It has been sometime since my last post. I am very sorry for that. I have had some thoughts, but have had no time to write them down. Today I am making the time.
I want to consider today Genesis 1. Genesis was written by Moses some 1400 years before the birth of Christ. The first chapter of Genesis deals with the creation of the universe by God. We all know the first words of Genesis 1:1 " In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"
You may have noticed my title for this "thought" "In the beginning _________" I have left a blank, not because I doubt the creation. The truth is my very existence rests within those words. I believe them to my core. But my question and my point by leaving that space blank is simply this: DO YOU?
I have left that blank because I want you to fill in the blank. How you fill in that blank is going to have a tremendous impact on your life. The Scriptures say: "In the beginning God..." If you and I accept that fact, then our whole life will be affected.
Let me also tell you this, if Satan can successfully get you to deny "In the beginning God.." then he has done all he needs to do to destroy your soul.
I also know that if you are reading this blog then chances are you have already accepted the fact of "In the beginning God..." That being the case, then we acknowledge there is a God in heaven who is mighty and majestic and He demands our loyalty and obedience. And someday we will stand before Him. That should be the guiding force that shapes and molds our lives.
I don't have to tell you (but I will) that there are many people today who say "In the beginning God..." with the minds and mouths but say "In the beginning I..." with their lives.
I just wonder which are you? Which today am I? I believe to the very core of my soul that God created everything from nothing and He is the king of the universe. May I, may we live our lives in such a way that it reflects that belief. That in the beginning God created... the heaven and the earth.
Let me make that a bit more personal. In 1972 (my beginning) God created me, He is my ruler and my king. I pray that today He has my loyalty and allegiance and total obedience! I also pray He has yours.
How do you fill in the blank?
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
It Is Very Good
Greetings everyone. My thought for today comes from my dear friend Pastor Peter Njuguna. Peter is pictured with me in the photos to the left. He is the Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Kiambu, Kenya. He sent this today and I wanted to share it with you. I hope you enjoy.
It Is Very Good!
Have you ever thought of something good? I was riding on a bicycle on a country road to visit one of my friends, who is a pastor. On each side of the road was a grassland and a few people inhabited the area. There were some people walking on the same road. As I was riding, I noticed that there were many birds in the area, and they were different colors and sizes. The birds and everything I saw on the road started sinking slowly into my mind. I started riding my bicycle slowly and it took me a longer time to reach my friends home.
This was one of the enjoyable moments of my life. As I was observing for a long time, I noticed that the birds were very beautiful. And also the environment was very good. One kind of the birds had a very long tail and when one of them flew near my face, the tail made it gorgeous. They had black shining color and a beautiful white round mark like an eye on it's tail. There were other birds which were singing and the air was filled with music. It was as if they were praising their provider who is their creator. There were others eating berries from the trees, shrubs and some collecting from the ground. All the birds were beautifully marked on their feathers. This reminded me of my time in Kakamega forest which is home of many types of birds and it's beauty in western Kenya.
I thought to myself; do other people see this kind of beauty? This led me to an answer that, God is the creator of every goodness. I remembered the garden of Eden and I asked myself; How beautiful was that garden? Aha!! God loved man that is why the Bible says in Genesis 1:31 "God saw all that He had made and it was very good." There was no sin in the created man. God had fellowship with man and the animals obeyed man till the time man disobeyed God.
God is ever loving and He sent Jesus Christ to reconcile man to God through His death. This was done so that man can gain hope, peace, love, happiness and eternal life. Man can become a new creation through Jesus Christ if he trusts Him (2 Corinthians 5:17) Man's life can be more beautiful than anything in nature if has Christ in his life. He can have eternal life and walk on the streets of gold when he goes to heaven. THIS IS WHEN YOU HAVE CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR. This is more beautiful that the area I was riding my bicycle"
Pastor Peter Njuguna
Liberty Baptist Church
Kiambu, Kenya.
I hope you have enjoyed Peter's thoughts. Kenya may be one of the most beautiful places I have been on the face of the earth. I hope you can hear the beauty that Peter describes, but more importantly look out your window, how beautiful is the land that God has created. God is GREAT and GREATLY to be praised, AMEN? Amen!!
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
It Is Very Good!
