A Tale of Two Kingdoms

 “The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools. A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:21-24 NIV

As 2022 got underway, at church we were in a series titled “Wisdom for Life”. Going through the book of Proverbs. Two weeks in a row, Pastor Sarah Zaske hit line drives straight at the enemy’s head with the truth and wisdom of God’s Word. I’ll link both messages below. It was after the second of these messages, that I found myself on deck to lead our Tuesday, Open Arms Food Pantry ministry team’s devotional/discussion time. What follows is what I shared with the group.

Pastor Sarah’s challenging question to us about “Whose Kingdom are you building?” Reminded me of an old political joke. I think it is a good analogy for the - Truth & Lies wisdom she shared.

The Joke
A politician dies and finds himself at the pearly gates with Saint Peter. Peter welcomes the politician and tells him there is a problem… They don’t, know what to do with him. Peter, continues saying, “Not to worry though. We have a process for handling these kinds of situations. You must stay 24 hours in each place and after that you can choose if it will be Heaven or Hell for you. The politician says, “Why can’t I just choose now, I am here so I might as well stay.” Peter politely tells him, “You have to follow our process, where would you like to spend your first 24 hours?” The politician says might as well start with Heaven.” Peter opens the gate and allows him to enter. Walking through the gate the politician finds it is beautiful and peaceful. He sees a few friends there and enjoys the outstanding food available. People are happy, so happy they sing all day and work seems more like recreation than labor. When the 24 hours is up the politician return to the gate to meet Peter. Peter asks how his experience was and the politician replies, “He really enjoyed it, I’d like to stay please.” Peter reminds him the process must be followed and escorts him to the elevator that will take him to Hell. When the doors of the elevator open the politician is greeted by Satan himself. Satan, dressed to the nines in black tie and stretched out beyond Satan is a golf course more beautiful than anything the politician could imagine and in the middle of it sat a palatial clubhouse. Satan said, “Come on the party is just starting.” Arriving at the clubhouse, the politician found a lot more of his friends were there. Everyone was dressed elegantly, food was amazing, drinks flowed continually, the music was loud, and the party went on for the entire 24 hours. When it was time, the politician was escorted back to the elevator so he could meet with Peter. Peter greets him and asked what he thought. The politician responded, “It was really great, I enjoyed myself.” Peter tells the politician, “Time to decided where you are spending eternity.” The politician thinks for a moment and answers that he as decided Hell is the place for him. Peter replies, as you wish and escorts him back to the elevator. The politician is quite excited to rejoin his friends and the party. The elevator doors open and there stands Satan, looking like the monster he truly is. The golf course and clubhouse are gone, replaced by mountains of smelly, hot, and burning garbage. The politician’s friends are scavenging through the mess. The politician demands to know, “What happened? I was just here, and it was beautiful.” Satan replied, “yesterday we were campaigning. Today, you voted.”

Isn’t that a great picture of worldly lies, how we so easily fall for them and the consequences of believing them?

That Sunday, Pastor Sarah talked about the Kingdom and how our words need to match the kingdom we are a part of. What captured me about that statement is that this whole series from Proverbs is showing us a picture of the character of the worldly kingdom, ruled by the enemy and the kingdom of God, ruled by Jesus.

Worldly Kingdom                        God’s Kingdom
Foolish                                        Wise
Proud                                            Humble
Envious                                        Content
Deceptive                                    Honest

What else can we add to the lists? What would you add to the lists?

What a contrast. How easily we jump back and forth between these kingdoms. How easily, we walk along the wall dividing the two, looking for something that we think will make us happy.

In 2017, not unlike now, I found myself struggling with what I saw happening in the world and on social media (there is nothing new under the sun). In a devotion I wrote at the time, based on the above passage from Proverbs, I talked about how we need to engage our brains and speak with wisdom and that we need to seek out the truth, rather than just believe everything we see or hear.

In 2016, during Lent I wrote about the importance of listening to Jesus and ended up with a list of things we should be listening for in order to live well in God’s family. Some of the things are truths we can stand on as we seek truth in this world and gain wisdom.

