by Jeff Blaine
Pastor, Sheridan Christian Church
Offensive…how many offensive people do you know?
You know the ones…they have certain things about them you really don’t like: the way they talk, the way they dress, their hair style, their body language…to say or think something positive about them would be like pulling hen’s teeth…impossible!
One thing that is easy for you to do about that person or "those" people you don’t like is to ignore them
We all have done it: a quick duck into the other isle at the grocery store to avoid eye contact, a decided effort to avoid the street they live on, an obvious detour to the other side of the office to avoid their cubicle, or simply the direct approach when they say hi or wave to you…you do nothing… you ignore them you let them pass easily from your midst with nary a concern & go your way.
Why is it that some people are more offensive than others?
Might it be how they "make" us feel?
Curious term "make"…how can anyone reach inside your head or heart forcing you, that is "making" you feel something?
Truthfully? They can’t…they don’t have any ability to reach inside you to "make" you feel anything
So, why are we offended by them? When we encounter that person or persons that offend us, they may go against the image or picture we like for ourselves
Internally, we may think "they represent nothing I am or will be…I have no use for them now or later"…thus, we reject them…thus, they are offensive…thus, it is easy to let them pass from our midst & go our way.
Arguably, one of the most offensive people to enter the human timeline is Jesus Christ…shocking to consider such a thing…or is it?
"And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;
and they got up and drove Him[Jesus] out of the city, and led Him[Jesus] to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him[Jesus] down the cliff. Luke 4:28-29
What "things" did they hear from Jesus? The truth…about themselves.
Why is the truth about ourselves offensive? Frankly, it goes against the image or picture we like for ourselves…we then start to ignore the only truth that will save us from us…which is Jesus Christ.
"But passing through their midst, He [Jesus] went His way." Luke 4:30
According to this verse…who is ignoring who now?
You might concern yourself with ignoring the words of Jesus but perhaps your real concern should be: is Jesus ignoring me?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 considering the consequence of ignoring the truth about yourself
Showing posts with label Walk 1440. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walk 1440. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, November 10, 2008
Walk 1440 for November 12th, 2008
“I don’t care what they think!?”
Have you ever said these words?
Usually when these words appear in a conversation they escape our lips as we are turning our back to someone, even throwing our hands in the air with our head down & a clinched jaw…sound familiar?
IF we don’t care what people think then why does our body language say different?
Reality check…we do care what people think!
Frankly, it hurts when it feels like people don’t like us or accept us…we can try to deny it with words but our heart knows better.
When you cater to the mindset that “you don’t care what that person thinks” has it helped in that relationship?
What would it take to work in a relationship where you feel hurt?
Might it take endurance? Endurance means to stick it out when it’s tough…is that relationship tough right now?
Might it take encouragement? Does the relationship feel positive or negative?
Likely, negative… it takes encouragement to work in a negative relationship
So, who do you seek out to get endurance & encouragement?
Might it be the very person you are trying to stop thinking about? (Is it working for you?)
Are they able to encourage you to endure in this relationship?
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, Romans 15:5 NIV
The book of Romans is written to people who are in a church in Rome…they are Christians
Why would the writer of Romans have to tell Christians that God gives endurance & encouragement for the purpose of unity & acceptance of one another?
Could it be they weren’t united & accepting of one another?
Could it be they were seeking out people, not God for endurance & encouragement?
So that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:6-7 NIV
Your relationship with that person can get better but who do you need to seek out first for endurance & encouragement?
For sure, acceptance is what you want but have you accepted them first; which is what God wants?
When you choose to seek out God’s endurance & encouragement to work in that relationship and when you choose to accept the people that hurt you…those relationships will now have purpose…the praising of our God
The question is: do you care what God thinks?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 knowing God’s acceptance to accept them
Have you ever said these words?
Usually when these words appear in a conversation they escape our lips as we are turning our back to someone, even throwing our hands in the air with our head down & a clinched jaw…sound familiar?
IF we don’t care what people think then why does our body language say different?
Reality check…we do care what people think!
Frankly, it hurts when it feels like people don’t like us or accept us…we can try to deny it with words but our heart knows better.
When you cater to the mindset that “you don’t care what that person thinks” has it helped in that relationship?
What would it take to work in a relationship where you feel hurt?
Might it take endurance? Endurance means to stick it out when it’s tough…is that relationship tough right now?
Might it take encouragement? Does the relationship feel positive or negative?
Likely, negative… it takes encouragement to work in a negative relationship
So, who do you seek out to get endurance & encouragement?
Might it be the very person you are trying to stop thinking about? (Is it working for you?)
Are they able to encourage you to endure in this relationship?
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, Romans 15:5 NIV
The book of Romans is written to people who are in a church in Rome…they are Christians
Why would the writer of Romans have to tell Christians that God gives endurance & encouragement for the purpose of unity & acceptance of one another?
Could it be they weren’t united & accepting of one another?