Have you ever thought of something good? I was riding on a bicycle on a country road to visit one of my friends, who is a pastor. On each side of the road was a grassland and a few people inhabited the area. There were some people walking on the same road. As I was riding, I noticed that there were many birds in the area, and they were different colors and sizes. The birds and everything I saw on the road started sinking slowly into my mind. I started riding my bicycle slowly and it took me a longer time to reach my friends home.
This was one of the enjoyable moments of my life. As I was observing for a long time, I noticed that the birds were very beautiful. And also the environment was very good. One kind of the birds had a very long tail and when one of them flew near my face, the tail made it gorgeous. They had black shining color and a beautiful white round mark like an eye on it's tail. There were other birds which were singing and the air was filled with music. It was as if they were praising their provider who is their creator. There were others eating berries from the trees, shrubs and some collecting from the ground. All the birds were beautifully marked on their feathers. This reminded me of my time in Kakamega forest which is home of many types of birds and it's beauty in western Kenya.
I thought to myself; do other people see this kind of beauty? This led me to an answer that, God is the creator of every goodness. I remembered the garden of Eden and I asked myself; How beautiful was that garden? Aha!! God loved man that is why the Bible says in Genesis 1:31 "God saw all that He had made and it was very good." There was no sin in the created man. God had fellowship with man and the animals obeyed man till the time man disobeyed God.
God is ever loving and He sent Jesus Christ to reconcile man to God through His death. This was done so that man can gain hope, peace, love, happiness and eternal life. Man can become a new creation through Jesus Christ if he trusts Him (2 Corinthians 5:17) Man's life can be more beautiful than anything in nature if has Christ in his life. He can have eternal life and walk on the streets of gold when he goes to heaven. THIS IS WHEN YOU HAVE CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR. This is more beautiful that the area I was riding my bicycle"
Pastor Peter Njuguna
Liberty Baptist Church
Kiambu, Kenya.
I hope you have enjoyed Peter's thoughts. Kenya may be one of the most beautiful places I have been on the face of the earth. I hope you can hear the beauty that Peter describes, but more importantly look out your window, how beautiful is the land that God has created. God is GREAT and GREATLY to be praised, AMEN? Amen!!
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Do I Drive or Do I Motor?
My great epiphany for this thought, really isn't MY thought at all. I have borrowed it from a dear friend of mine. In fact he is more than a friend, he is in every way that counts (except biological) my brother. This thought is found on page 109 of a book that my "brother" Gary Taylor wrote titled "For Those Who Thirst: A Parched Worshipper's Journey". If when you read this thought you find that you would like to read more of what Gary has written, I think he has a few copies of the book left. Just get in touch with me and I can try to get you a copy. Anyway, this thought is titled "Do I Drive or Do I Motor"
" I'm intrigued and challenged by the difference between "driving" and "motoring" I never gave it a second thought until I began what I now believe to be motoring in my Mini.
I must be honest and say that the marketing folks for Mini know exactly how to grab the attention of a guy who changes vehicles every couple of years. In one of the Mini Cooper promotional pieces, the marketing geniuses explain that driving gets you from point A to point B. On the other hand, motoring is the drive from A to Z. The stopping point is not the goal.
It is during the experience on the road en route to a destination that one discovers hidden blessings, scenic overlooks, and visual treasures off the beaten path.
Realizing the difference between driving and motoring shifted the focus of my prayers. I used to pray for God to move me swiftly and efficiently from point A to point B. Not a bad prayer, but I was settling for less than the best.
Now I find myself asking God to allow me to partake of the treasures, blessings, and scenic overlooks discovered by those willing to motor by faith. It only makes sense that the God Who described Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the A and Z, would want me to choose the road named after Him.
Yep, I'm a convert. I once was blind, but not I see. I once was content as a driver, but now I long to live as a motorist.
Did you know that Jesus was an A to Z type of traveler? He modeled a life of dependence on the day-to-day, moment-by-moment guidance of the Holy Spirit who led Him along roads all over the map. That's why even those towns that He was just passing through ended up being the sites of such monumental and noteworthy events.
Driving straight from A to B, from the manger to the cross, just wouldn't have cut it. He was a motorist craving the open road. He recognized than any given moment could be scenic overlook or the sovereign detour of a precious opportunity to make an eternal difference in someone's life.
Open your Bible to Luke 18:31 and begin reading Jesus' motoring logbook. In this verse Jesus informs the disciples that He is going to Jerusalem. But the next several verses are spectacular accounts of motoring through Jericho before arriving at the "destination" in Luke 19:28.