“Follow me.” (John 1:43)
“Don’t turn my Father’s house into a super Wal-Mart” (John 2:16)
“To see the kingdom of God you must be born again – spiritually.” (John 3:3)
“I know everything about you – so you might as well be honest with Me.” (John 4:17-18)
“If you are without sin – go ahead and throw that stone.” (John 8:7)
“I command you to love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12)
“In this world you will have trouble (with a capital T) but don’t worry because I have overcome the world: (John 16:33)
“Love God and love others” (Mark 12:30-31)
“Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37)
“I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6)
“I AM the resurrection and the life – believe that and you will live forever. Do you believe?” (John 11:25-26)

In the group discussion questions for the Sunday message this devotion is inspired by, is a list of 6 reasons people lie:

1. Personality disorder, pathological liar, compulsive
2. Preserve one’s self image
3. Protect someone’s feelings
4. Promote ourselves, boost our reputation
5. Pacify pending conflict
6. Personal gratification in the moment.

How do you see these play out in our culture? Which one do you see most? Which ones are you most likely to see in your own life?

As followers of Christ, we are to be building His kingdom. The words we speak and the actions we take should build up, not tear down. They should bring light to a dark world. We must seek His truth in every aspect of our lives. “Whose kingdom are you building?”

A Prayer
Father, thank you that in the seriousness of life and the weight of your truth, that humor can illustrate your truth, at a time when we need the medicine of laughter. May the words on this page causes who ever reads them. To stop and really consider what kingdom they are building and cause them to seek Your truth and the saving grace offered by Jesus our Lord and King. Amen

January 23, 2022 Message: https://youtu.be/Rn-MO0E9qhQ
January 30, 2022 Message: https://youtu.be/kJhHkrq3j_g

Galaxy Maker

“Then God said, ‘Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.’ And that is what happened. God made two great lights – the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.”
Genesis 1:14-18 NLT

To be honest I don’t know who besides me may need these words of truth and encouragement, but God has put them in my mind, so I am writing them down and trusting they will get to whoever needs them. Here we are just past the halfway point in January 2022. The pandemic is still giving the world fits, people are still grumbling about politics and political leaders all over the world and a lot of people are NOT on their best behavior. This is where an article from Carey Nieuwhof appeared in my email at work. It was an interesting article about disrupting trends in 2022 that will affect all of us including church. At the end of the article was a notice of a podcast series that would dive deeper into the topics in the article. Surprise, I went looking for the podcasts and the first one sparked this devotion. For those who may not know Carey Nieuwhof is a pastor, speaker and author. His guest for this particular podcast was pastor, author, speaker Mark Sayer. I know, get on with it already.

Two things in particular stood out for me in this conversation, both from Mark Sayer. The first was something to the effect of this weird time that we find ourselves in is a reset of sorts not back to what we understand as normal, but to what normal really is. That normal is us humans being confronted by the greatness of the world around us and how small we are in it. That normal takes us back to a time where people understood there was something, someone bigger than us and that we needed that someone, just to survive. The second, followed and was the response to a question. It went something like, moving forward the church needs to stop being a star maker (referring to the rise of “rock star” pastors) who just like cosmic stars often fall. Instead, the church needs to become galaxy makers. Something like that – I’ll put the link to the podcast at the end and you can have a listen.

It's this idea of being a galaxy maker that serves as the starting point for what you are reading now. The passage of Scripture above is about when God created the sun, moon and stars – not the sun, moon and a star but lots of stars, a galaxy full of stars. He gave them purpose as well – to be signs that mark the seasons, days and years and to separate day from night and light from darkness. In researching to learn more about stars, I also discovered that all the different types of stars work together to create the elements that give our planet the exact right atmosphere for us to live. What a great purpose the galaxy and everything in it has.

Now we humans love stars – the cosmic kind and the human kind. We have all sorts of stars on the planet. Sports stars, music stars, movie stars, TV stars, corporate stars, political stars and yes even church stars. Think about it for a bit and you can probably come up with names that fit those categories. I will assume that many of us when we were younger perhaps dreamed of being some sort of star. Cosmic stars have life spans just like we do and some of them when they are dying fall. The stars here on earth are also prone to falling, not at the end of their lives – but because of… oh say, pride, power and selfishness. So what if in our world the church and all the other segments of our society that produce stars instead produced galaxies? What if we recognized that we each have a purpose on this planet and that all of our purposes are meant to work together so we can live and thrive. What if we as followers of Jesus that part of our purpose is to shine the light of God’s truth and grace to hold back the darkness of this world so the light can get in. What if we became an earthly galaxy? Now don’t get me wrong we need leaders, we need leaders who create a gravitational pull that lifts others to their purpose and place in the galaxy of our society.

