PHIL 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility each of you should consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others.
If I never read another verse of scripture until I got this one right, I my never read anything else. SERIOUSLY!, nothing out of selfish ambition? I think 99% of everything I have ever done is selfish ambition.
What will I get out of it?
How does it benefit me?
Will I gain leverage?
That's only half of it. CONSIDER OTHERS AS BETTER THAN YOURSELF! Now you've got to be kidding. This is a tall order. Lets consider how much of the strife,stress and loneliness we could reduce in our lives if we live by this principle.
Last night I had the opportunity to apply this verse as my wife and I met with a couple who used to be in our "best friend"list and uncontrolable circumstances caused us to drift apart. I felt both parties came with humble hearts and without selfish ambition or conceit, No, who was right or who was wrong. The Results were truley a God thing and a renewal of a friendship that is greatly missed and cherished. At the end of the day FRIENDS are way more valuable then the stuff selfish ambition gets you anyway
NUFF SAID
Monday, August 29, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
PROVERBS 9:8-9
Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you, rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
The word rebuke here actually means "constructive criticism". I dont know about you, but I have always hated criticism, constructive or not. I viewed criticism as an enemy trying to harm or destroy me, so I fought it and resisted it. Some of that could have to do with who was doing the criticizing and what was their angle and their attitude.
Its easy for me to learn when I am sitting listening to motivational, inspirational, and educational insights, but its the things that I might not be doing so good that really need the attention! I've always taught others that we will never be all we can be until we allow someone to put a demand on our life. It was great advise until I decided to try it myself.
I just came through a 3 month season of "constructive criticism" allowing mentors, coaches and pastors to put a demand on my life. It is very humbling not to mention difficult, especially when you view yourself as "all is good" ( the enemy of great), however according to our text it shows wisdom, and God rewards wisdom and the pursuit of it.
when we are wise we will want to please God welcoming CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM FROM A TRUSTED FRIEND.
There really inst any integrity to my correction to others if I am not willing to be corrected. With all that being said, " don't rebuke a mocker" ( someone not trying to progress) and please don't think you have the right to go and start correcting people, that comes through a relationship that is trusted, and earned.
NUFF SAID
Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you, rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
The word rebuke here actually means "constructive criticism". I dont know about you, but I have always hated criticism, constructive or not. I viewed criticism as an enemy trying to harm or destroy me, so I fought it and resisted it. Some of that could have to do with who was doing the criticizing and what was their angle and their attitude.
Its easy for me to learn when I am sitting listening to motivational, inspirational, and educational insights, but its the things that I might not be doing so good that really need the attention! I've always taught others that we will never be all we can be until we allow someone to put a demand on our life. It was great advise until I decided to try it myself.
I just came through a 3 month season of "constructive criticism" allowing mentors, coaches and pastors to put a demand on my life. It is very humbling not to mention difficult, especially when you view yourself as "all is good" ( the enemy of great), however according to our text it shows wisdom, and God rewards wisdom and the pursuit of it.
when we are wise we will want to please God welcoming CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM FROM A TRUSTED FRIEND.
There really inst any integrity to my correction to others if I am not willing to be corrected. With all that being said, " don't rebuke a mocker" ( someone not trying to progress) and please don't think you have the right to go and start correcting people, that comes through a relationship that is trusted, and earned.
NUFF SAID
Thursday, August 25, 2011
WORDS UP
MATT 4:4 It is written man shall not live by bread alone but by every WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
It stands to reason that if we live by the words of God, then we must die by the words of the devil.
The words of God produce life giving faith
The words of the devil produce death giving fear.
We know that the Bible teaches us that faith comes by hearing and hearing the words of God (Romans 10:17) Now we need to know that fear comes by hearing also, so be careful what your hearing, and remember what you are hearing is sometimes coming out of your own mouth.
Whenever I am speaking words that are contrary to the 'Words of God' it is then that I am producing fear in my own life.
I think this is why what Job feared the most is what came on him (Job 3:25).What you think about is what you talk about and what you talk about is where you go about. Check your talk today and keep your WORDS UP.
NUFF SAID
It stands to reason that if we live by the words of God, then we must die by the words of the devil.
The words of God produce life giving faith
The words of the devil produce death giving fear.