In Luke 18:40 He pulled over at the request of a blind man. In Luke 19:1 He intended to pass through, but He parked at the house of a wee little man.
In Luke 19:11 we read that although Jesus was intent on going to Jerusalem, He felt there was time to drive below the speed limit so those confused travelers could catch up. We don't read that He even saw His greatly anticipated destination of Jerusalem until Luke 19:41.
In this passage, Jesus did what all good motorists do while traveling. he checked His blind spots, kept on the lookout for little children in the street, hit the brakes for lost and wayward travelers, and then joined in the parade.
MAYBE YOU CAN RELATE...
We all have the tendency to ask God for the bottom line. "God, just tell me what your will is for my life and I'll go do it." You just sit with you engine idling at point A, awaiting that sign from God that directs you to point B. But God has so much more planned for you-A life from A to Z.
Could it be that in your drive to the destination you've missed motoring through the blessings of back roads and rest stops? Yeah, Jerusalem-or wherever God has called you to go-will be awesome. But don't overlook the opportunities off the beaten paths of Jericho.
Here's your motorist's tip of the day: Rather than asking God to transplant you safely to your desired destination, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you, prompting you to slow down for fellow motorists sharing the road.
Keep a written record of those merging onto the lanes of your life today, journaling the ways in which God moves in their lives through you. Happy Motoring."
My prayer for you as you have read this thought by my "brother" Gary is that you will become a motorist and not just a driver.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
" I'm intrigued and challenged by the difference between "driving" and "motoring" I never gave it a second thought until I began what I now believe to be motoring in my Mini.
I must be honest and say that the marketing folks for Mini know exactly how to grab the attention of a guy who changes vehicles every couple of years. In one of the Mini Cooper promotional pieces, the marketing geniuses explain that driving gets you from point A to point B. On the other hand, motoring is the drive from A to Z. The stopping point is not the goal.
It is during the experience on the road en route to a destination that one discovers hidden blessings, scenic overlooks, and visual treasures off the beaten path.
Realizing the difference between driving and motoring shifted the focus of my prayers. I used to pray for God to move me swiftly and efficiently from point A to point B. Not a bad prayer, but I was settling for less than the best.
Now I find myself asking God to allow me to partake of the treasures, blessings, and scenic overlooks discovered by those willing to motor by faith. It only makes sense that the God Who described Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the A and Z, would want me to choose the road named after Him.
Yep, I'm a convert. I once was blind, but not I see. I once was content as a driver, but now I long to live as a motorist.
Did you know that Jesus was an A to Z type of traveler? He modeled a life of dependence on the day-to-day, moment-by-moment guidance of the Holy Spirit who led Him along roads all over the map. That's why even those towns that He was just passing through ended up being the sites of such monumental and noteworthy events.
Driving straight from A to B, from the manger to the cross, just wouldn't have cut it. He was a motorist craving the open road. He recognized than any given moment could be scenic overlook or the sovereign detour of a precious opportunity to make an eternal difference in someone's life.
Open your Bible to Luke 18:31 and begin reading Jesus' motoring logbook. In this verse Jesus informs the disciples that He is going to Jerusalem. But the next several verses are spectacular accounts of motoring through Jericho before arriving at the "destination" in Luke 19:28.
In Luke 18:40 He pulled over at the request of a blind man. In Luke 19:1 He intended to pass through, but He parked at the house of a wee little man.
In Luke 19:11 we read that although Jesus was intent on going to Jerusalem, He felt there was time to drive below the speed limit so those confused travelers could catch up. We don't read that He even saw His greatly anticipated destination of Jerusalem until Luke 19:41.
In this passage, Jesus did what all good motorists do while traveling. he checked His blind spots, kept on the lookout for little children in the street, hit the brakes for lost and wayward travelers, and then joined in the parade.
MAYBE YOU CAN RELATE...
We all have the tendency to ask God for the bottom line. "God, just tell me what your will is for my life and I'll go do it." You just sit with you engine idling at point A, awaiting that sign from God that directs you to point B. But God has so much more planned for you-A life from A to Z.
Could it be that in your drive to the destination you've missed motoring through the blessings of back roads and rest stops? Yeah, Jerusalem-or wherever God has called you to go-will be awesome. But don't overlook the opportunities off the beaten paths of Jericho.
