Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

OK, so most of us have taken time to read the directions on the shampoo bottle at least once.  While we could take some time to debate how many times we are supposed to "repeat" this process, I want to focus on how this concept of doing something over and over applies to our faith walk with Jesus.  I have been studying through the book of Philippians and Paul has given us so much within these four books to challenge, encourage, teach, and help us as we seek to follow Jesus.

In Phil. 4:4 we read; "Rejoice in the Lord always and  I will say it again rejoice"  Sound familiar? (Wash. Rinse. Repeat.)   Now, intuition tells me that if something is repeated a second time it must be important.  Paul is letting the Philippians (and us) know that we are to rejoice.  Period.  When things are going your way, rejoice.  When things are difficult, rejoice.  When people disappoint you, rejoice.  When the wheels come off, and the Ox goes in the ditch, rejoice.  I am so hard headed that I need to see and hear this a number of times before I take it to heart.  Then when I think I have it down, I need to be reminded again.

See, it is God's will that we rejoice in all things and not be a slave to the burdens of life in this world.  James promised us in Chapter 1 that WE WILL HAVE TROUBLES!  We need to take heart because Jesus has this and all circumstances under control and He DOES NOT need our help, He needs our faith.  Paul goes on to say later in chapter 4 of Philippians (v.6) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  This is further proof that we are not to take ownership of our struggles, but instead with a thankful heart, bring them to the problem solver!  And then we can experience the promise of verse 7- (my paraphrase)- "Only then can we experience the peace of God. The peace that our finite little human minds cannot begin to comprehend, and that same peace will offer a protective shield around our hearts and minds which is where anxiety is born and raised!"

So, I want to challenge you to do a couple of things:
1. Read Philippians chapter 4 before you go to bed tonight
2. Read Philippians 1,2 & 3 this week.
3. Put into practice Phil. 4:6
4. Tell someone else what Jesus did for you on the cross

Waiting on Him,
ML

What have YOU done for ME lately?

We live in a "What have you done for me lately" world don't we?  It seems like everywhere we turn there are people with expectations of us.  It is so easy to get caught up in trying to meet the demands and expectations of others.  Sometimes, we even have selfish motives for this pursuit of others' approval.  I know, some truths are just hard to hear.  Keep in mind, not hearing the truth does not make it less true!  We live in a society where we are all expected to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, (What are bootstraps anyway?).  We are expected by the world to make our own way and accomplish anything we want under our own power and authority.  DOING more perpetuates more and greater rewards.  Work harder, get noticed, get a raise and promotion.  At home, maybe we replace genuine love for our spouse by working harder and bringing home more money.  Maybe we give our kids everything they ask for in place of spending time with them and pouring into them.  All of these behaviors are based on "us doing".

Is your spiritual life based on the same principal?  Are you working your way into heaven?  Are you relying on your own actions and efforts to ensure your relationship with Jesus is intact?  If this is the case in your life I want to urge you to continue reading.  See, salvation through Christ has EVERYTHING to do with what HE did and NOTHING to do with what we do or did.  We read in Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved by faith- and this not from (insert your name here), it is the gift of God, not by works so that (insert your name here) cannot boast."  See, Jesus did the "doing" on the cross.  Salvation and eternity in heaven have nothing to do with how good you are, (Our righteousness is like filthy rags- Isa. 64:6) how much you do or don't do.

Be encouraged, 2 Cor. 6:2 reminds us that "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the time of salvation"  I want to challenge you today to trust in Jesus Christ for your provision.  His grace is sufficient.  Are you willing to stop living under the yoke of "I GOTTA DO MORE"?  Keep seeking, keep praying.  Let's change to a "WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR ME TODAY" mentality!

Waiting on Him,
ML

What Are You Gonna Do With Your Life?

What a question!  I remember being asked this question when I was in Jr. High School, maybe even before that. I especially remember considering this while in High School.  As the father of a 16 year old daughter who is a junior in High School, this question is floating around in our house even now.  What do you wanna do when you grow up?  I don't really care for the phrasing in that format... My wife is all but convinced that I will never grow up. (She may be right!)  Having been married for 18 years, my wife has watched me make some career changes.  Some were lateral type moves, one sales job to another in pursuit of a better opportunity.  There was also a time when I was advancing up the corporate ladder into mid-level management of a medium sized company.  At 42 years old the longest I have stayed in one place has been 5 1/2 years.  (I went back and spent another 1 1/2)  See, at that point in my life God was using secular employment to prepare me for ministry.

