Alive and Active Life

Maintaining a steady pace and a steadfast heart in life is a real trick, isn’t it? Life’s terrain is so unpredictable, and losses grab at your ankles as you walk. “Keeping on” while being patient and calm takes resolve and courage. Unexpected developments, disasters, losses and grief, disagreements, declining health, even aging – these pop up on every side. Addressing them well requires being steadfast.

If your life is like mine, you’ve had ample opportunity to practice resolve and courage. Scripture reminds you are not alone. It looks like this. God’s love for you never stops. He’s thinking about you all the time, in the ready position, poised for action with sleeves rolled up. The split-second you lean into Him by faith – BAM ! – He is instantly in action in unseen dimensions to accomplish His good purposes on your behalf. God is absolutely committed to you. Your ability to be steadfast flows from His commitment to you.

You need to make a commitment, too, for this to work. What is your commitment level back to God? Being steadfast means you make choices. Here are some choices involved in commitment to back God:

Will you commit to be steadfast with these commitment choices? When given the opportunity to speak or act on God’s behalf, is your response a BAM ! – instantly in action?

The Lord enables His people to respond well in all life scenarios, even in tragedies and severe testing. He gives specific training, unexplainable peace, and necessary power to get through life.

2 Pet. 1: 3-4 says you’ve got everything you need from God to be steadfast. Let’s take a look:

The above points all guarantee you can be steadfast . . . if you do them. If you keep trusting yourself, you won’t be steadfast. To be steadfast means to think differently.

This might help. Phil. 4:1-7 gives focus points to think the way God created people to think:

Wow. How do you do all that?!

The focus points above are all choices that help you remain steadfast. So choose them. Practice them – no matter how you feel.

Here are additional helpful action steps:

Do you trust God’s intentions toward you? Are you aiming for these qualities to be steadfast in Jesus? Which things do you need to practice more to be steadfast? What action steps will you put into place to develop a pattern of steadfastness for your good and God’s glory? Are you committed to carry out these action steps starting today?

You can be at peace and delighted to be yourself as you work out your salvation to become the person God designed. Let Him transform you a bit more each day! Why not partner with Him? You can be steadfast!

Article developed from Phil. 4:1-7.

The above image, I’m Not A Loser, is a wonderful e-book. Check out this great resource!

I did not know Nov. 1 was National Author’s Day. My family surprised me with a lovely Author’s Day Tea. We enjoyed a yummy spread including homemade scones and clotted cream. Why did they do this? Well, they love me. But the main reason? I’m an author!

It’s been a fascinating journey, and I’ve learned so much. I’d like to tell you about my work.

I never dreamed I’d become an author. I was busy doing other things in life. Writing wasn’t on my radar. It blipped across my screen occasionally when a person said, “You should write! You have the skills and a unique strong message.” That comment came regularly enough to “bug me,” which gave me courage to take scary steps to write and publish.

From my current perch, where I am now, I’d say my initial steps years ago were wobbly. Yet, years of aiming for creativity and developing a platform for my message brought some results. I’ve worked hard to present my message to readers and listeners.

Well, I’ve authored eight hardcopy books, several e-books, and generally weekly blog articles along with podcasts. These resources help people develop a fresh relationship with God while growing in faith and character to be more like Jesus. My strong message? “God is who He claims. You can trust Him. He loves you so much! His Word is alive and active with relevant information and power to help you live well. God invites you to be His friend.” What a message filled with hope!

As an author, I want people to know God for who He is. I guess you could say it’s my passion. So few know Him as an intimate Friend, and most don’t live in His power. It’s a tough world! God’s greatness, compassion, and goodness are for you. Knowing God and living in the power of His Word is for you.

When much younger, I realized how unseasoned and unpracticed I was in my faith. That self-analysis made me sad. So, I begged God for help. I remember His impression in my heart – “I will change you, but it will always be in the moment as you obey My prompts.” I worked hard that year. A year later I looked back and was shocked. I had become a different person. Peace, patience, and joy had increased. I enjoyed God’s friendship. I still have so much growing to do, but that’s exciting.

Christians need a boost in their faith. They are looking for quality materials that provide relevant spiritual help, practical action steps, and encouragement in this modern world. Many Christians need a good dose of hope. It’s challenging to live as an authentic, sincere Jesus follower, especially with things going on in the world now. So, I regularly provide articles, books, e-books, and podcasts.

(you might find this interesting)

I don’t do this often, but since it was National Author’s Day recently, I’ll tell you about my projects. It’s a bit of a journey through history for me as an author.

The first book I wrote, Reach Back: Intentionally Reaching Back to God, explores hot topics of daily discipleship to strengthen Christians in God’s principles. It takes you down into the nitty – gritty of how to be an effective believer in Jesus. It’s my second most popular book. Some go through it three and four times to pull concepts into their daily living.

My second book, Celebrate Advent: A Life Response to Emmanuel, is my most popular. It has an interesting history. Decades ago, I pulled material together to informally help my children prepare their hearts for Christmas. The Lord led to polish it and publish for others to use. It tenderly prepares you to celebrate Jesus’ birth – by going through Isaiah backwards! So fun!