Here's your motorist's tip of the day: Rather than asking God to transplant you safely to your desired destination, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you, prompting you to slow down for fellow motorists sharing the road.
Keep a written record of those merging onto the lanes of your life today, journaling the ways in which God moves in their lives through you. Happy Motoring."
My prayer for you as you have read this thought by my "brother" Gary is that you will become a motorist and not just a driver.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Thank You God for My Dad!
Father's Day is Sunday. This is always a difficult time for me as a preacher, because just like every holiday I am expected to preach a sermon related to that Holiday. As I was thinking about this task, I began to think about the blessing God has given me in my own Dad. In fact as I write that statement I have developed that all too familiar "lump" in my throat. I can't think about what a great Dad I have without getting that "lump".
So for this "thought" in my blog I would like to write a short tribute to my Dad! Before I do that it must be said first because it is of utmost importance. Anything good I have to say about my Dad should merely be seen a reflection upon the awesomeness of "our Father" Scripture says that "every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights..." That is what I want everyone to understand as I seek to honor my earthly Dad. Any honor given him is really an honor due to our God!
With that being said let me tell you about my Dad. Believing in God as Father was an easy thing for me to do, because I understood very well the powerful love of a father. My Dad has always been an amazing example to me of that kind of love. That is not to say that my Dad has always been a "godly" example! It will be 20 years ago this year (November I think) that my Dad gave his heart to Jesus and began serving as an example not only of fatherly love but of godly fatherly love. I will be 35 this year so that means that for the first 15 or so years of my life, my Dad did not know God! But he did model the kind of fatherly love that made it easy for me to trust Jesus almost 19 years ago now.
My Dad and I have shared many memories and I pray that we will share many more. I remember one Christmas when I was 9 or 10 years old my Dad and I "burned" up, and I mean that quite literally, an Atari joystick playing Frogger together. I remember my Dad teaching me how to fish. How to hunt rabbits (without ever shooting at one I might add, that is a humorous memory!) I remember taking overnight float trips with my Dad (something we have done with my own sons) I wish I could say all the memories are filled with Joy.
You want to know the greatest thing about my Dad? He loved me enough to discipline me. He loved me enough to tell me the truth about what he saw happening in my life. He loved me enough to make me do things that I didn't really want to do. He loved me enough to ,for a short period of time, make me "hate" him because he knew I was making some mistakes. I will never be able to express what a powerful thing that is to me today!
You never really know love until you walk in and see or hear your Dad praying for you! I have done that on more than one occasion! WOW! What a humbling experience.
I sure wish I could say I have been the perfect son, but I haven't been. But my Dad was the best Dad not because he was perfect, but because he did his best with what he had to work with (namely me)! I have a sister and she turned out pretty OK too.
Anyway, today at almost 35 years old, my Dad is my best friend. Maybe that sounds strange to you. But to me, it is just natural. I have my own family now and my dad doesn't treat me like a kid, but like a man and we sit and talk on that level. We fish together and camp together. We talk about "business" together ( we are both preachers)
Anyway, I am sure I have bored you with talk of my Dad so let me just say this in case my Dad happens to read this. DAD, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for being the greatest Dad that any kid could have. I hope my kids can have the feelings for me when they are grown that I have for you. I know sometimes you don't feel like you have done enough, but I think your awesome!
And THANK YOU GOD for my Dad! None of us derserve even the slightest blessing, but you are gracious and kind. I will forever praise you because you are worthy to be praised!
Thank you all for reading my feeble attempt to express the powerful feelings I have for my Dad.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
So for this "thought" in my blog I would like to write a short tribute to my Dad! Before I do that it must be said first because it is of utmost importance. Anything good I have to say about my Dad should merely be seen a reflection upon the awesomeness of "our Father" Scripture says that "every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights..." That is what I want everyone to understand as I seek to honor my earthly Dad. Any honor given him is really an honor due to our God!
With that being said let me tell you about my Dad. Believing in God as Father was an easy thing for me to do, because I understood very well the powerful love of a father. My Dad has always been an amazing example to me of that kind of love. That is not to say that my Dad has always been a "godly" example! It will be 20 years ago this year (November I think) that my Dad gave his heart to Jesus and began serving as an example not only of fatherly love but of godly fatherly love. I will be 35 this year so that means that for the first 15 or so years of my life, my Dad did not know God! But he did model the kind of fatherly love that made it easy for me to trust Jesus almost 19 years ago now.