I regret to tell you that at one point during this part of my professional life I lost sight of what was important in my life.  I allowed my priorities to get out of order.  I became focused on success in my job and I did it at the expense of my relationship with Jesus and also at the expense of my family.  They got what was left over and that usually was not very much.  See, I forgot that my significance was not in success, financial gain or another promotion, my significance was and always has been in Jesus Christ.  It was Him that died to save me.  It was Him that rescued me from a life of sin and destruction that would have led me to eternal separation from God.  Yet, I was so selfish that I neglected Him and even the wonderful family He entrusted to my care.

Now listen, before you go and quit your job, cash in whats left of your 401k and spend the remainder of your life on the mission field, (Unless God is leading you that way!) I want to clarify a few things.  We have to support our families.  We have to support our church with tithes and offerings.  I am not suggesting that you forsake your career.  I am asking that you be willing to take a good hard look at the priorities in your life.  We are called to be good stewards with what God has entrusted to us.  I do think that this means our job.

My challenge is that your first priority is your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  You must have this vertical relationship intact if you have any hope of having horizontal (earthly) relationships intact.  Do not deprive the Giver of Life of your devotion.  He deserves it and He desires it.  Next, love your spouse like there is no tomorrow, he/she is a gift from God.  Pour into your family.  They need to see Godly parents living a life in pursuit of holiness and righteousness.  Allow your vocation to serve as a funding source for your personal ministry.  See, God has already prescribed a plan for your life.  You can read about it in Ephesians 2:10- "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do."

Will you allow Jesus to be the priority in your life?  Will you trust Him to direct your path as you obey the call He has on your life?  I pray you will.

Waiting on Him,
ML

Enough is Enough!

What a week it has been.  Have you seen the hand of God in the last week?  I can tell you with all sincerity that I have seen God at work in many ways.  The last week has been difficult in our community and in my ministry, yet through this difficulty, God reigns!

How about you?  What is going on in your life that has you wondering how much more you can take?  Are you at a place where you are thinking to yourself or maybe even telling others, I just can't take anymore!  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!  When will it stop?  Maybe you are wondering what it is that God is trying to teach you through this season of your life.  Maybe you are wondering if God even cares.  I pray this is not the case, but maybe you are wondering if God even is...

I can assure you, God most definitely is!  He is and  He cares.  He cares about you more than you can imagine.  He knows everything going on in your life, the good, the bad and the ugly!  Ecclesiastes 7:14 tells us that He made the good days and the bad!  His desire is that we run so hard and so fast toward Him that we cannot be deterred by the circumstances of life.

See, Enough is Enough is the right attitude.  Enough is Enough is exactly the mindset we should have.  But we need to have it in the right context...

In 2 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul is talking about this thorn in his flesh that God allowed in order to keep him humble.  See, Paul was an incredible man of God who was devoted to sharing the Gospel and suffered greatly for his devotion to Christ.  He pleaded with God to remove this thorn and I am reminded about how we ask God to take away the bad things in our lives.  We ask Him to deliver us from the struggles we face and stop the pain and suffering we experience.  His response to Paul in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 is the same response He has for us today... Enough is Enough! When Paul pleaded for the 3rd time to have this thorn removed Jesus said (Verse 9), "My grace is sufficient for you.  My power is made perfect in weakness"  See, His grace is enough for you and I!  And enough IS enough.  Be encouraged, the Jesus that spoke to Paul wants to speak into your life today and help you be victorious in your struggles!  He wants you to cast your cares upon Him!  Enough IS Enough!  My challenge to you this week is to read  2 Corinthians chapter 12 1-10 and ask God to speak to you.  Are you spending time with Him daily?  Are you seeking His will for your life?  I am praying that you do!

Waiting on Him,
ML

A Little Help from My Friends!

