My Apologies....Again.

So sorry to everyone who makes the time to read these blogs.  Having difficulty posting my blogs yet again.  I appreciate your patience as I work out these technical difficulties.

10,000 Hours....42 Days With Jesus-Listening To His Voice

When I first proposed shutting down the television (or at least minimizing it, social media, and surfing the web) the idea was to free up more time with the Lord.  My husband and I have personally had that.

The first day we cut off the television was very strange.  However breaking the habit of turning it on as soon as we walked in the house or our bedroom did not take as long as I imagined.  After just a few days it was actually nice to have a house that was...

...QUIET.

To hear my own thoughts, my children speaking to me, the sounds of life without the blaring of the TV was  a very welcome change.

What I did not anticipate was being more receptive to God's conviction.

As I have spent more time in the Bible and my thoughts more focused on my God I also find my spiritual ears more open to His voice.  

That still small voice...

I am hearing things that God had been speaking all along but without the distractions it is somehow clearer or maybe I'm just paying attention.

My family loves movies.  We are a creative bunch and movies add fuel to our imagination as we create dramas.  But even as I write that seems like such an insult to God.  Do we need Hollywood to inspire our creativity when the God of all creation is living in us?  Why must I be entertained by the same things that entertain the world?

The word entertain basically means (among other things) to captivate or hold ones attention.  Can I not be entertained by God Himself?  Can He and He alone captivate my attention...my heart?

There is nothing more wonderful than hearing the voice of God.  Than thinking on Him and meditating on His Word.

42 Days out of the year to focus on God.

Is that enough?

10,000 Hours....42 Days With Jesus

In my last blog, 10,000 Hours...It's Going To Cost You, I posed the question,

"Who is willing to pay the price?"

Since then I have had something brewing on my heart.  That something was to start 2014 by giving Jesus 1000 hours of our time or focus.  But HOW to do that was the issue.  

My first thought was to cut off all entertainment and devote all that freed up time to prayer and the Word.  Then I considered creating a calender check list and schedule.  Then writing a to do list for those who were twiddling their thumbs as they sat around with nothing to do. Then every week blogging assignments...then...then...then...

Can you say complicated?

It almost reminds me of how the Pharisees took just 10 commandments and after adding in their two cents that law became a terrible burden and a yoke that brought no one closer to God.

So this is what I'm going to do and if it helps you at all feel free to join me.

The Bible says all of the law can be summed up in two commandments...

Love God with everything that is in you and love your neighbor as you would love yourself. (Matt 22:27-40)

Starting Jan 1, 2014 for 42 days I am cutting off television, movies, surfing the Internet, other mindless forms of entertainment, and dedicating the time I would have spent doing that to seeking the Lord OR blessing other people.  The two greatest commandments.

Why 42 days?

42 days is roughly 1000 hours. Imagine if the church dedicated 1000 hours at the beginning of every new year?  And what if at the end of 42 days we did not go back to the same old ways of doing things but increased in our time with Him and our love for people yearly?  The spiritual growth in knowing Him and loving and serving people would be amazing!

But wait you can't possibly spend 24 hours every day doing nothing but seeking God or helping others...or can you?

This is where I where I will need to focus, listen, and get my daily marching orders from the Holy Spirit.  Time with God is not so difficult most of the time as I have a daily prayer time...more time with God requires that I simply pray and read (or worship) as opposed to turning on the television. Being sensitive to the needs of others requires that I listen to that still small voice and do God lays on my heart.  Make that phone call,  send an encouraging text, write a letter, pray and fast for others, give that right gift. 

I'm a Christian but I don't really pray or read my Bible.

Then this is a perfect time to get started.  You're at zero time with God right now.  Can I honestly tell you something?  You are in a dangerous place and you need to create a discipline of daily prayer.  Do we honestly think we can go to heaven simply because we believe in God?  The demons believe in God but have no relationship with Him nor a place in heaven. Prayer and Bible reading draw us into relationship with the Lord.  You cannot have a relationship with someone you don't know.  Please consider this scripture...

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matt 7:21-23

But you have to sleep.

The Bible says

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep Ps 127:2

I believe as I spend my days seeking the face of Jesus and striving to do HIS will that when it is time to sleep He will not only watch over me but all that I have put in His hands.  As I lay my head down with God as the last thought of my day He will honor my efforts and work on my behalf as I sleep.  So yes our work still has an effect as we rest daily.

Ok,  but what about work?  How can you focus on God and work at the same time?

I am blessed to Have a job that doesn't require much thought.  So as I work I am able to meditate on scripture, sing, or pray in tongues.  But for those who need to think as they work remember this...

