Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Finding Your Mission in Life

Finding Your Mission in Life
God has a purpose and a plan for everyone, especially those who are genuine Christians. A person's life is simply lived as what they talk about, and what actions they exercise daily in their lives. These are specifically the things that hold them back. One of the most challenging tasks a person will face in their life will be discovering their life's mission, or purpose in life. This is one of the most important things ever in life. Some find it and move on to do great things in their life. Yet some speed a lifetime searching and never find it. There are endless stories of those struggling to find what their life's mission is. As this is their specific purpose in life. These same ones seeking what to do with their life struggle to find the bits and pieces that will lead them forward into living meaningful lives. I submit to you that apart from God and a relationship with Jesus it is impossible to find your life's mission. Jesus helps things become more clear in life and opens the eyes to see what true vocations might be and what details that may include.
If you are on the journey to find your life's mission ask yourself three questions: If you knew you were going to die in five years, how would you live your life until then? If you knew you were going to die in six months, how would you live your life until then? If you found out you were going to die within 24 hours, what would you regret not having done with your life?
Identifying the roadblocks and speed bumps in your life and turning them into stepping stones to fulfill God's purposes in your life mission is the best place to begin. Roadblocks and speed bumps stunt and/or eliminate spiritual growth as well as your life's mission. These can range from lack of true commitment, ungodly values, bad habits, fear, worry, addictions, attitude and so on. You must seek God's guidance and travel life's path in obedience to Him to turn those roadblocks and speed bumps in your life into stepping stones to fulfill your life's mission. Somethings that will help in this process are to be open minded, understand your strengths and weaknesses, learning to ask for help, and as always practice, persistence, and staying focused. Always be aware of your limits and be prepared to push yourself.
At its very best, finding your life mission is a very spiritual process. Christians today should consider it a privilege to help others to discover their God-given design; as well as helping others to find work that gives them an opportunity to serve the Lord joyfully. My prayer is that anyone unsure or struggling to find their life's mission will use the resources within the local church to find their mission; so that the the body of Christ, the Church, will impact the community and the world as He wills.
Wonderful and amazing things will happen as you discover your life's mission and as you learn to recognize God's will in your life. God will put your feet on His path; as well as show you how to follow where He leads. Live your life's mission and act on it. This is your calling as you are dreaming the dreams God has created you to pursue. Only He can equip you to fulfill them. Sometimes personal happiness will destroy practical personal productivity. God wants you to have joy and happiness, but not at the expense of Him and your life's mission. God has, in many ways, given everyone the necessary tools to help them discover who they are and how to live their lives in light of their God-given design.
God will pour out some extraordinary power and love into your ordinary Life. Step out, explore your calling in your life's mission. Believe in the Lord and that He is calling you to fulfill your life to the fullest extent possible.

Trusting Your Salvation

Trusting in Your Salvation
Some today extend the thought and idea that a Christian can lose their Salvation. These often cite passages in the Bible like Matthew 7:21, James 1:25, or 2 Peter 3:17. Many times the ones declaring that a person can lose their Salvation will put forth the idea of many places in the Bible that repeatedly warn Christians to remain in Jesus and to continue in the faith so that they don’t fall away from the faith. Some times these same ones try to debate or argue that Christians who reject their faith or shipwreck their faith using words like turn away, wander, or those who disown Jesus will lose their Salvation.
Most Christians have had moments of doubt concerning their salvation. After all, everyone has entertained thoughts and have committed acts were displeasing to God. Backsliding can no doubt cause such feelings to arise, and should hopefully move us to repentance (1 John 1:9). But for just a moment let's take a deeper look.
A Christian is an individual who has, by faith, asked for forgiveness of their sin, received and fully trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior. A Christian is not person who has simply claimed something without first requesting it through prayer, walked down an aisle, prayed because it was what their friends were doing, or been raised in a Christian family. The Bible says a genuine Christian is a new creation, redeemed, promised eternal life, and entitled to be called a child of the Living God, just to name a few.
For a Christian to lose their Salvation, God would have to go back and revoke the purchase price which He paid for redemption with the precious blood of Jesus and the new creation would have to be thrown away, reversed, and/or destroyed. For a Christian to lose their Salvation, God would have to literally go back on His Word and go back on His promise of all of what He had previously declared; as well as He would have to take away any eternal life. Redemption cannot be taken away or undone. Eternal life cannot be lost. If a Christian can lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and change His mind; two things that Scripture tells us God never does.
What about the Christians who have completely abandoned their faith, or those who have never shown fruit of Salvation? What about those who go to church yet live an immoral lifestyle? According to the Bible it can only determined that those were never really saved to begin with. So you can't lose what you never had possession of. Once saved, always saved is true, in the Bible, and forever. Mankind only looks at the outward appearance, and whats going on in front of them at the time. These who put forth ideas and teachings that a Christian can lose their Salvation cannot accurately assess who is really saved in the first place. The question therefore is not whether someone lost their salvation, but whether they had ever had it at all. As the Bible says in Romans chapter eight, "there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (v. 38-29). The Bible says that a genuine Christian will not live a continual immoral lifestyle (1 John 3:6). The Bible says that anyone who departs the faith demonstrates that they were never truly a Christian (1 John 2:19). Such actions are evidence that they were never redeemed.
A Christian cannot lose their salvation. God is faithful. God is able and more than willing to guarantee and maintain the salvation that only He can give, that is only available through the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have struggled with this issue, remember the words of Jude, half brother of Jesus, as he wrote: “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25)

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Abuse...

