but I knew the Lord had sent this woman to me to help me with the next phase of my life and ministry.
Another time we may want something so much is when we are wanting something to grow like a church where we attend. Setting up programs is great if you have committed people, but if not it is just going to be frustrating. If you are in a big hurry for something to get done like having a choir, but no one shows up regularly, how is that going to affect you?
God has perfect timing for growing a church just like He does for our lives. Like putting a building together, there are certain things that need to be in place before others can happen. People are in the habit of wanting a whole lot of things, but they won't back up their wants with attendance so that you can count on them to be there. So weigh this factor before you add new programs to your church and pray about it. If God is clearly leading in this area, then great, but if not it is going to frustrate you and probably burn you out.
Here is one area this happens that has a lot of people trapped in debt----credit cards. Some people don't want to hear this one because they want instant gratification when they want something. If you spend beyond your ability to pay back, you are going to be piled high in debt. I did this twice in my life and it was horrible. The Lord finally provided for everything to be paid off and I have never done that again.
It is a big temptation because of the way marketing and society is set up. You see all these products on TV and they make it so easy to make a call and get one. But then you have to pay it back, and that is where the trouble lies. You end up ruining your credit and suffer for many years if not a lifetime for it.
The fourth area this can happen is when you are in a bad relationship and want to get away from abuse or whatever. You may do something illegal or adultery because your situation is so bad. There is help for you in these kinds of problems, but don't act impulsively or you will be paying the rest of your life for it.
Be careful when you want something so overwhelmingly because there is a trap waiting to get you if you aren't watching carefully. Pray about it, and put that want on the shelf. One time I thought of getting a karaoke machine for my first wife and I to minister in rest homes. I had just told her about my idea before I went to work that day. I called her a while later and told her one of my friends had one he couldn't sell at his yard sale and was bringing it over. What a miracle!
Watch for God's timing in every area of your life and you will be a lot happier. You will keep out of a lot of traps and you won't be deep in debt. Think and pray before you act, and watch how God will bless you.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Some Reasons Why People Don't Respond to the Gospel
Jesus told a story about a farmer planting seeds in a field and the different kinds of soil those seeds encountered. Most soils mentioned in the story were not good for growth.The same is true in human hearts.
Baggage
Most people carry a lot of baggage with them all of their lives from unforgiveness, failed relationships, bad attitudes etc. Think of it like a warehouse inside of each person. We store things from our past in this vast warehouse and don't always sort it out to get rid of what shouldn't be there. The piles just keep growing, and when you present them with the gift of God, the Gospel, all this stuff can get in the way. The good news is, it isn't your job to necessarily remove the luggage, but to plant the seed for the Holy Spirit to work on the rest of that person's life. You can counsel with that person and try to help them if you are led to do so, but ultimately it is between them and God.
Objections
When you are presenting the love of God to people, some people are going to put objections in the way. They don't want to change their behavior or their life, and Satan gives them all kinds of objections to keep them from coming to God. They may try to argue with you or use other tactics to derail what you are trying to tell them. This is when you have to be tuned into the Holy Spirit to know when to keep talking or when to leave. Argument is not going to get you anywhere unless the Lord tells you to keep going with the conversation in spite of what is happening. You need to study the Bible and books like those by Josh McDowell that will help you with these kinds of problems in your witnessing. But above all, you need to listen to the Holy Spirit because His has the ultimate wisdom. He knows what each person needs that you talk to.
Questions
Many people have questions about what is happening in their lives or their families, and that's okay. The problem comes when the questions get in the way of a person's response to the gospel. As a hospital chaplain, when this happened, I would tell people directly it is okay to have questions but don't let them get to the point where you let them get between you and God. God doesn't mind questions but there has to come a point when the person stops asking and starts believing in spite of what they don't know at the time. God will often reveal the answers they need if they are supposed to know them, later on. But He wants them to step out in faith before that can happen.