We know that the Bible teaches us that faith comes by hearing and hearing the words of God (Romans 10:17) Now we need to know that fear comes by hearing also, so be careful what your hearing, and remember what you are hearing is sometimes coming out of your own mouth.
Whenever I am speaking words that are contrary to the 'Words of God' it is then that I am producing fear in my own life.
I think this is why what Job feared the most is what came on him (Job 3:25).What you think about is what you talk about and what you talk about is where you go about. Check your talk today and keep your WORDS UP.
NUFF SAID
Sunday, August 21, 2011
IGNORANCE IS BLISS?
1PETER 1:2-3 grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord according to his divine power has GIVEN unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue.
I can only assume that everybody wants increase in their life. According to Webster increase = to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to:
we all have a list of what we would like to increase from money to health to happiness etc. Yet vs. 2 says Grace be multiplied to you!
GRACE = Gods willingness to use his power and his ability towards me! So how do I get this kind of grace, and favor? It comes when we gain the knowledge of him ( God ).
So when I gain the knowledge of Gods word it increases Gods willingness to use his power and ability towards me! can any one say WOW! This puts a whole new dynamic on my devotions, I don't have to read the Bible I cant wait to read the Bible and gain more knowledge of him, in return increases grace to me.
Note vs. 3 GOD HAS GIVEN US ALL THINGS, not going to give us, but has given us, all things.
I have come to realize that you cannot believe for something that you don't have the knowledge of, or that it exists ( faith comes by hearing the word of God. Romans 10:17) Once you learn about something in Gods word your faith to recieve it increases then Gods Grace and Favor increase towards you! I guess ignorance is not bliss after all.
NUFF SAID
NUFF SAID
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
FRIENDS
PROVERBS17:17 A friend loves at all times.
PROVERBS 27: 17 As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another
Finding real friends is one of the greatest assets of life. I think as you get older and go through a few challenges and struggles you begin to realize that life is more about the friends you have and not the things you've done.
I further believe that the secret to real success is learning how to get along with others and embrace each others differences. Maybe everybody my path crosses with should be considered a candidate for a life long friend. It seems natural to like someone that you have laughed with, perhaps deeper friendships only comes after you've cried,fought, or struggled together.
Real friends are those who can see you at your worst and still believe the best in you and about you.
I think that friendship is where true discipleship begins. Think about it, why would I let you speak into my life if there wasn't a foundation of friendship a trust that has been both earned and proven. Maybe that's why discipleship among Christians seems to be lacking, we have built a lot of programs for discipleship maybe we should put the priority on building community and friendships and allow discipleship to grow organically out of that. I realize that I haven't always been the best friend possible, but all my friends have looked over my shortcomings. Here some things you might want to do with me to build better friendships.
FRIENDSHIP MAINTENANCE
1- forgive their mess ups
2- let them be themselves
3- view a friendship like a covenant
4- speak the truth in love
5- want the best for them
6- hang out
This is not all there is to say about friendship but for today its
NUFF SAID
PROVERBS 27: 17 As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another
Finding real friends is one of the greatest assets of life. I think as you get older and go through a few challenges and struggles you begin to realize that life is more about the friends you have and not the things you've done.
I further believe that the secret to real success is learning how to get along with others and embrace each others differences. Maybe everybody my path crosses with should be considered a candidate for a life long friend. It seems natural to like someone that you have laughed with, perhaps deeper friendships only comes after you've cried,fought, or struggled together.
Real friends are those who can see you at your worst and still believe the best in you and about you.
I think that friendship is where true discipleship begins. Think about it, why would I let you speak into my life if there wasn't a foundation of friendship a trust that has been both earned and proven. Maybe that's why discipleship among Christians seems to be lacking, we have built a lot of programs for discipleship maybe we should put the priority on building community and friendships and allow discipleship to grow organically out of that. I realize that I haven't always been the best friend possible, but all my friends have looked over my shortcomings. Here some things you might want to do with me to build better friendships.
FRIENDSHIP MAINTENANCE
1- forgive their mess ups
2- let them be themselves
3- view a friendship like a covenant
4- speak the truth in love
5- want the best for them
6- hang out
This is not all there is to say about friendship but for today its
NUFF SAID
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
THE JUDAS FACTOR
PSALMS 55: 12-13
If an enemy were insulting me I would endure it. If a foe were raising himself against me I could hide from him, but it is you.... my companion and my close friend.