My Dad and I have shared many memories and I pray that we will share many more. I remember one Christmas when I was 9 or 10 years old my Dad and I "burned" up, and I mean that quite literally, an Atari joystick playing Frogger together. I remember my Dad teaching me how to fish. How to hunt rabbits (without ever shooting at one I might add, that is a humorous memory!) I remember taking overnight float trips with my Dad (something we have done with my own sons) I wish I could say all the memories are filled with Joy.
You want to know the greatest thing about my Dad? He loved me enough to discipline me. He loved me enough to tell me the truth about what he saw happening in my life. He loved me enough to make me do things that I didn't really want to do. He loved me enough to ,for a short period of time, make me "hate" him because he knew I was making some mistakes. I will never be able to express what a powerful thing that is to me today!
You never really know love until you walk in and see or hear your Dad praying for you! I have done that on more than one occasion! WOW! What a humbling experience.
I sure wish I could say I have been the perfect son, but I haven't been. But my Dad was the best Dad not because he was perfect, but because he did his best with what he had to work with (namely me)! I have a sister and she turned out pretty OK too.
Anyway, today at almost 35 years old, my Dad is my best friend. Maybe that sounds strange to you. But to me, it is just natural. I have my own family now and my dad doesn't treat me like a kid, but like a man and we sit and talk on that level. We fish together and camp together. We talk about "business" together ( we are both preachers)
Anyway, I am sure I have bored you with talk of my Dad so let me just say this in case my Dad happens to read this. DAD, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for being the greatest Dad that any kid could have. I hope my kids can have the feelings for me when they are grown that I have for you. I know sometimes you don't feel like you have done enough, but I think your awesome!
And THANK YOU GOD for my Dad! None of us derserve even the slightest blessing, but you are gracious and kind. I will forever praise you because you are worthy to be praised!
Thank you all for reading my feeble attempt to express the powerful feelings I have for my Dad.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Ready for Rain?
Hello out there. Once again, it has been several weeks since my last "thought". The great news is I have actually had a few thoughts, I just haven't had time to write them down. But I have this one thought that I want to share. It isn't a major scriptural idea or "Bible Study" thought as much as it is just a "life" thought.
I don't know how many of you have seen the film "Facing the Giants" I have seen it 5 times now. We are getting ready to show this film to our church this Sunday Evening I(dont' worry we have purchased the public viewing license so it is all on the up and up). Anway, there is a scene in the film that I want to relate to you as my thought for this post.
There is an older gentlemen who spends time prayer walking the little Christian School that is the setting for the film. He approaches the Head Football coach at this little school who happens to be struggling just a bit. He relates to him a story about 2 farmers who happen to be praying for rain in the midst of a major drought. Both farmers were praying equally hard, but one farmer only prayed, the other farmer prayed and prepared his field for the rain he believed that God would send. The old man asked the coach a very pressing question. "Which do you think was ready when the rain came" (my paraphrase!) The answer obviously is "the one who prepared for rain." The old man next asked the most powerful question I have ever pondered, "Which one are you most like" WOW!!
That set me thinkin' "Which one am I most like?" I spend time praying for revival, I spend time praying for God to redeem people I love. I spend time praying for a lot of things, but I wonder do I really believe God enough to prepare for the answer. I wonder am I preparing my field for the rain He plans to send.
The promise of Scripture is that God will send "rain", but He sends it when He is ready. I wonder will I be ready?
I wonder will you be ready? What are you asking God for in your life? Is it revival? Is it help? Is it peace? Is it something else? Do you believe He can provide what you are asking Him for? If you answer yes, then why are WE not preparing for God to answer?
My challenge to US is to make ready! To prepare our "fields" for God's outpouring of rain. God wants to work in you and through you. Please prepare yourself!
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
I don't know how many of you have seen the film "Facing the Giants" I have seen it 5 times now. We are getting ready to show this film to our church this Sunday Evening I(dont' worry we have purchased the public viewing license so it is all on the up and up). Anway, there is a scene in the film that I want to relate to you as my thought for this post.
