? success

The story is told of a man named Yussif, the Terrible Turk. Yussif was a 350-pound wrestling champion in Europe a couple of generations ago. After he won the European championship, he sailed to America to wrestle our champ, whose name was Strangler Lewis -- a little guy by comparison who weighed just a shade over 200 pounds.

Although he wasn't very big, Strangler had a simple plan for defeating his opponents and it had never failed to work. He's put his massive arm around the neck of his opponent and cut off the oxygen. Many an opponent had passed out in the ring with Strangler Lewis.

The problem when he fought Yussif the Turk was that Yussif didn't have a neck. His body went from his head to his massive shoulders. Lewis could never get his hold and it wasn't long that the Turk flipped Lewis to the mat and pinned him. After winning the championship, the Turk demanded all five thousand dollars in gold. After he wrapped the championship belt around his vast waist, he stuffed the gold into the belt and boarded the next ship back to Europe. He was a success! He had captured America's glory and her gold!

He set sail on the SS Bourgogne. Halfway across the Atlantic, a storm struck and the ship began to sink. Yussif went over the side with his gold still strapped around his body. The added weight was too much for the Turk and he sank like an anvil before they could get him into a lifeboat. He was never seen again.

Maybe you think, "What a fool! He should have had a lot more sense than that!" But, the truth of the matter is, we all tend to grasp the things of this world and hold onto them even while we're sinking.

Solomon made this observation: "Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun: There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, 'For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?' This also is vanity and a grave misfortune." (Ecclesiastes 4:8)

Solomon describes a man, like so many today, who doesn't know how to quit. He can't slow down. He's driven to succeed, to achieve, to accumulate. He works harder and harder to become that successful person he so wants to be. And never once does he pause long enough to ask the question, "Who am I doing this for? Why do I feel compelled to run faster and faster in the rat race?"

Success promises a view from the top. But, without God in the picture, success will drag you down just as it did for Yussif, the Terrible Turk.

"Better is a handful of quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind." (Ecclesiastes 4:6)

older

Lord, keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all - but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind from the recital of endless details - give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others but help me to listen to them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory but a growing humility and lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a "saint" - some of them are hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. Give me the grace to tell them so.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Growing old can be a frightening thing. We worry about what we will be like in the years ahead. We hope to be wise and gentle and kind and loving. The only way to be that way as an old person, though, is to strive to live that way every day as a young person.

"Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, 'I have no pleasure in them.' " (Eccl. 12:1)

-author unknown

weary

There is a humorous incident that Patsy Clairmont tells about in her book, "God Uses Cracked Pots." It happened with her son, Jason:

She writes, "When he was 7, I sent him off to school one day and a little while later there was a knock at the door and I opened the door and it was Jason. I said, 'Jason, what are you doing here?'"

He said, "I've quit school!"

She said, "Why have you quit school?"

He said, "Well, it was too long, it was too hard, and it was too boring."

She said, "Jason, you have just described life, get back on the bus!"

There are times when that describes our lives to a tee -- it's long, it's hard and it's boring! The result can be that we get tired of doing what is good. After all, no one appreciates it anyway, sometimes it seems that we aren't really accomplishing anything, and it requires so much effort. It's so easy to "lose heart," grow weary and just want to quit.

In moments like that, remember these words of Paul:

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10)

If you have grown weary, may you find the strength this day to renew your determination to continue to serve God!

wrong

Here is a list of "Murphy's Laws for Churches" (author unknown):

Video projectors always work before the class meeting begins.

The probability of the preacher tripping over the mike cord is greater on "Bring A Friend" Sunday than any other week.

The largest Bible Class will show up when the teacher feels his/her worst.

No matter how many bulletins you print, you'll always need one more.

A member living 15 miles away will be 15 minutes early; members living two blocks will be 15 minutes late.

The shorter the agenda, the longer the business meeting.

Saying "Let us pray" or singing "Just As I Am" causes babies to cry.

When you answer the Bible teacher's question right, nobody remembers; when you are wrong, nobody forgets.

The furnace only fails when the outside temperature is more than 20 degrees below zero. The air conditioner only fails when the outside temperature is 90 degrees or above.

When the preacher misspeaks in a sermon, at least half of those taking notes will write the remark down as an important thought from the sermon.