Where do you turn when you are hurting? What if it is the people you love the most that are hurting you? How can you reveal something so emotionally unspeakable?

When talking to people today it is noticeable that the understanding of Abuse is still in its infant stages within the minds of today's general population. The majority of those in society today still have misconceptions regarding the dynamics of an abusive relationship. As God is no longer the center of today's generations, people in general have formed their opinions on those myths generally held in society and not on what the Bible says.

By the same token there are many today that seem to think that the Bible is quiet or has very little to say about abuse. The Bible condemns violence and violent people. Many passages in the Bible speak on the issue of violence, including God's attitude toward those that use violence. Whether it be physical, emotional, and/or verbal forms of violence.

Abuse comes in a variety of forms, seen and unseen, physical, mental or emotional. All of which are painful. This pain becomes a mechanism which shuts out reality and eventually closes off the mind and heart to those who really care. Over time it becomes harder to reach or even help a victim in certain abuse situations. Scars and bruises, physically or emotionally, of domestic violence are clear signs of someone abused. Whether it be man, woman, and/or child.

Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse or spousal abuse, is an ongoing epidemic in our communities nationwide. Nothing short of the Lord Jesus coming back is going to slow the current trend of family violence.

Sexual abuse is extremely less noticeable and will leave deep, open wounds in the heart and mind of the victim. Those wounds eventually turn to scars that can in turn be reopened by other issues or events later in life that, in turn, starts the emotional roller-coaster all over again.

Emotional abuse is often misunderstood or not even recognized as abuse at all. Many abusers have persuasive excuses as to why they had to treat a loved one in such a terrible, hateful, or unethical and immoral way. Including humiliating them while completely tearing down their self-esteem. This type of gross manipulation forces the victim to be seeming dependent upon the one emotionally attacking; and almost immediately the victim feels insecure and totally unable to make their own decisions.

Sometimes the victims may desire to confide in a church leader, Pastor, or deacon with the hope of some support and encouragement; only to never really muster up the courage to speak to them. Some eventually confide in other people, friends, or relatives and end up feeling even more guilty and trapped than they did before. Victims are told quite often that the whole issue is their own fault. They may be told that the abuse is due to their own choices or circumstances, lack of submissiveness, or their own sinfulness. Many victims endure the abuse for seemingly a lifetime. Ultimately dragging the innocent little ones in the family through their own abuse war, instead of seeking protection for themselves and the innocent little ones. Just imagine all the innocent little minds that have been eroded and destroyed from the impact of the various forms of abuse.

If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, you can get help. There is a way out. You just need the courage to know and admit that you are in a hard, difficult, and bad situation. You must know and admit you need help then seek help. Abuse is a hurt that is deep, leaving painful wounds that need healing, not just covering up. Perhaps the abuse took place years ago, but does that mean that the effects of that abuse are all gone. It’s time to shift out of the mode of denial and pretense and be honest about your need to find total healing from every wound.

If you are enduring hurt, pain, or abuse now; know that God loves you, has a plan for your life, and He will give you the direction and strength to make the right choices with His wisdom and protection. It has already happened for many, it can happen for you today.

The meaning of life

The meaning of life seemingly has a different explanation, definition, and overall expression for each individual. If a person has a closed mindset the outcome of the meaning of life will be greatly different than a person with an open mindset. If someone takes a close look it is easy to see where a closed mindset places the general environment and society in control of the outcome of that particular person’s idea or definition of the meaning of life. To an extreme point a person’s life is a result of the way they think. While thinking too long about something sometimes even becomes the person’s undoing.
The over whelming consensus is that happiness is evidently the meaning of life. As long as a person is happy then obviously life is fulfilled. The United States constitution is a guarantee of a person’s right to pursue happiness. A french philosopher once said “The whole world is on a mad quest for security and happiness.”
But what exactly is happiness? How is it secured? What is known for sure is that the overwhelming majority of the population of the community, as well as the world, desire happiness. It is what a person longs for in life. The human mindset is ever increasingly bent on securing happiness in their lives, in the work place, in their relationships, and in their activities.
Everyone will try with all they have and all the got to secure happiness. More often than not the end result will leave them empty, unsatisfied, and regretful. Some will even lose the desire to live and at the same time have so much to really live for.

Happiness is not something that can be found. At least not by seeking it directly. What will bring the most satisfaction in life and what is longed for is definitely not what the current mindset considers meaningful.

The meaning of life is to know God.

Happiness is a by-product of a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Happiness is a bonus then of self sacrifice of your own life to be given to Him for a cause much greater than you or anything else.

