Hey everyone.
Just wanted to let you know (for those who read my blog) that I have moved it over to tumblr.com. My url tylersollie.com will point you to that location.
Thanks!
Tyler
Posts
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Dream Center Tour
Today we had the chance to tour and view the Dream Center facilities and hear about all the ministries that we will be working with over the next week. It is truly inspiring to hear the stories of lives that have been changed. Here are some of the pictures from our tour.
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Just landed
After a short flight we have landed in LA. Now to get the van, some lunch...then on to the Dream Center.
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Living WHOLE
Last night we wrapped up a series at eastridge youth entitled "WHOLE". We have focused over the past few weeks on how to live a life that is pure.
Here are 10 thoughts/principles that I think will help each of us live this out:
1. Jesus needs to be the priority of our life
Matthew 6:33 reminds us to "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness..." Your relationship with Jesus should not just be an accessory on your life. He IS our life!
In Genesis 39 we read about Joseph facing a temptation - a test. His response: "How could I sin against my God..." His priority was not on what others would think, or what he could get away with, or with what he could keep hidden…his priority was God. His priorities were shown by the decisions in his life. The same is true in our lives. Live life with Jesus as your priority - not the applause or approval of others.
2. Right choices
Proverbs 16:17 says "The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life." It is amazing how much pain we can save ourselves from if we simply make the right choice. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it!
3. Right thoughts
Your thoughts will lead to your actions. What you allow to be your actions in life will become that habits that you form and live with. The habits that you allow to form in your life will begin to form your character. Your character in life will control your destiny. Your thoughts are IMPORTANT!
Colossians 3:1-2
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
4. Right relationships
Don't be "unequally yoked" in life (see 2 Cor. 6:14). Put the right relationships into place in your life. We need people who can help us get to where we want to be! Don't allow yourself to settle for less than what God would desire to bless you with.
5. Right timing
Here is a simple equation:
Right person + Wrong time = bad thing
Wrong person + Right time = disaster
Right Person + Right time = blessing
Don't be in such a rush with life - especially when it comes to relationships. Wait for the right season...and wait for the RIGHT PERSON!
6. Right situations (places you find yourself)
Be careful where you allow yourself to be. If you know you are going to be weak in a specific situation...don't go there. If you place yourself in the right situation, you are less likely to have a bad result. If you find yourself in a situation that you need to escape from remember the words of 2 Timothy 2:22 - Flee...Pursue...With.
7. Accountability
We all need people in our lives who can help us get to where we need to be. This is called accountability. We need people in our lives who can help us uphold the standards that we want to live out. There will be moments when we are weak and we need someone with some strength to come along side of us. If you don't have someone who is asking you the tough questions and investing in you to help you succeed in life, find someone...today!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
8. Set Goals/Know your standards
If you don't have vision and set out to be purposeful with living a life that is WHOLE and not fractured, it probably wont happen by default. Someone wise once said "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time."
Set goals, know your standards for live - then stick to them!
9. Listen to the Holy Spirit
Jesus said that He was going to send the Counselor - The Holy Spirit - who will lead us into truth (John 14:17). If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit will speak to you...LISTEN! If our ears are open, He will keep us from making decisions that will bring harm or destruction. He will lead us into truth!
10. Focus on His abilities more than yours
Sometimes when we hear messages on living a life that is pure we feel like it is all up to us. That somehow we must make it all happen and show God how "good" we are. What that can lead to is one of two things: PRIDE - because we think we are so good and we are making it happen ourselves, or FRUSTRATION - because we keep messing up and we feel like we will never succeed.
We need to always add Jesus and His Grace to the equation. It is not just about what we can do. It is about what He has DONE for us. As we look at His sacrifice that He made for us on the Cross and consider that He wants us to live lives that are WHOLE and without fracture and brokenness, we realize that He will give us the strength, grace and ability to see it happen.
Who are you tied in with?
I love rock climbing. And although I am a little out of practice, I am looking forward to the weather getting warm again and going out with my gear and a few friends to climb some of the routes that are great around here.
One thing I learned a few years back: it is important to know who you are tied in with. For those who have gone climbing before, it is vital that you know who is holding the rope for you while you are suspended up in the air holding on by your finger tips and toes. You are hoping and praying that the person who has the rope is paying attention to every move you are making.