Psalm 147:4 says “He counts the stars and calls them by name.” HE knows each one of our names and HE’s calling each of us to our purpose and place in His kingdom, a kingdom of light. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he writes, “The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory” (1 Corinthians 15:41). The sun, moon and stars have their own kind of glory, yet they all work together to fulfill their purpose. So it is with us as well, that's what I think anyway. We’ll each have our own kind of glory and we should all be working together to fulfill the Kingdom purpose we have been given. In another of Paul’s letters he says, “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (Philippians 2:14-15).

When I was young for a bit I dreamed of being a star, but it didn’t take me long to figure out I didn’t have the stuff to be a “star”. These days I don’t want to be a star, I am quite happy to be a point of light among a galaxy filled with points of light – just trying to make my little part of it a better place. I’m still working on what that means for my life, Luckily I serve a God who is more than happy to give me wisdom and guidance and to be the bright light for me to follow. What about you? Are you still trying to be a star of something? How about asking the Galaxy Maker what he wants of you and see where that journey takes you? I think it will take you to somewhere way better than earthly stardom – it’ll take you to an eternity filled with light.

A Prayer
Father – what an amazing and miraculous galaxy you made for us, it reveals much of who You are if we look with open hearts and minds. Help us desire for our lives the things You desire for them. Help us to find our purpose in Your kingdom. If we are called to “stardom” give wise and humble hearts that desire to lift others up. If we are called to just be a point of light among a galaxy filled with points of light, grant us the wisdom to thrive, finding contentment and joy while also lifting others up. In the name of Jesus who knows the name of every star and all of our names as well – amen.

Podcast: https://careynieuwhof.com/episode469/

Think About It

“The simple believe anything but the prudent give thought to their steps.”
Proverbs 14:15

What do Winnie the Pooh, Pahla Cragg Bowers, Pastor Craig Groeschel and Pastor Jake Zaske have in common? They all believe how and what you think is important. I’ll explain as we go.

When something gets repeated in Scripture – it usually means that idea or principle is important and that we should take heed. For instance, the phrase “Be strong and courageous” appears at least 11 times in the Old Testament and the phrase “Fear not” appears at least 82 times right across the whole of the Scriptures. Should we then trust God and with the help of the Holy Spirit be strong and courageous, fearing not? What do you reckon?

This idea of managing your mind had been cropping up in my life for months now, so it must be important. If it’s important for me, there is a good chance that it is important for you too.

Let’s start with the scripture above. At the time of this writing, it is being used as a foundational Scripture in a sermon series at the church we attend. When I heard it – I thought of Winnie the Pooh – well because that’s how my brain works. Pooh recognized that he was a “bear of little brains” Some would say Pooh was simple. Yet when he would sit and “think, think, think” he often came up with some solid wisdom (or prudent thoughts) with which to act.

This idea of mindfulness first showed itself earlier this year when I stumbled across Pahla Cragg Bowers of PahlaB Fitness on YouTube. Pahla is a fitness trainer/life coach who developed the Five-Oh Method for weight loss. Of the five things she discusses, the most important is managing your mind. She is constantly telling those participating in the program that it is crucial to treat ourselves with self-love, speaking against the lies the world and our minds tells us. Sound familiar? “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). The Psalmist reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 134:14). Jeremiah the prophet also reminds the people of his time and us millennia away that “God has plans for us, plans to prosper, not harm. Plans that bring us hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). God sees us always as beloved children that are very good. Do you believe it or are you believing something less than the truth?

Pastor Jake Zaske in the third installment of the message series we are going through now basically told us to “Put a helmet on and guard your hearts (my paraphrase).” Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:13,17). Interesting side note – did you get that God gives us His personal armor to wear and that the helmet in this battle analogy is meant to protect not only our heads physically but also our minds and thoughts. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Paul in all his practical wisdom also tells us not to listen to the world. Instead, he wants us to allow God’s truth to transform us by letting us renew our minds (Romans 12:2).