They Aren't Ready Yet
Let's face it, not everyone is ready to receive what God has to offer them. That doesn't mean they will never be ready but that this is not the proper time. It is the same with cooking or baking. Each recipe has a different amount of time and temperature needed for it to be at its optimum level of doneness so it can be enjoyed. A human heart is no different. I have met people that I knew were not ready for the Gospel yet because of their attitude and other factors. It is then you need the wisdom of God to know whether to continue talking then, or wait until a later time when they are more ready. We have to rely on God's guidance because He knows each person completely, while we only know partially if at all. So be sensitive to the person so you can assess their level of readiness but rely on God to guide what you do next. You may need to build a relationship with this person over time before you can fully minister to them. God may have another person come along and plant the next seed, perhaps a long process for that person before the harvest is ready. We don't know when the harvest for each person is going to take place but God does.
Wrong Information
I met a woman the other day who had the wrong information about Jesus and the Bible. No matter what I said from the Bible, she wouldn't listen but kept arguing with her mistaken information. She likely did not want to change. If she admitted her information was wrong, then she had to do something about it, and that was not on her agenda for that day. This is when you need wisdom to walk away until the next opportunity to talk to that person. That is what building a relationship is all about. Think about a house being built: the foundation is poured, the framing, plumbing, electrical, tile, wallboard, roofing and other components are all added to this structure at the proper time. God knows the perfect time each person will respond to the Gospel, whether it is from you or someone else God chooses.
Pray about the roadblocks you see in the lives of others, both during the conversations you have with them and afterward. Sometimes you can pray with them immediately if they are willing, while other times it may take years for changes to occur. God isn't in any hurry. He knows when the right time is to help that person, when their heart is open to His love and help.
Don't be afraid to go out there and meet people, looking for their needs. First, watch for the felt, obvious needs, then look for the core needs below that should be addressed. Ask God to show you the right timing as you build relationships with others whether during hospital visits, neighborhood chats, people at work, the grocery line, or wherever God sends you. The Holy Spirit will be there with you to help you, so be listening to Him, the person, and then talk if God tells you to. Speaking to their need may come at a future date, now may be just the time to listen and say very little.
Remember that God's wisdom transcends anything we can understand. His ways are beyond our comprehension. (Isaiah 55:8-11) Don't rely on your own wisdom in your own life or when you confront the issues of life around you. Let God's creative nature flow through your actions and words as you talk to others, giving you illustrations and examples that will meet their needs. God knows the best way to meet the needs of everyone you meet. Look for the needs around you and meet them with God's help, and you will be greatly blessed.
Baggage
Most people carry a lot of baggage with them all of their lives from unforgiveness, failed relationships, bad attitudes etc. Think of it like a warehouse inside of each person. We store things from our past in this vast warehouse and don't always sort it out to get rid of what shouldn't be there. The piles just keep growing, and when you present them with the gift of God, the Gospel, all this stuff can get in the way. The good news is, it isn't your job to necessarily remove the luggage, but to plant the seed for the Holy Spirit to work on the rest of that person's life. You can counsel with that person and try to help them if you are led to do so, but ultimately it is between them and God.
Objections
When you are presenting the love of God to people, some people are going to put objections in the way. They don't want to change their behavior or their life, and Satan gives them all kinds of objections to keep them from coming to God. They may try to argue with you or use other tactics to derail what you are trying to tell them. This is when you have to be tuned into the Holy Spirit to know when to keep talking or when to leave. Argument is not going to get you anywhere unless the Lord tells you to keep going with the conversation in spite of what is happening. You need to study the Bible and books like those by Josh McDowell that will help you with these kinds of problems in your witnessing. But above all, you need to listen to the Holy Spirit because His has the ultimate wisdom. He knows what each person needs that you talk to.
Questions
Many people have questions about what is happening in their lives or their families, and that's okay. The problem comes when the questions get in the way of a person's response to the gospel. As a hospital chaplain, when this happened, I would tell people directly it is okay to have questions but don't let them get to the point where you let them get between you and God. God doesn't mind questions but there has to come a point when the person stops asking and starts believing in spite of what they don't know at the time. God will often reveal the answers they need if they are supposed to know them, later on. But He wants them to step out in faith before that can happen.
They Aren't Ready Yet
Let's face it, not everyone is ready to receive what God has to offer them. That doesn't mean they will never be ready but that this is not the proper time. It is the same with cooking or baking. Each recipe has a different amount of time and temperature needed for it to be at its optimum level of doneness so it can be enjoyed. A human heart is no different. I have met people that I knew were not ready for the Gospel yet because of their attitude and other factors. It is then you need the wisdom of God to know whether to continue talking then, or wait until a later time when they are more ready. We have to rely on God's guidance because He knows each person completely, while we only know partially if at all. So be sensitive to the person so you can assess their level of readiness but rely on God to guide what you do next. You may need to build a relationship with this person over time before you can fully minister to them. God may have another person come along and plant the next seed, perhaps a long process for that person before the harvest is ready. We don't know when the harvest for each person is going to take place but God does.