Who are you tied in with? Who is holding the rope in your life?
I was climbing with some friends once in North Bend off of exit 38. It was a warm Sunday afternoon. One friend started up his climb while the person who had him on belay (holding the rope) was watching. Something distracted the one who was holding the rope while the one who was climbing went to make a gutsy move...he missed the move and fell. The problem was the person holding the rope wasn't clued into the fact that he was about to fall, so he wasn't prepared to help.
The good thing is no one got hurt.
The bad thing is many of us are going through life and we are not really sure who we are tied in with, or who is holding the rope in our lives. We need people we can trust. People who are looking out for our best interest and wanting us to achieve greatness in life and finish the climb. We also need to be that person to someone else. We need to be holding the rope in our friends lives - watching them to ensure they make it safely.
If you don't know who it is that is holding the rope - that is a risk I would not encourage you to take. Find some people who you can trust, get tied in with them. It can make all the difference in the result!
One thing I learned a few years back: it is important to know who you are tied in with. For those who have gone climbing before, it is vital that you know who is holding the rope for you while you are suspended up in the air holding on by your finger tips and toes. You are hoping and praying that the person who has the rope is paying attention to every move you are making.
Who are you tied in with? Who is holding the rope in your life?
I was climbing with some friends once in North Bend off of exit 38. It was a warm Sunday afternoon. One friend started up his climb while the person who had him on belay (holding the rope) was watching. Something distracted the one who was holding the rope while the one who was climbing went to make a gutsy move...he missed the move and fell. The problem was the person holding the rope wasn't clued into the fact that he was about to fall, so he wasn't prepared to help.
The good thing is no one got hurt.
The bad thing is many of us are going through life and we are not really sure who we are tied in with, or who is holding the rope in our lives. We need people we can trust. People who are looking out for our best interest and wanting us to achieve greatness in life and finish the climb. We also need to be that person to someone else. We need to be holding the rope in our friends lives - watching them to ensure they make it safely.
If you don't know who it is that is holding the rope - that is a risk I would not encourage you to take. Find some people who you can trust, get tied in with them. It can make all the difference in the result!
Where do you go for input?
Who we seek counsel from is important. It seems that all too often we look every place besides the voices that we need to listen to when it comes to seeking after wisdom and advice. I shared some thoughts with our interns the other morning on who we get our advice and input from that I thought would be worth passing along.
1 Kings 12:1-15 tells the story of King Rehoboam coming to power and where he took advice from.
1. Don't just surround yourself with people who will tell you what you want to hear
2. Listen to the advice of wisdom.
3. Sometimes the people closest to you in age wont have the perspective you need to hear.
4. Be aware of the needs of people around you - not just want you think you need or want.
5. Being teachable is a non-negotiable for leaders.
When I was younger I didn't always value the input of people who were older than me. I remember at times my parents telling me things that I thought they did not know what they were talking about...amazing how a few years changes perspective! As I have grown in my understanding of God's Word and in years (now almost 31), I see how vital it is to have the right people and voices around us for input.
If you are young, don't make the mistake of only taking advice and wisdom from your own age group. Listen to what people with a few more years have to say. Then be teachable and put it into practice.
1 Kings 12:1-15 tells the story of King Rehoboam coming to power and where he took advice from.
1. Don't just surround yourself with people who will tell you what you want to hear
2. Listen to the advice of wisdom.
3. Sometimes the people closest to you in age wont have the perspective you need to hear.
4. Be aware of the needs of people around you - not just want you think you need or want.
5. Being teachable is a non-negotiable for leaders.
When I was younger I didn't always value the input of people who were older than me. I remember at times my parents telling me things that I thought they did not know what they were talking about...amazing how a few years changes perspective! As I have grown in my understanding of God's Word and in years (now almost 31), I see how vital it is to have the right people and voices around us for input.
If you are young, don't make the mistake of only taking advice and wisdom from your own age group. Listen to what people with a few more years have to say. Then be teachable and put it into practice.
Difference Makers
I have been thinking a lot about people who live their lives as difference makers. The truth is that many of the people that I would consider to fit in this category might not recognize themselves as such. These people inspire me.
