2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is
his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Saturday 31 August 2013
Bring Forth the Treasures
Bring Forth the Treasures
Today's Scripture:
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him…Matthew 12:35, NIV.
Today's Word:
Recently, there was an article that told how the wealthiest places on earth are not the oil fields of the Middle East nor the diamond mines of South Africa. The wealthiest places are the cemeteries. Buried in the ground are businesses that were never formed, songs that were never sung, books that were never written, potential that was never realized, and dreams that never came to pass.
Friend, don’t let that be you! Don’t go to your grave with your treasure still in you. Keep growing. Keep learning. Step out in faith and trust God. Bring forth the good treasure that God has placed within you. If you don’t know where to start, start by meditating on His Word. Let Him speak to your heart. Learn to hear His voice. Learn to obey quickly. Trust that He is good and will lead you in the path He has prepared for you.
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for the good treasures You’ve deposited in me. I will be faithful to develop what You’ve entrusted to me. Help me, by Your Spirit, to stay close to You and follow Your leading every step of the way in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
***
“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV)
The Bible says wisdom is full of mercy and good deeds: “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17 NIV).
In other words, it’s wise to show grace to people when they mess up, when they blow it, when they sin, when they fumble, when they have faults, and when they fail.
Who is the wisest person in the universe? God. Who is the most merciful person in the universe? God. So, any time I judge, I’m being foolish. Any time I’m merciful, I’m being like God. And that’s wise! It’s wise to cut people some slack, because God cuts you slack all the time.
Everything you have in life is a gift from God — even your next breath. If you got what you deserved, you wouldn’t be alive. Yet God doesn’t give you what you deserve. He gives you what you need. That’s mercy.
Wise people give people what they need, not what they deserve. That’s mercy, and that’s wisdom. Wise people don’t emphasize other’s mistakes, because they are merciful.
Proverbs 17:9 says, “Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends” (LB).
Mike has been on the Saddleback staff in facilities for many, many years. I ran into him the day he and his wife, Sally, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Sally was getting ready to drive off, so I walked over to her car to congratulate her. I asked her, “What is the secret of a 50-year marriage?” She looked at me and said, “Pastor, I never tried to change him.”
After she drove off, I walked up to Mike, who was further up the way and said, “Mike, what’s the secret to 50 years of marriage?” He said, “I never tried to change her.”
Wisdom is full of mercy.
Talk About It
- What do you need to let go of in your relationships so you can show mercy?
- Who are the people in your life that you would consider wise, according to the descriptions of wisdom here? How do those people exemplify wisdom?
Friday 30 August 2013
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test
Romans 12:2
Develop Your Talent
Develop Your Talent
Today's Scripture:
That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].
Colossians 1:10, AMP.
Colossians 1:10, AMP.
Today's Word:
Too many people suffer from “destination disease.” In other words, they’ve reached a certain level or obtained a goal, now they’re coasting in life off of what they’ve already learned. Studies tell us that 50% of people, after they graduate from high school, will never read an entire book the rest of their life. One reason is that people see learning as a period of life instead of a way of life. They think, “I’m out of school. I’m done with my training. I’ve got my job.” But, God never created us to reach one level and stop. Whether you’re 90 years old or 9 years old, you should be constantly learning, improving your skills, and getting better at what you do.
The key is that you have to take responsibility for your growth. Growth is not automatic. What steps are you taking to get better? Are you reading books? Listening to teaching CD’s? Are you taking any courses on the internet? Going to any seminars? Do you have any mentors? Don’t just coast through life relying on what you’ve already learned. You have treasure on the inside. Develop your talent and become all that God created you to be.
Prayer for Today:
Father, help me to develop the talents You have given me. Show me to how to continue growing, stretching and increasing. Help me to maximize what You’ve placed in my hand as I daily give You glory for Your faithfulness in my life in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
PS...
“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV)
Being considerate is the antidote to the two most common mistakes that we make in relationships.