Wrong Information
I met a woman the other day who had the wrong information about Jesus and the Bible. No matter what I said from the Bible, she wouldn't listen but kept arguing with her mistaken information. She likely did not want to change. If she admitted her information was wrong, then she had to do something about it, and that was not on her agenda for that day. This is when you need wisdom to walk away until the next opportunity to talk to that person. That is what building a relationship is all about. Think about a house being built: the foundation is poured, the framing, plumbing, electrical, tile, wallboard, roofing and other components are all added to this structure at the proper time. God knows the perfect time each person will respond to the Gospel, whether it is from you or someone else God chooses.
Pray about the roadblocks you see in the lives of others, both during the conversations you have with them and afterward. Sometimes you can pray with them immediately if they are willing, while other times it may take years for changes to occur. God isn't in any hurry. He knows when the right time is to help that person, when their heart is open to His love and help.
Don't be afraid to go out there and meet people, looking for their needs. First, watch for the felt, obvious needs, then look for the core needs below that should be addressed. Ask God to show you the right timing as you build relationships with others whether during hospital visits, neighborhood chats, people at work, the grocery line, or wherever God sends you. The Holy Spirit will be there with you to help you, so be listening to Him, the person, and then talk if God tells you to. Speaking to their need may come at a future date, now may be just the time to listen and say very little.
Remember that God's wisdom transcends anything we can understand. His ways are beyond our comprehension. (Isaiah 55:8-11) Don't rely on your own wisdom in your own life or when you confront the issues of life around you. Let God's creative nature flow through your actions and words as you talk to others, giving you illustrations and examples that will meet their needs. God knows the best way to meet the needs of everyone you meet. Look for the needs around you and meet them with God's help, and you will be greatly blessed.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
What Do You Believe About God?
In the days of Jesus, people were saying a lot of different things about Him. The Pharisees and others were saying He was evil, some were saying He was a special prophet, or a great Teacher. Jesus, naturally had heard all these rumors about Himself, so He posed the question to His disciples: Who do you say that I am? Peter piped up, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
Your friends and family probably have a multitude of answers to the above question. But remember this, what you believe about God will determine what kind of life you have both here and for eternity. If you believe Jesus is a great Teacher or Prophet, it will put Him in the same category with other teachers and prophets. If you think He was evil and a boaster, then you will likely dismiss Him as a nobody.
But, if you choose to believe He was the Son of God, your Savior from sin, then that changes everything. Now, you can be rescued from going to hell if you choose to accept Jesus into your life and live a life that exemplifies what the Bible teaches. God doesn't want you to go to hell, but you have a free choice in the matter. It is not God's fault if you choose the wrong option, it is yours.
God sent Jesus to rescue you and I from the power of sin. if you confess your sins to God and ask Him to come into your life, then you will be rescued, otherwise not. The Bible says there is no other way to come to God. You can't do it by good works (Ephesians 2:8-10) Our attempts at good works are done for the wrong reasons, so they cannot save us no matter how hard we try.
If you are already a Christian, what you believe about God will also impact you. If you believe God is always trying to find fault with you, then you will always have condemnation in your life.
(Romans 8:1-2) If you believe God doesn't care about your needs then you will feel abandoned and alone. (I Peter 5:7) If you believe God only came to save you and that's all, then you won't be healed probably or have the other blessings God has for you for free. Isaiah 53)
In order to find out what God is really like, read your Bible. It is God's handbook for us to come to Hm and know Him personally. Don't hang onto rumors you have heard about God, find out for yourself from His Word, the Bible. Start in the book of John, the fourth book of the New Testament, or read the Psalms in the middle of your Bible, and get to know the One who loves you more than you can imagine. Let God reveal Himself to you as you open your heart and mind to Him. Remember, He loves you.
And now the question: "Who do you say that I am"?