Murphy's Law ("Whatever can go wrong will go wrong") manifests itself in a multitude of ways in our lives. In fact, there are times when it seems that EVERYTHING is going wrong. How we react to those situations says a lot about our character.

Do we react by saying, "Everything will turn out all right eventually"? We may be living in a dream world.

Do we react by saying, "How could God do this to me"? Our bitterness may cause us to turn away from God.

Or do we react by turning to God, praying for strength, trusting Him to see us through?

In Acts 4, the apostles were threatened by government officials and forbidden to preach in the name of Jesus. They prayed, "Now, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word...." (Acts 4:29)

Father, there may be those reading this message whose world has come crashing down around them. May you bless them with strength; make them mindful of just how much they need your help. May you use the times when things go wrong as opportunities to manifest your glory in a special way. In Jesus name, amen.

mud

Albert walks in to his doctor's office for his yearly physical exam as he has done the same time every year that he can remember. The doctor takes him through all of the motions, does the normal tests and then leaves to get the results. After about 30 minutes, the doctor returns with a very sad look on his face.

"Well Doc, what kind of shape am I in this time?" Albert asks.

"Albert, I don't know what to say. The news is bad. Really bad."

"What is it Doc?"

"I hate to have to give you such bad news. I can't find the words to tell you. I really don't know what to say."

Albert, being a strong man who appreciates straight talk, tells the doctor, "Ok, don't beat around the bush. Tell me what you know. I can take it".

"Well", says the doctor, "Let me put it this way. I think that you should go to Arkansas and visit the hot springs there for a nice relaxing mud bath. Spend some time soaking in the mud."

"Oh, so I need to relax a little bit, eh? Will that cure me, Doc?"

"No, Albert, it won't cure you. And it won't help you relax. But it will help you get used to being covered in dirt."

From time to time, we all need to be reminded of our mortality. "As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." (Psa. 103:15)

It is only when we are convinced of the limited time we have on this earth that we feel motivated to plan for where we will spend eternity. That's why Solomon said,

"Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart." (Eccl.7:2)

The house of feasting is certainly more fun. But while we are in the house of mourning, we are reminded that death will come to us all. As someone has put it, we are all "terminal." May we "take it to heart" and live accordingly.

co-existence

The story is told of a Russian named Ivanovich who visited the Moscow zoo for the first time. To his amazement, he found a little lamb sharing the cage with a big fierce bear.

Ivanovich expressed surprise to his guide. The guide smiled and said, "That is peaceful coexistence."

When Ivanovich shook his head in a doubtful way, the guide explained, "Of course, we have to put in a fresh lamb every morning."

As much as we should strive for peace, there are some things which simply cannot coexist peacefully -- truth and error, righteousness and ungodliness, morality and immorality.

If we try to combine two such things in our lives, they will only coexist "peacefully" only if one gobbles up the other. That's why James was so forceful in his warning:

"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4, NASB)

singleness

Sophie and Shirley, two elderly widows in a Florida adult community, are curious about the latest arrival in their building -- a quiet, nice looking gentleman who keeps to himself.

Shirley says," Sophie, you know I'm shy. Why don't you go over to him at the pool and find out a little about him. He looks so lonely."

Sophie agrees, and later that day at the pool, she walks up to him and says, "Excuse me, mister. I hope I'm not prying, but my friend and I were wondering why you looked so lonely."

"Of course I'm lonely, he says, "I've spent the past 20 years in prison."

"You're kidding! What for?"

"For killing my third wife. I strangled her."

"What happened to your second wife?"

"I shot her."

"And, if I may ask, your first wife?"

"We had a fight and she fell off a building."

"Oh my," says Sophie. Then turning to her friend on the other side of the pool, she yells, "Yoo hoo, Shirley. He's single."

It worries me when I see single people overly anxious to find a mate. Perhaps, though, we have contributed to the situation by treating singleness like it's some sort of disease. Singles often comment that they feel out of place at church (activities tend to be family-oriented) and feel they are sometimes regarded as less important than married people. While marriage is a God-ordained institution, I think we do a disservice by suggesting that singles are somehow "incomplete" until they find that "certain someone."

The truth is, while Paul held marriage in high regard (Eph. 5), he preferred being single and recommended it to Christians at Corinth in the difficult situation they were facing (I Cor. 7). Single Christians have the opportunity to serve God in ways that married Christians would have difficulty doing. Of course, the converse is also true.