Could it be they were seeking out people, not God for endurance & encouragement?
So that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:6-7 NIV
Your relationship with that person can get better but who do you need to seek out first for endurance & encouragement?
For sure, acceptance is what you want but have you accepted them first; which is what God wants?
When you choose to seek out God’s endurance & encouragement to work in that relationship and when you choose to accept the people that hurt you…those relationships will now have purpose…the praising of our God
The question is: do you care what God thinks?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 knowing God’s acceptance to accept them
Monday, August 18, 2008
Walk 1440 for August 20th, 2008
by Jeff Blaine
A single tear rolled down her cheek…
What’s in a tear? Water? Salt? Have you considered: a lifetime?
She is 91 & life was recently dealt a difficult blow to her body…a stroke.
Having just learned she can no longer drive…the painful tears of change flow freely…the fear filled tears of a future unknown stream down her cheeks…what is it about tears?
Those tears I have cried too…my 38 years have seen my share of change & uncertainty resulting in tear swelled eyes.
Yet, the tears each of us cry are different from others because our tears are born of the pain, change, joy, or suffering unique to our own life…we are the sole owners of our tears.
Oh, that someone could understand the saltiness of our tears…someone so familiar with us that they know those tears flow from the very center of our being.
Oh, that someone could have the ability to wipe away our tears, wanting to care for us, as they listen to the depths of our heart pouring out the joy, the pain, the fear, & the suffering.
Someone who knows why we cry in the night…our sobs echoing in the silence.
Someone who knows the sorrow from my loss, my hurt, my pain…my trouble.
Someone who can tell me through the mind numbing grief I feel…they truly understand.
If only someone could know & take into account the "why" of our tears…might it stop the flow?
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle
Are they not in Your book? Psalm 56:8
That someone is our God…
Who can possibly know the very depth of each tear but our God?
Who can possibly know our very soul but our God?
Why does our God take an "account of my wanderings"?
Why does our God keep the tears so bitterly spent in His bottle?
Why does our God write in His book the painful days of my life marked with my tears?
Might it be love?
Why would someone care to consider the lifetime in a tear if they didn’t love the one crying?
Why would someone care to track the memories of that lifetime in those tears if they didn’t want to comfort the one crying?
Isn’t it a comfort to know…you don’t cry alone?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 knowing your tears are known
A single tear rolled down her cheek…
What’s in a tear? Water? Salt? Have you considered: a lifetime?
She is 91 & life was recently dealt a difficult blow to her body…a stroke.
Having just learned she can no longer drive…the painful tears of change flow freely…the fear filled tears of a future unknown stream down her cheeks…what is it about tears?
Those tears I have cried too…my 38 years have seen my share of change & uncertainty resulting in tear swelled eyes.
Yet, the tears each of us cry are different from others because our tears are born of the pain, change, joy, or suffering unique to our own life…we are the sole owners of our tears.
Oh, that someone could understand the saltiness of our tears…someone so familiar with us that they know those tears flow from the very center of our being.
Oh, that someone could have the ability to wipe away our tears, wanting to care for us, as they listen to the depths of our heart pouring out the joy, the pain, the fear, & the suffering.
Someone who knows why we cry in the night…our sobs echoing in the silence.
Someone who knows the sorrow from my loss, my hurt, my pain…my trouble.
Someone who can tell me through the mind numbing grief I feel…they truly understand.
If only someone could know & take into account the "why" of our tears…might it stop the flow?
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle
Are they not in Your book? Psalm 56:8
That someone is our God…
Who can possibly know the very depth of each tear but our God?
Who can possibly know our very soul but our God?
Why does our God take an "account of my wanderings"?
Why does our God keep the tears so bitterly spent in His bottle?
Why does our God write in His book the painful days of my life marked with my tears?
Might it be love?
Why would someone care to consider the lifetime in a tear if they didn’t love the one crying?
Why would someone care to track the memories of that lifetime in those tears if they didn’t want to comfort the one crying?
Isn’t it a comfort to know…you don’t cry alone?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 knowing your tears are known
Monday, June 23, 2008
Walk 1440 for June 25th, 2008
What does your past say to you?
Each of us has done something in our past that was wrong…the problem?
There is one absolute truth about your past…your past cannot be changed
There are days in which our past seems to speak to the forefront of our mind…what does your past say to you?
"Remember, when you did this or that…you were wrong…you’re no good…you haven’t changed…you’ll never be good enough…you are worthless…no one can love you"
What happens to a person that listens to & believes the words of their past?
A person that believes their past relives their past believes their past relives their past…the cycle doesn’t end
…a person that believes the words of what their past says about them is doomed to repeat their past.
What if you stopped listening to the condemning words of your past & placed your ear on the tracks of the future hoping for the arrival of freedom from your past?
Are you willing to listen to your future?
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity; And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? Micah 7:18
Isn’t that what we want…a pardon from our past…someone to pass over our rebellious wrong in our past?
