Seven Choices for a Better 2017

choices for the new year

I am a product of the first generation of video game kids. The video games we played in my youth were very primitive compared to the sophisticated high-tech games kids play today. Our game choices, nonetheless, challenged us and entertained us for hours.

For a flashback example, click here to watch a YouTube video of the classic Atari game Pong.

Arguably, one of the best features of the video game was the reset button. If the game was not going as you hoped, you could hit the reset button and start over.

[Tweet “I believe that much success in life comes from how we choose to view it.”]

Even though real life doesn’t come with a reset button, New Year’s Day gives the illusion of a fresh start. It is a time to assess the past year and pray about growing in the year to come. New Year’s gives us an opportunity to improve on the previous year.

I believe that much success in life comes from how we choose to view it. With that in mind, I am choosing to look at things a little differently in the coming year.

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What I Feel or What I Know?

Rene Descartes is famous for penning the famous existentialist mantra “I think; therefore, I am.” Little did he know, he was not far off from Biblical truth.

In fact just add the one small word “as” to the beginning and it is very Biblical. Proverbs 23:7 teaches us that our thoughts determine who we become and define who we are. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

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5 Reasons God Says No to Our Prayers Sometimes

God says no

Nobody likes to be told “no.” 

One of the most difficult things parents do is to say “no” to a child’s request.  All of us want our children to be happy and we want to see them smile.  We recognize, however, that sometimes they need to hear the word “no.”

We can’t always expect a child to understand the reasons a particular request is not in their best interest.  As caring adults, we bear the responsibility of doing what is best for our children even when they don’t understand.

Sometimes, God says no to our requests as well.  As a loving Heavenly Father, He knows what is best and withhold from us anything less than that best.  I have discovered that while God’s “no” is often not pleasant, nevertheless it always leads to His best for me.

[Tweet “I have discovered that God’s “no” always leads to His best for me.”]

Reasons God Says No

God does not arbitrarily or capriciously say no; as with all of His other actions, He has a purpose.  Let’s consider some of the reasons God says no to some of our requests.

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4 Ways to Shine the Light of Jesus

Shine the Light of Jesus

Sometimes, we are guilty of asking God to do things He has commanded us to do.

That truth hit home in my mind a few weeks ago as we sang a song in church titled “Shine, Jesus, Shine.”

“Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory,

Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire…”

As I sang those words, the Lord reminded me that WE are the light of the world.  If Jesus is to shine, we are the bulbs He wants to use. 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

[Tweet “I know of few things worse than a sour Christian.”]

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15 Ways You Can Pray for Your Pastor and Staff

praying-handsSeveral years ago, I found the following at the web site of a church known for its prayer ministry. I share it with you because whether or not you go to my church, you have a pastor who needs prayer – but ESPECIALLY if you go to my church!

I have several friends who are pastors and I am committing to pray this for them as well. Let me challenge you to pray in this manner for your pastor and staff and watch what God does in response to your faithfulness in prayer.

15 WAYS WE ENCOURAGE OUR MEMBERS TO PRAY FOR OUR STAFF

At our church, we feel it is very important that we build our church upon a foundation of prayer. Below are 15 ways that we have committed to pray for our pastor and staff.

  1. Father, keep my pastor and staff from remaining discouraged.
  2. Father, help my pastor and staff to function under the high pressure and stress of their job.
  3. Father, help my pastor and staff to put their families ahead of their profession.
  4. Father, help my pastor and staff to be patient with people who have unrealistic expectations.
  5. Father, comfort my pastor and staff when they feel socially isolated.
  6. Father, protect my pastor and staff from the relentless attacks of Satan. (We consider this one to be very important and ask that you pray this prayer each day.)
  7. Father, provide for the financial needs of my pastor and staff and their families.
  8. Father, prevent my pastor and staff from becoming withdrawn.
  9. Father, help my pastor and staff to spiritually discern their enemies inside and outside the church.
  10. Father, grant my pastor and staff strong time-management skills.
  11. Father, help my pastor and staff to base their self-image on what You say about them, instead of what people say about them.
  12. Father, keep my pastor and staff from becoming jealous of or competitive with other pastors and staffs.
  13. Father, help my pastor and staff to establish and keep a daily quiet time.
  14. Father, provide strength and quality time for my pastor’s and staff’s spouses and children.
  15. Father, help my pastor and staff forgive those who mistreat and unjustly criticize them.