So what is the lesson to be learned? In whatever situation you are in, seek to serve God with all your heart. If you are single, use your singleness to serve God as best as you can. And if you're married, use your married status to do the same.

"But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.....keeping the commandments of God is what matters." (I Cor. 7:17,19b)

how

George Washington Truett was a preacher in Dallas for 47 years. He once visited a wealthy West Texas rancher and had dinner in his huge ranch home. After dinner, the rancher took Dr. Truett up to a veranda on top of his house, and lit up a big cigar. The sun was setting, and if you've ever been to West Texas, you know you can see a long way out there. The man pointed to the south toward some oil rigs and said, "I own everything in that direction as far as you can see." He pointed east toward some cotton fields and said, "And I own everything in that direction, too." He pointed north toward a huge herd of cattle and bragged, "And, preacher, I own everything as far as you can see in that direction." He turned to the west, and said, "And I own everything you can see in that direction, except the sun, of course." 

Dr. Truett turned to the man and pointed straight up the sky and said, "And how much do you own in that direction?" 

It's a sobering question for all of us. We are surrounded constantly by the "things" of this world, and it is so easy to think that these "things" are the things that matter most -- a nice car, a nice home, nice clothes (and don't forget all the necessary electronic gadgets!). And so, if we're not careful, we may seek to accumulate more and more, without regard to our relationship with God. As the rich fool discovered in Luke 12, we will all one day be forced to recognize that the material things we have accumulated have no eternal value.

Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21).

How much do you own in that direction?

next

In my next life, I want to be a bear...

If you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that. 

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that, too. 

If you're a bear, you birth your children while you're sleeping (who are the size of walnuts) and wake to partially grown, cute cuddly cubs. I could deal with that in a big way. 

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that. 

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat. 

Yup...gonna be a bear!

I admit it sounds tempting -- especially the part about being able to eat and sleep (and growl!). But for those of us who are Christians,

there's something even BETTER than lies ahead. What could possibly be

better than that? 

How about a life where there's no more pain and no more heartache? A family reunion where you're surrounded by people who all have a heart

for God. A place where you don't have to live in fear and suspicion.

A place where all your needs are met. An eternity in the arms of your heavenly Father.  

"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.' Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." (Rev. 21:3-5a)

In my next life, I don't want to be a bear......I want to be with God!

-alan smith

catchup

Two Alabama State Troopers were chasing a Camaro east on I-20 toward Georgia. When the suspect crossed the Georgia line, the first Trooper pulled over quickly.

The rookie Trooper pulled in behind him and said, "Hey Sarge, why did you stop?"

The Sergeant replied, "Stupid rookie, he's in Georgia now. They're an hour ahead of us, so we'll never catch him."

I know the feeling. Not of being in a car chase, but of feeling that there's no way I can ever catch up. I experience it weekly, if not daily. There never seem to be enough hours in a day. I always feel one step behind where I ought to be. Do you know the feeling as well? Allow me to remind you of a Bible verse:

"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psa. 46:10)

But I can't take time to be still! I have places to go, things to do, phone calls to make, deadlines to meet!

"Be still, and know that I am God."

But if I do that, I'll never get caught up!

"Be still, and know that I am God."

Father, forgive me of the times that I am in such a hurry that I have no time for you. Please quiet my spirit and remind me of who you are and how much I need you. In Jesus' name, amen.

-alan smith

heritage

Yes, parenthood changes everything. But parenthood also changes with each baby. Here, some of the ways having a second and third child differs from having your first (author unknown):

YOUR CLOTHES

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN

confirms your pregnancy.

2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible. 

3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.

THE BABY'S NAME

1st baby: You pore over baby-name books and practice pronouncing and

writing combinations of all your favorites. 

2nd baby: Someone has to name his or her kid after your great-aunt

Mavis, right? It might as well be you.

3rd baby: You open a name book, close your eyes, and see where your

finger points.

PREPARING FOR THE BIRTH

1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.

2nd baby: You don't bother practicing because you remember that last

time, breathing didn't do a thing.

3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.

THE LAYETTE

1st baby: You pre-wash your newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them,

and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau. 

2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard

only the ones with the darkest stains.

