this is who we are

I love coming across verses in the Bible that remind us of who WE ARE. There are so many things in life that seem to tell us what we are not, can't be, or never will become. I am so glad that God's Word is different! One of my all time favorite verses is found in Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10:35; 39
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded...
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Confidence is so important! Knowing who you are is a vital key to being confident in who you are and who God has designed you to be. We are reminded not to "throw off" our confidence. Ever been in that place where your confidence melts. I hate it. Why? Because I don't act like who I really am at that point. When your confidence is lacking, you try to make up for it. I think that happens in our spiritual lives as well. We are strong and confident in who God is in us, then something happens...something gets in the way. When confidence is lost spiritually, it is hard to be the man or woman of God that He has called us to be.

I am so glad that we are reminded who WE ARE! "We are not of those who shrink back...[we are] those who believe and are saved." That is WHO WE ARE. I am so glad that God's Word teaches us and reminds us that through His grace and His strength that we are not people who run away in fear, but people who, through faith (believing) are able to overcome!

Today, remember this is who we are!

Get the car MOVING

I heard an interesting quote today: "It's easier to steer a car when it is moving."

Now I know that's not rocket science, but it sure spoke some things to me. Here is what I mean: so often in life we want things to happen. We want to be "over there" or we are looking for this or that to happen. The truth is that we often never see those things come to life simply because we are not moving in that direction...or maybe we are not moving at all.

I know throughout my life there have been some awesome dreams and visions that I have seen come to pass. None of them have ever happened by just sitting there. I had to move to see it happen.

I recently sold my 1970 Dodge D200 step-side pick up truck. It was a huge, green piece of lead with four wheels and an engine...and that's about it. No power windows, the doors didn't lock, no power breaks - AND NO POWER STEERING. I did not notice the lack of power steering when I was driving down the road. But the few times that I had to try and parallel park or squeeze into a tight spot...you really noticed.

Life and our walk with Christ can be like that at times. When you are not moving, it is very hard to turn the course. Complacency kills - dreams, vision, faith - it simply kills (Prov. 6:9; Prov. 24:33). Maybe you find your self in a season right now where you want things to be different - you want change, you want excitement, you want more - but you are sitting still. You are that parked car. A word of advice...get moving, and it will be easier to accomplish those things that are in your heart!

the foundation is just the beginning

The Foundation|Just the beginning

We are currently in a great season as a church and student ministry! Everyday our new building is taking on new shape and form. I love going over and checking out the progress. Putting on the hard hat and bright orange vest reminds me that things are moving along - a building is rising out of the ground. I love how much seeing that building take shape reminds me of the things that God is doing in our lives as individuals, as He grows us and prepares us to take the shape that He has destined for our lives.

I have been reading through the minor prophets (Hosea through Malachi) recently. The other night I was reading through Zechariah and something stuck out to me:

Zechariah 4:6-10 (NLT)
Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. 7 Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will flatten out before him! Then Zerubbabel will set the final stone of the Temple in place, and the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’ ”

8 Then another message came to me from the Lord: 9 “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me. 10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. For these seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.”

Here are a few things that I love about this passage of scripture:

First, we are reminded that it can be in our own strength to complete the work that God has destined for our lives. The truth is that it will take WORK. For some of us, that thought might be scary. But the simple truth is that it does take effort - focused work - to complete the things that God has called us to. Here is the point though...it is not finished or accomplished through or by our own abilities, gifts, talents, strengths, possessions, fame...it is accomplished through God's strength - through the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Second, I love that the Lord reminds Zerubbable (through the prophet Zechariah), that nothing can stand in the way of accomplishing and finishing the things that the Lord has ordained (or purposed) for him to do(see verse7)! The truth is that we often face opposition in life, but nothing can withhold God's will and purposes from being accomplished! That is exciting to me! Even in the hardest times, if there are big mountains standing before me - if God has called me to it - He will see it fulfilled.

The last thing that I want to point out is the fact that God has completion in mind. I am sure after years of just seeing a bare foundation in place, that Zerubbable was concerned - even doubted if completion will ever take place. But God says "Then Zerubbabel will set the final stone of the Temple in place "(v. 7) and "Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me. Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin"(v. 9-10). We at times may feel like we just have a bare foundation. Maybe we have started moving forward in our walk with Christ, but something feels like it is undone, not complete. We need to remember that God will complete the work! The foundation is just the beginning!

