Be Still

"...meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still." Psalm 4:4

How are you doing? Really, how are you? I know that when people ask us that question we usually give a short and pretty shallow answer like, “Oh I’m good, how are you?” Lately I’ve caught myself answering too many times with, “busy.” That is so wrong on so many levels! I can’t stand the idea of describing my life like that. But, doesn’t it seem like our lives are often filled with too much activity, and at times, too much noise? Because if the truth be known, the ultimate danger zone is when we’ve got too much going on, mixed with too much noise, leaving no room for God.

The Bible teaches us that there are many voices in the world and none without significance. We have a lot of voices saying a lot of different things; but the most important voice to hear is God’s. So, we need to make sure that we do whatever it takes to slow down and listen. That’s why I love this verse, because it paints a great picture of the importance of finding those moments where we can quiet down and hear from God.

Psalm 46:10 says something similar, “Be still, and know that I am God….” Did you know that God is always speaking to us? The problem is that we’re either too busy, or we have too much noise going on to be able to hear from Him. So, here is what I propose we do, let’s carve out a little time just to get quiet – I mean really quiet – don’t talk, don’t listen to music, cut out all background noise and just get with God, and listen. Grab your Bible and read it, pray a little, worship a little – but most of all, stay still and see what God says to your heart. I’d love to hear what God tells you, so please send me a note.

Say Good Things

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29 KJV

I have to tell you, I love this verse. It’s one of the first verses I memorized as a young Christian. It holds two wonderful keys for how we should talk to people, and about people. The first is that our words should be edifying. To edify, literally means “to build up”, which tells us that our words can either build people up or tear them down. The second key is that God has given our words the ability to minister His grace into the lives of others. Too many of us are loose with our words and we say things that neither build up nor minister grace. Sometimes they are quite the opposite.

We have tradition at our church where we throw a little bagel party when someone transitions from our staff. We had one of those parties yesterday morning for three of our staff members who, for different reasons felt their time on staff had come to an end. I think the shortest tenure was 3 years, so these are folks we’ve gotten to know pretty well. We’ve faced some challenges together, we’ve seen some victories, and we’ve even shared a few disappointments. They are more than just our co-workers—they are our friends.

So, we go around the room and we let those who are leaving know how special they are to us and to the Lord. We share a lot of laughs, but usually a lot more tears. It’s always such a huge blessing to them and to us, because it’s real, it’s heartfelt and it’s totally a God thing. We always leave thinking that we should do this more often. Not the part of having folks leave, but the part of being encouraging to one another, while we’re still working together.

You know, there is nothing like the present. Let’s do something wild today! Why don’t you tell that person you see at the drive up window every morning that you love how they smile and how much you appreciate them coming to work super early just to have that coffee ready for you when you swing by on the way to work. Tell your receptionist that you appreciate the way they answer the phones and treat your customers with such respect. How about taking some time today to tell your co-workers two or three things that really cause them stand out to you. It’s not too late. You’ll be amazed by the power that a positive encouraging word will bring. Your words can build up and they can minister grace, so go for it, let ‘em fly!

With my love-

Jeff

Doubly Blessed With Life

"Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double: Everlasting joy shall be theirs." Isaiah 61:7


First of all, we would like to wish all of our friends a very Happy New Year; may this be your very best year ever!

I wanted to write a special devo today to all of you ex-party-ers out there. If you were anything like me before meeting Jesus, then you know what New Year's Eve meant to us. It was party till you puked and then party some more until you got in some sort of trouble. Well, I've got some good news for you; this verse is for us.

Because we've made Jesus Lord of our lives, we no longer have to have wake up New Year's Day, lying there in bed or on the couch—as the foggy confusion of the night before begins to clear up, realizing that once again we've blown it and have acted like idiots. It's that moment when the temporary joy of the night before is replaced by an overwhelming sense of shame of your behavior, and instead of starting out the new year with confidence and excitement—you just feel miserable about yourself. Then, of course, you check your wallet and realize that once again you must have emptied it buying rounds of drinks for all of your new "so-called" friends. So you begin the year by feeling crummy, ashamed, hung over, and broke…wow, what fun, huh? You getting the picture, or am I just talking to myself?

But then Jesus came into our lives…the One who forgives us and changes us from the inside out. I am so thankful that the old life is long gone and not just gone, but replaced by the real life, a life of double. Remember, He's the one who said in John 10:10, "…I have come that you might have life and it MORE abundantly." That sounds like double dipping into life to me. Here in Isaiah He promises us that our shame is replaced with double honor, that our confusion is replaced with double peace, that our lack is replaced by double possessions, and that our sadness is replaced with double joy.