3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

WORRIES

1st baby: At the first sign of distress - a whimper, a frown - you

pick

up the baby.

2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to take your

firstborn.

3rd baby: You teach your 3-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

ACTIVITIES

1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby

Story Hour.

2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.

3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.

GOING OUT

1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call

home five times.

2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a

number where you can be reached.

3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees

blood.

AT HOME

1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby. 

2nd baby: You spend a bit of every day watching to be sure your older

child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby. 

3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.

Parenthood is quite a challenge. But it is a blessing from God (though we sometimes have to keep reminding ourselves!).

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them." (Psa. 127:3-5)

Some quivers are larger than others, but there is no more awesome responsibility in all the world than the responsibility to instill within our children a love for God and His Word. May all of you who are parents be blessed and encouraged as you raise your children in the Lord. 

-alan smith 

childlike

In a recent message I preached called "Remember The Basics", I emphazized the importance of returning often to the fundamental truths of our faith.  We are called to grow and mature, but never to "grow" such that we are led away from the simple and unchanging truth: God loves us so much that He provided a way to restore a right relationship with Him through faith in His Son.  Jesus died so we could live! Does this awesome act of love still amaze us, or have we "matured" to more "important" matters?

Matthew 18:3 "And He said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"

When my daughter was four years old, I read her the story of young Samuel.  While discussing this story, my daughter showed me the excited faith God wants us to maintain.

As a young boy, Samuel was ministering with an old priest named Eli.  One night God called to Samuel, but Samuel thought it was Eli's voice.  Eli said he didn't call and told Samuel to go back to bed.  After God called a few more times, Samuel realized Who was calling and answered: "Speak, for Your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:10).  God then gave Samuel a message - but the message was all about Eli.

My daughter asked, "Why did God speak to Samuel if the message was really to Eli?"  We talked about how we must be ready and willing to hear God.  I said Eli may have had some problems or distractions in his life which kept him from hearing God, so God spoke His message through a child.  I said little kids (like her) can often hear God better than old people (like me).

"But, I don't hear God talk to me," she said, with a little disappointment in her voice.  I explained how God doesn't usually speak so we can hear Him with our ears; rather, His Spirit speaks to our heart and we hear Him as we listen to our heart.  Her little eyes widened, "Like today when I was going to sit on one of the baby toys - Jesus told my heart I was too big and shouldn't do it so I listened to what He said."

I encouraged her that this is exactly how God speaks to us, we just need to learn how to listen and then obey.  My daughter thought for a moment and then slowly shook her head in amazement: "Wow! That's sooooo cool!!"

Heavenly Father, I pray that Your Word never becomes just an interesting collection of stories.  You created us, loved us, and will one day call us Home to be with You for all eternity - and Father, that's sooooo cool!!  Help us to come into Your presence with a thankful and loving heart.  Strengthen our faith every day and allow us to continually look on You and Your wonders with a childlike amazement.

-steve troxel

love

When I look at Gods valentine, the cross,
How can I help but count all things loss?
It was on that stump of wood,
Jesus suffered all the things I should. 
He knew all my evil, that there was no good in me,
Yet He willingly hung there on a tree.
The Almighty Creator, the Lamb of God so fair
Was dying for me, who crucified Him there. 
Oh love so great, oh love so free
What have I to offer Thee?
All thats in me is sin and despair,
And a heart thats in desperate need of repair. 
Then I heard my Savior say,
My child, thats why I died that day.
Will you just give Me your heart,
And let Me my life and love into you impart?

learn

Entering the passenger side of the car for the first time with my child behind the wheel was an eye-opening experience. Id heard many stories of teaching children to drive, but nothing had entirely prepared me. I grabbed my seatbelt as my son floored the accelerator around a tight turn. 

What are you doing? I gasped once my breath came back. Slow down! 

But Mom, you take that turn like that, came his innocent reply. 

I panicked as I realized that my son, without any formal instruction from me drives exactly like me. And as I thought about it, my daughter drives like me too. I suddenly realized that both my children had been learning to drive from me for years. Every time we got in the car together theyd been watching me. Theyd learned all my maneuvers and fears, right down to my unreasonable fear of parallel parking. 

Children are constantly learning. Every day, every hour, and every minute your children are watching and mimicking your actions. A scary thought when we remember that the Bible tells us even our righteous deeds are as filthy rags! 

