Generosity

It is the season of thanks and there is nothing better than to give to those who are in need. We all have many things we can be thankful for. Generosity is one of those things that prove it. That has a lot to do with thanksgiving. You can tell how thankful a person is based off how generous they are with their time and money. It's not about a distant act of charity, it's about a personal act of love. Tim Sanders says, "The grow up moment in your life is when you understand the importance of serving."

Many of us are very blessed. But I have found that the more I bless others, the more blessed I am. (Bless To Be Blessed). Luke 12:34 says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Each day we have an opportunity to see the greatness of God and often times we miss it because we are too busy, distracted, or not looking in the right places. Each day plays a part in the purpose of the life that God wants you to live. Each day you have the opportunity to help others, either with your time or finances. I wonder how many opportunities I miss each day to share the love of Christ?

Choose to be different! Choose to spend your time showing others the love of Christ, even if you're the only one doing it. Choose to be grateful, accountable, and give. Choose to be generous.

Tebow Effect

In college, Tim Tebow was a fantastic player and will go down as one of the best ever. In the pros, as of today, his hard work is putting "W's" up on the board for Denver. There is a lot of talk about Tebow these days but I don't believe it's because of football. I was watching an ESPN analysis rip him apart a couple weeks ago. They spent 20 minutes discussing why Tim will not be a great QB in the NFL. It really was just nonsense but the guy I was watching it with leans over and says, "You know if he was muslim, nobody would be talking about if he was going to be good or not." That was an interesting comment. Fact is, they don't spend 20 minutes talking about Rex Grossman. The reason why Tim Tebow is being discussed I believe, is because of his faith in Jesus Christ. He knows what he believes, he stands on it, and provides one of the best role models for young Christians. We forget that as believers, the world won't like us. John 15:18-19 says, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." Psalm 69:4 says, "Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me." 1 John 3:13 says, "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you."


Tebow might not be the best QB in the league. He might not amount to anything great on the gridiron. This guy however, is the example of what it means to stand up for what you believe in even when times get tough, you feel alone, and you have critics at your throat non-stop. He is a walking example of giving God the glory for what He's done through him. He doesn't care what anybody says about him, he just keeps working hard. He doesn't allow pressure to become a stumbling block. He plays football and he loves Jesus. Through all the discouragement, He stands firm in the truth of Jesus Christ and His Word. Tebow is quoted saying, "At the end of the day it's in God's hands." Have you been the only one standing up for what you believe? Be encouraged, you're not alone. Christ is with you, it's in His hands. We are all tested in life and pain gives us all the opportunity to look inside ourselves and rely on our foundation, the rock of Christ. I read a powerful verse this morning in Isaiah. Let it encourage, challenge, and motivate you to love God with all your heart and stand firm in His truth... Isaiah 7:9 "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."

Repentance

Sin is tricky. If it wasn't 'fun', many of us would not struggle with it. When we sin, we do the complete opposite of what God wants in our lives. Satan will tell you in the middle of your sin that it's not a big deal, but then after you sin, he tells you it's the biggest deal in the world. Rick Warren puts it simply, "Behind every sin you commit is a lie you've believed."

Many people will tell you that guilt is wrong. It is, but like pain to the body, it tells you that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. God's judgment occurs after the hardening of my own heart that allows me to keep doing the things that push me away from Him. Just read Romans 1. Three times God "hands them over" to their sins. We mistake natural disasters and other catastrophes as God's judgment on the world when actually God's judgment is allowing us to live in the sin that separates us from Him. Since God died on the cross for our sins, we are forgiven, but that does not mean we can and should keep on sinning. Turn from it and sin no more (Romans 6:1)! We need to be sorrowful over our sins and pray for soft hearts.

The most powerful sin is the one we have not confessed. It really doesn't matter if you are effective for God or not if you are disconnected from Him. We repent because we love God, we turn from our sinful ways because we honor Him. The devil wants to keep you in the guilt zone, keep you trapped from pushing through. Do not let your sin keep you from your relationship with God and keep you from doing what He wants to do through you...let it go!

Romans 12:21 says to not be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. "Good" happens when we change our mind and direction; when we transform our thoughts to those that honor God. Take a look at Psalm 51. It is David's prayer after he had fallen into sin with Bathsheba. He is repenting and uses some powerful words in the ESV. Verse 7 he uses the word 'purge', verse 10 the word 'create', verse 12 the word 'restore' and verse 14 the word 'deliver'. Those words alone will preach. We must purge ourselves from sin, cleanse ourselves with the blood of Jesus, allow Him to create a pure heart within us, and let God restore the joy we find in Him. Deliverance starts with repentance. We must humble ourselves before the throne of God, thanking God for His forgiveness and grace and seeking Him with our lives.

Do not wait to get caught in sin, repent now because of the convicting truth of God's Word. God's goal in repentance isn't to beat you to death but to raise you in life. Don't fear, just believe...and lay it at the feet of Jesus

Where Is My Mind?

You may think that you have your words under control. You are able to filter your thoughts and encourage people when needed. But just because you don't speak your mind, doesn't mean your heart is in the right place. Matthew 12:34 says the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks but even words that aren't spoken still expose where your heart is to God. Our thought life plays a major role in our walk with God. We as humans have the ability to completely fool people with our words. People will never realize the struggles you may have with your thoughts. Thoughts of slander, hate, envy, perversion, and evil corrupt us in a way that buries us in sin from the inside out. The Bible tells us to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and to train yourself to be Godly (1 Timothy 4:7). Think about that...It is easier said then done but it is something we all need to be more conscious about. Training your mind is something that needs to be done daily. It is like exercise. The only way to make your muscles grow is to put them to work. The only way to have pure thoughts is to practice and renew your mind daily with God. Here are some Bible verses that talk about the importance of where our mind is...


Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."


Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.


Romans 13:14 "Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."


Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."


Philippians 3:19 "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things."


Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."


You don't just wake up one morning and decide to become something without training for it. No athlete made it to the show without practice, no musician made it big without preparing, and no marine made it to the elite stage without training. No pastor, missionary, and/or influential spiritual leader ever got to the place they are without spending time with God and and you won't be the first. Renewing your mind takes a lot of work. It takes time, practice, and a daily surrender to the Father who spoke your world into existence. If you want to make a difference in this world for Christ, start by taking captive your thought life.