BIG DEAL

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

 

A couple of our REFUGE men who were asked to share with me at a little congregation from Greenfield yesterday reminded me of an important truth.

“It isn’t about us, it is ALL about GOD”.

“Greg” mentioned it in his testimony.

“Corey” commented in the affirmative.  Even “Danny” eluded as he shared his journey.

 

I appreciated the reminder.  I needed it.

 

It is so easy to get caught up in WHAT we are doing rather than WHY we are doing it. Remembering that what we are doing isn’t about us but ALWAYS unto the Lord serves to keep us grounded, focused and in the proper priority.

For:

“God does not exist to make a big deal out of us. We exist to make a big deal out of him. It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s all about him.” ― Max Lucado

 

How will you make a BIG DEAL about GOD today?

Can you thank Him for eyes open and heart beating?

That is a big deal!

 

Can you praise Him for His unmerited grace?

That is a big deal!

 

We glorify (make a “big deal about”) God by loving Him, by obeying Him, by trusting Him and walking with Him. We honor God when we have faith and trust in Him, when we love Him, and when we truly desire to know Him, obey Him and please Him in all that we do.

It is TRUE!

We were created to glorify God, enjoy Him and walk with Him. When we glorify God and honor God, we get closer to Him and enjoy Him immensely. God is really pleased and rejoices over us when we glorify Him and live for Him.

That IS the big deal to GOD!

Psalm 115:1(TLB)

Glorify Your name, not ours, O Lord!

Cause everyone to praise your loving-kindness and your truth.

Including us!

 

It’s not about you. It’s not about me.

The moon models our role. What does the moon do?

She generates no light.

Contrary to the lyrics of the song, this harvest moon cannot shine on.

Apart from the sun, the moon is nothing more than a pitch black, pockmarked rock. But properly positioned, the moon beams. Let her do what she was made to do, and a clod of dirt becomes a source of inspiration, yea, verily, romance. The moon reflects the greater light. And she’s happy to do so! You never hear the moon complaining. She makes no waves about making waves. Let the cow jump over her or astronauts step on her; she never objects.

 

Even though sunning is accepted while mooning is the “butt” of bad jokes, you won’t hear ole’ “Cheeseface” grumble. The moon is at peace in her place. And because she is, soft light touches a dark earth.

What would happen if we accepted our place as Son reflectors?

From: “It’s Not About Me” -  Lucado

 

Catch that from Max?  “Son reflectors”? 

What if we were like the moon and our PRIMARY JOB today was to REFLECT the Son?  

That would be a big deal.

Then we WOULD bring GOD glory.

We WOULD keep things about GOD and not us.

We WOULD remember…

We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! (Ephesians 2:8 MSG)

 

So let’s bring GOD glory today.

Be a little more “moonish”!

And reflect Him!

Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)

Therefore be imitators (reflectors) of God…

And let HIM be the BIG deal today!

 

I love you all.

Have a blessed day!

 

FREEDOM CHURCH (CHAMPIONS NETWORK)

DNA of JOY

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Give Thanks to the Holy One.

Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His son.

And now, let the weak say ‘I am strong!’ Let the poor say ‘I am rich!’

Because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks.” - Moen

Thanksgiving:

...the DNA of joy is gratitude. Have you ever noticed that complainers don't have much of either? – Tripp

Too true. 

Therefore…

…Do everything without grumbling or arguing (Philippians 2:14 NIV)

I have GREAT confidence in ALL of you to be THANKFUL tomorrow as you celebrate in your tradition(s) around the table of my daughter Samantha’s favorite menu. 

The trick is how will you handle today?

There will be traffic.  Channel 7 confirmed it today.

There will be lines at the grocery.

Don’t forget for some tonight is the “start of the party” and you may encounter one or two that have partied a little too hearty.

So in light of ALL of this potential Thanksgiving turmoil and trial, I thought I would encourage us to stay focused, stay grateful. You might even want to “sing” that little refrain when the line at the checkout is ten deep and crawling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC0fkWA2INw

For:

·        Gratitude keeps the Lord close by.

·        Thanksgiving helps bring our will into submission.

·        A grateful attitude strengthens our witness.

·        Gratitude encourages an eternal perspective when current events cause stress.

·        Gratitude transforms anxiety into peace. Something sorely needed on one of the busiest travel and shopping days of the year!

And as Tripp reminded us, thankfulness and GRATITUDE are essential ingredients for joy.  There’s no way to “rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16) without giving thanks in everything (v. 18).

That’s why ungrateful people are so grumpy.

Hence, what will you choose as your attitude today?

Content or complaining?

Grateful or grumbling?

Thankful or testy?

May I offer a little help?

…in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. (Colossians 3:17 (ICB)

William Arthur Ward said:

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. – Ward

Don’t miss your chance at joy and blessing today.

GIVE THANKS!

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

FREEDOM CHURCH (CHAMPIONS NETWORK)

SHOVEL SMOKE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“Running from the presence of God has the futility of "trying to shovel smoke with a rake".” – Tripp 

For:

“Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one” ― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Are you “running away from or EMBRACING the presence of GOD today? 

It is a fair question.

Oh we try to isolate ourselves, dodge GOD’S presence, hide and do our best to seal ourselves away, but as that duo of Tripp and Tozar remind, we have a GOD who is OMNIPRESENT.

But that is NOT to say GOD is OPPRESSIVELY PRESENT.

Quite the contrary.

GOD generously and lovingly makes Himself available to us.

He patiently waits for us to acknowledge Him, encounter Him, engage Him, trust Him, intersect Him, and allow Him to instruct and impact our day! 

He is always there. What we do with that truth is up to us!

That is why trying to escape His presence and His loving involvement is as futile as Tripp eludes. 

Instead we should remember that…

…in (GOD’S) presence there is fullness of joy; at (HIS) right hand are pleasures forevermore Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV)

...where can (we) flee from Your presence? If (we) ascend to heaven, You are there; If (we) make (our) bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If (we) take the wings of the dawn, If (we) dwell in the remotest part of the sea… 

Even there Your hand will lead (us)…

And Your right hand will lay hold of (us).

If you are like me I find that at times reassuring and other times quite convicting.  For there are times in my life where the intimacy of GOD is like a welcomed blanket on a cold fall morning, but when I am out of step with Him, I would love to have a closet or hiding place to escape His view.

But the truth of the matter is…

…The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3 (NIV)

So we have a choice today as we do everyday.

Embrace the presence and ALL that it promises or pointlessly try to “duck and weave” the watchful eye of the Father.

Let's trust Him! He has a GREAT plan for the day! He is beckoning all of us to ENGAGE! For God created us to live in close relationship with him, and He is meant to be embraced.

So here is your chance.

There can be such sweet reward

When we wait upon the Lord

As we take the time, he gives us his perfect wisdom.

To be found in Him alone,

All our deepest secrets known, we're surrounded by his grace

When we seek his face

In your presence there is comfort,

In your presence there is peace,

When we seek to know your heart,

We will find such blessed assurance

In your holy presence, Lord. – Tunney

Have a blessed day…

I love you all!

FREEDOM CHURCH (CHAMPIONS NETWORK)