The first mistake we make is reacting to what people say while ignoring how people feel. We pay too much attention to someone’s words and not enough attention to his or her emotions. The words don’t really matter. People say stuff when they’re angry that they don’t even mean. They use words they don’t even intend to use. They exaggerate things. But you need to look behind the words at the emotion, because that’s what it is. People don’t always say what they mean, but they always feel what they feel.
So if you are wise in a relationship, you stop focusing on what your kids or your boyfriend or your husband or your wife or your boss says that just ticks you off, and you start being considerate. That simply means you are mindful of the feelings of others. Unkind people are those who need your kindness the most. When people are rude and unkind, they are screaming to the world, “I’m in pain!” Hurt people always hurt people.
The other mistake we make in relationships is invalidating any feelings that we don’t feel ourselves.
This is when you believe something is dumb or irrational or illogical because it’s not what you feel, and you dismiss it. But can someone be cold and somebody else be warm at the same time? Yes. So why are you arguing about it?
When we invalidate other people’s feelings because we don’t feel it, we minimize that person. Guys, if your girlfriend or your wife says to you, “I feel ugly,” don’t dismiss it and say, “You’re not ugly!” That doesn’t help at all. What you need to do is say, “Why would you feel that? What would make you say that?” because you need to look beyond the words and get to the real issue.
Feelings are neither right nor wrong. They’re just there. If someone feels something, she shouldn’t have to defend it. She just needs you to say, “I hear you.”
The Bible says, “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17 NIV).
With Heaven’s wisdom, you’ll stop minimizing other people’s feelings. You’ll let the other person feel what they feel without minimizing it. You will let him feel tired when he’s tired and not try to talk him out of it. You will let her feel depressed when she’s depressed and not try to talk her out of it. Wise people are considerate of other people’s feelings.
Talk About It
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- What will it take for you to be more considerate of people’s feelings and not just their words? What habits do you need to change or adopt?
Thursday 29 August 2013
It's Never too Late
It's Never too Late
Today's Scripture:
The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.Romans 11:29, KJV.
Today's Word:
What could be worse than to come to the end of life filled with regrets? “If only I had pursued that dream. If only I had been more disciplined. If only I had taken that step of faith. If only I had forgiven.” Don’t let that be you. You may have put things off a lot longer than you should have, but the good news is that it’s not too late to get started. You can still become everything God has created you to be.
Today, make the decision to stop making excuses. If you always make excuses, you’ll always have one. Don’t wait for a more convenient time. It says in Ecclesiastes, “If we wait for all the conditions to be just right, we’ll never move off of dead center.” Make a decision to just do it! Be a now person. Your destiny is calling out, and it’s never too late to be all that God has created you to be.
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for making all things new. Thank You for renewing me, restoring me and setting me on the road to victory. Show me Your ways and give me the strength to embrace every opportunity that comes from You in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them.” (Proverbs 20:3 TEV)
Wise people are peacemakers, not troublemakers. Wise people don’t carry a chip on their shoulder. They are not always looking for a fight, and they don’t intentionally antagonize other people.
The fact is, if you’re around anybody for any length of time, you figure out what irritates him or her, and you file that information in the back of your mind as a tool to use when you get in an argument. It’s a weapon of mass destruction! When you get in an argument, and that person says something that hurts, offends, or slights you in any way, then you pull out the big gun. You push his hot button. And it works every time!
You know what the Bible calls that? Stupid! You’re not getting any closer to the resolution. You’re not helping the relationship. In fact, you’re hurting it. It is not wise.
Proverbs 20:3 says this, “Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them” (TEV).
We all use tools, tricks of the trade, and skills in relationships that are actually counter productive. They’re hurtful, they’re harmful, and they don’t get you what you want out of relationships. In fact, they get you the exact opposite behavior. But when we lack wisdom, we use them anyway.
There are many of these tools, but here are just a few:
Proverbs 14:29 says, “A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes” (LB). Have you ever said or done anything stupid out of anger? Yes. Because when you get angry, your intelligence goes out the window. When you get angry, you say and do stupid things that are actually self-defeating.