God told Zechariah "Do not despose these small beginnings". Even if what you have feels like it is "small" and insignifigant - through God's hand and His strength it can be built into something GREAT. The work that God is doing in you, the dreams, visions, goals, desires - even if they feel small - the will become great as God continues to fulfill His purpose in your life.

Taking Risk

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down^ the nets for a catch.”
Luke 5:4

I will be honest. Taking risks is not a huge part of my life. I tend to think things through - maybe to a fault. I guess there are a few exceptions to this: I love rock climbing, skiing backcountry, driving a scooter - yeah, a HUGE RISK!, etc. But often in life I have avoided taking risks. I want to play it safe, stay with what is comfortable, keep to what is known.

The truth is that in living our lives this way, it is hard to gain new ground. I believe with all my heart that part of our faith, as Christians, has to involve taking risks. In reflecting on this I have been thinking through Luke 5, where Jesus approaches the disciples and tells them to push out into deeper water and let down their nets.

Often I think we are more comfortable on or near the dock, so to speak. We like the comfort of being able to see the shore near us. But there are times where we must learn to be obedient to the voice of the Holy Spirit and be willing to risk as he calls us to head out into new waters. The old quote "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" is true. Often we want God to do the miraculous for us, then we will be willing to risk. But when we combine our faith with obedience to when He calls us to risk - we will see gain!

This is an area that the Holy Spirit has been challenging me in. I want to become more of a "risk" taker. Not over stupid things...not endangering my life or the lives of others. I want to be willing to "launch out into the deep", take some risks in my faith...not for my own advancement, but for the advancement of His Kingdom!

Be willing to risk!

THE MISSION

I just got home from a 5 day missions trip with 25 students to Marblemount, WA, a small community in the North Cascades of Washington state. Often when I have thought of missions in the past I think of distant countries, planes, dirt roads and different languages. I believe wholeheartedly in foreign missions! My sister (Tasha) and brother-in-law (Doug) are missionaries to Swaziland in southern Africa. I have gone to southern Mexico to build schools for LACC (Latin American Child Care). I believe in missions around the world - but the mission is also across the street.

Something I recently challenged our student ministry with is the thought that The Mission (Matt. 28:18-20, 2 Peter 2:9) is wherever God's people are. Weather we are at school, in our neighborhood, in a foreign country, or at work - The Mission exists there. What is The Mission? That "NONE would perish".

Our week in Marblemount was eye opening for many. The fact that we can jump on a plane or drive a few hours...The Mission will exist there.

My prayer is that each of us would gain greater understanding that we are God's hands in accomplishing His Mission. Weather we are walking across the street or we are going around the world - The Mission is there!

Sunshine...only not on the weekend

Just trying to figure out why it gets sunny during the week...and the weekend it rains.

I was scheduled to paint my house this past weekend, yet the weather decided not to cooperate. I guess that is the price to pay when you live in western Washington. Don't get me wrong...I love this area. I wouldn't change where I live. I just sit here looking at the beautiful sunshine while I sit here in my office. I wish I had an iced coffee - sitting in the sun, reading a book. Maybe next week.

On an upbeat note...Thank you Jesus for the good weather this week!

John 12:23-28 | Amazing Words

John 12:23-28
23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name!"

Those words amaze me. Jesus, in all of His wisdom, knowledge and understanding says something so simple and yet vastly profound. "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed..." As the end of His earthly mission is in view, He communicates a truth to the disciples then that is true for each believer today: we cannot gain without sacrifice. It is through sacrificing our wants, that we learn to live for His. It is through laying down our desires, that His desires become our priority and focus in life. We CAN hold on to what we have, but it wont produce more than what it is...a single seed. But when we lay aside our desires, dying to ourselves, and get invested and planted in what our King desires, then we will see fruitfulness...a harvest that goes beyond a "single seed".

Jesus understood the price that was going to be given. "Now my heart is troubled..." But even with that awareness, His purpose was the most important thing. He was able to stick to it, because He understood it.

Imagine what could happen if people would take the purpose that God had set aside for their lives with that type of commitment! Imagine if we were a little more willing to "fall to the ground" so that we would not "remain just a single seed."

Have I totally reached that point. Not yet. I daily have to die to things...but it is my desire to become more for the Kingdom, which means that I need to set aside my wants, worries and desires and get myself more invested in His purpose.