Then there is the email that invited me to participate in a five-day leadership master class from Pastor Craig Groeschel on “Winning the War in Your Mind”. Coincidence? I think not. Divine timing? Most likely.

Why so much focus on managing our minds right now? As we enter this sort of post pandemic, but not really time – I believe God is telling his people – ok, for the last almost two years you have let all sorts of lies, half-truths, and worldly culture into your minds and hearts – it’s time to refocus back on me, back on the truth of who I AM and who you are in Me.

I don’t know what’s going around in your mind right now – anxiety, fear, doubt, feelings of not being enough of whatever, thinking you’re not lovable. Whatever it is – think about it, using the filter of God’s grace, mercy and love.

A Prayer
Father – You know us so well. You know that we are prone to believing all sorts of things, that we were never meant to believe. Like believing we could be like You by being disobedient. Like believing we are less than perfect if we don’t look like the people on magazine covers. With the help of Your Spirit remind us that we were made in your image from the very beginning. Help us to weed out the lies that fill our minds and plant Your truth in their place. Remind us also that we are not alone. In the name of Jesus who restores us to our right minds and guards our hearts – amen.

Rejected

“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”
Isaiah 53:3

The dictionary defines the word reject as: to refuge to have, take, recognize, grant, accept; to discard as useless or unsatisfactory; to cast out or eject, vomit. Based on the definition, it is probably safe to say that most people have a least one if not many experiences of being rejected. A failed relationship could leave that feeling of being rejected. Not getting that job or promotion can also leave us feeling rejected. What about those sometimes cruel words others or ourselves speak into our lives? It doesn’t feel good to feel useless or unwanted. Did you know that God knows the feeling of being rejected?

In the Scripture above, Isaiah speaking about the coming Messiah tells the people that the one they are waiting for will be despised and rejected, that he will understand the pain and suffering that comes with rejection. Even before this we see God feeling the sting of rejection. The nation of Israel is demanding a human king, rather than being satisfied with God as king. We read in Samuel: “But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the LORD told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king” (1 Samuel 8:6-7). People continue to reject God and in spite of that He still loves us, He still sent Jesus.

Jesus certainly understood rejection. The people of His “home town” couldn’t or wouldn’t believe that “the carpenter’s son” could be anything but a carpenter. One of Jesus’ friends betrayed Him, another denied knowing Him and many others abandoned Him. He entered Jerusalem to a hero’s welcome but left the city as a condemned criminal. Even as He was hanging on the cross, he felt the sting of rejection as His Father turned temporarily away.

We live in a broken world, surrounded by broken people and we ourselves often feel broken and rejected. But there is someone who stands ready every day to welcome us into His family. To let us know we are wanted, that we have purpose, that we are loved and that we are enough. He knows what it means to be despised and rejected but He still loved us enough to die on the cross for us, to make us whole again when we accept His gift of forgiveness and life.

Tired of feeling rejected? Seek out Jesus, accept His gift and be welcomed into the abundant life He made you for. He is waiting for you right where you are.

A Prayer
Our Father – As we ponder the miracle of Your resurrection may we seek after You will our whole hearts, allowing your love, mercy and grace to welcome us into the life You have planned for us. A life filled with purpose and belonging. For those feeling the sting of being rejected right now bring Your comfort and Your healing. In the name of Jesus who understands – amen.

Just Keep Praying, Just Keep Praying

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Anyone who knows me personally or has been reading Something Special for You for a while, will know that one of my prayers had been for a certain vehicle. It took nearly 20 years of prayers and a move half way across the country for that prayer to finally be answered a couple of years ago – just keep praying. A friend of mine was given a scripture to hold on to while she and her prayer partners prayed for a family member to return to the Lord. I’ve lost track of time but I guess it has been 20 years or more and we just keep praying. Not unlike Dory from Finding Nemo who throughout the film said, “just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” Scripture tells us to just keep praying.