Project three had a unique start, too. SharpShooting: Your Bronze Bow was developed with one of my archer kids in mind. It goes through Matthew. Studying that gospel, I was impressed that Jesus always shoots straight to the bulls-eye of every life issue. He’s a brilliant Sharpshooter. I gave my grown kids a “home-printed-and-published” copy at Christmas. After a couple of months going through it, they said I should publish it for others. So I did.

I did not want to write the fourth book, Despicable We: Studies in Ezekiel. God kept pressing. Daily, I studied this difficult Bible book. Some days, I said – “God, if you don’t give me something, I won’t have anything to write today.” He always gave something. Ezekiel is full of God’s judgment and rightful anger. But each session gives a twinkle of hope through Jesus. Broken can be transformed. God invites you into hope. Despicable We is full of hope.

Shadows of Things to Come is an adventurous exploration of Hebrews. What rich material applicable to every believer in Jesus. Shadows are all around you. They are meaningful because they represent something real. God’s love is artfully expressed through life’s shadows. The book is full of inspiration to live in the real world, even with all the shadows. So the fifth book came to be.

When God led to author It’s Your Move: Strategies in Thinking, I gulped. A theologian I’m not. So I took a “people’s view” to inspire believers to logically explore the material for fresh, practical, strategic application to their lives. Romans gives you strategies to win on life’s chessboard. Why not learn how to play to win where it matters to God?

Then God led to develop the rest of Paul’s writings. “Wow” is all I could say. What a job assimilating 1 and 2 Corinthians into material relevant to modern people – the i-generation of this digital age. Did you know you can actually author your own life e-pistle as you live each day? Your techie peers and family are “reading” your life. With this in mind, E-pistles For an i-Generation: Relevant in a Digital Age was penned. These letters from Paul are filled with ancient, practical principles that have been long forgotten. They are relevant in our digital age, and they help you live your life – better.

The sequel volume MORE E-pistles For an i-Generation: Relevant in a Digital Age focuses on Paul’s letters, many written in prison, Galatians all the way through Philemon. This book finishes Paul’s writings – so relevant to the i-generation we live in. It also continues the theme – you can rediscover God’s ancient, practical principles that are still relevant in our modern world.

How to Effectively Get Into God’s Word: Even With a Super Busy Life gives you practical action steps to get into Scripture for a meaningful life in a fast-paced, high-impact world. Its a free e-book when you sign up on my email list.

The e-book, Prepare for Christmas Without Missing It was born out of extreme busy-ness that stripped me of a meaningful Christmas one year. Never again! And I want to share secrets I learned with others. You can have a meaningful Christmas while addressing many details of the holidays. It has lots of great ideas, short-cuts, action steps, and helpful hints to have a great Christmas without missing it.

As a trained counselor, I’ve noticed many people feel like losers. They get locked into habits and patterns and can’t break free. I’m Not A Loser: How to Change Old Habits and Patterns is an e-book filled with compassion, encouragement, and action steps to develop new habits and patterns. You can change how you see yourself, change your habits and patterns, and you can draw close to God.

These resources can help you. See what is available on my website.  Sign up for my email list and for podcasts. There’s a whole library of podcasts you can listen to while on the elliptical, doing chores, traveling, or walking the neighborhood.

May God bless you richly as you apply His Word in practical ways that transform your life. These are difficult days but our God is faithful.

SIGN UP and RESOURCES:

These are difficult, uncertain, and challenging days. There are very few things you can depend on when you get up in the morning. Things shift all day. Between the political state of the world, unknown health threats, cosmic nature developments, and people’s free will, your list of dependables shrinks!

In these uncertain times, I’d like to explore some things written for your comfort and help from Scripture. These dependables were written during uncertain times by Paul. He is one of those guys who goes right to the point. Yet with his direct style, he weaves in compassion, love, and respect for everyone.

So how does Paul present dependables of life? How does he give timeless action steps, strategies, and resources applicable in any century? Right out of the gate, Paul suggests dependables that matter most.

God strongly promotes the need to make good life choices with your free will in the context He has created to set you up for success. This is your first dependable. With loving authority, He provides principles that nurture faith, build confidence, and yield goodness. His special plan for your life lets you choose thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions. You get to participate in making things better – or not.

God gives purpose and value to your life. He has given you all you need for life and godliness by knowing Him personally through Jesus (the God-man). Plus, He has also given universal principles through His Word which will never pass away. (Mt. 24:35) Further, God gave you promises. He stakes His reputation on His Word. God holds everything together even when people mess it up.  (2 Pet. 1: 3-4)

God has placed high value on you and given you special purpose. But He doesn’t leave you to work it out with no help. God walks your life path with you. He shows how to engage His practical principles. He gives hope. God provides direction and encouragement for anyone who pauses to listen. (Ps. 46:10) He makes life meaningful with special interest in you.

The most awesome dependable – God is everything you need! He is the God who –

Because God brings these dependables to you, because He did the unfathomable through Jesus on a cross and empty tomb, because He is building an incredible eternal future for you – Jesus is your hope. We can all use more hope. Jesus has taken care of the full scope of issues that would get in your way. You can have a safe life story, a strong life letter, a secure life e-pistle through His hope. This means your life can be one of the dependables.