We question the potential pardon because we know our past wrong would cause anger in God…we reason in our mind "how can He pardon me…won’t God only ever reject me because of my past?"
Do you realize that you’re judging God’s character by your past?
God’s character does not depend on your past; God’s character depends on one thing: love.
He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love
Micah 7:18
God doesn’t delight in anger…God delights in love…a love that never changes.
Your past will never change…if you dwell on your past…your future will be determined by your past.
His love for you will never change…if you dwell on His love in spite of your past…your future will be determined by the love of God not your past.
Will you visit the haunts of your past today or will you change your present path to a new one leading to a love that will never change?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 seeking our God who delights in loving you.
Each of us has done something in our past that was wrong…the problem?
There is one absolute truth about your past…your past cannot be changed
There are days in which our past seems to speak to the forefront of our mind…what does your past say to you?
"Remember, when you did this or that…you were wrong…you’re no good…you haven’t changed…you’ll never be good enough…you are worthless…no one can love you"
What happens to a person that listens to & believes the words of their past?
A person that believes their past relives their past believes their past relives their past…the cycle doesn’t end
…a person that believes the words of what their past says about them is doomed to repeat their past.
What if you stopped listening to the condemning words of your past & placed your ear on the tracks of the future hoping for the arrival of freedom from your past?
Are you willing to listen to your future?
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity; And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? Micah 7:18
Isn’t that what we want…a pardon from our past…someone to pass over our rebellious wrong in our past?
We question the potential pardon because we know our past wrong would cause anger in God…we reason in our mind "how can He pardon me…won’t God only ever reject me because of my past?"
Do you realize that you’re judging God’s character by your past?
God’s character does not depend on your past; God’s character depends on one thing: love.
He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love
Micah 7:18
God doesn’t delight in anger…God delights in love…a love that never changes.
Your past will never change…if you dwell on your past…your future will be determined by your past.
His love for you will never change…if you dwell on His love in spite of your past…your future will be determined by the love of God not your past.
Will you visit the haunts of your past today or will you change your present path to a new one leading to a love that will never change?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 seeking our God who delights in loving you.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Walk 1440 for June 11th, 2008
What controls you on any given day?
Specifically, what controls your attitude?
Unable to make a payment on the house or car?
A spouse, fellow employee, friend, that is hurtful or mean?
A child that is disobedient?
A financial venture fallen through?
A car wreck? An injury? Tiredness? Sickness? Hunger? Your past?
Any & all of these things have a tendency to control our attitude on any given day…why?
Could it be as simple as a choice we make?
The things above & more describe circumstances that we experience…some circumstances can be very difficult causing us great stress
Have you considered where circumstances occur?
Your attitude on any given day is based on the thoughts & feelings of your mind…where is your mind located?
Your mind is that non-physical part of your body, you can’t see, that controls your attitude from the inside out…what’s going on inside of you will be seen on your outside
Circumstances take place outside of our mind…then how does something like a physical circumstance control our non-physical mind?
I believe there is a switch or gate between the inside of your mind & the outside circumstance around you…this switch or gate is called: a choice.
We choose to take outside circumstances & place them in the center of our mind…allowing them to "control" our thoughts & feelings…in essence not only do we experience the circumstance but we allow the circumstance to control us
Do you appreciate being controlled by the environment around you? There is another option…
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all,
therefore all died; 2 Corinthians 5:14 NAS
You can’t always control the circumstances around you but you can stop the circumstance from controlling you…how?
The same way you have let circumstances control you: a choice
"having concluded this"…conclusion’s occur in the mind…what would happen if you chose to conclude in your mind that Jesus Christ died for you?
"therefore all died"…having concluded in your mind that a man died for you then your next conclusion is you owe Jesus your allegiance, your life…you choose to die to yourself
If you choose to allow this conclusion in your mind not the circumstance…then your thoughts & feelings can only say "for the love of Christ controls us"
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 controlled by the right conclusion in any circumstance
Specifically, what controls your attitude?
Unable to make a payment on the house or car?
A spouse, fellow employee, friend, that is hurtful or mean?
A child that is disobedient?
A financial venture fallen through?
A car wreck? An injury? Tiredness? Sickness? Hunger? Your past?
Any & all of these things have a tendency to control our attitude on any given day…why?
Could it be as simple as a choice we make?
The things above & more describe circumstances that we experience…some circumstances can be very difficult causing us great stress
Have you considered where circumstances occur?
Your attitude on any given day is based on the thoughts & feelings of your mind…where is your mind located?
Your mind is that non-physical part of your body, you can’t see, that controls your attitude from the inside out…what’s going on inside of you will be seen on your outside
Circumstances take place outside of our mind…then how does something like a physical circumstance control our non-physical mind?
I believe there is a switch or gate between the inside of your mind & the outside circumstance around you…this switch or gate is called: a choice.
