It has been some time since I last made an entry in the "blog-o-sphere." However, the Lord has put some thoughts on my heart that I just can't shake. Complacency, do we truly understand what it means to be complacent as a believer in Jesus Christ? You see, I believe complacency is the opposite of obedience. Complacency defined means self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation. In other words it means, "I have arrived" or "I can't do this anymore." Complacency defined this way is contrary to God's Word either way. Complacency means either I am full of myself, also know as pride, or things are too hard and I quit.
As I look at a culture that is full of itself, thinking it knows better than God. A culture where everyone believes they have their individual knowledge of truth, I see a culture that is dying. A culture that has no hope outside of themselves. A hope that will disappoint. This hope will disappoint because it is rooted in man, not God. Any hope that the world has to offer is brought to you courtesy of man's logic and reasoning. You see, man is faulty. Or as the Bible calls it, sinful. We live in a culture that does not want to address Truth with a capital "T," as in biblical Truth. When man looks into God's Truth, he will see how far he falls short and that is uncomfortable. This is particularly uncomfortable when you are all the hope you have.
So these thoughts get me back to complacency. We as believers in Jesus Christ should be the last to become complacent. You see our hope is not found in man's ways. It is found in God's ways. As believers, we need to understand that His ways are better than our ways. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
You see, it is not about us. It never has been and never will be. That is why we should never become complacent. We get complacent when we try to do it on our own. The Christian walk was not meant to be completed on your own. He has sent you a Helper. Well, why has He sent us a Helper? Because to taste the richness of His blessings, requires us to be obedient. Luke 9:23 Jesus tells his disciples what it means to be a follower of Him. "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY and follow Me." Did you get the DAILY in that verse. You see, we get complacent when things get tough. Can't trials come only once a month, or once a year? No, Jesus here says daily. So what does this look like on a daily basis? I am reminded of Paul's words in Romans 12:1, "Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." In the culture that we live in, on a daily basis, we have to be willing to present ourselves as a "living and holy sacrifice." This will mean that you look very different from the culture in which we live. But if you are really set apart, shouldn't you act and behave differently? Shouldn't your actions be evident of the love you have for the Lord? The way that you treat your wife, your children, your co-workers, or even the person who cut you off on the freeway? Yes, you should present yourself as a "living and holy sacrifice." And this difference has to start with me and you.
It's not time to sit on the sidelines. It is time to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations," states, counties, cities, and neighborhoods telling them about the hope that will not disappoint. It is with this hope that it is possible for us, in this life to never become complacent.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Monday, June 29, 2009
Pick Your Priorities
Choices...everyday we make choices. Some decisions that we make may seem insignificant, while others may seem important. Whether we realize it or not, we all make decisions based on priorities. The question is, how do you prioritize? Do you base your priorities on what the world and society says is important? Or do you base your priorities on God's Word? You can watch the news on any given day and see what you get when you base your decisions on the world's knowledge. Look on the news, do you see peace, joy, and self-control? No way, we see the just the opposite, depression, despair, and disaster. So again, it all goes back to priorities.
Last week I had the opportunity to preach for the first time while taking a seminary class. I have had some people who were curious to see the video...so here it is (follow the link below.) The sermon is based on Matthew 6:33 and picking your priorities.
Remember, "SEEK" Him first!
Last week I had the opportunity to preach for the first time while taking a seminary class. I have had some people who were curious to see the video...so here it is (follow the link below.) The sermon is based on Matthew 6:33 and picking your priorities.
Remember, "SEEK" Him first!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Commitment
Do you remember your wedding day? I bet somewhere in your wedding ceremony you uttered the words, "for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part..." right? Somewhere in your ceremony you agreed to a commitment. A commitment to love, honor, and respect your spouse. You made that commitment to God, to your spouse, and to those who celebrated with you on that special day.