You can remain healthy, focused, balanced, safe, and pure in your heart. Why? Because the Lamb of God loves you and gave Himself for you. (Gal. 2:20) You can also avoid meaningless talk and popular, unhelpful trends. (1 Tim. 1:5-7) With resolve, you can side-step sinful behavior patterns. Jesus will help you avoid human traditions and basic principles of this world that contradict God’s original design of nobility for you. (Col. 2:8; 1 Pet. 2:9) You can steer clear of false doctrines, ungodly trends, and controversies. No matter what you hear in these unstable, uncertain times you are living in, Jesus has opened the way for you to plant yourself firmly in God’s love by faith. So, no matter what happens – you are going to be OK if you stay in Christ! That’s a key dependable.

To author a meaningful personal e-pistle – the life story you write each day – means applying your life to things that matter. It means avoiding thoughts, attitudes, words, and choices of a meaningless life.

Start by following God’s principles accurately, not loosely or sloppily. All your living each day is “advancing God’s work.” (v. 4, see below) Your individual “work” is a theme you can apply no matter what is going on in the world around you, no matter what your profession, despite overwhelming losses or obstacles, regardless of other’s choices. What you write with your life is important. Let it count!

Faith is at the center of your relationship with God. He rewards faith! Living a healthy life pleasing to God in this highly technical, intelligent “i-generation” flows through your faith in Him. You can enjoy God’s love, have a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. You can’t buy those dependables in any store and they’re not available on the internet. Get them from Jesus when you make Him your first, most, and best.

What “false teachings” in this technological generation do you need to walk away from? How will you make your life e-pistle count? Most important: have you made your dwelling place right inside God’s heart as you respond to the cross and empty tomb? God loves you – so much! Draw close to God. Gather up all these dependables and write your story so the i-generation sees the purpose of life!

Article developed from 1 Tim. 1:1-11.

Many thoughts in this article are discussed in my latest book – More E-pistles For An i-Generation: Relevant in a Digital Age. It’s a wonderful sequel study that takes you successfully from Galatians all the way through Philemon!

The first book, E-pistles For An i-Generation: Relevant in a Digital Age, takes you through 1 and 2 Corinthians.

Paul’s epistles are fascinating, applicable, encouraging, challenging, and filled with hope.

What interests do you have? How do you figure out what your interests are? As a unique individual, your interests matter. Every day there are many things that capture your attention. How do those interests fit into God’s interests?

To begin exploring your interests, it helps to be engaged and aware. Look for the ways life is filled with note-worthy, interesting details:

Each day is filled with details like this. “Rich living” is something that happens deep inside you. It can be enjoyed by everyone – even in difficulties. It’s an invisible richness promised to any person willing to engage it. Only some have eyes to see and ears to hear. Those who “see” and “hear” begin to understand how their interests and God’s can become one.

There are many things on your radar every day. Some are very important, like salary, health insurance, supply of food and other critical resources, good health, safety. In this very demanding year, you are likely concerned about the coronavirus and how it has pillaged many people on the globe. In some countries, you could be very concerned about the political landscape, elections, racial injustices, fair wages, and the economy. You could be highly interested in the future of your employment.

Other things on your radar might not be as critical, like a vacation trip, recent movies, new recipes, specific power tools, seasonal style, professional education, your image, a book you’ve wanted to read, etc. All these “lesser” interests are still important. They just might not have priority in some seasons, and they might be better pursued in a more thoughtful timeline.

The human heart is flooded with daily interests. Some are easy to identify and develop an action plan for. Others are not so clear. They are a bit muddled. So you need to identify, sort, and prioritize. Add to this – remembering to value others’ interests – and the course of a day can become challenging.

I suggest your first and best action step is to ask God for wisdom. He is great at sorting through life’s realities. Since He has a vested interest in your life and truly wants you to succeed, He will show you how to order your priorities and interests. The goal?  To be “like-minded” with God. That means lining your interests up with God’s interests. This is where you find yourself!

Why are we talking about your interests in this manner, anyway? Why spend time here? How will this help you grow as a person, in your relationship with Jesus – and with others?

Living without interests is empty and shallow. Living with interests that lack meaning and purpose is discouraging. Part of what makes you who you are and brings color to your life – is your interests. God gave them to you. He wants to help you develop them. God wants you to have a rich, full, healthy heart, and not be an empty shell.

Since God also has His own interests that include you, it helps to see how His and your interests integrate. In fact, not integrating them is living only half your life – or less.

First, you have daily decisions that affect your time, energy, and inner heart. Making decisions requires being rested, alert, aware, and committed to a big picture. When you start to live bigger than just your interests, you can start to engage God’s interests.

Next, you will have to make a serious decision. Scripture calls this “living sacrifice.” It means being willing to replace your interests with God’s. As you do this, you will be fascinated to discover Jesus values your individual interests. He created you with them. He helps you flesh out your interests, but that only happens as you put His interests first. Surrender is the “connect point.”

Then, you will need to apply additional, practical action steps. Put time and energy into:

These steps help you see things you didn’t before. You gain inner power and satisfying peace from this deeper discipleship. It can feel vulnerable – like you are losing yourself. Jesus promises you will find the real you – and your interests.