We choose to take outside circumstances & place them in the center of our mind…allowing them to "control" our thoughts & feelings…in essence not only do we experience the circumstance but we allow the circumstance to control us
Do you appreciate being controlled by the environment around you? There is another option…
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all,
therefore all died; 2 Corinthians 5:14 NAS
You can’t always control the circumstances around you but you can stop the circumstance from controlling you…how?
The same way you have let circumstances control you: a choice
"having concluded this"…conclusion’s occur in the mind…what would happen if you chose to conclude in your mind that Jesus Christ died for you?
"therefore all died"…having concluded in your mind that a man died for you then your next conclusion is you owe Jesus your allegiance, your life…you choose to die to yourself
If you choose to allow this conclusion in your mind not the circumstance…then your thoughts & feelings can only say "for the love of Christ controls us"
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 controlled by the right conclusion in any circumstance
Monday, May 26, 2008
Walk 1440 for May 28th, 2008
Who do you remember the most in your past?
Why do you remember them?
On Memorial Day we are asked to remember those who have chosen to fight for our country; our entire nation celebrates the memory of the cost of these military men & women.
Who does God remember in the past of human history?
Why does God remember them?
I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition (1 Corinthians 16:17-18 NIV).
I’m almost certain most of us haven’t heard of Stephanas, Fortunatus, or Achaicus but God said these men deserve "recognition"…that is to be remembered…why?
Why would God, the Creator of the universe, want to see these men recorded in human history for the past 2000 years?
It’s because they were men…
The world has lots of opinions on what makes a man a man…
What does the Creator of the world say makes a man a man?
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13 NAS).
In one verse, God says what makes a man a man is his faith…it is not the money he makes, not the number of hours he works, not the size of his arms, not even the accumulation of manly stuff but simply his faith.
Can manhood be defined simply by having faith in God? To be a man don’t we have do something to prove we are a man?
The right of passage into manhood does not depend on the deeds of the man but the deeds of the faith in a man…what are these deeds?
Let all that you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14 NAS).
Love is the epitome of manhood in God’s eyes…being a man is being love.
What run’s through your mind when you envision a man defined by love?
What run’s through God’s mind when he envisions a man defined by love?
"Be on the alert…" love will always look out for the interest of others…alert to danger.
"Stand firm in the faith" love will always have a strong stance to defend .
"Be strong" love will always give you strength & courage to do the right thing.
Sounds like the making of man.
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 in love…like a man
Why do you remember them?
On Memorial Day we are asked to remember those who have chosen to fight for our country; our entire nation celebrates the memory of the cost of these military men & women.
Who does God remember in the past of human history?
Why does God remember them?
I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition (1 Corinthians 16:17-18 NIV).
I’m almost certain most of us haven’t heard of Stephanas, Fortunatus, or Achaicus but God said these men deserve "recognition"…that is to be remembered…why?
Why would God, the Creator of the universe, want to see these men recorded in human history for the past 2000 years?
It’s because they were men…
The world has lots of opinions on what makes a man a man…
What does the Creator of the world say makes a man a man?
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13 NAS).
In one verse, God says what makes a man a man is his faith…it is not the money he makes, not the number of hours he works, not the size of his arms, not even the accumulation of manly stuff but simply his faith.
Can manhood be defined simply by having faith in God? To be a man don’t we have do something to prove we are a man?
The right of passage into manhood does not depend on the deeds of the man but the deeds of the faith in a man…what are these deeds?
Let all that you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14 NAS).
Love is the epitome of manhood in God’s eyes…being a man is being love.
What run’s through your mind when you envision a man defined by love?
What run’s through God’s mind when he envisions a man defined by love?
"Be on the alert…" love will always look out for the interest of others…alert to danger.
"Stand firm in the faith" love will always have a strong stance to defend .
"Be strong" love will always give you strength & courage to do the right thing.
Sounds like the making of man.
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 in love…like a man
Monday, May 19, 2008
Walk 1440 for May 21st, 2008
There is a sidewalk not far from my house with a root growing underneath it which causes the sidewalk to be uneven
The root is so big that if I’m not paying attention I can trip over that ripple in the sidewalk causing me to fall or stub my toe…either of which can cause a lot of pain
Have you considered that your life may be like sidewalk?
Is your life like a smooth, flat sidewalk which offers a peaceful & pleasant journey to whoever would be your companion?
Or is your life like a broken up, uneven sidewalk which only offers a painful & unpleasant trip or fall to whoever would be your companion?
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 NIV
Just like a sidewalk, our lives can be complicated by a root…a root of bitterness
It has always amazed me that a root of a plant can grow underneath a sidewalk in such a way to eventually destroy that sidewalk…rendering the sidewalk useless
At one time that root was small, insignificant & not given much notice but given the proper nutrition all roots grow
In your conversations, do you find yourself willing to "cause trouble" in the lives of others?
In your conversations do you find yourself willing to "defile", tarnish, dirty, or stain the lives of others?
