There's No Plan B For The Life Of Faith

"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith which we preach)." Romans 10:8, NKJV

My wife Beth and I have been the senior pastors of Valley Family Church for nearly 20 years. It’s been a joy to bring the message of Jesus Christ to so many people over the years. To see people grasp the reality of forgiveness of sins and eternal life through Jesus Christ for the first time is so cool. And then we get to watch them launch out into this wonderful adventure of a life, built upon their faith in God and His Word. We’re often asked if we’re one of those “word of faith” churches – as if there was another option? If you know of one, please pass it along. Here in Romans, the Apostle Paul called the message that turned his life 180 degrees around, the “word of faith.” That was what he preached everywhere he could, regardless of his circumstances, because he knew there was no “Plan B.”

What is the word of faith? Well, it’s simply learning to take God at His Word. Does God really care how we live our life? He sure does, because in Hebrews 11:6, He says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Notice that this verse doesn’t say it’s “unlikely” to please God without faith. It actually says it is impossible! Now don’t miss this, because it’s huge: the only way you and I can please God is to live our lives in the way that He originally designed for us, by faith. So how do we do that? How do we get faith?

Well, according to Romans 10:17 faith only comes one way. It says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” In other words, faith isn’t some mystical or magical thing. It’s very tangible and it only comes one way, through God’s Word. Remember what Paul said that he preached? He said he preached the “Word” of faith. He wasn’t preaching his ideas, or his experiences, or even his theories for living. He was simply preaching the Word of God, and when he did, faith came to those who heard him.

So if faith comes by hearing, how do we know when it arrives? Again, according to Romans 10:8, the word of faith will show up in two places. It shows up in your mouth, and in your heart. You’ll hear yourself talking differently. You’ll catch yourself thinking differently. There will be a confidence and a trust that comes from the inside of you that says, “I believe God’s Word, more than I believe in these circumstances that I’m facing staying the same.”

What scriptures are you hearing and getting into your mouth and heart? Are you just blindly trusting God or are there specific verses that you’re making your stand upon? Our faith and trust can only be founded on the Word of God. So grab your Bible today and let God’s Word, His promises, speak faith into your life, and hold on because change is coming. There is no “Plan B.”

Say It: “Father, I want to live my life in a way that pleases You. I believe You, I believe Your Word and believe that Your promises are bigger than any circumstances I may face. I will put Your Word in my mouth and in my heart. I will speak Your Word over my life, my family, my business and my circumstances. I will see Your Word begin to mold and shape my life. Your Word is changing me, today! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

No Risk No Reward

"Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.' And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come.'" Matthew 14:25-29, NKJV

They were in the middle of the lake in the middle of the night, and they came face to face with a choice. They could either respond to this situation in fear, or by faith. I wish I could tell you that the life of faith carries no risk to it. But that would be wrong; because frankly, living a life of faith is a huge risk. The Apostle Paul said if Jesus didn’t really rise from the dead, then we as believers are living a miserable lie. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19, NLT) But here’s the good news: Jesus did rise from the dead! Which means we get to live this wonderful life of faith. But, it is important to note that it is a life that includes taking a risk from time to time.

You see it would have been much easier for them to not take a risk and stay in the boat, letting fear determine their next move. But Peter did something that separated him from the other disciples. He chose to responded by faith rather than fear, and said, Jesus if that’s really You then I’m willing to do the impossible. I mean really, when was the last time you saw someone walking on water, other than to go ice fishing?

But there is an important ingredient to this story. It is what’s necessary to receive the reward for taking a risk – and that is, to have a word from God. Did you notice that Peter didn’t move until he had a word from Jesus? I’m confident that if Jesus hadn’t answered Peter that he wouldn’t have stepped out of that boat. You see Peter did more than just walk on water – he was actually walking on the word of Jesus. Think about it. It wasn’t a paragraph, or even a sentence – just one word, “come.” Peter believed that word, mixed it with his faith, and then took a risk leaving the safety of the boat. His super-sized risk was rewarded by a super-sized reward – He actually walked on water.