How do you get from where you are to this place of intentional living? How can you add purpose to your daily life?

First, start caring about what Jesus does. Then you prepare yourself to gain spiritual insight, receive encouragement, comfort, and fellowship with God. (That’s a lot!) You soak up Christ’s tender compassion as you yield to Him in life details. (That’s a lot, too.)

Next, you have to be open to receive these things from Jesus. Take them in by faith. Open your heart to them.

Finally, you decide to care about needs of people in the “i-generation” of highly advanced technology, internet, computers, and resources that span what you never thought possible.

The beauty of this exchange is that as you follow those steps, God’s involvement in your interests helps to sculpt and cultivate them. But it means being like-minded with God. You may need to change your mind about a great many things.

What makes Jesus’ interests different from yours? It starts here. Jesus knows who He is: Fully God – fully man. He does not let “being God” get in the way of being human. Rather, He engages God’s original design – uniting God’s interests and man’s – brilliantly reconnecting humanity to God. The accolades of His “godness” set aside, Jesus models harmony with God’s intended plan. He shows how to accomplish both sets of interests without conflict.

How can you begin to unite your interests with God’s? I think it starts by remembering some ideas long forgotten.

Jesus is still this kind of human. As the God-man, humility and obedience frame everything He does. Setting aside His glory, He shows how to serve God. His entire life is a kind of virtual story people can “read” as they watch His life.

The miracle in living like this is finding out who you really are and effectively being you. Getting your eyes off yourself and onto God helps you start caring about others! You can replace emptiness with purpose. Your dignity is restored as you show deep reverence for God.

Jesus’ sacrificial death exalts Him to the highest position with a name above all names. This is the man – the God all people will one day bow to and confess as LORD. Jesus ordained God’s love through a cross: humility, love, goodness, and power.

How does all this filter down into action steps so your life looks more like Jesus? Here are some good questions to start you thinking. Then you can develop action items. There are several helpful sets of actions steps in the above article.

Let’s join together to be more like Jesus – a virtual life e-pistle like Jesus has so people can watch as we live each day.

(Article developed from Phil. 2:1-11.)

If you had to summarize your life in one nutshell sentence, what would you say? Perhaps you would talk about your background, schooling, and degree. You might mention family. Some would talk about career. Others would reflect on additional things they cherish. You might talk about very real struggles that have changed your life. Boiling life down to one statement is hard. But if you had to do it, what would you say?

Paul said this – “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21) What an interesting one-line life statement. Paul had a full and prestigious life before Jesus captivated his heart. When he met Jesus, everything shifted. He became so resolved in trusting Jesus and being faithful. Life became opportunity to tell about Jesus. Yet, he was often persecuted severely and struggled even to the point of death. Still, being alive meant he could invest in people’s lives. But he clearly preferred to be with Jesus in Heaven.

Paul’s life was filled with adventures and sufferings. He had numerous close calls, was constantly in jail and often beaten, had interviews with famous people, and enjoyed global travel – most often while in chains. He was very familiar with struggles of every kind. But Paul willingly embraced suffering and persecution for Jesus. He had a purpose of encouraging believers, training them in righteousness, promoting progress in their faith, and enhancing their joy in Christ. This is what motivated him and gave perspective in his struggles.

How many people do you know that get excited about struggles? Why did Paul focus his energy tenaciously on how to struggle? He knew struggles are real. Paul also figured out Jesus is everything He claims. That’s pretty significant – in fact, a life changer. Paul, who started as Saul, was smart. But God had to “get in his face” a bit to show him some things. As he listened and responded to God, his journey of real struggles took form.

Paul expresses what a true follower of Jesus desires. A deep love for Jesus and resolved commitment to God’s agenda. A life that revolves around Christ firmly sets one’s own desires and pursuits. And this makes struggles easier to navigate.

Jesus helps His true followers set three critical areas – affections, priorities, and values. These keep you balanced. In this place, feelings, emotions, and attitudes (and moods) are less vital. Managing them is do-able because focus is clear.

Let’s look at affections, priorities, and values and why they are helpful markers to live a godly life.

Affections – Desires are set on Jesus, alone. They are a testimony that He is your highest gain and greatest love. Everything else is second.

Priorities – Jesus is first, most, and best. He establishes what is important in your daily issues. In other words, He’s interested in every single thing in your life, and He helps you match all things up with God’s agenda.

Values – What you esteem must flow from what God values. You adopt His motives and agenda as your own.

Just to be forthright at this point – these three things, fixed on Jesus, change everything! Even struggles. Jesus said in Matt. 16:25, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.” Paul said his struggles were trash compared to the treasure of Jesus. So, struggles can be redeemed in this arrangement. What you “lose” in struggles can show up in a very different way as a “win.”

Even so, life is full of difficulties, hardships, disappointment, and lots of unknowns. The struggles are real. Often painful. They run alongside life’s good experiences and the adventures. Even on a good day, you can wrestle with a strange kind of sadness. You may be slandered, ostracized, and persecuted – many times unfairly. Some days, you may even feel you have lost everything! You’re not alone. Paul felt all those things.