If you are willing to do these things to the people around you…could it be that a root of bitterness has grown into your life?
What causes bitterness in people towards other people?
"See to it that no one misses the grace of God…"
We all have experienced bitterness in our life due to the pain of our actions or others actions; bitterness due to our failures or where others have failed us…we have a choice to grow the bitterness of that moment or grow in the grace of God
If you choose to "feed" the hurt & pain you feel… a root of bitterness will naturally begin to crack the "sidewalk" of your life…your life will be marked by unevenness, the pain of "stubbed toes", & falls
How do we keep roots of bitterness from growing into our life that hurt our self & others?
Bitterness comes when we miss "the grace of God"…
Bitterness comes from a focus on ourselves trying to correct what we have done to our self or trying to correct others in what they have done to us
Not missing the grace of God means a focus on God & what God has done for us to take away the pain we’ve caused our self & the pain others have caused us
There are 1440 minutes in a day….WALK1440 focusing on God to understand grace
The root is so big that if I’m not paying attention I can trip over that ripple in the sidewalk causing me to fall or stub my toe…either of which can cause a lot of pain
Have you considered that your life may be like sidewalk?
Is your life like a smooth, flat sidewalk which offers a peaceful & pleasant journey to whoever would be your companion?
Or is your life like a broken up, uneven sidewalk which only offers a painful & unpleasant trip or fall to whoever would be your companion?
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 NIV
Just like a sidewalk, our lives can be complicated by a root…a root of bitterness
It has always amazed me that a root of a plant can grow underneath a sidewalk in such a way to eventually destroy that sidewalk…rendering the sidewalk useless
At one time that root was small, insignificant & not given much notice but given the proper nutrition all roots grow
In your conversations, do you find yourself willing to "cause trouble" in the lives of others?
In your conversations do you find yourself willing to "defile", tarnish, dirty, or stain the lives of others?
If you are willing to do these things to the people around you…could it be that a root of bitterness has grown into your life?
What causes bitterness in people towards other people?
"See to it that no one misses the grace of God…"
We all have experienced bitterness in our life due to the pain of our actions or others actions; bitterness due to our failures or where others have failed us…we have a choice to grow the bitterness of that moment or grow in the grace of God
If you choose to "feed" the hurt & pain you feel… a root of bitterness will naturally begin to crack the "sidewalk" of your life…your life will be marked by unevenness, the pain of "stubbed toes", & falls
How do we keep roots of bitterness from growing into our life that hurt our self & others?
Bitterness comes when we miss "the grace of God"…
Bitterness comes from a focus on ourselves trying to correct what we have done to our self or trying to correct others in what they have done to us
Not missing the grace of God means a focus on God & what God has done for us to take away the pain we’ve caused our self & the pain others have caused us
There are 1440 minutes in a day….WALK1440 focusing on God to understand grace
Monday, April 28, 2008
Walk 1440 for April 30th, 2008
Do you remember the 3-A’s of your teenage years?
Acceptance…you just wanted to feel acceptance by people…especially your peers
Affirmation…you wanted to hear someone say they like you for who you are & what you are
Adjustment…life was a constant adjustment…a new hair style, clothing style, a complexion that changed overnight could ruin a life…if you don’t adjust you don’t fit in
I can recall as a teenage student feeling the pain of not having the 3-A’s…lying awake at night…groping out into the darkness of my room frustrated & sad…hoping to grab at least one of the A’s?
As we age…do you think we still have a tendency to reach out for the 3-A’s?
Have you noticed the 3-A’s have continued to follow you?
What do you do when you feel like you don’t have the 3-A’s?
Do you continue to grope out into your everyday life to grab acceptance…affirmation… your making constant adjustments…only to come up empty handed?
Listen to what a man wrote 2700 years ago… "At night my soul longs for You…indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently" Isaiah 26:9 NAS
…to put a face with the 3-A’s…we are seeking God
The writer of Isaiah 26 found the secret to the 3-A’s…listen carefully… "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace…because he trusts in You" Isaiah 26:3 NAS
Our soul, our spirit will forever be restlessly seeking the 3-A’s…word to the wise…we won’t find the 3-A’s until we trust the right person…that right person is God
The writer suggests that we will have peace…a perfect peace…when our mind is steadfast on God…who does your mind dwell on?
Listen again to the writer…. "Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock." Isaiah 26:4 NAS
Friends, if you have no peace because people don’t accept you, people don’t affirm you & you’ve made adjustments to be like people only to feel empty handed…who are you trusting more…God or people?
The writer of Isaiah says God is an "everlasting Rock"…how many people do you know can last forever & be that strong, unmoving rock that gives you peace?
Reality check…people don’t last forever & people waiver, falter, change…so, why do we continue to trust people for our peace?
What would happen to your mind, even your life, if you seriously looked at what you do on a day to day basis & asked the question…"am I making adjustments in my life for people to accept me, to affirm me…am I seeking peace of mind from people?"