What about you? What has God been saying to you lately? Has Jesus been walking around the boat of your life, waiting for you to call out to Him? What reward is out there for you to risk it all for? Remember, without a risk there is no reward.

Set Your Sights

3 John 2 “Beloved I pray that you may prospers in all things and be in health, just as your souls prospers.”

When I was pretty young, my dad had a little fishing boat with one of those small motors with a control handle on it that powered us out to our favorite fishing hole. I’ll never forget the day when my dad told me that it was time to learn how to handle that big boy myself. So he got up front, and once I pulled the engine to life he taught me a principle that would serve me for the rest of my life. He said, “Son, I want you to pick a point out there on the horizon, and keep your sights on it. Because the winds and current will always fight against your ability to get to where you want go. So set your sight, and steer toward it.” It’s the nautical version of the old principle of, you hit what you are aiming at.

So what have you been setting your sights on? What are you aiming at? Because chances are, that if you can’t answer that question, either you’ve got your sights set on the wrong thing. Or if you don’t have it set on anything, and if that’s the case, then there is a good chance that your life may be adrift.

Ever wonder what God wants you to set your sights on? He wants us to set our sights on being prosperous. Now before you think I’m just talking about financial prosperity you’ve got to keep reading. The word “prospers” here is a compound word that paints the picture of having a successful journey. Who doesn’t want to have a successful journey, no matter where they are going, or what they are doing? We all do, we all want to reach our goals in life, both big and small. But what I like about this verse is that it gives us permission to have a well-balanced journey. Notice John’s prayer for us, is that we would prosper, that our health would be good, just as our soul prospered. Sounds to me like he is talking about having a prosperous journey through life—spirit, soul and body.

In other words, you don’t have to work yourself to death to be a success. You don’t have to sacrifice your marriage or your kids to prosper in you work. You truly can have it all, God’s way. So, the million-dollar question is where are we to set our sights. Well the answer to that is found in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” The answer is simple; we’re to keep our eyes on Jesus. When our eyes are on Him we can face the biggest storms and the strongest currents, and we can have a prosperous journey. A journey that’s focused on Him and not on things.

Beth and I are taking a couple of days to really seek God’s direction and pray, think, and talk about the next 20 years of our lives. We’re asking the Lord for what HE want us to focus on, not what we want, but what does HE want. It’s fun, it’s challenging, and in the meantime it’s super exciting to know that when we push off the shore that, with God’s help that we can successfully reaching our goals. Would you join us, take some time and really seek after the Lord and ask Him to help you to see where you should set your sights? Then keep your eyes on your target, and with God’s help you’ll get there!

Make Today Count!

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT

Did you know that today is a gift from God? Think about it, yesterday could have been your last day here on earth. But you made it to another day, so what are you going to do with it? See it like it’s no big deal, just another day—or how about seeing today with a fresh pair of eyes? We rarely see things that we aren’t looking for. So, I vote that we choose to see today as God sees it, a day that is full of opportunity and potential. Because what we do with our days, and our time defines who we are.

Days are measured by time, 24 hours to be exact, and the clock is always ticking. And whether we like it or not, there is nothing we can do to stop it. Benjamin Franklin said that “time is the stuff life is made of.” I love that quote, because time is our most valuable possession, and what we do with it is indeed, the stuff life is made of. Abraham Lincoln said, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” But isn’t it true that our years are just a collection of days? So, the only way to make our years count is to make sure that we make each and every day count by living with a real sense of purpose, and use our time wisely.

Yesterday ended last night, so we’ve got a fresh start, it’s called today. So, keep your eyes looking ahead, not behind. Learn from the mistakes of yesterday, and move on. Briefly celebrate yesterday’s victories, but don’t stay there. With the help of the Holy Spirit look for the opportunities that today presents. You see too many people are either trapped by their pasts, or they are looking too far into the future and they forget the importance of living for today. So, Carpe Diem, seize the day and live it, really live it. Look at the things that are important to you, and then build your day around them. Focus on what’s important, on what will ultimately define you.

What project do you need to finish? What phone call do you need to make? What meeting do you need to schedule? What risk do you need to take? What opportunity is out there for you? Don’t waste another day; make the most of this one, make today count.

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."