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.  Col 3:22-24

If you dedicate every day to doing your best work for the Lord, keeping your Christian testimony, and shining your light so that others may be drawn to Jesus,  this is also acceptable to God.  Your focus will still be on Him and others.

I do suggest starting your day with prayer and Bible reading before you go to work.  Also turn off talk radio or Christian pop music in your car and worship God on your way to work and back home.  Consider praying in tongues as you drive.  If you have a 15 minute drive to work you will have prayed in tongues 30 minutes a day.

But I don't watch TV or movies much, or surf the Internet?

Find out what is preventing you from giving more time to God and people and cut it out of your life or at least limit the time you spend on that thing.  I also suggest organizing your time better.  We are all given 24 hours in each day and a bulk of that is wasted somewhere.  Keep a to do list, a calender, or reminder notes of what you need to accomplish each day and don't waste time doing things that will keep you from the Lord.  If you want to do this it will require effort.  It will cost you.

Family?

I heard a man say Americans have no idea how to fellowship with their own families.  We are so entertainment/media driven that our idea of intimacy involves movies or spending money.  If your spouse will do this with you then cut off the television/video games for 42 days for everyone.  At first it will be uncomfortable but as we ask the Lord to show us how to really bond with our own spouse, our children, and our church family I think we will all be surprised at how creative and intimate we can be with one another.  

Kids don't spend time reading, drawing, creating, playing like they used to.  This will be a good time to expand their thinking on how to spend their time.  

Also there used to be a time where families would gather together and read the Bible.  Would that be such a bad thing to introduce to our children?

What else can I do with my time?

Exercise, go on a date or take a walk with your spouse, cook supper together and sit at the table as your eat, bake cookies, work on your home and yard, have people over for a pot luck and fellowship, talk, clean out your car, visit the elderly or the sick, dejunk...in other words there are things God has made us stewards over that we are neglecting.  There is plenty to do but the main thing is more time with the Lord.

Listen if you have been feeling that you want more intimacy with God, you want to know His will for your life, you want to be Spirit led, AND the thought of turning off the TV for 42 days distresses you then you NEED this more than you know.

42 DAYS WITH JESUS STARTS JAN 1, 2014. 

YOU HAVE UNTIL 11:59 P.M. DEC 31, 2013 TO COUNT THE COST.

 

10,000 Hours...It's Going To Cost You!

10,000 Hours.  I got Malcom Gladwell's book (Outlier's) and read the chapter on 10,000 hours.  Last week I wrote a brief blog concerning my fascination with this. 

As I read the chapter my take away was the fact that the time spent was not random nor casual.  But people who wanted to master a skill were very purposeful and focused in that time.

 For instance violinist with the potential to become world class soloists started playing at about five years old just like everyone else. Also they practiced roughly two to three hours a week just like everyone else.  However as they grew older the amount of practice hours increased until they were practicing well over thirty hours per week....UNLIKE everyone else.

By the age of twenty these elite performers had logged in 10,000 hours while their peers had only logged in 4,000-8,000 hours of practice.

Also those at the top did not just practice more than everyone else they also worked much harder at it than those who did not reach the top.

For those who desire to become great in the kingdom this information should speak to us. 

Those we consider consider to be spiritual giants have logged in hours and hours of dedicated prayer and service to God.

God used them greatly not because they are or were more talented or gifted but because of they are simply more available and willing to work harder than most Christians.

John Wesley, Martin Luther, William Seymour, Brother Lawrence, Charles Spurgeon, Hudson Taylor, Leonard Ravenhill...these are just a few names that came up when I Googled men of prayer.  We may not know their total story but if their names are familiar it's because they spent time (lots of time) with God and dedicated their lives to serving Him. 

Do you want to be great?  It's going to cost you.

Who is willing to pay the price?

Luke 14:28

10,000 Hours

10,000 Hours.

From time to time you may have seen this number posted on this page. I got this from an article where two people read a book by Malcom Gladwell called Outliers.  In this book Mr.Gladwell expounds on a theory that it takes 10,000 hours of dedicated practice to master a skill. I personally do not completely (I said completely) agree with his theory. After all if I cannot carry a tune I can practice singing for a million hours and I will still sound like a toad. However I am still intrigued by 10,000 hours a dedicated practice.

 In this article one of the subjects wanted to master knitting, the other golfing. These skills will not change the world but still I admire the dedication. What if Christians had this sort of dedication? 

 Am I saying God can be mastered?

 Not at all. 

But the disciplines that draw us nearer to Him can be. 