Look again…what happened to the writer of Isaiah in his mind, in his life, when he chose to trust God more than people…?
There are 1440 minutes in a day...WALK1440 seeking the 3-A’s of God for peace of mind
Acceptance…you just wanted to feel acceptance by people…especially your peers
Affirmation…you wanted to hear someone say they like you for who you are & what you are
Adjustment…life was a constant adjustment…a new hair style, clothing style, a complexion that changed overnight could ruin a life…if you don’t adjust you don’t fit in
I can recall as a teenage student feeling the pain of not having the 3-A’s…lying awake at night…groping out into the darkness of my room frustrated & sad…hoping to grab at least one of the A’s?
As we age…do you think we still have a tendency to reach out for the 3-A’s?
Have you noticed the 3-A’s have continued to follow you?
What do you do when you feel like you don’t have the 3-A’s?
Do you continue to grope out into your everyday life to grab acceptance…affirmation… your making constant adjustments…only to come up empty handed?
Listen to what a man wrote 2700 years ago… "At night my soul longs for You…indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently" Isaiah 26:9 NAS
…to put a face with the 3-A’s…we are seeking God
The writer of Isaiah 26 found the secret to the 3-A’s…listen carefully… "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace…because he trusts in You" Isaiah 26:3 NAS
Our soul, our spirit will forever be restlessly seeking the 3-A’s…word to the wise…we won’t find the 3-A’s until we trust the right person…that right person is God
The writer suggests that we will have peace…a perfect peace…when our mind is steadfast on God…who does your mind dwell on?
Listen again to the writer…. "Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock." Isaiah 26:4 NAS
Friends, if you have no peace because people don’t accept you, people don’t affirm you & you’ve made adjustments to be like people only to feel empty handed…who are you trusting more…God or people?
The writer of Isaiah says God is an "everlasting Rock"…how many people do you know can last forever & be that strong, unmoving rock that gives you peace?
Reality check…people don’t last forever & people waiver, falter, change…so, why do we continue to trust people for our peace?
What would happen to your mind, even your life, if you seriously looked at what you do on a day to day basis & asked the question…"am I making adjustments in my life for people to accept me, to affirm me…am I seeking peace of mind from people?"
Look again…what happened to the writer of Isaiah in his mind, in his life, when he chose to trust God more than people…?
There are 1440 minutes in a day...WALK1440 seeking the 3-A’s of God for peace of mind
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Walk 1440 for April 23rd, 2008
There is a word we don’t like to dwell on that much…
This word can be painful, depressing, hurtful, & frustrating…as a matter of fact most of us will do all within our power to avoid this word…or its meaning…the word?
Failure…what do you do to avoid it?
Have you noticed in yourself a pattern of behavior you do over & over, subconsciously expecting different results?
Have you ever said "It will be different this time…if I just try harder…things will change if I just do it this way one more time"…only to have failure…again?
In my short life I have heard people say (because of repeated failures) "I just want to die…I don’t want to live any more…it would all stop if I were dead"…in my observation of these people I see the same pattern of thinking over & over with the same failing results…they begin to think death of themselves is the only solution…can you relate?
This may surprise you but they are right…death is the solution….
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV
A guy named Paul wrote these words…sounds like life for him is tough, difficult, not easy…but he’s not destroyed…not dead…if you described your life like him…death might be nice…just to be done with it all…by his next words he would agree…
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:10 NIV
What do you "carry" each day…do you carry failure?
If you carry around "in your body" the burden of "I’m a failure"… your body will look like somebody carrying a load of failure…heavy, burdened, pained, stooped shoulders…lifeless?
What if you replaced your repeated patterns of thinking (that always end in failure) with one thought…Jesus died for me?
What would your life look like? Paul said "life... [will] be revealed in our body"
Life offers life & death…you have no choice when you get life or when you die…your only choice in life is to choose how you live while alive…we can live it how we want to which leads to feeling like a failure or live it how the Creator of life wants you too…so, those of us alive (please note: if you’re reading this you are alive) how do we get life into life again?
For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body 2 Corinthians 4:11 NIV
Paul says he learned he had to be willing to be "given over to death"…meaning he had to be willing to let die his thoughts, his behaviors, his attitude, his way of doing things …he let them die to give honor to Jesus for dying for him…the result?
"His life may be revealed in our [physical] body"
Just a thought…if you let Jesus be revealed in your life…your body…is it possible to be labeled a failure in the eyes of the Creator?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 dying to self to live for Jesus
This word can be painful, depressing, hurtful, & frustrating…as a matter of fact most of us will do all within our power to avoid this word…or its meaning…the word?
Failure…what do you do to avoid it?
Have you noticed in yourself a pattern of behavior you do over & over, subconsciously expecting different results?
Have you ever said "It will be different this time…if I just try harder…things will change if I just do it this way one more time"…only to have failure…again?
