Change Me!

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 NIV)

In my life, what sacrifices have I made for others? I have to admit I've been more about myself than others. Probably the biggest sacrifice I ever made was giving up my job as Athletic Director to go back in the classroom. I did it so I could spend more time with my family and in ministry with CMA. It took 53 years for me to finally see I had my priorities wrong. I wonder how many blessings I missed because of my selfishness. Since I made my "Sacrifice" I have been blessed abundantly. I need to think more in terms of sacrifice. What do I have to give up that's getting in the way of me serving God? What can I do in my life to set my priorities straight?

It's hard to make changes on our own. Many times we need God's direct intervention. I have been preaching for God to help me change. I want to be more compassionate, more of a servant, and more of a minister for Christ.  I did this through some struggles a few years ago and God sent me back to the classroom. Those prayers and the guiding of the Holy Spirit have changed me in a great way. As we offer ourselves to God and his plan, we worship God more than when we do in anytime of our life. Pray for God to change you. Look at your weaknesses and ask God to help you overcome them. Be ready for changes. God will hear you!

The purpose of a light bulb!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NIV)

This is such a tricky concept. If you read it wrong it sounds like you are supposed to brag about your good deeds in front of others. You might also read it to say make sure you do your good deeds so others will see them. I don't see either of these interpretations as being accurate.

When I walk into a dark room I turn on the light to see. Why? 

I don't turn the light on so I can see the light bulb, I turn it on so I can see the room. 

A lightbulb's purpose is not to bring glory to itself. It's purpose is to shine on the glory of the room. In the same way I am not letting my own light shine to give glory to myself, but give Glory to the Father. I do not do the good deeds, serve others, or worship to put the spotlight to my own selfish pride. I do those things out of a desire to bring Glory to God. My motives have to be pure and clear.

Doing good deeds and glorifying God have to go together. I need to make sure I check my motives on a regular basis. Am I a member of CMA for my own glory or Gods. Do I teach for my own purposes or  for Gods? It is so easy to fall in to the trap of selfishness.

How do I keep from focusing on me? First, you need to stay in contact with God. Just one day a week isn't going to do it. Regular devotions when you rise and when you go to bed is a minimum. Prayer constantly, am/pm and many times in between are a must. Worship and fellowship with people who share your passion for God. All of these things together will help us focus our light on others, not focusing others on us. Praise God his power, grace, and mercy are given to me to help me serve in his way!

Be all you can be!

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)

Do you remember the Army AD campaign to "be all that you can be"? The whole idea is that you can't reach your potential unless you join the army. Even though it was a little presumptuous, it was a great campaign slogan. 

God could have used the same slogan, but it would be true. You really can't reach your true potential with out Christ. I know some great people who are not Christians. They exhibit great skill at their jobs, or in other areas of their lives. Yet, they still haven't reached where they could. 

All of us could make improvements in our lives. The greatest improvements occur when you accept Christ as your savior. Your life changes to focus on others. Your life is less about what you can get versus what you give. It's ok that you will never reach perfection. We all need to direct our lives to get better. If you don't accept Christ you are missing out on a better life, a life filled with blessings that make life amazing. 

Fact: I believe.......

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (1 Corinthians 15:13, 14 NIV)

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV)

One event is critical above all others as central to our faith......THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST! You can't have faith without the resurrection. Death is a fact of life. The power of our creator and the love he has for us is non-existent without the death and resurrection of Christ.

This FACT is so amazing that once you accept it, you will be changed forever. It's not just for Easter, it's for every day we walk this planet. This wonderful event is not just reserved for the Son of the High God, he shares it with us. We believers will accept this great gift once we die on this earth. We will rise to be with Christ. Why would you not want that? If you are unsure about the truth of the resurrection, you better relook at your faith. You can't believe in Jesus with out trusting the truth of the empty tomb. There is plenty of documentation. It is a FACT! But, eventually it boils down to the question if you believe. I choose to believe and it has changed my life from lost to found! Praise God for the resurrection of our savior! 

I'm not a criminal!

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. (Luke 23:33 NIV)

How could we have gotten it so wrong? We crucified Jesus, for what? I wasn't there, but it feels like I was. Would I have made a different decision than those that drove the nails? We treated him like a criminal, why? He did nothing wrong except proclaim love. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and loved the forgotten. It doesn't sound too much like a criminal to me. He went against society to proclaim the truth.

Do I act like Jesus? It is not popular in today's society to love Jesus. Our country is getting more anti-Christian all the time. The rights of the minority overshadow my rights to worship and to try to convince others to know Jesus. Churches are being attacked, businesses like Chik Fil a and Hobby Lobby are being attacked because of their beliefs. We are being treated like criminals. Does it sound familiar? The only thing Christians are guilty of is loving and caring for people. Just because we don't embrace or in any way endorse gay lifestyle, doesn't mean we hate gays. Just because we fight for the life of the unborn, doesn't mean we hate those who have made that decision. Some of our Christian family cross the line in their fight for the unborn. Some take the fight for marriage to the extreme. They make us look like criminais. We are not criminals. 

Christians need to continue to love people and teach the truth. We can not let the truths we believe in keep us forming living unconditionally. If we are criminalized like Jesus, we need to stay the course even unto the cross! Love first and fight for truth with that same love.