From Start to Finish

I don't know about you, but 2009 was a year filled with more than one challenge that's for sure! And on top of my own battles, it seems like everyday I hear of someone else going through a difficult time or challenging circumstance. More and more I hear of people making crazy decisions, or throwing in the towel and walking away from the very source of life itself.

As we get ready to start a new year, 2010, I want to share this verse with you. It comes from Hebrews 12:1-2 and it says:

"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

More and more I am convinced that the ones who ran the race before us had it right! And not only our Biblical heroes, but the men and women a generation or two before us here on planet earth too.

I think they had a grip on some truth that for some reason we've dismissed as 'legalism' or 'old fashion' Their priorities, their standards, even their pace of life.....I think they had something back then that we're missing now unfortunately!

I seem to constantly be rethinking what I believe, and why I believe it; What's important, what isn't; and what's top priority. I think it's healthy, and I think God is speaking.

So whatever you are going through and whatever your fight is,or has been, as one year comes to a close and a new one stands before us think on this:

Don't quit! Stay focused! Don't buy into the lie that this journey we're on is to difficult and not worth the effort! Don't stray from the safe guards God has put in your life; your family, your local church, your friends who are on the journey too!

After all the life Jesus came to offer is an abundant life, and it is well worth the effort, from start to finish!

Merry Christmas friends.

Mark

Give Thanks

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, and I've been thinking about everything I am thankful for. Obviously I cannot list each and every thing, but I think having a thankful attitude is huge, and so I want to encourage you to not only have a thankful attitude, but to express your thanks.

The Bible says in Psalms 107:1- "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever."

And so here it is; don't just think thanks, give thanks. Give it away. Say it, out loud, to God and to the the people you are thankful for.

Thanks God. You are everything, and I mean everything!
Thanks Kelly. I treasure you for who you are and I love you. "52"
Thanks Josiah and Maria. You melt me everyday! Being your dad is a pleasure!
Thanks mom and dad. For a lifetime of love! I am blessed.

Thank you.

And by the way, I don't just plan on blogging this, I plan on saying it.

Give thanks!

Watching and Listening

I've been stirred recently from the words found in 1 Peter 3:12 that say "...the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,His ears are attentive to their prayer..."

Let's talk about prayer for a minute or two, and let's be honest. Sometimes we pray because we know it's the right thing to do as a Christian. Sometimes we pray because honestly, we've tried everything else on our own and we're out of options, and it's our last resort. Sometimes we pray because we're in a crisis and don't know what else to do.

But here's the deal: The Bible says He is watching and He is listening to our prayers! If that's true (and by the way it is!!), then we should be praying constantly! Not just in times of crisis or panic, but prayer should be a lifestyle for us because we are absolutely convinced that God, the one true and living God, is listening!!

It's almost hard to believe, but we have the ear of God! But I believe it! I believe the sound of my voice moves Him! I'm convinced!

So here's what we need to ask ourselves; What is He seeing and hearing from my life?

Pray. He's watching and listening!

The Amazing Race

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly.He delights in every detail of their lives." Psalm 37:23

This week I've been reminded that my steps are directed by the Lord. And this gives me great confidence for the future.

Matthew 6:33 says "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

When I look at my life, where I've been, where I am now and what God has done and is doing, it amazes me every time!

Serving God is the best life; the only life. And as long as I am living my life for Him, I have nothing to worry about because I know He will guide every single step!

Whatever is happening in your life right now, never forget that seeking the Kingdom of God is priority #1, and as long as you are living for Him, He'll direct you every step of the way. Not sure what the future holds? No worries! Put your trust in God and enjoy life; the abundant life you were meant to live!

This is one amazing race! Run hard!

You Can Make It!

"Going a little ahead, he fell to the ground and prayed for a way out: "Papa, Father, you can—can't you?—get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want—what do you want?" Mark 14:35-36

I can't imagine what Jesus went through the night before He was crucified, knowing that the next day He would be humiliated, beaten, whipped, spit on, stripped and ultimately killed.

The Bible tells us that although He asked for another option, ultimately He trusted His Father, and surrendered to His will.

Whatever you are going through today, no matter how difficult or painful, I want to encourage you to remember the example that Jesus set for us. Maybe you can't see how you are going to make it and you want out! Well guess what, you can make it through anything! Your Father will make sure of it! You can trust Him.

So like it says in Joshua 1:9, "...be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Chill Out!

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..." Psalm 37:7

Life is busy! Not enough time to do everything on the 'To Do' list. Not enough hours in a day! Not enough days in a week! Go, go go!

Ever felt this way? I sure have! In fact, I have just come through a crazy busy time, and my schedule has been insane! Working, travelling, speaking, teaching, and on and on it goes! Life is busy! But I feel like the Lord is saying there is a rest available "in Him", and I need to slow down!!

So whatever you have on your 'To Do' list today, and however full your schedule seems right now, why don't you take a few minutes and stop; just slow down and enjoy life! Grab a ice cold glass of water, sit outside in the summer heat, and do NOTHING but rest in Him.

Simple, but necessary for this amazing race we are running!

Speak Up!

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Here is a simple verse that I think we do well to live out! We are encouraged here to speak encouraging words to each other. Words that build up hope. Words that make someones day!

Text Messages, Facebook, and Twitter are all great ways we communicate these days, and great ways to stay connected to others. But I want to encourage you today with something I am trying to do more of, and that is to keep your relationships real!

Maybe someone in your life needs to hear from you today. Not just a text, but actually hear your voice.

Do it. Pick up the phone. Get in your car and go see them. And speak life, and hope, and build them up. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 that "..words kill and words give life..."

Let's speak up--with words that give life!

Counter Culture

“So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:1-2

As I have been reading my Bible lately and studying the teaching Jesus gave in Matthew 5, I have been reminded how counter culture Jesus actually was. If you dig into your Bible and study it for yourself, you'll quickly discover that Jesus was intense! He was clearly different than everyone else.

He teaches us to love our enemies and bless those who persecute us! Counter culture!

He tells us we need to forgive others over and over again! Counter culture!

He encourages us to cut off our hand or pluck out our eye if it causes us to sin! Counter culture for sure!

Been offended? Hurt? Misunderstood? Talked about? Why not imitate Jesus, be counter culture, and bless those who have done wrong to you!

Finding it hard to forgive someone? Why not take a good look in the mirror, think about all the times you've asked God to forgive you for messing up, and then go ahead and extend that same mercy to the person who needs it from you!

Keep falling into sin and can't seem to pass the test? Why not "cut off" the thing that is tripping you up! Maybe you need to starting hanging around with a different group of friends, or perhaps you need to cancel your internet subscription, and take an extreme measure for purity!

Being a Christian isn't about going to church and doing good things. It's about living Romans 12:1-2---Living counter culture!

Forget It!

Philippians 3:13-14

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Sometimes the biggest hinderance in our pursuit of God is the stuff that's behind us-the past. Maybe you've been through some really difficult situations in your life. Circumstances that have been really painful and tough. Disappointment, rejection, failure, hurt, abuse.....and the list goes on and on.

I want to encourage you this week to grab this verse, and keep running! Nobody is perfect and nobody has it all figured out. We all have stuff we've gone through or are going through right now.

What's crucial is that we forget the stuff that is behind us and keep going!

Chin up! Great things are ahead!