Did you ever think about the fact that there is only one letter difference between “anger” and “danger”? When you get angry, you are in dangerous territory. You are about to hurt others — and yourself — with your own anger.
Talk About It
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PS...
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2
Wednesday 28 August 2013
Mga kwento ni lola Basyang
Hindi pa masyadong busy sa eskwela pero buti na lang marami pang mapaglilibangan. Mga libro na hindi ko pa mabasa na regalo pa nila sa akin simula ng umalis ako. Maalala ko nga pala ang mga kwento ni Lola Basyang. Ang tagal na noon pero naalala ko pa. Nakakatuwa na kapupulutan ng aral. Sana pagdating ng panahon makalikha rin ako ng mga librong tulad nya. Sa ngayon, masaya kong pinag-iisipan ang konsepto para sa aking proyekto. Alam kong magagamit ng sino mang makakabasa nito lalo na pagdating sa larangan ng trabaho. Mahaba pa ang mga araw pero alam kong kailangang pag-aralan ng mabuti.
Inspirasyon ko ang mga taong nakapaligid sa akin. Dahil sa aking nakikita, nakikita ko rin ang solusyon. Nabubuo sa aking isipan ang magandang ideya na alam kong magiging daan para makita rin ng ibang tao ang tunay na kahulugan ng salitang 'liwanag'. =)
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1
Filling a Bag with Holes
Filling a Bag with Holes
Today's Scripture:
You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.Haggai 1:6, NIV.
Today's Word:
In the Old Testament, God spoke to the people about rebuilding the temple. In Haggai it says, “The people said, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house,’ even though Cyrus had ordered it eighteen years earlier.”
Notice that through Cyrus, God had told them to rebuild eighteen years before, but they were still saying, “It’s not the right time. Let’s do it later.” I can imagine that in the first year they thought, “Let’s not do it now. We’re busy.” Second year, “It’s not convenient. Let’s do it some other time.” Eighteen years later, they were still putting it off.
What happens when we don’t do what God is asking us to do? Verse six says, “You have sown much but reaped little. You’ve earned your wages, but you’re putting them in a bag with holes in it.” Verse seven says, “Consider your ways.” Friend, don’t try to fill a bag that has holes in it. You won’t be able to get ahead. You won’t be effective. What’s the answer? Consider your ways. Be quick to obey. Don’t wait to pursue that dream. Don’t wait to forgive. Don’t wait to get serious about your relationship with God. Do it today and partake of all the blessings He has in store for you!
Prayer for Today:
Father, today I choose to be quick to obey. I don’t want to waste time. I don’t want to try to fill a bag with holes in it. I know that You have good plans for me, and as I obey Your Word, I will move forward into the life of blessing You have prepared for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
***
“Ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.” (Job 8:8 NLT)
God wants you to use your experiences to mentor others.
Mentoring is far more intentional than simply ministering to somebody when he’s hurting or motivating him when he’s down or giving him an example. Mentoring is when you actually take an interest in a person’s life and commit to helping him along.
1 John 1:3 says, “We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us” (MSG).
What is a mentor? A mentor is simply an experienced, trusted counselor or guide. What do you look for in a mentor? You look for experience. You look for perspective, and you look for somebody you can trust.
Actually the word “mentor” comes from Homer’s poem, “The Odyssey.” When the king goes off to fight the Trojan war, he leaves his kingdom in the hands of a trusted counselor named Mentor. Mentor actually teaches and raises the king’s son. That’s where we get the word “mentor.”
A mentor is like a personal coach. Everybody needs a personal coach and needs to be a personal coach. Personal coaches bring out the best in you. They see in you things that you don’t see in yourself. A mentor helps you with three areas: role, goal, and soul. What do you do in life? What are you accomplishing in life? And, what are you becoming in life? Mentors help you become what you can become.
The Bible says in Proverbs 25:12, “A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry” (TEV).