Your friends and family probably have a multitude of answers to the above question. But remember this, what you believe about God will determine what kind of life you have both here and for eternity. If you believe Jesus is a great Teacher or Prophet, it will put Him in the same category with other teachers and prophets. If you think He was evil and a boaster, then you will likely dismiss Him as a nobody.
But, if you choose to believe He was the Son of God, your Savior from sin, then that changes everything. Now, you can be rescued from going to hell if you choose to accept Jesus into your life and live a life that exemplifies what the Bible teaches. God doesn't want you to go to hell, but you have a free choice in the matter. It is not God's fault if you choose the wrong option, it is yours.
God sent Jesus to rescue you and I from the power of sin. if you confess your sins to God and ask Him to come into your life, then you will be rescued, otherwise not. The Bible says there is no other way to come to God. You can't do it by good works (Ephesians 2:8-10) Our attempts at good works are done for the wrong reasons, so they cannot save us no matter how hard we try.
If you are already a Christian, what you believe about God will also impact you. If you believe God is always trying to find fault with you, then you will always have condemnation in your life.
(Romans 8:1-2) If you believe God doesn't care about your needs then you will feel abandoned and alone. (I Peter 5:7) If you believe God only came to save you and that's all, then you won't be healed probably or have the other blessings God has for you for free. Isaiah 53)
In order to find out what God is really like, read your Bible. It is God's handbook for us to come to Hm and know Him personally. Don't hang onto rumors you have heard about God, find out for yourself from His Word, the Bible. Start in the book of John, the fourth book of the New Testament, or read the Psalms in the middle of your Bible, and get to know the One who loves you more than you can imagine. Let God reveal Himself to you as you open your heart and mind to Him. Remember, He loves you.
And now the question: "Who do you say that I am"?
Monday, June 6, 2011
Some Books I Recommend
Here are a few books that have really helped me over the years if you are interested:
In His Steps
by Charles Sheldon
A fictional account of what could happen if we applied the question to our lives, "What Would Jesus Do" in every situation of life. There is also an updated version of this written by his son, I believe.
I'll Hold You in Heaven
by Pastor Jack Hayford
Addresses the question of whether children go to heaven when they die. Very good.
Where Is God When It Hurts
by Phillip Yancey
Answers a lot of spiritual questions people have. I studied this when I was learning to be a chaplain in a hospital as well as the next one.
Disappointment With God
by Phillip Yancey
Sometimes in life we become disillusioned with what we don't understand God is doing. This is a good book for that purpose to help you through these times.
The Seasons of Life
by Charles Swindoll
Short devotionals on various subjects that are very thought-provoking. Not a fast read, but one to conider as you read it slowly.
The Secret Things of God
by Dr. Henry Cloud
Discusses key scriptures and gives new insight into their meanings. Such as, the difference between saying and doing, in the natural as well as spiritually.
In His Steps
by Charles Sheldon
A fictional account of what could happen if we applied the question to our lives, "What Would Jesus Do" in every situation of life. There is also an updated version of this written by his son, I believe.
I'll Hold You in Heaven
by Pastor Jack Hayford
Addresses the question of whether children go to heaven when they die. Very good.
Where Is God When It Hurts
by Phillip Yancey
Answers a lot of spiritual questions people have. I studied this when I was learning to be a chaplain in a hospital as well as the next one.
Disappointment With God
by Phillip Yancey
Sometimes in life we become disillusioned with what we don't understand God is doing. This is a good book for that purpose to help you through these times.
The Seasons of Life
by Charles Swindoll
Short devotionals on various subjects that are very thought-provoking. Not a fast read, but one to conider as you read it slowly.
The Secret Things of God
by Dr. Henry Cloud
Discusses key scriptures and gives new insight into their meanings. Such as, the difference between saying and doing, in the natural as well as spiritually.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
That's Not My Calling!!
It seems like there are always people who want to push their opinions onto us, especially as to our course in life. They think they know what is best for you, but they may refuse to even consider what is in your mind and heart.
When I was growing up with blindness and epilepsy, my Dad had a hard time with what I was planning for my life. When I wrote as a hobby, he didn't appreciate it and once told me, "You'll never be a poet". This damaged my life for many years because as you know parents have a strong influence on their children in many ways, especially in self-esteem. If you don't use God's wisdom when you talk to your kids about their dreams, you can damage them sometimes permanently. Instead of controlling them, seek to guide them and then let go and let God take over. We may not always agree with what they choose, just as others don't agree with our choices, but they are the ones who have to be accountable for their choices as we are for ours.