I dont think anything hurts worse than the betrayal of a friend! THE JUDAS FACTOR. I think all of us face betrayal sometime in our lives. For some of us it happens as a child,when a close friend turns against you, or a lie destroyed your reputation. God understands betrayal and hurt yet in his sovereignty he will sometimes allow the pain of betrayal to come into our lives.
I have experienced the hurt of friends walking away, but don't feel sorry for me it was ultimately for my benefit. My need for affirmation and approval often had me elevating people to a place in my life that my discernment said otherwise.
Yes God allowed it. it was necessary even though extremely painful. The insecurities and need for approval would have never allowed me to be the leader that God intended for me to be. God knew that the wounds of abandonment that left me looking for acceptance and approval in the wrong people would never have been healed until I was totally relying on his love and acceptance
THE JUDAS FACTOR helped me move from gaining my confidence by what friends say about me to what God says about me.
Certainly I will always value the opinions and input of others, but I rely on what God says. There is great blessing in true friends and I will always desire to have them and make new ones. My confidence however is in the fact that I am a friend of God
NUFF SAID
If an enemy were insulting me I would endure it. If a foe were raising himself against me I could hide from him, but it is you.... my companion and my close friend.
I dont think anything hurts worse than the betrayal of a friend! THE JUDAS FACTOR. I think all of us face betrayal sometime in our lives. For some of us it happens as a child,when a close friend turns against you, or a lie destroyed your reputation. God understands betrayal and hurt yet in his sovereignty he will sometimes allow the pain of betrayal to come into our lives.
I have experienced the hurt of friends walking away, but don't feel sorry for me it was ultimately for my benefit. My need for affirmation and approval often had me elevating people to a place in my life that my discernment said otherwise.
Yes God allowed it. it was necessary even though extremely painful. The insecurities and need for approval would have never allowed me to be the leader that God intended for me to be. God knew that the wounds of abandonment that left me looking for acceptance and approval in the wrong people would never have been healed until I was totally relying on his love and acceptance
THE JUDAS FACTOR helped me move from gaining my confidence by what friends say about me to what God says about me.
Certainly I will always value the opinions and input of others, but I rely on what God says. There is great blessing in true friends and I will always desire to have them and make new ones. My confidence however is in the fact that I am a friend of God
NUFF SAID
Friday, August 5, 2011
STAY AT YOUR POST
MARK11:2 and instructed them, go into the village in front of you, as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which has never been ridden by anyone; unfasten it and bring it here.
Maybe for the first time ever I can relate to the feelings of this colt. Just waiting! Imagine if you were the colt, your created to be ridden and worked, yet the story says no one had ever ridden it. Maybe the colt could see all the other colts being ridden, worked, walked etc.
This colt was just waiting TIED TO HIS POST. During my time in Alabama I feel like the colt watching others do their ministry while I am just watching and waiting.
There came a time when Jesus had need of the colt and He knew exactly where to find it! He told the disciples exactly where the colt would be when his time came,
Can you imagine now the colt carrying Jesus through the village. The parade, the palm branches, the praise, wow! I am sure the colt was glad he stayed at his post. When Jesus has need of me and my time to lift up Jesus comes I want to make sure that I am found faithfully Tied to my post!
NUFF SAID
Maybe for the first time ever I can relate to the feelings of this colt. Just waiting! Imagine if you were the colt, your created to be ridden and worked, yet the story says no one had ever ridden it. Maybe the colt could see all the other colts being ridden, worked, walked etc.
This colt was just waiting TIED TO HIS POST. During my time in Alabama I feel like the colt watching others do their ministry while I am just watching and waiting.
There came a time when Jesus had need of the colt and He knew exactly where to find it! He told the disciples exactly where the colt would be when his time came,
Can you imagine now the colt carrying Jesus through the village. The parade, the palm branches, the praise, wow! I am sure the colt was glad he stayed at his post. When Jesus has need of me and my time to lift up Jesus comes I want to make sure that I am found faithfully Tied to my post!
NUFF SAID
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