Thoughts for Thursday

I've been watching CNN more than normal this week. I have paid close attention to the Democrats and Republicans as they communicate their concerns about what will happen if the other party is elected. There are at least 10 things that will happen no matter who wins the election.

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL?

Thoughts for Thursday

I have spent the past 6 days watching the Olympics. I marvel at these athletes from all over the world that come together to compete for supremacy in their respective events. One person that has caught my attention, as well as the attention of the rest of the world is the American swimmer Michael Phelps. I just watched him win his 6th gold medal of these games as well as capture his 6th world record.

I was looking at a segment about Mr. Phelps and it described a normal day. One thing I noticed about him is that all that he does is in preparation of him being the best swimmer. The things he eats, the way he trains, the amount of rest that he gets is all in preparation of him being the best.

Not only Michael Phelps, but all of the Olympians go through so much to get a medal and to be called the best at what they do, and in another couple of years, someone younger, stronger and faster comes along and erases all of their records. My mind started wondering about how hard do believers work to become the best Christian that they can. Paul says in, 1 Cor 9:24-25, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."

We should work hard at being our best selves and being the best child of God that we can be. The prize that we obtain from winning this race is eternal and unchangeable. Many times we wont get the earthly accolades that many desire, but we will receive everlasting accolades from the Master when He says, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" So I encourage you child of God to "Fight the good fight of faith". The last part of the above passage says, "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Be Blessed!!!

Back to the Basics

In Richard Smallwood's song," Center of My Joy" there is a line that says, "You are why I find pleasure in the simple things in life." A life grounded in a relationship with Christ should allow us to appreciate the simple things. Being a full time pastor, parent, and partner (husband), I rarely find the time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Normally the things I should enjoy, I find them to be burdensome and too time consuming thinking that I could be doing something else. In my quest for Godly rest, I cleared my schedule of all appointments for the day and took the time to do some needed things around the house. I worked all day in the yard. Normally this would frustrate me because I would be thinking of a million other things that I could be doing. However today was different. I really enjoyed being in the great outdoors. Being out there gave me a fresh appreciation for God's creation. I watched my kids play with the frogs and help me in the yard and that brought moments of spiritual renewal.

I was enjoying these "simple things" so much that I decided to wash my car. Normally I would just run the car through the wash, but the time I spent washing the car myself, I was reminded of when I was pastoring and did not own a vehicle and started reflecting on how far God has brought me and I had church right there!! In the busyness our handling our business, I think that we forget about life's simple pleasures.

My day concluded with Nicole and I taking a walk in the night air enjoying each others company and conversation. Today served me as a reminder that I need to get back to the basics of life. One of our seasoned Saints at BBC always tells me to slow down and enjoy life because if you don't one day you will wake up and look in the mirror and see the old man staring back at you and then wish that you would've taken the time to enjoy the "simple things" of life.

I encourage you today to take time to enjoy life. The work you didn't get done today will be there for you on tomorrow, but if you are sick, burned out, or pass away, you are no good to the undone work or the people that care about you! Be Blessed.