Just before I was married the first time, my Dad told my future father-in-law that I was going to be a custodian for a school district. He had it all planned out for me, but I didn't know this until later. When I found out about it, I refused because that was not the direction I believed my life should take. I couldn't drive because of my handicaps and wasn't educated in how to fix things anyway. So you can imagine what I went through!! It wasn't my calling to do this, even though it would have been a great job with benefits.
When I started college, I went to the state Rehabilitation Department and they tested me. It came out as math as my best subject because I had helped on egg routes as a boy helping my family. So I was given money to take accounting classes at college which I failed because my eyes were not good enough to see the squares on the different forms. Although it was a good choice for someone, it wasn't for me. It wasn't my calling!!
I went through English courses improving my writing and looking toward being an English teacher but that didn't work out either. I tried Speech to get my communication skills to be better and thought about being a Speech therapist. During the course of this, I met my first wife. But this wasn't to be my profession either. It wasn't my calling!!
Next, I tried Business courses, economics, computer classes---all these helped me in different ways to round out my education but they still weren't my calling in life. I had had inclinations toward being a minister as a teenager but sort of dismissed them for a while until just before I married the first time. Then my Mom took me to a Bible college about 90 minutes away from home. I was all set to enroll, then something happened and it didn't happen.
20 years later, I was living in another city, still married, working at a hardware store. This time the Lord provided all the funding and a great location only five miles from home. If I had taken the other ministry courses before, they would have cost my parents many thousands of dollars. Now all my education was paid by the church I was attending. Praise the Lord! This was one of my callings, but the Lord had more in store for me.
Over the years I had progressed from poetry to newspaper articles to magazine articles and then to books in my writing. I am now in the book-writing phase even though I still do some of all the other phases as well. God took me on a gradual journey exploring new facets of writing all through my life.
Now I am waiting for disability to be approved because of my bad eyesight and other reasons. Thankfully, there are many technological innovations to help me see as I work on my writing. He has a plan for my life, but it takes a step of trust at a time to get there. He will do the same for your life. You may not know many years at a time in advance what God is going to do with your life, but you just have to walk it out one step at a time with God guiding you.
So I had a lot of things I could have done with my life, but they didn't work out. I made a lot of missteps but God improved my writing along the way, found a wonderful first wife for me, then brought me a second wife later in life to help me with the next phase of God's will .
Maybe you, too, haven't found God's will easy to recognize?? Not everyone does! But if you keep close to God He is going to guide your life even when you can't see or feel it happening. Someday you will look back and see the wonderful things God has done for you, and praise His name for it.
Keep going no matter what happens. Keep striving toward the goals of your life with God's help and encouragement. Remember, friends and family won't always encourage you the way you need it, but God will if you stay close to Him and listen for His guidance, then obey. The Bible promises He will never leave or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) You have His promise on it!!
When I was growing up with blindness and epilepsy, my Dad had a hard time with what I was planning for my life. When I wrote as a hobby, he didn't appreciate it and once told me, "You'll never be a poet". This damaged my life for many years because as you know parents have a strong influence on their children in many ways, especially in self-esteem. If you don't use God's wisdom when you talk to your kids about their dreams, you can damage them sometimes permanently. Instead of controlling them, seek to guide them and then let go and let God take over. We may not always agree with what they choose, just as others don't agree with our choices, but they are the ones who have to be accountable for their choices as we are for ours.
Just before I was married the first time, my Dad told my future father-in-law that I was going to be a custodian for a school district. He had it all planned out for me, but I didn't know this until later. When I found out about it, I refused because that was not the direction I believed my life should take. I couldn't drive because of my handicaps and wasn't educated in how to fix things anyway. So you can imagine what I went through!! It wasn't my calling to do this, even though it would have been a great job with benefits.
When I started college, I went to the state Rehabilitation Department and they tested me. It came out as math as my best subject because I had helped on egg routes as a boy helping my family. So I was given money to take accounting classes at college which I failed because my eyes were not good enough to see the squares on the different forms. Although it was a good choice for someone, it wasn't for me. It wasn't my calling!!