Our sinfulness should make us eager to buckle ourselves and our children into Gods perfect hands. Sadly, we often try to become the perfect moms and teachers ourselves. We end up teaching our children to cover their sinful hearts in self righteousness instead of Gods righteousness. 

How much better to teach them to run to God constantly! Traveling in Gods strength instead of our own is the only safe way to travel. So buckle up and rest in His care! 

carry

Daniel loved to carry things. As a toddler, gigantic stuffed animals twice his size often filled his little hands. As he grew older, he carried larger handfuls of toys and just about everything else he could find. His tendency to carry everything himself caused him to constantly drop something, fall, or bang into a wall. Black and blue marks often dotted his body. Despite the bruises, Daniel never allowed anyone to carry anything for him. 

Daniel and his father crammed a tent and as many supplies as they could into their backpack. They were going backpacking together, and Daniel could hardly wait to begin their hike. He had been looking forward to this special time with his father for months. His mind raced with the anticipation of seeing the breathtaking mountain peaks and listening to the constant chatter of the forest creatures. 

Daniel and his father finally stood at the base of the mountain. Every bit as obstinate as ever, Daniel insisted on carrying the backpack, though he could barely even lift it to his shoulders. An onlooker might have wondered if he had even heard his fathers offer to carry the backpack for him. 

At first, Daniels shoulders hardly sagged under the immense weight. But soon the constant pressure made Daniels neck ache. Daniel tried to ignore the growing pain. 

A few miles later Daniel and his father paused at a small hut a few yards off the path. There Daniels father purchased fishing supplies and some last minute items. Daniel again insisted on carrying everything. He made a pitiful sight stumbling after his father, trying to juggle a backpack, fishing pole, and bucket on his tiny 9-year-old frame. But still Daniel ignored his fathers constant offers to carry his burdens. 

As they hiked to the campsite, Daniels little mind, instead of thrilling at the beauty around him and the opportunity to be with his father, dreaded each new step. His arms felt like they were going to fall off any moment, and his legs ached terribly. Daniel could think of nothing except his fatigued body. 

Father, Im so tired. I dont think I can go another step, Daniel moaned. He loved his father and wanted so desperately to do a good job carrying the supplies, but he felt so tired. Tears threatened to overflow his eyes any moment. 

I know you cant carry all those burdens. Wont you let me carry everything for you? Daniels father repeated for the hundredth time that hour his offer. My shoulders are big enough to handle it all. 

But Daniel marched on as if he hadnt heard his father. He continued to moan and complain and ask his father for help, but refused to let his father take the burdens from his shoulders.

Miserable mile passed miserable mile. Finally, Daniel couldnt stand the strain another second. Take them, Daddy, he whispered. Im not even strong enough to put them into your hands. 

Quick as lightening, Daniels father whisked both Daniel and all the supplies into his strong arms. As Daniel rested his weary head against his fathers strong breast, he wondered why he had ever insisted on carrying anything. From his fathers arms, he could again notice the breathtaking sites around him. He could hear the robin singing and could relish in the invigorating mountain air. Best of all, he could feel his fathers love around him. He felt certain there couldnt be a happier place on earth than in his fathers arms. I will let my father carry all my burdens and me too from now on, Daniel whispered as he drifted into a sweet slumber.

warm

From the moment I opened the door the frigid air and biting wind chilled my entire body. I wanted desperately to be warm againto leave this cold behind and bask in the warmth of a fire. I raced into the car and shut the door, still chattering. Out my window I watched the snow fall on the already white ground. Everything around me testified to the freezing temperatures. 

As I tried to de-thaw, a question hit me by surprise. Could it be that more than just my physical body suffered from the cold? Had my heart also grown cold? Id been writing and telling others about Gods love, yet in all honesty I wasnt basking in Gods presence like I ought. Could my heart, as well as my fingers, really be turning blue? 

Throughout our lives, we battle cold hearts. The icicles of pride cling to us. The cares and worries of this world drench us in freezing rain. And although our spiritual knowledge glistens to others much like a fresh blanket of snow glistens in the sunlight, our hearts, like that same field of snow, are actually cold and on the verge of freezing. 

The remedy to a cold heart is simple. We need to warm our hearts in Gods love! 