They give of their time without coming across like it is a burden.
They sacrifice to help see the dream of someone else come to pass.
They show up.
They enjoy what they are doing - because they understand the difference it makes.
They help to lift the load.
They are people who take something that is impossible, and work and find ways to make it happen.
I had so many people show up in my life to be difference makers over the past few weeks as we were getting ready for our grand opening of our student center. These people (adults, students, interns, volunteers...) took dreams and ideas that would have been impossible and made them possible. They gave their time, energy and effort, all because they believed that what they were doing and what they could do would make a difference. They are people who live life as difference makers!
I want to live life like that.
They give of their time without coming across like it is a burden.
They sacrifice to help see the dream of someone else come to pass.
They show up.
They enjoy what they are doing - because they understand the difference it makes.
They help to lift the load.
They are people who take something that is impossible, and work and find ways to make it happen.
I had so many people show up in my life to be difference makers over the past few weeks as we were getting ready for our grand opening of our student center. These people (adults, students, interns, volunteers...) took dreams and ideas that would have been impossible and made them possible. They gave their time, energy and effort, all because they believed that what they were doing and what they could do would make a difference. They are people who live life as difference makers!
I want to live life like that.
Good Reminder
Every now and then I need a good reminder. I love how it is God's Word that usually brings these reminders in life.
Tonight I was reading through Philippians and came across a challenging verse that I often read right through.
Philippians 2:14
"Do everything without complaining and arguing..."
It's one of those verses that is easy to remember and often difficult to live out everyday.
What a great challenge for us. I know that I personally enjoy hanging out with people who are NOT always complaining. What a goal for us to aim at: that we would do EVERYTHING with out having a complaining attitude or arguing.
Paul's reasoning for this is that it would cause God's people to stand out in their generation and shine.
I like that!
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Tonight I was reading through Philippians and came across a challenging verse that I often read right through.
Philippians 2:14
"Do everything without complaining and arguing..."
It's one of those verses that is easy to remember and often difficult to live out everyday.
What a great challenge for us. I know that I personally enjoy hanging out with people who are NOT always complaining. What a goal for us to aim at: that we would do EVERYTHING with out having a complaining attitude or arguing.
Paul's reasoning for this is that it would cause God's people to stand out in their generation and shine.
I like that!
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Doing the Work
We all want to accomplish something great in life. What separates those who have the desire and those who accomplish it? I think a lot of it comes down to our willingness to work. I have been reading through 1 Chronicles and came across the following verse. David reminds Solomon (who was soon to be king) to:
Be Strong
Be Courageous
Do the Work
Being willing to do the work is important in accomplishing what God puts in our hearts. It was in David's heart to build the temple. But God's plan was for Solomon to build it. David made the preparations - he did the work. He gathered supplies, had plans and even motivated the people to give. But now David was reminding his son to "be strong and courageous, and DO THE WORK."
Along with all of this there is an amazing promise that David gives Solomon. I think it is a promise that comes from first hand knowledge of who his God was. What was that promise?
God is with you
He won't fail you
He won't forsake you
He will see that the WORK (His work) gets done
The amazing thing is that as we work with diligence to see things that God has called us to get done, God is making sure that they are accomplished!
What is it that He has called you to build?
Be Strong
Be Courageous
Do the Work
But be sure to remember that:
God is with you
He won't fail you
He won't forsake you
He will see that His WORK gets done!
Be Strong
Be Courageous
Do the Work
Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly.1 Chron. 28:20 | NLT
Being willing to do the work is important in accomplishing what God puts in our hearts. It was in David's heart to build the temple. But God's plan was for Solomon to build it. David made the preparations - he did the work. He gathered supplies, had plans and even motivated the people to give. But now David was reminding his son to "be strong and courageous, and DO THE WORK."
Along with all of this there is an amazing promise that David gives Solomon. I think it is a promise that comes from first hand knowledge of who his God was. What was that promise?
God is with you
He won't fail you
He won't forsake you
He will see that the WORK (His work) gets done
The amazing thing is that as we work with diligence to see things that God has called us to get done, God is making sure that they are accomplished!
What is it that He has called you to build?