There is an older gentlemen who spends time prayer walking the little Christian School that is the setting for the film. He approaches the Head Football coach at this little school who happens to be struggling just a bit. He relates to him a story about 2 farmers who happen to be praying for rain in the midst of a major drought. Both farmers were praying equally hard, but one farmer only prayed, the other farmer prayed and prepared his field for the rain he believed that God would send. The old man asked the coach a very pressing question. "Which do you think was ready when the rain came" (my paraphrase!) The answer obviously is "the one who prepared for rain." The old man next asked the most powerful question I have ever pondered, "Which one are you most like" WOW!!
That set me thinkin' "Which one am I most like?" I spend time praying for revival, I spend time praying for God to redeem people I love. I spend time praying for a lot of things, but I wonder do I really believe God enough to prepare for the answer. I wonder am I preparing my field for the rain He plans to send.
The promise of Scripture is that God will send "rain", but He sends it when He is ready. I wonder will I be ready?
I wonder will you be ready? What are you asking God for in your life? Is it revival? Is it help? Is it peace? Is it something else? Do you believe He can provide what you are asking Him for? If you answer yes, then why are WE not preparing for God to answer?
My challenge to US is to make ready! To prepare our "fields" for God's outpouring of rain. God wants to work in you and through you. Please prepare yourself!
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Busy, Busy, Busy!!!
I can't believe it is March. It seems that just yesterday it was January. I am sorry I haven't updated the blog lately. I have been busy, busy, busy!!!. Have you ever been so busy that you just simply lose time.
I had an epiphany the other day about busyness. A couple of young kids ran off the road into my front yard. It was late on a saturday night and it had been raining all day. Needless to say it was soggy in my front yard. I went out and tried to help these two kids get their car out of my yard. So I got behind and tried to push and the driver got in and tried to drive. He went no where.
No don't get me wrong. We were workin' hard. I was pushing as hard as I could push and he was mashin' the gas pedal as hard as he could mash it. The engine was working hard too. The pistons were pumpin' and gears were turning. Tires were spinning and spinning and just digging deeper and deeper. We were busy, busy, busy, but getting nowhere!!!
After we finally called somone to come tow them out and I was sittin' in my "lazy" chair wondering if I would have a heart attack from all that pushin', I had a thought. Here it is: My life has been like that car stuck in the mud. I have been busy, busy, busy. Pushin' and workin'. I have had my time fully occupied. I have wasted very little. But when I looked back on the last several weeks I had gotten nowhere. I had just dug deeper ruts. I needed someone to pull me out cause I was stuck and getting nowhere fast!
Let me just share this scripture thought with you. Jesus said in John 15:5 ( I know I have already used this one, but I just can't get away from this thought!) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, BEARS MUCH FRUIT; for without Me you can do nothing." NKJV (Emphasis Mine)
Now there is nothing wrong with working hard, but what this verse tells me is that much of what I call work is just busyness. This Scripture says that whoever "Abides" or resides in or rests in Jesus will be productive.
So I ask myself, am I producing fruit or just digging ruts? Am I abiding in Christ or just spinning my wheels trying to look busy?
So what about you? Are you productive or just busy?
That's my thought for today. Think about that for a bit and I bet it will change your life because it has mine.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
I had an epiphany the other day about busyness. A couple of young kids ran off the road into my front yard. It was late on a saturday night and it had been raining all day. Needless to say it was soggy in my front yard. I went out and tried to help these two kids get their car out of my yard. So I got behind and tried to push and the driver got in and tried to drive. He went no where.
No don't get me wrong. We were workin' hard. I was pushing as hard as I could push and he was mashin' the gas pedal as hard as he could mash it. The engine was working hard too. The pistons were pumpin' and gears were turning. Tires were spinning and spinning and just digging deeper and deeper. We were busy, busy, busy, but getting nowhere!!!
After we finally called somone to come tow them out and I was sittin' in my "lazy" chair wondering if I would have a heart attack from all that pushin', I had a thought. Here it is: My life has been like that car stuck in the mud. I have been busy, busy, busy. Pushin' and workin'. I have had my time fully occupied. I have wasted very little. But when I looked back on the last several weeks I had gotten nowhere. I had just dug deeper ruts. I needed someone to pull me out cause I was stuck and getting nowhere fast!
Let me just share this scripture thought with you. Jesus said in John 15:5 ( I know I have already used this one, but I just can't get away from this thought!) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, BEARS MUCH FRUIT; for without Me you can do nothing." NKJV (Emphasis Mine)
Now there is nothing wrong with working hard, but what this verse tells me is that much of what I call work is just busyness. This Scripture says that whoever "Abides" or resides in or rests in Jesus will be productive.