Have you noticed lately in the news, how people just don't seem to keep commitments? Individuals, groups, and companies are always looking out for themselves as they try and change commitments they have entered. This should not be so in marriage. To be committed takes work! It means emptying yourself. It means humbling yourself as you choose to stay committed in your marriage. It's caring more about the other person, than you do for yourself.
I have been greatly encouraged by the attendance of our Wednesday night Journey studies. What a blessing to have 40+ people show up as they are committed to their marriage. I believe that it's going to take God's people not only committed to their marriage, but also committed to Him, to change the direction of our society. Remember the commitment that God gave to us through Jesus. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son..." (John 3:16)- now that is commitment! Don't follow the world's example of commitment. And remember "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) Memorize that verse. Meditate on that verse. Be committed to that verse as you love God and your spouse. As you remain committed to God, just see how He will bless the commitment in your marriage.
Have you noticed lately in the news, how people just don't seem to keep commitments? Individuals, groups, and companies are always looking out for themselves as they try and change commitments they have entered. This should not be so in marriage. To be committed takes work! It means emptying yourself. It means humbling yourself as you choose to stay committed in your marriage. It's caring more about the other person, than you do for yourself.
I have been greatly encouraged by the attendance of our Wednesday night Journey studies. What a blessing to have 40+ people show up as they are committed to their marriage. I believe that it's going to take God's people not only committed to their marriage, but also committed to Him, to change the direction of our society. Remember the commitment that God gave to us through Jesus. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son..." (John 3:16)- now that is commitment! Don't follow the world's example of commitment. And remember "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) Memorize that verse. Meditate on that verse. Be committed to that verse as you love God and your spouse. As you remain committed to God, just see how He will bless the commitment in your marriage.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Great Expectations
O.k., so tomorrow is Saturday and I have a final in my Ministry Leadership class...and why am I blogging? Since I asked myself that questions, I guess I will have to answer that one... PROCRASTINATION! I don't like to admit it, but I do like to push things to the last minute sometimes. You know like Kobe waiting to take the last shot with 0.2 seconds left in the game. Or like "Big Daddy Vladdy" coming up in the bottom of the ninth inning, down by a run, two outs and a full count. Can't you picture it, me with a study guide and a pen the night before the final...maybe not.
Yes, it is true...tomorrow is my final. The class has been a good one and I have learned a lot about leadership and how to apply that in the church setting. I just finished up some writing that I needed to complete for the class, and next is the studying. I am looking forward to completing this class and then it is on to a preaching class in late June.
So now on to the "expectations." Thank you for those who prayed for me while preparing and teaching at the E for E conference last Saturday. It didn't quite work out the way "I" thought it would. I put in a good number of hours reading and preparing and guess what? I had one person attend. The man said it was what he needed for his church, so I will trust God that He will do what He wants with the work I prepared for Him. I wanted to leave you with a verse from Scripture that helps me in times of uncertainty as we base our decisions on God's Word and it doesn't pan out the "we" think it should...such as E for E.
Yes, it is true...tomorrow is my final. The class has been a good one and I have learned a lot about leadership and how to apply that in the church setting. I just finished up some writing that I needed to complete for the class, and next is the studying. I am looking forward to completing this class and then it is on to a preaching class in late June.
So now on to the "expectations." Thank you for those who prayed for me while preparing and teaching at the E for E conference last Saturday. It didn't quite work out the way "I" thought it would. I put in a good number of hours reading and preparing and guess what? I had one person attend. The man said it was what he needed for his church, so I will trust God that He will do what He wants with the work I prepared for Him. I wanted to leave you with a verse from Scripture that helps me in times of uncertainty as we base our decisions on God's Word and it doesn't pan out the "we" think it should...such as E for E.
"So My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and will prosper in what I send it to do." Isaiah 55:11
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
E for E- 2009
Well, it is done! Tonight I put the finishing touches on the presentation that I will be sharing as I teach at the Equipped for Excellence conference this Saturday. Last year I attended the conference and was taught by someone, who let's just say was a little suspect. I remember walking out of the conference last year thinking, "I sure would like a chance at that!" Well, be careful what you ask for!