Be Strong
Be Courageous
Do the Work
But be sure to remember that:
God is with you
He won't fail you
He won't forsake you
He will see that His WORK gets done!
Whose steps are you walking in?
When I was a little kid I remember going to the beach with my family. One of the things I still remember to this day is seeing my dad's steps in the sand and trying to walk in those same steps. His feet seemed so big and his strides seemed so long...but it was a fun challenge to try and keep up and follow the pattern that he was putting in the sand before me.
Each of us need someone to follow after in life. I am so thankful for mentors in my life (some I have deep relationship with and others I have never met in person). They are people who I have observed how they walk and I see the steps they take and I try to learn from them and follow the godly pattern they lay down with how they live their life and how they carry themselves in ministry.
The truth is that many of us don't have mentors. Some of us have them and don't even realize it. What I mean is this: sometimes we see people and follow the pattern they lay down...not even realizing that it is influencing the way we live.
Here are a few thoughts on steps worth following:
1. Find someone going in the direction you want to go in
Keeping the end in mind, who is going somewhere that you want to go in life? Find a godly example and allow them to sharpen your life.
2. Find someone who is further ahead than you
A mentor is someone who has something to add out of their experience. Find someone who is further down the road in life than where you are at. Be TEACHABLE. LISTEN. ASK QUESTIONS.
3. Find someone who can stretch you
If you can already keep up, you probably wont be challenged. Mentors are people who will make you better, not just keep you comfortable. Some of the greatest defining moments in my life have come when a mentor has stretched me when I wasn't looking to be stretched.
4. Find someone who lives it
Don't just follow someone who can talk it. Follow someone who can live it out!
As a kid, I tried to keep in pace with my dad. I still am doing that today. He is someone who has exemplified these qualities time and time again. As I have watched his life - his steps - it has challenged, encouraged and inspired me to live life in a way that would bring glory to Jesus.
Whose steps are you walking in?
Each of us need someone to follow after in life. I am so thankful for mentors in my life (some I have deep relationship with and others I have never met in person). They are people who I have observed how they walk and I see the steps they take and I try to learn from them and follow the godly pattern they lay down with how they live their life and how they carry themselves in ministry.
The truth is that many of us don't have mentors. Some of us have them and don't even realize it. What I mean is this: sometimes we see people and follow the pattern they lay down...not even realizing that it is influencing the way we live.
Here are a few thoughts on steps worth following:
1. Find someone going in the direction you want to go in
Keeping the end in mind, who is going somewhere that you want to go in life? Find a godly example and allow them to sharpen your life.
2. Find someone who is further ahead than you
A mentor is someone who has something to add out of their experience. Find someone who is further down the road in life than where you are at. Be TEACHABLE. LISTEN. ASK QUESTIONS.
3. Find someone who can stretch you
If you can already keep up, you probably wont be challenged. Mentors are people who will make you better, not just keep you comfortable. Some of the greatest defining moments in my life have come when a mentor has stretched me when I wasn't looking to be stretched.
4. Find someone who lives it
Don't just follow someone who can talk it. Follow someone who can live it out!
As a kid, I tried to keep in pace with my dad. I still am doing that today. He is someone who has exemplified these qualities time and time again. As I have watched his life - his steps - it has challenged, encouraged and inspired me to live life in a way that would bring glory to Jesus.
Whose steps are you walking in?
4 Reasons to Grow
Here are a few thoughts on why we should continue to strive for growth in our lives:
1. Mediocrity is not a valued ability
No matter how much we might enjoy just relaxing and kicking back, mediocrity is not in high demand. No one, when they are young and dreaming of their future, wishes that someday they will live a life that is average or mediocre.
2. Growing keeps you dreaming and thinking
If you have a vision for growth in your life, you take time to think, pray and dream about where you are going and what you are doing. Determine to be a life long learner. If you do, you will be a life long grower.
3. None of us have arrived
No matter what area of growth it is (leadership, faith, discipline, knowledge, kindness, clapping on beat, etc.) none of us have arrived and already know everything there is to know. We are all still in process...and that process wont be done until we are done (i.e. dead).