Were all familiar with John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son. But have we let Gods love warm our hearts to the very core? Will we let His love melt away all our pride, fears, and desires? 

Sadly, we often refuse to let Gods love transform us. We see His love from a distance. We talk about the glow of His fire, yet fail to approach it ourselves. We often dont let Gods love transform us because were unaware that we need Gods warmth. Or maybe we dont bask in Gods love because we dont want to see ourselves as God sees us. Gods love, like a brilliant fire, will expose our deepest thoughts. And in light of Gods love, even our good thoughts and deeds appear filthy and sin-infested. Are we willing to admit we have nothing but frozen hearts in need of God? 

Coming to Gods great love involves letting our old thoughts and feelings melt away. Gods love dissolves our fears and pride. His love even brings pain as His feelings begin to circulate through our life. Yet if well only let it, Gods love will impart His life and health to our cold hearts. Why do we insist on freezing when we weve been invited to snuggle next to the fire? 

Next time the frigid wind chills your body, remember that your heart doesnt need to chatter. Warm your heart in Gods love!

time

Olivia steadied herself on the counter. Why was the world spinning? She shook her head, trying to shake away the blurriness and focus again on the task before her.

It was no use. She couldn’t keep standing. Wearily, she sank into a chair, burying her head in her hands.

She just didn’t get it. A few days ago she had so much energy and felt like she could conquer the world. Now, she felt like a complete failure and could hardly keep standing. What was wrong with her?

Olivia’s sister Sophia came to her side, giving her a gentle side hug. “Oh, Sophi, what’s wrong with me?” Olivia cried, burying her head on her sister’s shoulder.

Sophia listened patiently as Olivia recounted the week’s adventures. “I just feel so tired out,” Olivia explained. “I want to complete the tasks before me well, but I don’t have any energy to do it. I can’t think straight at all.”

“When was the last time you ate?” Sophia’s gentle question was the last one Olivia expected, but one she needed to hear. When was the last time she ate? Come to think of it, her last real meal was several days ago now. Her only other food had been small, rushed snacks here and there, along with some junk food.

“I’ve had so much to do, I’ve not really had a good meal in days,” Olivia confessed.

Sophia nodded. “That’s what I thought. My dear sister, there’s no way you can complete what you need to do unless you nourish yourself! And I don’t mean just a quick snack here and there. You need a real meal. Your body simply wasn’t made to run without good food.”

Olivia was surprised that, after a good meal, she could suddenly think clearly again and walk without the world spinning. How different life looked when properly fed! No matter how busy life got, she needed to make time to eat.

“ But he [Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

prayer

Today,
For what I am that I ought not to be,
Forgive me.
For what I am not that I ought to be,
Forgive me.
Be with my mouth in what it speaks
Be with my hands in what they do
Be with my mind in what it thinks
Be with my heart in what it feels
Work in me
...through me
...for me
...in spite of me
In the precious name of Jesus,
Amen

key

THE KEY

The key to victory in 2011 is Philippians 3:13-14. Paul was using the illustration of a race to describe his life. He was in the home stretch, but he was still running the race; the race wasn't over. He said, "I have not apprehended it yet." - NOT YET!

Right behind this conjunction is one of Paul's secrets to living: THIS ONE THING I DO! It's the only time this particular phrase is used in the New Testament. Single-minded concentration on the things of God is essential to running the race of Christianity. You cannot be dwelling on other things as an athlete and give your best performance. Therefore, Paul says "this one thing I do."

What is "This One Thing I Do"?

"Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." That's the key for victory in the Christian life. That's the key for victory in 2015.

　

What do we need to forget?

Paul had learned that we have to lock the door on yesterday and throw away the key. Paul discovered that looking back almost always ends up in going back. Let me repeat that... Looking back almost always ends up in going back. In the Old Testament we find the wandering Israelites ready to return to their old ways rather than pressing on. In the New Testament Jesus clearly taught us in Luke 9:62 that "no man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for God's Kingdom."

　

4 THINGS WE NEED TO FORGET:

　

1. YESTERDAY'S MISTAKES

In his book "ENCOURAGE ME", Chuck Swindoll has a chapter entitled, "The Fine Art of Blowing It". It begins like this, "It happens to every one of us. Teachers as well as students. cops as well as criminals. Bosses as well as secretaries. Parents as well as kids. The diligent as well as the lazy. Not even presidents are immune. Or corporation heads who earn six-figure salaries. The same is true of well-meaning architects and hard-working builders and clear-thinking engineers... not to mention pro ball players, politicians, and preachers. What? making mistakes, that's what. Doing the wrong thing, usually with the best of motives. And it happens with remarkable regularity."