Now that's something we can celebrate every day, and not just once a year. So, thank You, Jesus, for loving us enough to lay down Your life so that we could experience the life of double!


"Father, we thank You for helping us to see the kind of life You have for us. The life of double—double honor, double peace, double possessions, and double joy. I choose to speak this over my life, my family, my work, my church, my friends, over every area of my life. I call 2011 my year of double! In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Vision Collision

"'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,' says the Lord, 'thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11


Did you know that you're on God's mind today? Did you know that you're on His mind every day? The reason is simple. You're on His mind because He has a plan for your life.

This verse calls His "vision" for you His "thoughts." So, what kind of thoughts or visions does God have for us? According to this verse, they are thoughts of peace, and not of evil—a vision of a bright future, full of hope for every one of us. No one is exempt; God has a vision for every person who ever walked on the earth. But all too often we get in the way and come up with our own thoughts, our own visions, our own plans and we completely mess things up.

A "vision collision" is what happens when a person runs smack dab into the vision that God has for their lives. Unfortunately, many of us suffer from limited vision that's either defined by our circumstances, by our family and friends, or even by our past failures. But be encouraged today, because the Bible has tons of examples of what can happen when someone has a "vision collision."

David saw himself as the youngest member of his family, and least likely to succeed. His brothers saw him as a shepherd boy—but God saw him as the giant-killing king of Israel!

Gideon saw himself as a weakling and a coward—but God saw him as a mighty man of valor!

Moses saw himself as the stuttering caretaker of his father-in-law's sheep—but God saw him as an articulate deliverer of His people!

Peter saw himself as an emotionally unstable fisherman—but God saw him as rock, and a fisher of men!

Paul saw himself as the persecutor of the church--but God saw him as its protector!

The shepherds saw a baby in a manger—but God saw the Savior of the world!

So, what does God see when He thinks of you? He sees peace, not evil—and a future full of possibilities. So, isn't it time for you to replace the vision that you had for your life, and head out on the road of faith? Get serious and seek God with all your heart, and ask Him for your very own "vision collision."

What To Do When Your Family Is Not Perfect

"Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Where is Abel your brother?' He said, 'I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?'" Genesis 4:9


Christmas is fast approaching and we're all probably getting ready for one—or more—of those traditional, annual holiday family gatherings. If we're honest, sometimes these family gatherings are clearly more of a curse than a blessing.

Have you ever experienced any conflicts or issues with your family that blow up over the holidays? Well, join the club! Apparently, even the first siblings on the earth couldn't get along very well. In this verse, God is asking Cain where his brother was, even though He knew that Cain had murdered Abel. Now, I doubt that any of us have actually murdered another member of our family...although we may have felt like it a time or two.

The holidays can bring out the best in us, but—if we're not careful—they can also bring out the worst in us. Can anyone say "amen" to that? When that happens, it can make the holidays miserable for everyone.

I remember a saying one of our Bible school instructors used to tell us: "To be fore-warned is to be forearmed." So, what can we do to proactively approach our time together with family and do more than just get along but actually enjoy it? Do you know what the secret is? It's learning to abide in the light of God's love.

"He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him." (1 John 2:10)

You see, love is a choice. Let's choose to love our families this holiday season. As we learn to abide in the light of God's love, we're empowered to love our brothers, our sisters, our weird aunts or uncles, and even our in-laws. When we love like this, nothing can cause us to stumble.

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'" (1 Peter 4:8)

It's amazing what a little love will do to help us avoid conflict. Love helps us to cover things that otherwise might bug us, or get us all worked up. When something is covered up, we don't see it. So may this year's Christmas get-together be our best ever as we choose to love our families with the same love that God has for us!


"Father, I thank You for my family. Even though none of us is perfect, I choose to love them in spite of my family's imperfections. I pray that I can be a vessel of Your unconditional love for every member of my family as I abide in Your light. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

You've Got A Gift So Use It!

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering…."
Romans 12:4-7


Yesterday we shared a meal, and showed a little appreciation to some of our volunteers here at our church. We shared this scripture and talked about God's master plan to connect us together through our work for Him. This verse reminds us that although there are many members in the Body of Christ—and even many members here in our local church—we are all unique. Did you know that there is no one on the planet just like you? You are one of a kind, and the really cool news is that God Himself has graced us each with gifts that are different, yet they complement one another.

Did you notice near the end of this passage that it encourages us to "use" the gifts that we've been given? You see, we get to tap into the grace of God every time we choose to use our gifts. Just think about that, you get the opportunity to connect with the grace of God every time put those gifts He has given you into action and serve others. But don't ever forget, those gifts that God has graced us with are not for us, but for others.