4. You don't want to stay where you are
The truth is to stay where we are is often comfortable, but it is not always the best for us. When I was young and growing I would get "growing pains" in my knees. It wasn't fun. In fact, there were times that I would have rather just stayed the height that I was at, instead of having to deal with the pain associated with growth. But I would not have been okay with not living up to my full stature, just because I wanted to stay where I was out of comfort. Don't allow this to happen in your life as it relates to growing. You don't want to stay the same "stature" that you are at today for the rest of your life.
Press forward and grow!
1. Mediocrity is not a valued ability
No matter how much we might enjoy just relaxing and kicking back, mediocrity is not in high demand. No one, when they are young and dreaming of their future, wishes that someday they will live a life that is average or mediocre.
2. Growing keeps you dreaming and thinking
If you have a vision for growth in your life, you take time to think, pray and dream about where you are going and what you are doing. Determine to be a life long learner. If you do, you will be a life long grower.
3. None of us have arrived
No matter what area of growth it is (leadership, faith, discipline, knowledge, kindness, clapping on beat, etc.) none of us have arrived and already know everything there is to know. We are all still in process...and that process wont be done until we are done (i.e. dead).
4. You don't want to stay where you are
The truth is to stay where we are is often comfortable, but it is not always the best for us. When I was young and growing I would get "growing pains" in my knees. It wasn't fun. In fact, there were times that I would have rather just stayed the height that I was at, instead of having to deal with the pain associated with growth. But I would not have been okay with not living up to my full stature, just because I wanted to stay where I was out of comfort. Don't allow this to happen in your life as it relates to growing. You don't want to stay the same "stature" that you are at today for the rest of your life.
Press forward and grow!
Confidence
A few years back I remember a time where I felt like my confidence was shaken. I knew I was saved, that Jesus loved me, and that He had a great plan and future for my life. Even though I knew all those things, I didn't feel the confidence that I knew I should have as a Christian. Then I came across something helpful in the book of Hebrews:
We are reminded to not throw away our confidence. Unfortunately, that is one of the first things that we throw off when we are facing a trial or a difficult season. The problem with allowing our confidence to be shaken is that it hinders our ability to walk by faith. As you read on in Hebrews 11, if we are not walking in faith, it is impossible to please God (see Hebrews 11:6).
Here are some thoughts on how to keep your confidence, no matter what you are facing:
1. Remember Jesus is our source of confidence
On the cross, Jesus finished the work for me and you. Our confidence can not be rooted in what we can or cannot do in our own strength or ability. If your faith is in Him and the work He did for you and I, there is no reason to have your confidence shaken.
2. Don't base your confidence (or the lack there of) on feelings
If you base everything on how you feel, you will live life on a roller coaster of emotion. Sometimes your feelings do not tell the truth like you would hope. As Christians, we have this amazing opportunity to hold tighter to our FAITH than our FEELINGS. Don't allow your confidence to be altered based on how you feel, when you know that faith is saying something else.
3. Remember there is a reward
As we keep our confident faith in Jesus, there is a reward! Not only does it bring us a greater sense of peace and hope no matter what we are walking through, but there is blessing for our lives as we walk by faith and not fear. We are those who "believe"! The Greek word for "believe" in verse 39 is the same word translated "faith" all throughout Hebrews 11.
Keep your confidence in the Lord. If my confidence is based in what I can do or achieve or accomplish, I am in trouble. But if my confidence is in the One who never changes, the One who will never give me more than I can handle, the One who is always faithful - it is a confidence that can remain.
Keep Confident!
Hebrews 10:35-36, 39 (NIV)
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
We are reminded to not throw away our confidence. Unfortunately, that is one of the first things that we throw off when we are facing a trial or a difficult season. The problem with allowing our confidence to be shaken is that it hinders our ability to walk by faith. As you read on in Hebrews 11, if we are not walking in faith, it is impossible to please God (see Hebrews 11:6).
Here are some thoughts on how to keep your confidence, no matter what you are facing:
1. Remember Jesus is our source of confidence
On the cross, Jesus finished the work for me and you. Our confidence can not be rooted in what we can or cannot do in our own strength or ability. If your faith is in Him and the work He did for you and I, there is no reason to have your confidence shaken.