 Imagine a life with only two goals in mind...to know God and do His will. If nothing else we would certainly be a people who spend time in prayer and know His Word...two things that are severely lacking in the church.

10,000 hours. I am intrigued. It's time to do something about it. Stay tuned.

Intimacy With Your Leader

For the one who desires to be a disciple, as opposed to being just a church goer, there is a need for closeness to the leader they are following.  However,while necessary for growth, there is an element of danger in this type of relationship.

When walking in relationship with the one God is using to train and disciple (discipline) you there is every opportunity for you to be open and transparent.  Your leader will note your successes, your strengths, and your anointing.  They will also see your glaring faults, weaknesses, or failures....and the ones not so glaring.

If you have a leader who tends, by their personality, to keep you at arms length concerning their own personal issues this is safest for you.  This leader does not see you as their confidante simply because of the nature of your relationship.  Safely you will be discipled without the added burden of "friendship".

But what do you do when the leader you are following tends to be a people person?  They love fellowship, they are open and gladly share their life with you..the successes and the failures.  They speak with you as a dear friend and not just a person in authority over your life.  They trust you enough to lay their life bare to you and due to this level of intimacy you see more of their humanity than you wanted to.

Human nature tends to take for granted anyone we feel equal or superior to.  The disciple who has a leader who draws a line in the sand and limits the level of intimacy with them is the safest person to be discipled by.  However the disciple, being loved from afar by their leader, misses out on training at a more intimate level.  God Himself wants to be known in an intimate way.  The servant who knows every detail about His master is better equipped to serve them and to train others to serve them. 

IF...

they can, with Godly fear, remember their place.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him."  John 13:16

"For three things the earth is perturbed, For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food,
A hateful woman when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress."  Prov 30: 21-23

 

When walking in intimacy with your leader pride, presumption, and bitterness are strong temptations.  Because you see the human side of your leader, when they must bring correction the temptation will be to cast of restraint because they themselves have issues that need correction.

Haughtiness can fill your heart when you think you know better than your leader.  This may be true in some cases however God still demands a high level of reverence for the mantle of leadership that He has placed upon their shoulders.  Serving your leader with humble and loyal prayer offered on their behalf  is pleasing to God and keeps your heart from disloyalty.

Competition and ingratitude will flood your heart the minute you are wondering why God is using your leader when you are much more educated, talented, or even more spiritually gifted than they.

When God calls you to be a disciple of another every talent, gift, or bit of knowledge should be offered up to God as being at complete disposal of the leader for the good of the ministry.  These were given to you by God not for self promotion, but for the edification of others and for the furtherance of God's mission.

It is a sad thing when people poke fun at or kid their leaders in private or in front of others.  While the leader may not be overly concerned about such carelessness God is concerned. People who do this either lack maturity or have forgotten God's commandment to...

"...Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm." 1 Chron 16:22

Making your leader the butt of your jokes will demean not only them but their God given authority.

If you have a close and  intimate relationship with your leader my advice to you is draw a line in the sand and NEVER cross it.  That line should always remind you that your leader is to be reverenced (hence the title Reverend in some circles) and treated with Godly fear at all times.

Remember to not let one thing cross your lips OR your mind that is critical, overly familiar, or rebellious toward your leader. 

An intimate loving relationship with your leader is to be treasured and guarded at all cost.  The devil and your own flesh will do all it can to to pull you out from under their protective headship.

If you keep your heart with all diligence you will reap the rewards of this special relationship God has given you and your leader will continually give God thanks for the refreshing he receives by your loyal and reverent service.

Whosoever keeps the fig tree shall eat its fruit: so he that waits on his master shall be honored. KJV 2000
The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored. NIV

Whoever nurtures the fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever obeys his master will be honored. ISAV

He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who cares for his master will be honored. NASBV

Proverbs 27:18

Raising Strong Children For Christ

There is a common refrain among our children.

Whether they speak it out, act it out, or both their nature is to conform to this world.

At least in the U.S. (I cannot speak for other nations as I have not had the chance to visit overseas) most of our children want to wallow in entertainment, comfort, and attain some degree of fame.

We as parents have to be careful that we do not pander to those desires. As a parent it is our responsibility to keep our children headed to Christ and doing His will until they reach adulthood.  However too many parents either lack the courage to command their children to God or we feel they should be allowed a childhood with little responsibility and serious thinking.  Or worse we feel we must support every desire even though those same desires will conform our children to this world and not God.

To raise strong children WE must first be strong in the Lord.  Parents who waver in their faith, are moved by every wind of doctrine, are rebellious and self seeking, and whose faith in the word of God is purely focused on His promises of blessings are not setting a standard for their children to follow.  In an Army, the standard must fly high for all to see and follow.  We must not lower Jesus' standard but raise it high.  We must believe that though the standard is high our children can attain it by God's grace.