In my short life I have heard people say (because of repeated failures) "I just want to die…I don’t want to live any more…it would all stop if I were dead"…in my observation of these people I see the same pattern of thinking over & over with the same failing results…they begin to think death of themselves is the only solution…can you relate?
This may surprise you but they are right…death is the solution….
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV
A guy named Paul wrote these words…sounds like life for him is tough, difficult, not easy…but he’s not destroyed…not dead…if you described your life like him…death might be nice…just to be done with it all…by his next words he would agree…
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:10 NIV
What do you "carry" each day…do you carry failure?
If you carry around "in your body" the burden of "I’m a failure"… your body will look like somebody carrying a load of failure…heavy, burdened, pained, stooped shoulders…lifeless?
What if you replaced your repeated patterns of thinking (that always end in failure) with one thought…Jesus died for me?
What would your life look like? Paul said "life... [will] be revealed in our body"
Life offers life & death…you have no choice when you get life or when you die…your only choice in life is to choose how you live while alive…we can live it how we want to which leads to feeling like a failure or live it how the Creator of life wants you too…so, those of us alive (please note: if you’re reading this you are alive) how do we get life into life again?
For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body 2 Corinthians 4:11 NIV
Paul says he learned he had to be willing to be "given over to death"…meaning he had to be willing to let die his thoughts, his behaviors, his attitude, his way of doing things …he let them die to give honor to Jesus for dying for him…the result?
"His life may be revealed in our [physical] body"
Just a thought…if you let Jesus be revealed in your life…your body…is it possible to be labeled a failure in the eyes of the Creator?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 dying to self to live for Jesus
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
WALK 1440 for April 2nd, 2008
There is a creature out there that has chased me for years…
I don’t always know how it gets started on my trail but it finds me…
Just when I think I have lost its beady focus on me…I sense it stalking me…I run hard to escape its grasp…it is relentless…it won’t stop until it devours me…its breathe is hot & acrid on the back of my neck…I’m exhausted from running…I can’t take much more…I’m near ready to give up…this creature…this animal…is a lie
Reality Check? Lies happen…we desperately want to be rid of the lie about us but try as we might…people still believe the lie about us…our credibility…our peace of mind…our desire for acceptance by people all have faded away like the sun on a cloudy day…
Welcome to Psalm 63…King David is running for his life…pursued relentlessly by a lie & a sword…both seek to take his life…what would you do?
Defend yourself? Lash back? Grow embitter? Sing "I’m a victim" to whoever will listen? Wallow in the pain of a lie? Believe the lie about yourself? Start a lie about the liar?
Get revenge? …all these "seem right" to do…
What would motivate you to do these things? The lie & the liar…
Please understand…that whatever motivates you has power in your life…
When you do these things…guess who has the power? The lie & the liar…
Is that what you want?
Listen to David’s response to the lie & the liar: O God, You are my God:
I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirst for You,
my flesh yearns for You, in a dry & weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
The lie & the liar are not even mentioned…why does David seek God?
Because he is thirsty for acceptance, for relief from the lie & the liar, for kindness in a cruel world…listen to what David has found in God…
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You…my soul is satisfied…my mouth offers praises with joyful lips…You have been my help…Psalm 63:3,5,7
Isn’t that what you want? Love…kindness…satisfaction…joyful lips…help
How did David get these things?
My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me…Psalm 63:8
David clung to God not the lie & the liar…what are you clinging too?
David now stands in the hand of God…far above the noise of the lie & the liar
…who has the power now?
When we choose to seek God out for acceptance…we get acceptance…what happens to the lie & the liar when the God of the universe is the only power I allow in my life?
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped Psalm 63:11
Isn’t that what you want?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 clinging to God
I don’t always know how it gets started on my trail but it finds me…
Just when I think I have lost its beady focus on me…I sense it stalking me…I run hard to escape its grasp…it is relentless…it won’t stop until it devours me…its breathe is hot & acrid on the back of my neck…I’m exhausted from running…I can’t take much more…I’m near ready to give up…this creature…this animal…is a lie
Reality Check? Lies happen…we desperately want to be rid of the lie about us but try as we might…people still believe the lie about us…our credibility…our peace of mind…our desire for acceptance by people all have faded away like the sun on a cloudy day…
Welcome to Psalm 63…King David is running for his life…pursued relentlessly by a lie & a sword…both seek to take his life…what would you do?
Defend yourself? Lash back? Grow embitter? Sing "I’m a victim" to whoever will listen? Wallow in the pain of a lie? Believe the lie about yourself? Start a lie about the liar?
Get revenge? …all these "seem right" to do…
What would motivate you to do these things? The lie & the liar…
Please understand…that whatever motivates you has power in your life…
When you do these things…guess who has the power? The lie & the liar…
Is that what you want?
Listen to David’s response to the lie & the liar: O God, You are my God:
I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirst for You,
my flesh yearns for You, in a dry & weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
The lie & the liar are not even mentioned…why does David seek God?