6 Prayers You Can Pray for Your Pastor

pray for your pastor

One of the perks of being a pastor is having people pray for you. Sometimes you even get to hear them pray for you. What a humbling experience. In every place where I have served as pastor I have enjoyed the blessing of prayer support. And I greatly appreciate it. I need the prayers, really, I do. If any pastor will be honest he will have to admit that the responsibilities far outweigh the man, and prayer brings the power of God to the tasks at hand.

Whoever is your pastor – and I know that there are as many who read this who are not members of my church as who are, maybe even more so – I hope that you pray for your pastor on a regular basis.

How to Pray for Your Pastor

From time to time people ask me, “How can I pray for my pastor?” Let me use the letters in the word PASTOR to give you some ideas.

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Celebrating the Blessing of Pastoral Ministry

pastoral ministry
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October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  I want to go on record saying this pastor appreciates and loves his congregation.

Ephesians 4:11 teaches us that pastors are part of a group of leaders that God gives the church.  The pastor is a gift to the church, however, I can say the church is a gift to the pastor.

I am blessed to have served as the pastor of 6 churches in almost now 30 years as a pastor.  Each church blessed me in its own particular way.  I have learned from each church, loved each church, and think of each one fondly.

What Makes Pastoral Ministry Special

Titus 1:5 gives us a glimpse into the elements that make pastoral ministry so special. 

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

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5 Ways to Bless Hurricane Evacuees

bless hurricane evacuees

I noticed the tags as I drove around town this morning; tags from several Georgia coastal counties.  Hurricane Matthew has brought evacuees to our area in search of temporary shelter.

The tags reminded me of the opportunity we have as believers to bless those in this time their need.  Through the course of natural events, God has brought people into our path who need a blessing.  We must decide to BE the blessing. We have the opportunity to bless hurricane evacuees.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. – Hebrews 13:2

The phrase “show hospitality to strangers” is actually one word in Greek.  The word means to treat someone you do not know as a brother.  It comes with the reminder that some have entertained “angels” without realizing it.

[Tweet “God has brought people into our path who need a blessing.”]

The word for angels literally translates “messengers.”   These visitors could be/are actual angels from heaven or people sent to us by God.  We should be eager to show hospitality to new people in our paths because they may be God-sent.

How Can I Bless Hurricane Evacuees

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How Can You Discern God’s Voice

discern God's voice

“How do YOU determine if you have an idea of your own or if He [God] is telling you to do something?”

A friend posed that question to me yesterday.  I appreciate that she personalized it by reference how I determine God’s voice, because the answers may vary by individual. 

Inherent in that question are two important realizations: God speaks, and He speaks to His children individually.  Each person, however, hears His voice in different ways.

Ways God Speaks

While we may discern God’s voice differently, God speaks THROUGH the same media to all of us. I am indebted to both Henry Blackaby and Charles Stanley for teaching me these four ways God speaks.

  1. God speaks primarily through His Word, the Bible
  2. God speaks during times of prayer.
  3. God speaks through the counsel of other godly believers.
  4. God speaks through the circumstances of daily life.

I have experienced the voice of God in each of these ways over the course of my life.  Many of us hear differently, but He sends the message the same.  With God speaking, how can we discern God’s voice speaking about the noise?

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Fresh Bible Study Ideas

fresh Bible study ideas

“I want to study my Bible more, but I don’t know where to begin.” 

I have heard that statement, and similar others, from many people over the years. How can we decided WHAT to study each day?  How do we decide WHERE to focus our daily Bible study?  Where can we find some fresh Bible study ideas?

I must confess, I have experienced the same frustration from time to time.  Over the years I have learned several Bible study plans that help me solve the dilemma of what to study.  I share a few of those with you in hopes you will find some ideas for you next Bible study.

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Fresh Bible Study Ideas

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