When the disciples weren’t sure how to pray, in the powerful way that Jesus did, He taught them a model prayer – we know it now as The Lord’s Prayer. It is a prayer that rises above being a simple prayer. It can be seen as an act of worship, a desire not for our will but for God’s will, a cry for mercy and provision and a call for protection against the one who seeks to take our lives rather than give us life. Early church fathers like Augustine used to say this prayer at least three times a day, a practice I follow myself.

God is not a wish grantor. We can’t just ask for things we want and expect them to magically appear. God does find joy in giving us good gifts – but they are usually the gifts He desires for us to have and in His timing. Sometimes what we ask for in prayer gets a very sound no from Him. When Jesus is praying in the garden just before his arrest. He prays a painful and stress filled prayer three times: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). We all know that the Father’s will was done. The apostle Paul also pleaded with the Lord three times to have the thorn he’s been given removed. The response he got? “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Clearly God says no sometimes, maybe more times than we would like. God also says yes –sometimes right way and sometimes it takes years. I suspect that most of the time it just seems like He isn’t listening, because we don’t get that definite answer. It is what we experience as a lack of response that causes us to doubt. That silence in my opinion should be seen as a just wait, as a just keep praying time. See ultimately prayer is meant to be an ongoing conversation with the One who made us and knows everything about and still wants to have a relationship with us. Prayer is a conversation so sometimes we speak and sometimes we must listen.

The prophetess and widow Anna never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:36-37) – just keep praying.

Want your church to grow and thrive? “Devote yourself to scripture, fellowship, of sharing meals and to prayer” (Acts 2:42) – just keep praying.

Want a strong faith, that doesn’t doubt even when God seems silent? “Put on the Armor of God and pray in the Spirit on all occasions will all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:11, 18) – just keep praying.

For me I am praying about what the Lord would have me do next for Him, it’s been a year since I left God’s provided position so I’ll just keep praying. I don’t know what you are praying for, what is causing doubt in your life, what frustration you may be feeling if God hasn’t answered that prayer. So I can just encourage you to read his word and just keep praying.

A Prayer 

Our Father – You reign over all creation from the throne room of heaven. You alone are worthy of our praise and worship, Your name inspires awe and wonder. Your kingdom is coming; is here even now so let you will be done in our lives as it is in heaven. Thank you for giving us the things we need to live and grant us strength and peace in these troubling times. Thank you for your forgiveness and help us by Your Spirit to forgive those who have wronged us. Keep us from falling into the traps this world sets for us and protect us from the one who wants to take us for You. Amen. Help us to just keep praying. Amen

Be the One (Be Cowboy, part 2)

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your father in heaven.”
Matthew 6:1

Last week, I encouraged you and myself to display the characteristics listed in the chorus of Chevel Shepherd’s song Be Cowboy. We were encouraged to be tough, to love, to be strong for others, be honest, to stand on a firm foundation even if it means standing alone. We were encouraged to be Better, Braver, Bolder.

The bridge of this great song says: “There’s a whole lotta people, in this world today. Who don’t even know that they got what it takes to be cowboy.”

I believe there are a whole lotta people in this world who don’t think they can be a Christian because of what they’ve done, because they feel unworthy, because for whatever reason God can’t love them.

This week, I want encourage all of us to be the one. The one who lives in such a way that shows the world God can and does love it and all the people in it and all they have to do is believe.

The verse of Be Cowboy:

“Be the one who does the right thing when there’s no one else around.

Be the one who runs into the flames when the house is burning down.”

Both of these lines talk about doing the right sing for the sake of the right thing. Matthew talks about not doing things in order to bring attention and honor to ourselves. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do… and on the streets, to be honored by men” (Matthew 6:2). He goes further saying that rather than drawing attention to ourselves by praying long, eloquent prayers in public, we should pray privately (Matthew 6:5-6). In both instances those who chose to bring glory to themselves forfeit what God has waiting for them. So just do the next right thing because it is the right thing to do. God is watching and so are the unbelievers among us.

“Be the one that holds on harder when it’s harder to hold one.
Be the one who keeps believing when you think that your hope is gone.”

King David and the Psalmists speak often about holding on and about being held when it seems like the worst is about to happen. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters” (2 Samuel 22:17). In the New Testament book of Hebrews we are encouraged by these words: “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast” (Hebrews 3:6). Scripture is all about holding on when it appears that all hope is gone and those that do find healing and future of abundant living.