Because he is thirsty for acceptance, for relief from the lie & the liar, for kindness in a cruel world…listen to what David has found in God…
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You…my soul is satisfied…my mouth offers praises with joyful lips…You have been my help…Psalm 63:3,5,7
Isn’t that what you want? Love…kindness…satisfaction…joyful lips…help
How did David get these things?
My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me…Psalm 63:8
David clung to God not the lie & the liar…what are you clinging too?
David now stands in the hand of God…far above the noise of the lie & the liar
…who has the power now?
When we choose to seek God out for acceptance…we get acceptance…what happens to the lie & the liar when the God of the universe is the only power I allow in my life?
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped Psalm 63:11
Isn’t that what you want?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 clinging to God
Monday, March 17, 2008
Walk 1440 for March 19th
by Jeff Blaine, pastor, Sheridan Christian Church
Has someone ever gotten under your skin?
This person just irritates you…you think of them all the time…they invade your thoughts all day…you find yourself avoiding them or even desiring to see them hurt…why?…because they hurt you.
Then you can probably relate to this guy…Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men. Psalm 43:1
When people lie to us, treat us horribly, & just have behaviors that hurt us…we feel entitled to vindication…we want to be proved right that we don’t deserve that treatment…isn’t that what we say under our breath?… "I don’t deserve this…!"
It gets so bad in our mind that we find our self asking the question "where are you God?...Why aren’t you here?...why do I have to put up with the tears from the pain I’m receiving from this situation?"
Does this sound similar…? You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Psalm 43:2
Where does your mind usually go at this point? Do you continue to bathe yourself in resentment, bitterness, anger, distrust, & the pain of that moment?
Have you tried to "dry off" from those things only to find yourself bathing in the same "dirt" all over again? Has this cycle repeated itself over & over throughout your life with people; then doubting God? Would you like to change the cycle?
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Psalm 43:3
When we focus on the presence of people in our life to give joy…we are going to get hurt…we are going to experience pain…I think this guy knew that…he is moving from resentment of people to seeking the presence of God…he is ready to break the cycle by following something different…God’s light & truth…not his own darkened thoughts…what would keep you from turning from your dark thoughts?…it could be you fear the destination
Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4
The destination is the altar of God…why is that scary? An altar is synonymous with sacrifice…sacrifice means you give something up & don’t get it back…it’s gone…never to return
When God leads us to His altar…He is asking you to sacrifice your "resentful moment" to Him…He is asking you to recognize that He is the only authority in your life…He is leading you to understand that when we sacrifice our "resentful moments" to Him…they are no longer ours but His…you simply have to give Him authority
The problem? We don’t want to give up authority…we think we have authority when we hold onto our bitterness…the reality is…when we dwell on our bitterness towards people…we don’t have authority in our lives…they do
Read the verse again…do you want what follows after going to the altar of God?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 at the altar…sacrificing for joy
Has someone ever gotten under your skin?
This person just irritates you…you think of them all the time…they invade your thoughts all day…you find yourself avoiding them or even desiring to see them hurt…why?…because they hurt you.
Then you can probably relate to this guy…Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men. Psalm 43:1
When people lie to us, treat us horribly, & just have behaviors that hurt us…we feel entitled to vindication…we want to be proved right that we don’t deserve that treatment…isn’t that what we say under our breath?… "I don’t deserve this…!"
It gets so bad in our mind that we find our self asking the question "where are you God?...Why aren’t you here?...why do I have to put up with the tears from the pain I’m receiving from this situation?"
Does this sound similar…? You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Psalm 43:2
Where does your mind usually go at this point? Do you continue to bathe yourself in resentment, bitterness, anger, distrust, & the pain of that moment?
Have you tried to "dry off" from those things only to find yourself bathing in the same "dirt" all over again? Has this cycle repeated itself over & over throughout your life with people; then doubting God? Would you like to change the cycle?
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Psalm 43:3
When we focus on the presence of people in our life to give joy…we are going to get hurt…we are going to experience pain…I think this guy knew that…he is moving from resentment of people to seeking the presence of God…he is ready to break the cycle by following something different…God’s light & truth…not his own darkened thoughts…what would keep you from turning from your dark thoughts?…it could be you fear the destination
Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4
The destination is the altar of God…why is that scary? An altar is synonymous with sacrifice…sacrifice means you give something up & don’t get it back…it’s gone…never to return
When God leads us to His altar…He is asking you to sacrifice your "resentful moment" to Him…He is asking you to recognize that He is the only authority in your life…He is leading you to understand that when we sacrifice our "resentful moments" to Him…they are no longer ours but His…you simply have to give Him authority
The problem? We don’t want to give up authority…we think we have authority when we hold onto our bitterness…the reality is…when we dwell on our bitterness towards people…we don’t have authority in our lives…they do
Read the verse again…do you want what follows after going to the altar of God?
There are 1440 minutes in a day…WALK1440 at the altar…sacrificing for joy
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