Who Do You Think You Are?

Who do you think you are? Are you a businessman? A teacher? Construction worker? Parent? Too many times we tend to define ourselves by our occupation or position in life. We do this with good intensions…but also because it’s easy. What I’m getting at is this. It’s almost effortless to describe ‘what’ we are, but proclaiming ‘who’ we are is something entirely different. Here’s an example of the uniqueness of the two:

I am a proud father of four great kids, a loving husband, and pastor who is passionate to see God’s joy and hope in the lives of people.

I am also a child of divorce, abuse, and poor choices who has come to accept that God loved me even when I willingly ran from Him.

The first is very superficial, like the nutrition label on a box of cereal. The second, however, is coming to grips with who God says that I am…no one else!
Oh sure, we could all probably sit down and differentiate the two if given the challenge. But when we are going through our daily life journey, which of the two self-descriptions is really at the forefront of our mind? Exactly!

But to all who believed him (Jesus) and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
John 1:12-13

You are God’s kid, and He’s your Daddy in Heaven. This week, may you accept your true place in His family. May you also be continually aware of God’s hope and plan for your life.

What Are You More Confident Of?

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 reads:

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

Next, take a look at how The Message phrases it:

“Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.”

I simply love that! Cultivate God-confidence. Reading this reminded me of a ropes course I went through years ago as a youth worker. The pinnacle of the course was to climb to the top of a 50 ft. wooden pole and walk across a similar beam another 50 ft….with NO nets underneath. Now, there’s God-confidence and there’s obedience in life for all of us. Both were obvious to me in this course. My willingness to do the challenge was the obedience factor, and the body harness and repelling rope were my God-confidence. You see, I had confidence in the rope and the guide on the ground that had my well-being in their hands. But that confidence would have been completely useless had I not taken that first step of the climb.

This week, spend some time thinking about any obedience issues that you may have been struggling with between you and God. Then ask yourself this question:
“Am I unwilling to obey Him in this area of my life because I’m totally relying on my own self-confidence and not trusting Him wholeheartedly?” May you be bold enough to ask God this question, and honest enough to take action.

"McFaith"

Have you ever wondered what it will be like in Heaven? Many of us find ourselves asking questions like:

- Will there be food in Heaven?
- Will we need to sleep?
- Will we get to see Jesus every day?
- What will be the clothing style?

One of my favorite BlueFishTV clips is both comical and sad at the same time.

Check out this short clip!

Now, read Revelations 21:21-27 below.

The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

What an amazing sight that will be! And as believers, we should desire for those who are still lost around us to have the same destination as us. This week, may you communicate hope to someone who desperately needs it.

Advocate on the Hill

Psalm 32:8 reads:

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

Imagine, if you will, that you are driving on a 4-lane highway traveling at 70 mph. As you approach a hill, substantial fog sets in and visibility is significantly impaired almost suddenly. You have two lanes to choose to be in as you advance the crest of the climb, not knowing if there is slower traffic in either lane on the other side. Would it be nice, in that very moment, to have a friend standing on the other side of the hill? They would already know what the traffic looks like ahead of you, and could give you adequate warning.

Read the above verse again. God is that friend on the other side. He sees and knows what’s coming at us. He desperately wants to guide us in the absolute best path for our life. This is why it is so critical that we maintain a constant, daily, open line of communication with our God. He is our advocate…our biggest fan. Let’s bring Him along for the ride.