So I ask myself, am I producing fruit or just digging ruts? Am I abiding in Christ or just spinning my wheels trying to look busy?
So what about you? Are you productive or just busy?
That's my thought for today. Think about that for a bit and I bet it will change your life because it has mine.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Bro. Chad
Friday, January 12, 2007
It's NOT about Us!
Life can get real frustrating when you have 4 children. They think the world is all about them. Everything we buy should be for them, everything we talk about should include them. When it doesn't you would think the world is about to come to an end. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and I would do almost anything for them, but there are times when I just want to have a conversation with my wife ALONE. So to do that we might go into a room and close the door. When those times occur, as rare as they may be, we had better talk fast because it won't be long until the kids realize that something is happening that doesn't include them. KNOCK, KNOCK "Mom, Dad are you in there? What are you talking about? Can we come in?" How frustrating!
The interesting thing about being a parent is that I have learned a multitude of spiritual lessons from watching the frustrating behavior of my children. You know the truth is we all treat God, our Heavenly Father, the same way. Everything God does must be about ME (US). We feel that "I" must be the very center of God's world. When we go to church our mentality is "What is God gonna give ME?" "What can I get out of this service?" "What can God do for ME?" We are very selfish when it comes to our relationship with God. In many ways our relationship with God is all about ME!
On my desk I have taped up a sign. It says "It is NOT about us. It is ALL about HIM!" On that sign there are 2 Scripture references: Galatians 2:20 and John 15:1-5. Let me just share those Scriptures with you. Paul wrote to the Church at Galatia in Galatians 2 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." NKJV
The Apostle John wrote in his gospel chapter 15 "I am the vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing." NKJV
What powerful truth! Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ..." I don't believe we really know what it means to be crucified. Do you know what it means? It doesn't mean just set aside, it means something is killed. In this case that something is me. In a very real sense when I came to Christ, I died. The "old" me that Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 5 has died and now it is not me who is doing the living but Christ who is IN me. So the life I live everyday is (or at least should be) ALL about HIM, because it is (or at least should be) Him who is doing the living.
The Apostle John also makes a powerful statement in John 15:5 he says that I can't do anything without HIM (Jesus).
So the way I see it is that my life is not about me, the glory I may receive or even the blessings I may receive. It is ALL about HIM! The glory HE receives, the Blessing of His name. When I sit and think about that it challenges me to live my life differently because it is not just ME that my choices affect, but HIS glorious name.
Think about how you live today. Who are you living for? You or HIM?
Pastor Chad
The interesting thing about being a parent is that I have learned a multitude of spiritual lessons from watching the frustrating behavior of my children. You know the truth is we all treat God, our Heavenly Father, the same way. Everything God does must be about ME (US). We feel that "I" must be the very center of God's world. When we go to church our mentality is "What is God gonna give ME?" "What can I get out of this service?" "What can God do for ME?" We are very selfish when it comes to our relationship with God. In many ways our relationship with God is all about ME!
On my desk I have taped up a sign. It says "It is NOT about us. It is ALL about HIM!" On that sign there are 2 Scripture references: Galatians 2:20 and John 15:1-5. Let me just share those Scriptures with you. Paul wrote to the Church at Galatia in Galatians 2 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." NKJV
The Apostle John wrote in his gospel chapter 15 "I am the vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing." NKJV
What powerful truth! Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ..." I don't believe we really know what it means to be crucified. Do you know what it means? It doesn't mean just set aside, it means something is killed. In this case that something is me. In a very real sense when I came to Christ, I died. The "old" me that Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 5 has died and now it is not me who is doing the living but Christ who is IN me. So the life I live everyday is (or at least should be) ALL about HIM, because it is (or at least should be) Him who is doing the living.
The Apostle John also makes a powerful statement in John 15:5 he says that I can't do anything without HIM (Jesus).
So the way I see it is that my life is not about me, the glory I may receive or even the blessings I may receive. It is ALL about HIM! The glory HE receives, the Blessing of His name. When I sit and think about that it challenges me to live my life differently because it is not just ME that my choices affect, but HIS glorious name.
Think about how you live today. Who are you living for? You or HIM?
Pastor Chad
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