The meaning of life is to know God. The purpose of life is to execute what He intends for your life to be used for.

community hurting?

Each night we hear on the news shows how bad our economy is. While each and every day is filled with the anxiety in the faces of those who are needing help. So many of those having never needed help before. Faces full of worry and embarrassment of having to ask for something.
With continuous exploring of every way possible to help; yet the resources are not keeping up with the growing demand. The fallout effect from the economic disaster has became a virtual tornado, a tsunami if you will, of need.
The faces of those who have worked hard to provide for their family and the snowball keeps rolling downhill taking them and their families on a ride of despair. Utility bills, rent, mortgage, groceries, fuel…the mind boggling task of balancing what you pay. Constantly robbing from Peter to pay Paul. Many will go to bed tonight in our own community with nothing to eat for dinner; some nothing to eat all day. Come winter many will go to sleep cold. Endless accounts of families living in tents or their cars; with school kids going to the creek or truck stop to take a bath before school.
What can be done about this epidemic? The answer can't be provided for everyone. Many will not swallow their pride to even be helped in the least. Some people were burdens before the economic crisis and continue to be a burden afterward. No amount of resources will help those in that category. They have a malfunction in the brain and the heart.
The answer must come from one person to another person one at a time. In a community that has the fortitude and ethical background as ours; stepping up and serving a cause greater than one's own has never been more important.
The local church houses are are serving more than they have ever served; and at the same time are bringing in less financially than they ever have. The shelters and missions are full of people yet empty in the pocketbook.
My heart finds no comfort in that. It breaks for the many we can’t help. Those who are truly trying with all they got; yet cannot make ends meet at all.
Help just one person today… you could just be the difference maker in someone's life today.

Don't let go of your Dreams

What do you think about doing with your spare time? What passions or desires are laid upon your heart to achieve? What extraordinary things make you feel more alive when you imagine yourself achieving them? What did you dream about when you were a child?

Discovering your dreams is an ongoing process. Often, as you try to make your dreams a reality, you learn more about who you really are and what things are closest to you in life.

Most of the time the road of life includes many obstacles that seem to shut down or make you think you can never achieve your dreams. Adjusting, re-aligning, or seeking direction in these times can help set your dream ship back on course. Don't be like the idiot husband that is afraid to stop and ask for directions. Never allow anxiety or fear freeze you from adjusting your course or asking for directions as you learn what your destination in life is.

In some cases the obstacles to achieving dreams are seen as finances. Not having enough money to do what you want to do. If your dream is all about making money for your own self-interest, then maybe you have the wrong dream to begin with. Do your dreams line up with God's Word and His desires? If not maybe it's time to come back to the drawing board.

Other obstacles to dreams can wear many different faces and look like many different things. Some obstacles are seen, some unseen. Some will feel sorry for themselves and seek to have a pity party instead of going after their dreams. Some will fall prey to other people's opinions of their dreams; which ultimately lead to feelings of worthlessness. When you work long and hard at what seems worthless to you or others; remember that this sense of worthlessness is a lie. The lie always seeks to destroy and/or eliminate your dreams or any future success.

Most of us were raised up thinking that all we needed to achieve success in life and security was to finish school, maybe go to college, get a good job with the right company, work hard and the rest would fall into line. But those days are over. In today’s world there’s a big, hard, and terrible economic shift currently under way. Security in life is quickly moving to unexpected change. That being stated, and it should be noted, that today's dreams will fuel the next generations world.

In every situation we have a choice. We can either choose the negative or we can choose the positive; either way you have a choice. Before you make a choice maybe you should ask yourself: where is God at in all of this? Then make any changes that are needed in your life. If you're not already working towards your dreams, you're probably trapped in a cycle that keeps going around and around; thus you're locked away from everything you dream to do or be. Break the cycle. For a lot of people, that means finally trusting the Lord.

Set clear goals that move and inspire you. Believe in yourself, your dreams, and your goals. Goals are the steel beams of life that support your dreams. Keep moving forward and live in the now. If you have trouble letting go of something in the past, give it to the Lord and move on. Those who constantly live in the past will be doomed to stay in the past.

To truly succeed in anything and achieve your dreams you will have to learn how to endure adversity and failure. The ability to feel confident in the midst of heated adversity and obvious failure is a God given gift. When it seems you're trapped in the ditch of adversity or in the dark valleys of failure, seek God. God can initiate success. When talent and effort have been exhausted, the Lord will carry you through to the end. Sometimes all that is needed to change a hopeless situation is the ability to be still and know He is working in this with you.

Life is a journey and discovering exactly what God built you for can be exciting. Take a fresh look at where you are, recognize your talents, embrace your passions, discover who you really are. Being built in His image and with His help you have the ability to achieve and to do anything. Trust God, trust yourself, and never limit yourself. Be persistent. Finish what you start, even if it seems like it's taking forever. Stick to what you know; and what you don't know, learn it.

Everything changes, that's guaranteed. Any darkness in life will pass and in the face of failure trust God. He can drive you on to achieve your dreams.