But what about the people who never use their gifts? They never serve, they never reach out to others, and they only live for themselves. And, there are a lot of people in this category. Well, the sad news is that they miss out on experiencing all that God has in store for them. He's the One who gives the grace, He's the One who gives the gifts, but we're the ones who are supposed to use them, and if we don't…we lose, and the people around us lose. In First Peter 4:10, we're encouraged to share what God has given us:

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

So, what are you doing today to use the gifts that God has given to you? Don't let your gift sit dormant. I bet you already know what you're gifted to do, so just do it. Put your gift, whatever it may be, into practice; begin to rely on the grace of God working through you to make a positive difference to the people around you. So, by faith, use your gifts to the glory of God, and let Him shine through you today.

Peace-

Jeff

A Special Thanks to Pastors

"And I will give you pastors according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."
Jeremiah 3:15 KJV


Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month? We were really blessed to spend the first Sunday of this special month at Victory Christian Center in Rancho Mirage, California with two dear friends and pastors, Jeff and Melissa Walker. We love to visit their church when we're in the Palm Springs area, because we so love to hear their hearts and see their love for their people. Being with the Walkers got me thinking about the pastors who have made a significant difference in my life. So, bear with me as I give them a little appreciation.

The first is Pastor Chuck Swindoll who is the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, TX. Now, Pastor Chuck doesn't know me from Adam, and in fact, we've never met. But, because of his daily national radio program, he served as my first pastor. You see, I didn't get saved in church, so I didn't know the value of attending church and having a pastor. I would listen to Pastor Chuck on the radio in my car as I traveled around Western Michigan. What an outstanding teacher of the Word of God! Man, I can remember like yesterday how God would use him to make the Word alive and relevant to my life in so many ways. I owe a lot to him. You see, because of him, I developed a hunger and desire deep within my heart to someday do the same for others. Thanks, Pastor Chuck—if I don't meet you here on earth, I'll see you someday in heaven and give you a huge hug!

The second is Pastor Dave Williams, who is the senior pastor at Mount Hope Church in our hometown of Lansing, Michigan. When I finally realized my need to have a pastor, I began to attend Mount Hope. Pastor Dave is a gifted communicator in so many ways, and his love for Jesus and the Word is contagious. Another outstanding attribute about Pastor Dave is his love for lost people. Not only is he an incredible communicator, he is a gifted evangelist. I'll never forget the night that he taught on the importance of financial planning, and how you needed the right kind of insurance, and then gave a simple altar call...and tons of people gave their lives to Jesus. It was amazing to watch God use him that way, and it helped me to have a heart to always connect with lost people. Thanks, Pastor Dave—because of you and your love for Jesus and His lost sheep, we're doing the same thing in Kalamazoo.

The third pastor in my life is Pastor Kenneth Hagin, Jr., who, along with his wife, Lynnette, pastor Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow, OK. He'll never know the special significance that a message he preached called, "A Place Called There" had in my life. It was 25 years ago and I was in business but felt a call to leave that world and pursue a life of ministry. Well, I can tell you, I must have listened to that message 100 times. He spoke on the importance of finding your current "there" and how God has provision for everything you would need..."there." He talked about how some folks miss all that God has for them because they get so comfortable in their "here" that they won't go "there." Well needless to say, his message helped to give me the faith to get "there" and attend their Bible School and for Pastor Hagin to be my pastor for all these years. Thank you, Pastor Ken and Lynette—for all you have done for me—and so many others who are making a huge difference around the world. We cannot be defeated and we will not quit!

Finally, there is Pastor Jeff Arnett, who is the senior pastor of Thornapple Valley Church in Hastings, Michigan. It's a long story, but when Beth and I moved back to Michigan to start a church, things didn't go the way we had expected, and we found ourselves struggling to figure out what to do with our lives. We were unsure of who we were and what God was calling us to do, and then we visited Jeff's church. I will never forget how God used Jeff to show me what was in my heart. I saw how Jeff loved God and loved His people, and realized that was also inside of me. It was one of those "a picture paints a thousand words" deals. I actually saw what I couldn't explain with words, and from that point on, my life has never been the same. Thank you, Pastor Jeff—for just being who God called you to be and for helping me to see who God called me to be.

So, who are those pastors in your life who have made a difference for you? When was the last time you took the time to drop them a note, give them a call, or just say a prayer for them? These are the men and women who God gave you to show you His heart and His love for you. A little appreciation would go a long way to encourage them.

Thank you Lord for giving us Pastors after Your own heart.

Peace-

Jeff