I know that things seem pretty bleak right now but as followers of Jesus, we have the power to be better, braver and bolder as we stand firmly in our faith. A faith that when we live it out and speak the truth of the Gospel will show others there is a way to hope, a way to forgiveness and healing, a way to an abundant life that lasts for eternity. What do you think? Will you be better, braver, bolder – will you be the one who brings a person in need all that Jesus has to offer.

Check out Chevel Shepherd’s Be Cowboy https://youtu.be/uVYh6ZmBS9A

A Prayer
Father – You see everything we do. Help us to only care about pleasing you and bringing you glory and honor. Help us to be the ones who are bringing your hope, peace, forgiveness, healing and love to a world filled with people who are afraid, angry, selfish and feeling unworthy. Thank you for giving us everything we need to do your will. In the name of Jesus, who is The ONE who makes us better, braver, bolder way. Amen.

Better, Braver, Bolder (Be Cowboy, part 1)

“Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them.” 1 Timothy 6:2

“Have I not commanded? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“Therefore, since we have such hope, we are very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12

Another awesome song has inspired me. Every couple of years the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) commission a new anthem and ask artists to sing it for the opening of the televised events. Think “Are You Ready for Some Football” only for bull riding instead. 2020 which has already seen the release of some great music perfect for the times in which we are living, has just delivered the new PBR anthem. It’s a song called Be Cowboy, written by Wynn Varble and David Frazier. Three artists have been given the nod to sing it. I think the best version of the song has been done by Chevel Shepherd, 2018 winner of the voice.

The reality is I think the song could really be the back drop for a sermon series or a couple of devotions – there is so much good stuff in it.

The chorus of Be Cowboy:

Be tough as ya gotta be

Love seven days a week

Be strong for those who are weak

Honest as the day is long

Be square as a cornerstone

Dare to stand alone

When you’re scared just carry on

Be better, Be braver, Be bolder

Be cowboy

We need to be tough living in these times on a fallen planet – but tough doesn’t mean hardened or compassionless. Being tough means getting back up when the world knocks you down. It means being compassionate and empathetic. Sometimes being tough means letting others see us persevere with the tears that often come in life’s storms – being authentic and transparent.

We need to love one another. Even when we don’t feel like loving people – even when we don’t feel lovable. Paul in his first letter to the church in Corinth tells us all about what love is, in what has become known as the love chapter. This chapter closes with these words: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13) John tells us that perfect love drives out fear. We need to be showing people the perfect love of Christ because people seem to be filled with fear right now.

We need to be strong for others. God makes us strong when we are weak so we can be strong when others are weak. In the story of the exodus Moses had two people who gave him strength when he grew weak. You see there was a battle going on and as long as Moses held up the staff of God the Israelites were winning, but if he lowered his hands the other side would start winning. So Aaron and Hur held Moses’ hands up. I’ve been lucky to have people like Aaron and Hur in my life who have held me up when I was weak. We should be keeping our hearts open to do the same for those around us.

Honesty is always the best policy and as Christian we need to speak the truth to others in such a way that it leads them to the foot of the cross. A cornerstone is what provides the foundation of anything with its firm, straight and true starting point. Jesus is identified as being the cornerstone of our faith and in some translations He is both the cornerstone and the capstone – He is what holds our faith together.

It can be hard to stand alone when your beliefs go against what the world seems to be saying but it is so important, even if you risk being laughed at or it makes others mad – both things I have experienced. But standing alone can change what others think, or bring about a needed victory. David stood alone before Goliath and beat the giant.

So come on Christian – stop complaining, stop feeling sorry for yourself, stop blaming others for the storms of this life. If you hold on to your faith, God will help you Be better, Be braver, Be bolder.

Check out Chevel Shepherd’s Be Cowboy https://youtu.be/uVYh6ZmBS9A

A Prayer
Father – You know everything we are facing on this planet right now. You know that some of your people aren’t behaving very well right now. Help us to be better, be braver, be bolder. Help us to be who you called us to be. Thank you for your love that drives out fear, for the strength you give to us. In the name of Jesus, who shows us a better, braver, bolder way. Amen.