2. Don't base your confidence (or the lack there of) on feelings
If you base everything on how you feel, you will live life on a roller coaster of emotion. Sometimes your feelings do not tell the truth like you would hope. As Christians, we have this amazing opportunity to hold tighter to our FAITH than our FEELINGS. Don't allow your confidence to be altered based on how you feel, when you know that faith is saying something else.
3. Remember there is a reward
As we keep our confident faith in Jesus, there is a reward! Not only does it bring us a greater sense of peace and hope no matter what we are walking through, but there is blessing for our lives as we walk by faith and not fear. We are those who "believe"! The Greek word for "believe" in verse 39 is the same word translated "faith" all throughout Hebrews 11.
Keep your confidence in the Lord. If my confidence is based in what I can do or achieve or accomplish, I am in trouble. But if my confidence is in the One who never changes, the One who will never give me more than I can handle, the One who is always faithful - it is a confidence that can remain.
Keep Confident!
Refusing Unbelief
Psalm 106:24 NLT
"The people refused to enter the pleasant land,
for the wouldn't believe his promise to care for them."
Have you ever allowed unbelief to creep into your life? The problem with unbelief is that is keeps us from all of the good things that God has for us. In Psalm 106 the psalmist is recalling all of the good things that God did to show favor to His people. As they left Egypt He gave them a chance to go claim their inheritance. Unfortunately they did not believe.
"...for they wouldn't believe his promise to care for them."
What does it take to refuse unbelief?
1) Trust in His promise more than your opinion
2) Trust in His ability to care more than your fear
3) Trust in His provision and guiding more than what the evidences appear to be.
Refuse Unbelief
"The people refused to enter the pleasant land,
for the wouldn't believe his promise to care for them."
Have you ever allowed unbelief to creep into your life? The problem with unbelief is that is keeps us from all of the good things that God has for us. In Psalm 106 the psalmist is recalling all of the good things that God did to show favor to His people. As they left Egypt He gave them a chance to go claim their inheritance. Unfortunately they did not believe.
"...for they wouldn't believe his promise to care for them."
What does it take to refuse unbelief?
1) Trust in His promise more than your opinion
2) Trust in His ability to care more than your fear
3) Trust in His provision and guiding more than what the evidences appear to be.
Refuse Unbelief
Commissioned
I cant help but to keep thinking about the fact that we have been COMMISSIONED by Jesus to make a difference in our world. Many of us know the words in red found in Matthew 29:18-20 (which is known as the Great Commission"):
The word COMMISSIONED is defined this way:
Here is a few thoughts on what that COMMISSION includes for us as followers of Jesus:
Recognize that as a Christian, you have been COMMISSIONED to make a difference in your world. We are COMMISSIONED to share the Love, Truth, Hope and Grace that we have found in Jesus. Lets do it!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,a]">[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The word COMMISSIONED is defined this way:
The act of committing or giving in charge
An authoritative order, charge, or direction
Authority granted for a particular action or function
Here is a few thoughts on what that COMMISSION includes for us as followers of Jesus:
POWER
“But you will receive power…”
AUTHORITY
“All authority has been given to me…”
DIRECTION
“…therefore go…”
PRESENCE
“I will be with you always…”
Recognize that as a Christian, you have been COMMISSIONED to make a difference in your world. We are COMMISSIONED to share the Love, Truth, Hope and Grace that we have found in Jesus. Lets do it!
Get Together
Unity is one of those ideas that is easy to talk about, but in too many cases, harder to live out. But unity - being together - is vital!
This weekend I have had the privilege to speak at "UNITED WINTER CAMP" for my good friend, Pastor Andy Jones (youth pastor at Fairwood Church). In our morning chapel he talked about being unified. It was powerful! Here are some thoughts that I jotted down and wanted to pass along about the power of UNITY:
Strive for unity with each other. With it great things can be accomplished in our churches and communities. Without it, we wont get the work done that we have been commissioned to do.
This weekend I have had the privilege to speak at "UNITED WINTER CAMP" for my good friend, Pastor Andy Jones (youth pastor at Fairwood Church). In our morning chapel he talked about being unified. It was powerful! Here are some thoughts that I jotted down and wanted to pass along about the power of UNITY:
Genesis 11
The people were speaking the same language and going the same direction - but it was all rooted in selfishness. As a result, God brought confusion.