If you are not sure what E for E is all about, let me explain. This event is a regional conference for people who teach Sunday School. I am honored and excited to teaching at the conference this year. I was asked to teach the advanced track for teachers of adults with school aged children through teenagers. I have pulled together a variety of resources and it has been exciting to pull it all together into one cohesive presentation.
This year Johnny Hunt, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention will be giving the keynote message. Hard choices...who should I go hear teach, Todd or Johnny Hunt?
I would appreciate your prayers leading up to and on Saturday. I 'll be sure to post later to let you know how it went. I am posting a link below to a Steven Curtis Chapman song entitled "One Heartbeat at a Time." It was written for mothers, but I think us dads can relate to it too. I will be sharing this song with my group on Saturday!
In Christ,
Todd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppOJkyYonIg
If you are not sure what E for E is all about, let me explain. This event is a regional conference for people who teach Sunday School. I am honored and excited to teaching at the conference this year. I was asked to teach the advanced track for teachers of adults with school aged children through teenagers. I have pulled together a variety of resources and it has been exciting to pull it all together into one cohesive presentation.
This year Johnny Hunt, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention will be giving the keynote message. Hard choices...who should I go hear teach, Todd or Johnny Hunt?
I would appreciate your prayers leading up to and on Saturday. I 'll be sure to post later to let you know how it went. I am posting a link below to a Steven Curtis Chapman song entitled "One Heartbeat at a Time." It was written for mothers, but I think us dads can relate to it too. I will be sharing this song with my group on Saturday!
In Christ,
Todd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppOJkyYonIg
Saturday, April 18, 2009
"Garage Sale" Moment
The first time you do anything can give you a feeling of overwhelming uncertainty. Around our house, we like to call it the "garage sale" moment. Have you ever had it? You know, it's that feeling you get when you haul all of your junk out on to your driveway at 5:30 am in the hopes of someone coming to buy the stuff. It's that feeling you get when your neighbors are walking out to get their Saturday morning paper and they look over at you and your junk. You get that feeling, is anybody going to come and buy this stuff?
That is the feeling I am talking about when you do something for the first time. Do you remember some of your firsts? The first time you drove? The first day at your job? The first time you realized that you were responsible for this little newborn baby as you return home from the hospital?
Well, this is the first time that I have ever blogged. My cyber-space "garage sale" moment. I will try and use this spot to communicate what John Piper calls my "Holy Ambition." As some of you know, my "Holy Ambition" is reaching out to people about the love of Christ through marriage and family.
Well, back to the "Garage Sale" moment. We know how the story ends. Can you believe what people buy at garage sales? Yes, people do buy junk! Sometimes in life we need to take the first step and haul the junk in our lives out in the open, to get rid of it. That is what God is asking us to do. He wants for us to get rid of the sin and pain in our lives. And guess what, He already bought our junk through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Don't be afraid of your firsts. Step out and trust Him.
That is the feeling I am talking about when you do something for the first time. Do you remember some of your firsts? The first time you drove? The first day at your job? The first time you realized that you were responsible for this little newborn baby as you return home from the hospital?
Well, this is the first time that I have ever blogged. My cyber-space "garage sale" moment. I will try and use this spot to communicate what John Piper calls my "Holy Ambition." As some of you know, my "Holy Ambition" is reaching out to people about the love of Christ through marriage and family.
Well, back to the "Garage Sale" moment. We know how the story ends. Can you believe what people buy at garage sales? Yes, people do buy junk! Sometimes in life we need to take the first step and haul the junk in our lives out in the open, to get rid of it. That is what God is asking us to do. He wants for us to get rid of the sin and pain in our lives. And guess what, He already bought our junk through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Don't be afraid of your firsts. Step out and trust Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