All education used to be done by mentors. In the Middle Ages, there were no schools. You would be apprenticed to a master craftsman, and he would train you one on one. That’s how you would learn to be a shoemaker or one of many other crafts. Today mentors are used more than ever before. They use mentors in the military, management, sales, sports, schools, and politics. No athlete would think of signing to be a pro without a coach. Pavarotti would not think of singing without a vocal coach. Even presidents have their mentors.
Why? Because no matter how successful you are or how successful you think you are, you always need a mentor. You’ll need one the rest of your life. It’s how you get to the top. You’ve got to have people who are speaking into your life.
Job 32:7 says, “Age should speak and experience should teach wisdom” (GW). If you’re over 40, are you doing that? Are you teaching anybody? Are you sharing any of your experiences, or are they being wasted?
If you are under 40, this verse is for you: “Ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors” (Job 8:8 NLT). Are you being mentored by someone with experience and whom you trust? It’s wise to learn from experience. It’s wiser to learn from the experiences of others.
Talk It Over
- How are you sharing your experience with someone younger than you? If you are not, what can you do to pursue those opportunities?
- If you are looking for a mentor, what kind of person will you be drawn to?
PS...
Tuesday 27 August 2013
Romans 12:5
5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:5
Don't Miss Your Moment
Don't Miss Your Moment
Today's Scripture:
Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.Matthew 9:22, NIV.
Today's Word:
In Scripture, there was a lady who had been sick with a bleeding disorder for twelve years. She went to the best doctors, received the finest treatment, but her health continued to decline. One day, she got word that Jesus was coming through her town. When she heard that, something came alive on the inside. She had so much coming against her, but she didn’t focus on that; she knew it was her time for healing. Instead of giving up, she fought her way through the crowds and touched the edge of Jesus’ robe. When she did, immediately she was made whole.
I wonder how many other people were there like her in that same type of situation. They were sick. They were discouraged. They had trouble. But they just watched Jesus pass by. They let excuses keep them from their miracle. Friend, don’t let that be you. Don’t let your circumstances keep you from reaching out to Jesus. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in your past, just keep moving forward. God has destiny moments in store for you. Keep pressing in, keep believing, keep praying and, like this woman, reach out to Him. Know that He is faithful, and He will meet your faith with His power.
Prayer for Today:
Father, today I press into You. I believe that You have my miracle in the palm of Your hand. I choose to take my eyes off of my circumstances and set my gaze on You, Jesus, because You are the Author and Finisher of my faith in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
***
“I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you.” (John 13:15 CEV)
Have you ever used a pattern? If you’ve ever sewn anything or done any woodwork, you’ve used a pattern. It’s the quickest way to reduce mistakes, save time, and learn better. In fact, the fastest way to succeed in life is to find somebody who is already where you want to be and follow his or her model. You don’t have time to make all the mistakes yourself! If you watch their lives, you’ll see the clues that made them successful.
Why was Jesus the greatest teacher ever in history? Because he modeled his message. He didn’t just say it. He lived it out. He incarnated the truth. The word became flesh, and Jesus’ life was his message. He said, “This is how you do it,” and then he did it.
In John 13:15 he said this: “I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you” (CEV). Jesus says, “I want you to follow my model, and then I want you to be a model.” As a Christ follower, God expects you to do just that — follow Christ’s example.
The problem is, growing up, you didn’t get to choose your model. Your models as a kid were simply the adults that were closest to you. That could be good, bad, or terrible. If you were fortunate enough to have good models in your life, you grew up pretty healthy. On the other hand, if you had some bad models in your life, you grew up with some wounds and hurts and some quirks that maybe need to be worked out.
Nobody’s totally perfect. We all have imperfections we’ve picked up from models. Here’s the good news: You get to choose your model now. You don’t have to stay with the ones you had as a kid. You can choose a new model. You can go out and read books and read biographies and get into contact with people. You see somebody in the church and go, “I like the way he’s doing that. I want to be a father like that person. I want to be a husband like that person, not like my dad.” It’s your choice now.