John 17
Jesus prays for us! He prays for unity in His people, that we would be ONE, just as He and the Father are ONE. This is huge for us to recognize that Jesus prayed that we as His church would operate with unity - that we would be ONE in heart and purpose.
Acts 2
The church operates in UNITY. The confusion that was brought in Genesis 11 is turned to bring unity. And look at what is accomplished! People were saved, healed, restored, and the work that Jesus had commissioned them to do went forward!
Philippians 2
We must get selfishness out of the way if unity will ever come about in our lives. A lack of UNITY is a sign of SELFISHNESS.
Ephesians 4
The goal: that we would grow up in the faith and be unified together.
Strive for unity with each other. With it great things can be accomplished in our churches and communities. Without it, we wont get the work done that we have been commissioned to do.
Unwrapping the Gift
Every year I am amazed at how quickly the wrapping paper comes off, the boxes open up and the gifts are put into use. Now that our boys are getting a little older, each year brings a little more anticipation - "When can we open the gifts?!?" There is so much excitement this time of year because there is anticipation about what is inside of the box.
Have you ever found yourself "holding" the gift of salvation, but feeling like its full reality and potential has not been "unwrapped" in your life? What good is a gift to us, if it hasn't been fully unwrapped and utilized in our lives? There have been times where I have been given a gift of clothes, and I never use the gift. I wonder if the person who gave me those gifts wonders why they never see me in them? I know when I give someone something, I want them to take it out of the box and use what they have been given!
What about the gifts that God has given to each of us. Romans 12:6-8 talks about the different gifts we have been given. Do you allow your God given abilities just to remain "wrapped" up, or have you started to break them out of the box? Are you using them to make a difference?
Even though Christmas is now over, I still think it is a great time to determine to "unwrap" the gifts God has given us.
Things I will NOT do in 2010
Many people are taking time right now to think about what this next year will have in store. Goals, accomplishments, dreams...they are thinking about resolutions and how this next year will be different than the last. I have come up with a different idea today - things I am NOT resolving to do: a New Years Un-Resolution List?
Something like that.
So here it goes...things I will not do in 2010:
1. I will not back down in my faith
2. I will not miss the opportunity to bless and be a blessing to my wife and family
3. I will not allow passivity to be in my faith, leadership and life
4. I will not allow opinions of others to be a stronger voice than the voice of Jesus
5. I will not miss opportunities to laugh and enjoy life
6. I will not undervalue the opportunities to tell and show people they are loved
7. I will not live without physical exercise
8. I will not live by only wishing great things would happen and not taking action
9. I will not neglect the habits that lead to greatness
10. I will not underestimate the difference my life can make
What are the things you are aiming at for 2010? What are the things that you are determined to do, or NOT to do. The truth be told...either way you are resolving to do something! So dream, plan, make goals, and develop vision. Then get after it! Make this year the greatest year you have ever lived!
Approval Addiction
I will be the first to admit it...I hate to let people down. For me, one of the worst things is knowing that I fell short of what someone was wanting, expecting or desiring me to deliver. There are people in life who could care less. There are others who love the conflict. Not me. Yet even though these emotions are very real, I have been learning some important truths over the years. Here is one that has helped me:
If we make it our aim to please everyone, we will please no one. (including the most important one we should be seeking approval from: Jesus)
If we make it our aim to live a life that is fully pleasing to Him, that is what matters most! Now I am not saying that we should be hard hearted and not be teachable. Problems arise when we want to make every person happy...which if we are honest with our selves, will never happen.
If we make it our aim to please everyone, we will please no one. (including the most important one we should be seeking approval from: Jesus)
If we make it our aim to live a life that is fully pleasing to Him, that is what matters most! Now I am not saying that we should be hard hearted and not be teachable. Problems arise when we want to make every person happy...which if we are honest with our selves, will never happen.
Think about what Jesus told us was the Greatest Command: Love God and Love People. If we get these things mixed up, we can get ourselves into a cycle where getting peoples approval becomes more important to us than hearing Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
The idea should not be, "Well, I don't really care about people...I just listen to Jesus." Listen to God, honor Him, love people - but don't make your ONLY AIM in life to win the applause of everyone.
