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God's Plan Matures Us Slowly

Here is a devotional I read this morning, by Rick Warren. Great reminder for all of us....

So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. (Ephesians 4:22-24 TEV)

Although God could instantly transform us, he has chosen to develop us slowly. Jesus was deliberate in developing his disciples, just as God allowed the Israelites to take over the Promised Land "little by little," so they wouldn't be overwhelmed. (Deuteronomy 7:22) He prefers to work in incremental steps in our lives.

Why does it take so long to change and grow up? There are several reasons -

We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson forty or fifty times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and we think, "Not again! I've already learned that!"—but God knows better. The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behavior. We need repeated exposure.
 
We have a lot to unlearn. Many people go to a counselor with a personal or relational problem that took years to develop and say, "I need you to fix me. I've got an hour." They naïvely expect a quick solution to a long-standing, deep-rooted difficulty. Since most of our problems—and all of our bad habits—didn't develop overnight, it's unrealistic to expect them go away immediately. There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. The Bible calls it "taking off the old self" and "putting on the new self." (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22-25; Col. 3:7-10, 14) While you were given a brand new nature at the moment of conversion, you still have old habits, patterns, and practices that need to be removed and replaced.

Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some kind: You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable and familiar.

 Good habits take time to develop. Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can't claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind—you show kindness without even thinking about it. You can't claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest. A husband who is faithful to his wife most of the time is not faithful at all! Your habits define your character.

There is only one way to develop the habits of Christlike character: You must practice them—and that takes time! There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, "Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress." (1 Timothy 4:15 GW)

Persistence

Can you relate to this?

Two frogs fell into a can of cream – or so I’ve heard it told. The sides of the can were shiny and steep, the cream was deep and cold.

“Oh what’s the use?” said Number 1, “tis fate- no help around- Good-bye, my friend. Good-bye sad world!” And weeping still, he drowned.  But Number 2 of sterner stuff, Dog paddled in surprise, the while he wiped his creamy face and dried his creamy eyes. “I’ll swim a while, at least,” he said- “It really wouldn’t help the world If one more frog were dead.” An hour or two he kicked and swam— not once did he stop to mutter,  but kicked and swam, and swam and kicked, then hopped out, via the butter. (author unknown)

Good times or tough times keep on keeping on!

 

Happy New Year!

I love the thought of a fresh start. As the new year approaches, I like to spend some time reflecting on where I am, where I've been, and where I need to go, and then with God's help make the much needed adjustments.

As I was doing some reading this morning I came across this brief devotional that is super relevant for all of us, by John Walker, author of 'Growing with Purpose',  as we begin a new and exciting year. Check it out:

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)

If you're thinking about making some New Year's Resolutions, consider this one from The Apostle: "This year I resolve to know nothing but Christ and him crucified."

Paul's message is radically simple: Salvation is in Christ alone. What does this mean?

It's not Christ plus your good behavior.
It's not Christ plus the years you taught a Bible study.
It's not Christ plus your tithe.
It's not Christ plus the church you attend.
It's not Christ plus the number of verses you memorize.
It's not Christ plus your title in the church.
It's not Christ plus wisdom from the latest Christian seminar.
It's not Christ plus a desert fast (or even a dessert fast!).
It's not Christ plus a good driving record.
It's not Christ plus well-behaved children.
It's not Christ plus the right job.
It's not Christ plus the right spouse.
It's not Christ plus the latest technology.
It's simply Christ. Christ plus nothing.

That's a message that is as right throughout the coming year as it will be in 2999. May your new resolution for the year be nothing but Christ and him crucified.

Great Book

I recently read the book, Relational Intelligence, by Steve Saccone and I loved it! It is a must read. Here is a clever little promo video for it...

A Few Thoughts On Prayer I Need to Remember...

Some challenging statements on prayer from Leonard Ravenhill's book, "Revival God's Way":

Prayer demands no special dress.

Prayer demands no special place.

Prayer demands no special eloquence.

Prayer demands no special scholarship.

Prayer never struts.

Prayer seeks no applause.

Prayer is often most mighty when it is most quiet.

Prayer defies definition.

Prayer eludes explanation.

Prayer is birthed in time, but it is grasped in eternity.

Prayer strengthens the weak and weakens the strong.

Prayer touches the power of the world to come.

Get Out of Your Seat

In my reading, I came across this great story:

Danny Cox, a former jet pilot turned business leader, tells his readers in Seize the Day that when jet fighters were first invented, they "flew much faster than their propeller predecessors. So pilot ejection became a more sophisticated process. Theoretically of course, all a pilot needed to do was push a button, clear the plane, then roll forward out of the seat so the parachute would open."

But there was a problem that popped up during testing. Some pilots, instead of letting go, would keep a grip on the seat. The parachute would remain trapped between the seat and the pilot's back.

The engineers went back to the drawing board and came up with a solution. Cox writes:

The new design called for a two-inch webbed strap. One end attached to the front edge of the seat, under the pilot. The other end attached to an electronic take-up reel behind the headrest. Two seconds after ejection, the electronic take-up reel would immediately take up the slack, and force the pilot forward out of his seat, thus freeing the parachute.

Bottom line? Jet fighter pilots needed that device to launch them out of their chairs. Question is, what will it take to launch us out of our seat?

source: Danny Cox, Seize the Day: Seven Steps to Achieving the Extraordinary in an Ordinary World (Career Press, 1994)

Psalm 1

I love how this reads in the Message:

Psa. 1.1  How well God must like you— you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College. 2  Instead you thrill to GOD’S Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. 3 You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. 4  You’re not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust— Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. 6 GOD charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row.

I love the fact that God chart the roads we take.

Perspective

"It's possible that in the apartment or house across from yours there is a blind man who would be thrilled if you would go over and read the newspaper to him. It's possible tht there is a family that needs something that seems insignificant to you, something as simple as having someone baby-sit their child for half an hour. There are so many little things that are so small  many people almost forget about them.

If you are working in the kitchen do not think it does not require brains. Do not think that sitting, standing, coming, and going, that everything you do, is not important to God.

God will not ask how many books you have read; how many miracles you have worked; He will ask if you have done your best, for the love of Him. Can you in all sincerity say, "I have done my best"? Even if the best is failure, it must be our best, our utmost.

If you are really in love Christ, no matter how small your work, it will be done better; it will be wholehearted. Your work will prove your love.

Your may be exhausted with work, but unless your work is interwoven with love, it is useless. To work without love is slavery."  Mother Teresa, No Greater Love

God's Love For HIS Church

On Wednesday nights at Harvest we have been studying the Seven Churches in the book of Revelation. Now, I must admit studying through the book of Revelation is not always easy or real clear to me. I find it thought provoking and really dig the imagery that is used, but I often come away with more questions than answers -- and I'm okay with that.

One thing that I am certain of, is the picture of God that comes out loud in clear to the various churches. You can see that God is a God who encourages us for doing well, but he is also pictured as loving us enough to challenge us severely when we stray. 

God is not some angry, vindictive God who wants us to fail so he can punish us, but rather he loves us enough to prod us when we begin to drift in hopes of leading us back into alignment with Him. I love the fact that he loves me enough to give me the opportunity to repent, and to get my relationship restored when I blow it. 

I love this passage, and I am not disappointed!

Rom. 10.9   For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.  11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed.”  12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They all have the same Lord, who generously gives his riches to all who ask for them.  13 For “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”