We must also be courageous.  The nature of a child, particularly teenangers, is rebelliousness.  They will, if we let them, fight going to church, fight prayer, fight the will of God.  They will weep, pout, throw temper tantrums, and accuse us of ruining their lives. Why can't they do what their friends are doing?  Hold fast, pray, and do not be moved by the displeasure of your children but train them up the way they should go. (Prov 22:6)

To raise strong children you must not let your emotions get the best of you.  Do not teach your children to be carnal.  Their are parents that teach their children, boys in particular, to get in the first punch during a conflict yet they will not teach them they must pray and get the first punch in with the devil.  If they are being picked on by their peers they must forgive.  If they are being laughted at for their faith teach them to rejoice in the face of persecution (Matt 5:11-12).  Do not let pity for your child's distressing circumstances to cause you to baby them.  Give them the Word of God and command them, with compassion, to obey and trust God.

Do not be afraid to command your children to pray and read the Word daily.  We cannot force our children to love God but we can create in them habits that will be difficult to shake when they become adults. 

Have your own prayer life and let them hear you pray, repent, rejoice, intercede, and worship.

Their rebelliousness or talking back to adults, irreverence in the house of God, tantrums, name calling, lying etc...is not cute. Discipline them promptly. (Prov 13:24)

Be a parent of strong convictions.  Children  are observant and know when we are being wishy-washy.  One day we are going all out for God, the next we are couch potatoes.  A consistent walk with God will give your children security in their growing faith.

When your children moan that they don't have friends, they just want to be normal and be like everyone else, that they feel alone.  Remind them that walking with God sometimes is a lonely road.  Share stories of how you felt left out or rejected at work, in your family, or even in church because of your faith but how God got you through.  Remind them that this is why we pray.  If we are in relationship with God we are never alone.

Allow your children to obtain what they need in life through prayer.  Yes, we bless our children as we are able.  But when they have a desire that is beyond us join with them in prayer and let them see God move on their behalf.  This will boost their faith.

Teach your children to give.  Teach them with every cash gift to take out the tithe and an offering to God first.

Be, for lack of a better word, nosey.  Check their rooms, phones, ipads etc..  As long as your child lives in your home their is no such thing as the need for privacy.  Because we do not live in sin our lives should be an open book.  The only thing that needs to be hidden are those things that we do not want to be exposed...sin or compromise.  So goes it for our children.  Unless they are hiding something or they pridefully do not want to be questioned they should not hesitate to let you hear what they are listening to on their ipod or looking at on the internet.  For that matter all internet use should be limited and supervised. The world and the devil will use anything to capitvate the hearts of our children.

Teach your children that life can and will be difficult.  That God is in the good and the bad circumstances of life.  That even so they must be grateful and rejoice in God.  They must not complain but learn to take what comes with faith bringing it to God in prayer.

Do not give your opinion.  Give them the Word of God.

Do not let your child spend the night or go on extended day trips with families that you do not know well.  If you are not close with those parents and cannot speak openly with them about concerns you have with your child while in their care then do not entrust your child with them.  Have their friends over to your house.

Let other spiritual adults speak into the lives of your children.  Welcome concerns of your peers or leadership about your children.  Parents who get offended when other adults come to them about the behavior of their children are prideful. Parents who insist their children keep dark family secrets and allow them no other adults to turn to in their distress are hurting them. (Prov 24:6)

Teach your children that church attendance is important.  We cannot grow in God, be fed, build strong relationships with one another, or serve the body if we are not present.  Teach them that if an after school activity will conflict with church then church must be the top priority.

And finally do not just release your child because they have turned 18 or 21.  Until they marry you are still their covering.  While we do not treat our adult children as we did when they were children we still need to prayerfully watch over them.  We should not be afraid to step in and ask them the hard questions.  If they are acting in some carnal way inquire how you may pray for them.  I am not saying you should be a tyrant or controlling but in the church when our peers our acting in some fleshly way we confront them in love.  It is no different with adult children.  Your correction is needed even when they become adults.  However we do this in love and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  If your child has been raised in the Word and you have set a pattern of this all their lives it will be no shock to them that it continues into their adulthood.  Though it may annoy them deep down they know they should listen...they especially will know it and even appreciate it if the Holy Spirit has already been convicting them because they have a prayer life.  This is why we command daily prayer when they are small.  That it may continue into adulthood.

For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him. Gen 18:19

Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren...  Deut 4:9