I went through English courses improving my writing and looking toward being an English teacher but that didn't work out either. I tried Speech to get my communication skills to be better and thought about being a Speech therapist. During the course of this, I met my first wife. But this wasn't to be my profession either. It wasn't my calling!!
Next, I tried Business courses, economics, computer classes---all these helped me in different ways to round out my education but they still weren't my calling in life. I had had inclinations toward being a minister as a teenager but sort of dismissed them for a while until just before I married the first time. Then my Mom took me to a Bible college about 90 minutes away from home. I was all set to enroll, then something happened and it didn't happen.
20 years later, I was living in another city, still married, working at a hardware store. This time the Lord provided all the funding and a great location only five miles from home. If I had taken the other ministry courses before, they would have cost my parents many thousands of dollars. Now all my education was paid by the church I was attending. Praise the Lord! This was one of my callings, but the Lord had more in store for me.
Over the years I had progressed from poetry to newspaper articles to magazine articles and then to books in my writing. I am now in the book-writing phase even though I still do some of all the other phases as well. God took me on a gradual journey exploring new facets of writing all through my life.
Now I am waiting for disability to be approved because of my bad eyesight and other reasons. Thankfully, there are many technological innovations to help me see as I work on my writing. He has a plan for my life, but it takes a step of trust at a time to get there. He will do the same for your life. You may not know many years at a time in advance what God is going to do with your life, but you just have to walk it out one step at a time with God guiding you.
So I had a lot of things I could have done with my life, but they didn't work out. I made a lot of missteps but God improved my writing along the way, found a wonderful first wife for me, then brought me a second wife later in life to help me with the next phase of God's will .
Maybe you, too, haven't found God's will easy to recognize?? Not everyone does! But if you keep close to God He is going to guide your life even when you can't see or feel it happening. Someday you will look back and see the wonderful things God has done for you, and praise His name for it.
Keep going no matter what happens. Keep striving toward the goals of your life with God's help and encouragement. Remember, friends and family won't always encourage you the way you need it, but God will if you stay close to Him and listen for His guidance, then obey. The Bible promises He will never leave or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) You have His promise on it!!
Following God's Will For Your Life
Over the years I have wrestled with many faith issues as have you, most likely. In the course of these, I have learned some interesting lessons about following God's will:
Following is a choice.
Just as the disciples in Jesus' day had to choose to follow Him, we also must choose. If we truly want to follow God then we have to forsake other paths that beckon us as distractions. We have never been to the future before, so only God knows the way. We can choose to go our own path, but then we risk a lot by not following God's will. Look at what Jonah went through in the Bible because he went the opposite direction to what God wanted him to do. God takes into account our desires as it says in Psalm 37, but only He knows the pitfalls that lie ahead of us.
Others won't always agree with you.
When my first wife died, I was terribly devastated after 33 years of marriage. I later met someone online who lived in another state, and after ten weeks married her. You can imagine what I heard from my friends and family!! We have currently been married two years and very happy. We knew we were following God's will for our lives but we couldn't explain it to others. The more we tried, the less headway we made. You can't always explain things to people when you are following God. Another example from the Bible is in Genesis when God asked Abraham to follow His directions to a new Promised Land, but Abraham didn't know anymore than that. He had to launch out on faith.
When my new wife came to where I was to help me pack, my family and friends got to meet her briefly but still there was a note of reservation there. God knew we each needed a new start and He had a plan for us, but we had to go against the grain of people's opinions to realize that gift. It was terribly hard but it was worth it. I still keep in contact with my friends and family, but we don't live near them.
Ultimately, you have to decide.
When I got married suddenly, I had three people I consulted before I did it. Even then, I didn't have peace about following their advice, which was against the marriage. Two were for it, and one was not. I had asked for a unanimous ruling one way or the other. We were both so miserable, we prayed about it together, and went ahead the next day and married despite what was said. The point is, you have to follow the peace. You can ask people's opinions but you have to decide what God is wanting for your life. You are the one accountable for your choices, not anyone else. If you are truly trying to follow God's will, then you can look where the peace is and folliow the peace through each rough spot in the road.
These three items are just the beginning of what I have learned about following God's will for my life. Your walk with God may be different than mine. I would love to hear about your experiences and what you have learned from them, if you would like to comment on my blog. I appreciate that, and God bless you as you follow Him.
Following is a choice.