Who do you respect enough to pattern your life after? If you can’t think of anybody, then you’re not looking. There are thousands of people around. That’s why we need each other. That’s the value of small groups. You can learn from anybody if you just know the right questions. Look for somebody who’s going through stages or has already gone through stages you’re going through now.
Here’s the more important question: Who do you need to be a model to? In what areas could you be a model for somebody else? You need to have models, and you need to be a model. Titus 3:14 says, “Our people should also learn how to set an example by doing good things when urgent needs arise so that they can live productive lives” (GW).
Talk It Over
- What shared experiences are you looking for in a potential model for your life?
- In what areas could you be a model for somebody else?
Monday 26 August 2013
Romans 12:4
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and
these members do not all have the same function,
Romans 12:4
New Times and Seasons
New Times and Seasons
Today's Scripture:
" He changes times and seasons..."(Daniel 2:21, NIV).
Today's Word:
God is always looking to take us to higher levels. He wants us to grow and increase in every area. Change is often a catalyst for growth in our lives, and it keeps up from getting stuck in a rut. To help keep us on our path toward our destiny, God will supernaturally open and close doors of opportunity. He will 'stir us' out of comfortable situations and stretch us because He loves us too much to allow us to live in mediocrity.
Do you know how an eaglet learns to fly? That mother eagle will take her eaglet to the very highest point—way out of its comfort zone—and then she just releases it. As the eaglet falls, the mother swoops down and picks it back up again. She does this over and over until the eaglet spreads its wings and soars through the air.
That's what God wants for you today. He wants you to soar in life! You might feel like that eaglet learning to fly, but know that God is right there with you! He is bringing you new times and seasons so that you will rise higher and embrace the very best He has in store for you.
Prayer for Today:
Dear God, today I open my heart and mind to receive all that You have for me. I trust that You are with me directing my every step. I embrace Your seasons of change and thank You for helping me grow and increase in every area. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
***
by
“Encourage one another and help one another.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 TEV)
The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Encourage one another and help one another” (TEV). You are to build up, motivate, and inspire other people. How do you do that? You can do it three ways: You can give people hope, you can help people overcome their fears, and you can help people break down barriers.
First, you need to give people hope. You show that you’ve been through the same thing, and you reassure them that they’ll be able to get through it, too. You show through your story that it can be done.
When you share your experiences with other people, you help take away their fears. It’s kind of like riding a roller coaster. When you go to Six Flags and you’ve never been on one of those huge roller coasters, you’re kind of thinking, “Is this a smart decision?” Then, the person in front of you turns around and says, “This is a great ride. I’ve been on it five times.” So you’re thinking, “OK, I’m going to live. They’ve done it five times. It’s got to be OK.” Having someone share with you who’s already gone through it is an inspiration. It’s motivational.
How many first-time mothers feel scared to death, unprepared, and inadequate? All of them! How grateful they are for somebody who comes along and says, “Babies cry. It’s OK. It’s OK to let them cry. This is normal.” The fears that they’re experiencing don’t seem so daunting when others share with them their experiences and how they came through them. It gives them hope!
You also help people break through barriers when you motivate them with your own experience. Roger Bannister was the first guy to run a four-minute mile. At the time, everybody said it was an impossible barrier. Yet within about a year after Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile, a dozen other guys had done it. All of a sudden, people realized it wasn’t impossible, and it gave them hope that they could do it, too.
You have experiences in your life that could be barrier busting, inspirational, and motivational to other people — if you’re willing to share them. The most powerful way to say anything is the most personal way to say it.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:6, “For your sake, my friends, I have applied all this to Apollos and me, using the two of us as an example, so that you may learn.”
Whenever I teach a series on marriage, I always go back and talk about the marriage problems Kay and I have had. Why? Because it has the credibility of reality and people can go, “They don’t have a perfect marriage, and we don’t, either. But they’ve lasted nearly 40 years. Maybe we can, too.” Perfection never helps anybody — except when it’s Jesus.
Talk It Over
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