Ps. 40:5 says God’s thoughts toward you (which are already bountiful) are multiplied as you go through real struggles. (ESV – “You have multiplied, O Lord my God, Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us…”)

Life was never intended to be so hard. God created life to be very good – in fact, perfect. Everything changed when people began to question God’s goodness and His intentions. That, of course, was the original sin, and it remains the temptation under all sin. Sin tarnishes your life story. Your life e-pistle – what people look at and virtually read as you live – becomes a different story than you planned.

A believer in Jesus can rise up to a place of excellent character. No matter what happens, if they are fully surrendered, they will conduct themselves in a manner worthy of God’s affections, priorities, and values. That’s not saying you can earn those things. Instead, it’s saying your character can be lined up with what God desires. People resolved in these things will bring what is theirs to manage into congruency with the undeserved gift of holiness from Jesus. These people stand firm! They also have a nutshell life statement of affections, priorities, and values – despite real struggles.

The sign that sets these folks apart, that they will be saved while others who don’t trust God’s grace will be destroyed, is courage. (Phil. 1:28) They stand firm in opposition, willing to suffer for Christ – because they “get” who He is: absolutely everything He claims. This is a common theme among serious Christians.

The most amazing insight these folks have is their understanding of two gifts. One gift, so undeserved, is the incredible opportunity to believe on Jesus and know Him intimately. The other gift, that doesn’t seem like a gift, is to suffer for Him! These gifts are mentioned in Philippians. Believers can see both as a privilege to receive. Their struggles are for real, but their heart is so in love with Jesus, that they would die or live, to accomplish whatever He values.

Do you love Jesus enough to suffer for Him – and for your faith in Him? Do your endeavors line up with God’s affections, priorities, and values?

Where have you set your affections? Have you clearly identified your priorities and values? Write them down and review them often to clarify focus. This helps to stay balanced when you struggle.

If typical i-generation individuals (people of this highly-skilled technology generation) summarized your life in one nutshell sentence, what would they say? If God were to summarize you, what would He say?

Article developed from Phil. 1:21-30.

I’m Not A Loser: How to Change Old Habits And Patterns

Description – It’s hard to change habits and establish new patterns. Old, unhealthy patterns can feel like a ball and chain you drag around. It seems to take a mammoth effort to dump the old and introduce the new. Practicing new strokes takes energy, focus, and resolve. It almost seems easier to just put up with the old even though you know it’s not your best – or the best for you. So, what do you do?

Math equations have always been helpful tools to give a picture of a process, clearer understanding, and even a possible plan of action. We’re going to explore a math equation in regard to godly conduct. I guess you could call it – “moral math?”

First thing to do with a math equation is to find what the variables are. Let’s start with this –

1 MAIN THING + 2 WAYS TO DO IT = GODLY CONDUCT

Your variables to fill in are 1 MAIN THING and 2 WAYS TO DO IT. How can we find the correct elements to fill in the variables?

The “1 MAIN THING” needed for godly conduct is God’s love. This starts the entire math equation for your life. You are deeply loved by God. He wants to lavish His goodness on you. His love runs so deep for you that it sent Jesus to the cross. Everything Jesus does is a fragrant offering to God. He is the main thing because He perfectly represents God’s love and perfectly bore God’s rightful judgement. And Jesus makes Himself completely available to you as your 1 MAIN THING. He is what you need to fill that first variable. Jesus cares about every detail of your life. Are you asking for His help? Do you believe His love for you? Are you making God’s love your 1 MAIN THING in life? Jesus is the start of your life equation.

The “2 WAYS TO DO IT” are 1. In your heart, 2. In your behaviors. And it goes in that order, yet they run side by side. These are the elements – the variables – needed to be added to God’s love that will equal godly conduct. You can’t effectively make a difference if it doesn’t start in your heart. And what’s in your heart doesn’t matter much if you are not applying it to make a difference in your life, relationships, and habits.

Your Heart – Scripture says to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” (Mk. 12:30) That was Jesus’ answer when asked what the greatest commandment is. The Apostle Paul said, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Phil. 3:8) That man let God’s love change him from the heart out! How about you? Have you let God’s love transform you in practical ways?

Your Behaviors – Got wants you to be an imitator of Jesus. In fact, He wants you to be a partner. There are people in your life who need His love in big and little ways. They need eternal life and forgiveness of sin. They need His help and interventions in life details – just like you do. Your heart and behaviors, together in Christ, can be a picture of God to others. So be thoughtful, careful, well-informed in Scripture, and be courageous. Love affects how you express yourself, your needs and wants, and how you meet others’ needs and wants. Your speech and attitudes matter. How you dress, what you do during your free time, how you spend your money and energy, those habits! These – and more – behaviors reveal what’s in your heart.

This is what is on the “other side” of the = sign. To be like Jesus means you will do one thing above everything else in your life: love God first, most, and best.

Then you will avoid these additional things:

However, you will absolutely work to do these things:

So, here it is again: 1 MAIN THING + 2 WAYS TO DO IT = GODLY CONDUCT.

Is this math working in your life? Is the equation an accurate representation of your algorithm? Does your heart beat to the 1 MAIN THING + your behaviors show 2 WAYS TO DO IT = GODLY CONDUCT? This is what we are aiming for!