Just as the disciples in Jesus' day had to choose to follow Him, we also must choose. If we truly want to follow God then we have to forsake other paths that beckon us as distractions. We have never been to the future before, so only God knows the way. We can choose to go our own path, but then we risk a lot by not following God's will. Look at what Jonah went through in the Bible because he went the opposite direction to what God wanted him to do. God takes into account our desires as it says in Psalm 37, but only He knows the pitfalls that lie ahead of us.
Others won't always agree with you.
When my first wife died, I was terribly devastated after 33 years of marriage. I later met someone online who lived in another state, and after ten weeks married her. You can imagine what I heard from my friends and family!! We have currently been married two years and very happy. We knew we were following God's will for our lives but we couldn't explain it to others. The more we tried, the less headway we made. You can't always explain things to people when you are following God. Another example from the Bible is in Genesis when God asked Abraham to follow His directions to a new Promised Land, but Abraham didn't know anymore than that. He had to launch out on faith.
When my new wife came to where I was to help me pack, my family and friends got to meet her briefly but still there was a note of reservation there. God knew we each needed a new start and He had a plan for us, but we had to go against the grain of people's opinions to realize that gift. It was terribly hard but it was worth it. I still keep in contact with my friends and family, but we don't live near them.
Ultimately, you have to decide.
When I got married suddenly, I had three people I consulted before I did it. Even then, I didn't have peace about following their advice, which was against the marriage. Two were for it, and one was not. I had asked for a unanimous ruling one way or the other. We were both so miserable, we prayed about it together, and went ahead the next day and married despite what was said. The point is, you have to follow the peace. You can ask people's opinions but you have to decide what God is wanting for your life. You are the one accountable for your choices, not anyone else. If you are truly trying to follow God's will, then you can look where the peace is and folliow the peace through each rough spot in the road.
These three items are just the beginning of what I have learned about following God's will for my life. Your walk with God may be different than mine. I would love to hear about your experiences and what you have learned from them, if you would like to comment on my blog. I appreciate that, and God bless you as you follow Him.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Some Important Elements in Ministry
Just as a food recipe must be followed to get the right result, there are certain elements that are essential to ministry to make it successful:
- Communication. You may be a great preacher or orator, but if your day-to-day communication is lacking, you will have a lot of frustrated people around you, as well as yourself. Make it a point to communicate appropriately when someone sends you an email or leaves a message on your machine. Otherwise you are going to find yourself working alone because no one can stand to work with you because of your lack of communicatioin skills.
- Integrity. Our enemy, Satan, is waiting and watching for opportunities to derail and discredit our ministries. It only takes one misstep for this to happen, so be careful how you handle the personal, business, and financial aspects of your ministry. Be transparent in your finances with lots of accountability so no one can accuse you of being dishonest. If you don't have a system in place for dealing with counseling or being around women, do so now. Don't give rides to women unless there are others in the car with you. Don't counsel women unless you have safeguards in place so nothing can be said that will cast doubt on your life or ministry. Leave a door open when you talk to a woman in your office during business hours, even if it is a staff member. Have your wife or husband help you in this if they are available.
- Be Compassionate. People are going through things just like you are, so be compassionate and listen to them with an open heart. Concentrate on what they are saying, not what you want to reply. Listen to the person, to God, and then talk if you need to. No one wants to talk to someone who isn't interested in listening to them.
- Watch Your Schedule. Sort what you are doing by the focus of your ministry, not because you want to feel important by having a lot to do. Think about how Jesus would handle His daily duties if He were here now. If you study the Gospels, you will see that one attribute of Jesus was that He was never too busy to help someone. For example, Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood. Make time for aloneness with God so He can rejuvenate you. Allot time for your family so your ministry doesn't override your family time together. Remember, that your family is a big part of your ministry. If your relationship with your spouse and children are in shambles, how can you be effective in what you are doing for God?
- Stay close to God. If you are close to God you won't be digging at the last minute for a message to give on Sunday or whenever, He will supply it. If you are so busy you don't have time to prepare your messages, then something is wrong. Is your message a priority or an afterthought each week? God will give you what you need for those under your care if you are close to Him.
These are but five of the many areas that are important in ministry. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to see what is happening in your ministry from God's point of view. Keep an open, humble heart before God so you can hear what He has to tell you.
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