Everyone makes mistakes. Everybody does stupid, foolish things. God's Word says: "forget it" - leave them behind you. There are 3 things we should do about yesterday's mistakes:

   1. Learn from them

   2. Determine with God's help not to do them again

   3. Forget them.

Satan will want to remind you and make you feel guilty for your past mistakes – but God says: "Forget Them. I HAVE"!

　

2. YESTERDAY'S HURTS

Life is a battlefield. You're a soldier in God's Army. On any battleground, injuries will occur and soldiers are going to get hurt. Sooner or later, someone is going to

   ... hurt you.

   ... lie about you

   ... verbally or physically harm you

   ... misrepresent you

   ... chop you up in little pieces

   ... slander you

It's going to happen--what do you do?

You have two choices:

   1. Allow the resentment and hate to build

   2. Forgive and Forget

         A. Forgive as Christ forgave you

                  - just as He forgave the Roman soldiers who didn't know what they were doing.

         B. Forget those things that are behind you Phil. 3:13

　

You might say, but David -

   ... You don't Understand

   ... You don't understand what's happened to me.

   ... You don't know how bad I've been hurt.

   ... I was innocent.

   ... I didn't do anything wrong, but they hurt me.

   ... They lied about me.

   ... They hurt my feelings and they didn't care.

   ... They criticized me when I didn't do anything wrong.

   ... They talked about me behind my back.

   ... They cheated me, they rejected me, they hurt me really bad.

God understands. Jesus was innocent, but they beat him, they tortured him, they mocked him, they crucified him. He didn't deserve it, but they did it anyway. On the cross, He forgave them. On the cross, He provided salvation for even those who beat him, who mocked him, who crucified him. In order to press on in the Christian life, we have to lock the door on yesterday's hurts.

　

3. YESTERDAY'S POSSIBILITIES

How often do I see people unable to operate in today because they are still living a "what if" life of yesterday. They keep talking about "what could have been"--"if I had only..."

Quite often they blame someone else

   ... if only my wife hadn't...

   ... if only my parents (children) hadn't...

   ... if only my business partner had...

   ... if only the war hadn't...

They even blame God - "if God would have… or if God wouldn't have…"

　

We can't live on yesterday's promises or yesterday's dreams. Too many people are dissatisfied with life because they've had an expectation that just hasn't worked out. Paul is saying - forget your past hurts, forget your past mistakes and forget living with what might have been and finally...

　

4. YESTERDAY'S SINS

Billy Graham once said that 60% of all the patients in mental hospitals could go home if they would accept the fact that they are not guilty or that they have been forgiven.

Many people are carrying a burden of guilt:

   ... A past mistake

   ... A moral failure

   ... A painful cut to a friend

   ... A physical hurt to someone

   ... A stupid, hateful remark

   ... A poor decision

   ... A sin so horrible that they believe either God will not forgive them or they will not forgive themselves

***There is no sin, no matter how great or small, once it has been confessed and forgiven, that the memory of it should torment us no more. 

Let me repeat that: When sin, no matter how great or how grievous, has been confessed and forgiven, the memory of it should not torment us any more!

　

Notice, Paul didn't say, "I've forgotten those things which are behind. Paul said, forgetting those things. Paul had learned the secret. There are some things in our memory that we will never forget.  We have to keep practicing forgetting...

Guilt will eat us alive. Every time the memory comes back, every time a song or a word or a smell or a picture or a person reminds us, we continue to practice forgetting. How long do we practice forgetting?

   ... until the memory doesn't hurt any more.

   ... until we allow God to forgive us

   ... until we allow God to forgive through us

   ... until the pain is no longer there

   ... until we can use our past to help us grow in the present

   ... until we can use our past to help others in the present

God says in Jeremiah 31:34 "I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more."

　

Psalm 103:12 "I will remove their sin as far as the east is from the west."

　

I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

It's time to:

   Lock the Door on the Past!

   Throw Away the Key!

   Forget Where You Have Thrown It!

-david langerfeld