Do you believe God loves you? This is the critical beginning variable of your life equation. Your life story, your virtual e-pistle – what people “read” about you as you live, as they watch – matters in this high-tech i-generation using the internet, computers, social media, and a plethora of tech resources. These people need to know God’s love. You can help them find these key variables to make their life equation work. But you need to plug in these variables first.

What things need to change in you to show you accept Jesus’ love? What things will you invest your heart in today to show His love to your family? Your co-workers? Neighbors? Friends? What about homeless people who have no place to go? What about sick people around the globe, the dying, those grieving because they lost a loved one? How can you show God’s love to your inner circle, your community, and your world?

Do the math! Start with 1. God’s love. Then engage your 2. heart and behaviors. Then your life equation will present godly conduct to a world that desperately needs God’s love.

Article developed from Eph. 5:1-7.

I’m Not A Loser: How to Change Old Habits And Patterns

Description – It’s hard to change habits and establish new patterns. Old, unhealthy patterns can feel like a ball and chain you drag around. It seems to take a mammoth effort to dump the old and introduce the new. Practicing new strokes takes energy, focus, and resolve. It almost seems easier to just put up with the old even though you know it’s not your best – or the best for you. So, what do you do?

Birthdays are just FUN! At my last birthday, my son prayed a wonderful thing over me as he gave thanks for the meal and for my life. He asked the Lord to give me so much more of Himself this next year – and that I would know Him increasingly. What a blessing! That expresses exactly what my desire is for this next year. It was such a sweet surprise. Still, every year I’ve lived has been challenging. Why would this year be any different? Maybe life resources and tools are implements God uses to help us achieve our desires. Life resources and tools have made a huge impact in my life.

That prayer reminded me of the theme I chose this year for my life: “First Love.” My desire is that Jesus be my First, Best, and Most. I want to remain in His love in every life development. Is this a reasonable goal, especially the way life is so unpredictable, painful at times, and full of troubles? Is my selected year theme and heart’s desires nothing more than wishful thinking or hopeful sentiment? How will I engage resources and tools to succeed? Do I have enough resolve? Life has a knack for unraveling.

In addition to all that, sometimes God takes you where you may not want to go. Yet, this path, engaged by faith, changes a person. It helps you trust God as you live inside His love and protection even in hard times.

How will I engage God’s love for others? The genuine caring, kind interventions, prayers offered up at any time – night or day, creative provision for needs. These also involve life resources and tools. One of the greatest things to ask God to give another person (or yourself) is more of His Spirit. Receiving this undeserved gift of more of His Spirit fills your heart with two components critical to healthy, godly living: wisdom and revelation. You need these two elements to make life resources and tools your reality.

Wisdom – This quality gives knowledge of what is right, true, and timely. It helps you know the right thing to do in life situations. With wisdom, you find yourself using discernment and exercising insight with deeper understanding of God. Wisdom helps you carry out God’s purposes with genuine joy.

Revelation – This gift prefaces important things – like disclosing helpful information. It can announce a critical point that turns an issue. Sometimes it showcases consistent, every-day perseverance in healthy practices that eventually bring desired results. Revelation means you are alert and aware as you live.

You need wisdom and revelation to know God intimately and increasingly. Is your goal to know God better? Are you living in wisdom and revelation every day? God promises to give you both if you ask Him. So ask. Then take another step – study and apply the Scriptures. Then obey what God says. He will help you work with His life resources and tools if you exercise and stay in His wisdom and revelation!

In Eph. 1:15-24, Paul says God’s entire arsenal and supply is immediately available to you in three ways:

These three amazing provisions from God make it possible for you to live intentionally. God intends that you live free from sin’s curse. He also wants you be lifted up, everyday, to His original design for humanity. This means you will be ruling in partnership and harmony – here and now on earth before you get to heaven – with your Heavenly Father. You will also be enjoying life’s delights and being free.

You can have a very powerful, ordinary, practical life that impacts others around you, starting with your family. God’s hope, riches, and power help you live well. These three open God’s entire pantry to you – as well as His weapons arsenal, His medical supply closet, His “life staples” storeroom, His libraries, galleries, meadows, and parks. All these and more are for your success and enjoyment by faith through His wisdom and revelation because of God’s hope, riches, and power. These three elements help you see your path and help others around you!

Have you thought about the level of hope in your life? Do you ever come up short? What about riches in Christ? The promise is to have ample, overflowing, no shortage. Is that your story? Are you living inside God’s promises? Finally, how strong and effective is God’s power in your life and relationships? Are you living within the power that birthed creation, raised Jesus from the dead, secured eternity for God’s people, and ensures successful godly living each day? Or are you living in a poor imitation you pulled together on your own?

Why not go after hope, riches, and power from God? Why not go after more of Jesus? You have life resources and tools at your fingertips. All you need is faith to receive. Then pick them up and use them.

What action steps can you take to live more effectively in God’s hope, riches, and power in your daily life? Are you taking advantage of life resources and tools He has made available to you? I encourage you to write these three down, review them often, give thanks for each, and hold yourself accountable to live in them. Don’t just think about and talk about them? Would you say you are living a successful and godly life? Are you effectively engaging God’s hope, riches, and power? How can you practically pass these on to others? Why not make your life count this year?

And – HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

Sometime this year, you will turn another year older. So live your life for God, and enjoy Him every day in the next year of your life. God loves you – so much!

Article developed from Eph. 1:15-23.

I’m Not A Loser: How to Change Old Habits And Patterns

Description – It’s hard to change habits and establish new patterns. Old, unhealthy patterns can feel like a ball and chain you drag around. It seems to take a mammoth effort to dump the old and introduce the new. Practicing new strokes takes energy, focus, and resolve. It almost seems easier to just put up with the old even though you know it’s not your best – or the best for you. So, what do you do?

Have you ever felt so strongly about something that you just had to insist? You couldn’t let it go? Well, that’s how Scripture is on some points. Because the content is from God, the writers often say (in so many words), “I insist!” In Eph. 4:17, the Apostle Paul says he “insists on it in the Lord.” He feels strongly about how God’s people should live – and not live.  Let’s unpack this.

You know, as I think about it, we could use a little more of this kind of insistence. Socially accepted practices have infiltrated the church to the point some of Christ’s principles and standards have been watered down. Even Jesus followers have compromised and interpreted His messages to serve their own desires and interests. They then give reasons and excuses why it’s OK to change things up a bit. Sometimes they sacrifice critical issues God values to sound more current and contemporary.

This kind of witness by Jesus followers to the world is not effective. Plus, it doesn’t give you, the believer, practice growing and wielding Jesus’ character. Yes, Jesus gives righteousness freely to every person who trusts Him for salvation. But it takes a lifetime of hard work to hone Christ’s character in our lives. This work is a “must.” We are told to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil. 2:12) This suggests commitment and respect for God. It takes Him seriously with a great deal of gratitude and a sense of indebtedness. Living the same as those who don’t know Jesus is disrespectful and dishonoring to God. He went to the cross for the very actions some engage daily. His holy, pure, perfect principles have been dummied-down into mere suggestions – if it’s convenient.

When you become a follower of Jesus, there must be a complete change. All or nothing. Even if it takes time to fully adopt, the changes should be observable. It takes time for a baby to learn how to walk. In the same way, it takes time to learn to maneuver in faith. Yet, just like a toddler eventually gets around and into everything, a growing believer in Jesus should be clearly making progress in Christ-like character, development, and action steps. Otherwise, you are lukewarm, ineffective, and still in bondage.

Old habits, practices, and patterns need to be put off. (v. 22) A Jesus follower who truly loves God will willingly work to set aside old patterns. They will eagerly jump forward to put on (v. 24) new practices that refine personal character and prove their heart wants to be holy like Jesus. Put off. Put on. You work as God works. Your work partners with God as He transforms you. This is the path to freedom in Christ. Jude 21 says, “Stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you.” To put it another way – you need to insist on staying where God wants you. Agree with God. Insist!

Insist means to be emphatically firm or resolute in something. There is usually a good reason. For example, we mentioned Scripture says to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” That sounds like a strong directive – insisting. Yet, this one little phrase describes the difference between a believer who grows strong and lives in freedom, and a Christian who stays stuck in the same place for a long time. Paul says you must “no longer live” a certain way. (v. 17) This implies participation. You don’t have to stay stuck with the Spirit of God living in you. God has given you “say so” to partner with Him in this new life He has made possible. In fact, He insists. There’s no other way to live a holy life. This is the path of transformation.

Have you felt discouraged that your experience seems futile? Perhaps you sense your understanding of life is muddled, always lurking in the gray. Your reality is different from the life you thought it would be when you trusted Jesus for salvation. You don’t feel very free. Perhaps you feel trapped. Paul is writing to believers in Jesus, not to non-believers. Apparently, you are not alone in this place. Others join you.

Paul says it’s possible to be a Christian and still be trapped in old patterns. He is as tough as nails on this point of insisting. Interestingly, he then gives an instructional message of hope as he explains how straight-jacket-living is because of a kind of ignorance that comes from hardening one’s heart. That hardening can be a deliberate choice – or it can result from not deliberately choosing to not harden your heart This is passive hardening.

The territory of the soul is where believers are forged, and this happens in every-day living. Big decisions, little choices. Big problems, little irritations. Choosing to align everything with God, you learn how to put off and put on. God cleanses the deep recesses in your life and makes you new in your attitudes and mind. If you follow His training, you will notice stability and balance forming in your life with frustrations slipping off. Even though you will still have stresses and frustrations, they won’t control you like they used to. You are becoming a new person. Plus, you can be current and contemporary without sacrificing God’s holiness and messages. Some of the most refreshing believers are current and contemporary without sacrificing anything. They’ve learned how to insist. Yet, they have “come into themselves.” Chances are they are living in freedom, enjoying their unique personality, and having fun. Plus they know how to roll up their sleeves and get things done. And they are faithful when trouble-shooting life hardships.

Are you willing to practice these new strokes? You need to insist. Literally participate in becoming the new creation. You become what you practice.You can be hard on yourself in the right way. Why not eagerly embrace this process? Why not insist?

This training will help you be an effective, intentional life e-pistle others can read. If you respond to God’s training, you will leave a powerful mark on the i-generation that needs Jesus. Will you commit to this? Just say, “I insist!”

Article developed from Eph. 4:17-24 .