As I was reading in scripture this morning I was reminded about the men God has put in my life over the years.  I am referring to Godly men who have been accountability partners, mentors, encourager's, challengers, reminders, teachers and just friends.  Since the time I began walking with Jesus at the age of 23, there have been a handful of guys that have really poured into me.  God has allowed these men to impact my spiritual journey by allowing us to experience things together and learn from each other while at the same time, helping to keep one another accountable.  These relationships continue to impact me today.
I am reminded about a time when I came out of Lowe's or Home Depot (I don't recall which one) and there was a guy struggling with getting a huge box in the back of his truck.  I think it was one of those entertainment centers you put together.  It was very large, very heavy and very cumbersome.  He was trying all kinds of ways to get it in the truck.  The cart kept rolling away,  the box would slip off and once I think it came all the way off the cart.  I was able to assist him and  in about 3 minutes it was loaded, tied down and he was on his way.  I am not sure how long he would have struggled if I had not stopped to help.  There are so many benefits to working together.  I think about my partnership with my wife and how much easier our household is to manage because of her incredible help.  I think about my ministry and how God uses my pastor to partner with me to help me accomplish what has been set before me.  I think about my men's accountability group that meets on Thursday mornings and how we sharpen each other and spur one another on to love and good works.
See, we were never supposed to do life alone.  We read in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil, for if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up."  This verse is not only referring to a physical falling. (I have fallen and I can't get up! Sorry, couldn't resist the reference)  There are times in our lives when we are feeling beat down and discouraged.  Times when we fall and fail.  Let's not try to pick ourselves up alone.  Allow the Holy Spirit to knit you together with other Godly men (or women for you women readers, same principle)  This is God's design for living in community.

Be Blessed.

Waiting on Him,
ML

Magic Cure!

This post could make me famous!  It is entirely possible that I could change the world with the information I am about to share.  Disclaimer: There is nothing new under the sun.  I did not come up with this incredible information, however, I discovered it during my study this morning and in the interest of preserving marriages and relationships everywhere I want to share this insight. 
I have been married to my incredible wife for 18 years.  There is no question that she was an undeserved gift from a merciful God.  If you can imagine, we have had some difficult times along the way.  We did our pre-marital counseling in our 4th year of marriage and because of that, stayed married.  One of the hardest things for us to overcome was our inability to effectively communicate with each other.  I wanted her to hear me out and see things my way and she wanted me to hear her out and see things her way.  That is the tendency of humans.  The world tells us that it is all about I, Me, My.  I rediscovered some things in the book of Proverbs this morning that spoke to my heart.
Proverbs 18:2 says that "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in expressing his (or her) opinion"  See, if we are going to communicate effectively, there must be more than one person involved.  I am so guilty of thinking my way of thinking is paramount.  This is a prideful and selfish way to be.  Next we see Proverbs 18:6- "A fool's lips walk into a fight and his (or her) mouth invites a beating".  It is amazing to consider the amount of damage and destruction we can do with our tongue.  Wouldn't we (speaking to myself) be better off taking a moment to calm our emotions and submit what we are feeling to God before we turn loose of the weapon which is our tongue?  See, Proverbs 18:10 gives us an out- "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are saved" This principle applies to all relationships.  Relationships with spouses, parents, friends, family, are all gifts to be treasured.  Let's be slow to speak and quick to run into that strong tower.
My challenge to you is to take an inventory of how often you are using your mouth as a weapon of destruction versus a tool of love and encouragement.  Be blessed.

Waiting on Him,
ML

Prove It!

You know that 3 word expression everyone throws around? We say it to our spouses, our kids, our parents, our close friends, and maybe even to people we barely know. You know the espression I am talking about. It's easy to say and maybe not so easy to do! I LOVE YOU! It rolls off of our tongues as easily as hello. But do we really mean it when we say it? Is it a genuine heartfelt expression of truth or just words? See, Jesus told us He loved us anthem He died for our sin. The point is, He proved His love through action, not in word only. In the book of John in chapter 13:34-35 Jesus is challenging us to love each other. He means to love in word and deed! Prove our love by loving with our mouths and with our feet. He goes on to say that others will know we are His because of this love. Give it a try today. Love like you never have before!
Waiting on Him
MlL

Michael P. Lane
Student Minister Grace Comm. Church
912.661.0548