I’m Not A Loser: How to Change Old Habits And Patterns

Description – It’s hard to change habits and establish new patterns. Old, unhealthy patterns can feel like a ball and chain you drag around. It seems to take a mam­moth effort to dump the old and introduce the new. Practicing new strokes takes energy, focus, and resolve. It almost seems easier to just put up with the old even though you know it’s not your best – or the best for you. So, what do you do?

Have you ever used check points? Do you know what they are? Check points are a great little tool that help you stay on track and not deviate from the central focus. They help you stream line resources, supplies, and energy. Without some kind of check point system, you can quickly and easily get off track – and even make some pretty serious mistakes.

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Have you ever used check points? Do you know what they are? Check points are a great little tool that help you stay on track and not deviate from the central focus. They help you stream line resources, supplies, and energy. Without some kind of check point system, you can quickly and easily get off track – and even make some pretty serious mistakes.

Check points can be in various forms – and you can use whichever system works best for you. Could be a list, individual notes, calendar entries, tracking tools, charts, and more. The most commonly used and typical check point is probably the “to do” list. People have used it for many years. Devices have great options to convert your paper “to do” list into a digital tool. The key to successfully using these – is to actually use them!

Check points help in every area of life. In your career, relationships, personal responsibilities, medical health plan, and use of technology. But it’s not just you that can benefit from check points. The whole world uses them. Businesses, medical practices, educational programs, personal trainers, retail industry, agriculture, and hundreds of other disciplines used some kind of check points systems. From setting and pacing goals to ensuring program presentation and success, to hitting markers, to attaining sales predictions, to reaching for current and relevant concerns. Check points help all organizations and individuals stay on track. That’s why we are talking about these practical tools if you are going to reach goals and changes.

As a practical example, let’s say you are following a recipe – but you are also doubling it. You need to check back to the recipe for every single ingredient to ensure you are doubling accurately. This is a simple example of using check points. In this example, check points help you stay completely on track so you have an accurate – and tasty – representation of the food item you are making.

So, it’s only reasonable that freedom has check points, too. Countries who enjoy freedom often have celebrations where people can remember their freedom. Yet, without check points, freedom can suffer and even fall off. Check points are critical to any endeavor worth pursuing. And truly – any endeavor people have figured out worth dying for is definitely worth protecting with check points. These systems often come through various sources like local, state, and federal government, free press, citizens speaking out in peaceful ways, organizations that help communities, document and policy reviews, etc. Without these checks and balances, our entire world could be in danger of losing various freedoms.

Let’s look at freedom from a spiritual focus. The Bible talks often about freedom. It presents the possibility that every person on earth can be and should be free – but there are guidelines and check points to get everybody there. Spiritual check points are pretty important ideas that are difficult to measure in the physical world – yet they are eternally critical. Jesus valued freedom – yours and mine – so highly, that He died for it.

Being free from sin and death is more than physical freedom. In Christ, it’s a freedom in the unseen dimension and reaches deeper and broader than in the physical world. It penetrates eternity, is activated now, and is fully received when Jesus sets up His forever kingdom. And it will happen.

Freedom in Christ is secure when you trust Him for forgiveness and salvation. It crosses all racial, denominational, language, social, and any other barriers. Yet, there are critical check points you should adopt to ensure application of your freedom is pleasing to God and effectively expanding His kingdom in and through your life.

Some check point topics of your freedom are “enemies, accuracy, surrender, and flexibility.”

The enemies of spiritual freedom are many. They threaten with judgment, create insecurity, and taunt with loneliness. These enemies cause division between believers. It doesn’t take long for them to plant seeds of discord and instability. God created you with purpose and uniqueness. He intends to engage your created beauty for His glory. God’s enemies don’t like that plan. So they relentlessly go after you! Have you unintentionally believed their lies? To disarm the power of these enemies, always go back to what Scriptures tells you.

Just like it’s easy to get off a recipe, it’s easy to get off living in God’s principles. Being accurate to Scripture is critical. Honestly? That’s your and my responsibility. God’s Word gives direction, balance, and conviction. Use check points through-out each day to measure your choices to God’s Word. That’s what makes the difference. Know the Word. Be in the Word. Digest it.

Surrender to God from your heart in everything you think, say, and do. You belong to Jesus now. “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God . . . “ (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23). Living sacrifice means you intentionally flesh out your choice to die to self and live for Jesus at all times. That’s your check point.

Christians around the world are vastly different from one another. Yet, they are unified through one Savior. His sweet Spirit lives inside each believing heart. Flexibility is needed to exercise your skill sets together with others’ skill sets. Jesus is flexible in welcoming all the differences He created. Are you flexible? Do you welcome others’ skill sets? That’s part of freedom, too. And it is a check point.

You can engage spiritual check points in your exercise of freedom in Christ. In the following list, the first statement gives you the condition you need to aim for. The second statement tells you how to get there. The two together give you a very reasonable, spiritual check point that works – IF YOU DO IT!

How can you engage check points in your life in the areas of enemies, accuracy to Scripture, surrender to God’s Spirit, and flexibility in the Body of Christ? How can you engage check points to aim for those things? What specific action points will you start to practice?

Article developed from Gal. 2:1-10.