As we made our way back to Little Rock on Saturday evening, I received a phone call from my dad to let me know that an uncle (my mom’s sister’s husband) had been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. As I processed this new information, I couldn’t help but think about how significant his injuries must be to warrant flying him by helicopter to the hospital in Tupelo and from there to the trauma center in Memphis.

After dropping off the kids at the house, I showered and shaved, refreshed my overnight bag, and headed out to be with my aunt and her sons. Spending time with family in the hospital provides a different perspective. It’s important to identify lessons from our life experiences. Here are a few of the ones I’ve been reminded of over the past few days:

1. Life is unpredictable. We never know what each day will bring. We are not in control; God is. Lives can be forever changed in one moment’s time. James 4:14 says, “You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (ESV)

2. God is always present. Even during times that are dark, when we feel all alone, there’s no place we can go to escape His presence. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (ESV) I really like the way the New International Reader’s Version puts it: “God is our place of safety. He gives us strength. He is always there to help us in times of trouble.”

3. Storms of life provide a new perspective. Isn’t it funny how the little things that trouble us each day seem so incredibly insignificant when a major trial comes our way? People of every nation, race, background, and religion status experience very real problems from time to time. Pain, laughter, and music are universal languages.

4. Waiting is never easy. Whether we’re waiting to hear a medical update on a loved one’s condition, waiting on test results, or waiting on God to take away the pain, fear, and anxiety, it’s always hard to wait. Anxiety builds in the absence of information. No news is not always good news. And our patience is often pushed to the breaking point.

5. True friends are always there. In times of great difficulty, I’ve been reminded over and again how many people love me, care for me, and pray for me. Even when no words can change the situation, just having friends ‘be there’ makes a world of difference.

This song reminds me to trust God even when difficulties arise. I hope it will bless your heart.

My uncle remains in very critical condition. Thank you for your prayers for my family.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are some lessons you have learned in times of crisis?

I have some friends and family members who are presently experiencing difficult days. While I won’t claim to have all the answers, I would like to offer four suggestions for helping those who are hurting:

1. Pray for them. Why is it that even for Christians prayer is often our last resort rather than our first response? I believe that prayer changes things, so I pray for my hurting friends, knowing that the God of the universe hears our cries and cares deeply for His children. I’ve found that praying for people is something easy to promise when asked — but just as easy to forget once I’m distracted by the busyness of life. Never underestimate the power of praying with your friends in their time of need. We bond with one another when we pray aloud together.

2. Be present with them. So many times we struggle to find the right words to say. Often that’s because there simply are no words. Nothing we can say will change the situation or alleviate the pain. Be willing to be present with your friends. When I minister to people who are gravely ill or to families who have just lost one to death, I’ve found that just being there is enough. In our busy society we’re prone to try and fix things. Just be present and available to listen or pray or cry. Your presence is an invaluable gift.

3. Allow them an opportunity to have a get-away. This one is not always possible for every situation, but there’s usually some way to pull it off. When emotional burdens drain your friends’ life and energy, offer to watch the kids . . . or take your friends for a drive in the country . . . or give them a gift card to the movies. Just a little time away — a change of pace — can provide a much-needed respite from the constant cares and stresses of life.

4. Take them a meal. No matter what is going on, at some point your friends have to eat. A nutritious, home-cooked meal — or even a restaurant gift card — can provide a practical help. Many Sunday School classes and ministry groups now use a handy, user-friendly website to coordinate meals for those in need. Click here to check it out.

In almost every situation, we can find some way to be helpful to those who are hurting. Just remember that if you’re not hurting now, you will be one day. Do something for others that you’d like to have done for you in your time of need.

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are some practical ways others have been helpful to you in times of need?

“These Moments Called Today”

Whatever you are going through, wherever you might hide,
God is always waiting with His arms open wide.
He knows your disappointments, your challenges, and fears,
And He wants you to trust Him as He wipes away your tears.
When life leaves you speechless, and you don’t know what to say,
Just ask Him to light your path and help you find your way.
When you get discouraged, feel hopeless and alone,
Remember that He’s there for you and loves you as His own.
So however you are feeling, if you think He’s gone away,
Remember He is with you in these moments called ‘today.’

We saw many, many people along the sidewalks and tourist sites. But the subway stations amazed me the most. Michelle and I joked that you could always tell who the out-of-towners were because they’d say, “Excuse me” when they brushed against you, and many of the New Yorkers said, “Excuse you.”

We didn’t know much about these people, but they were people of all colors and nationalities who spoke many different languages. They also undoubtedly had very real needs — just like you and me. And most of them were clearly in a hurry to get wherever they were going.

Of course, you don’t have to go to a big city to see people. And even in rural America, people seem increasingly hurried due to the busyness of life. Let me challenge you to stop for a few moments and think about this question:

How many people do you see up close in the course of your normal week? Be sure to consider . . .

• Family
• Friends
• Co-Workers/Colleagues
• Shoppers in stores, buying gas, etc.
• Delivery people
• People eating and serving in restaurants
• Parents and grandparents at kids’ sporting events

Do you have a number in mind? Write it down.

Think about your number. How many of those people would you guess are involved in a local Bible-believing church? (If you have no clue, for the purposes of this activity, assume they are not involved in church.) Write  down your number. How many of the people you see each day do you know are professing believers in Jesus Christ? Write it down.

Now, add your last two numbers together — then subtract that total from your original number.

Don’t worry; you’re never going to get a completely accurate number. This number simply represents your ‘faces in the crowd’ — distinct individuals in your path who may not have a saving relationship with Christ. I’m sure you have much more interaction — or potential for interaction — with some of these individuals than with others.

OK, now for the tough question:

Of your number, how many of those people have you told about what Jesus has done for you?

If you’re like the vast majority of church-going people, that number is pretty small. Shameful, really. It makes you want to re-think your numbers, doesn’t it? Surely there must be an error in the math.

Well, we are, of course, not dealing with scientific numbers but hypothetical ones. And for a number of us — particularly those of us in ministry — our ‘faces in the crowd’ number was much smaller than it should have been simply because we often find ourselves surrounded by other believers. If we’re not careful, we can become so insulated from the world that we have very little influence on it. I’m often reminded that Jesus has called us to be light to a world that is lost and needs to know Him. And flashlights and candles show up most in the darkness — not when surrounded by other lights. Our constant challenge is to be intentional about putting ourselves in places where there are pockets of darkness.

As you go through your week, I encourage you to look around you for opportunities to share the Good News. Pray each day that God will provide you with an opportunity to share Him with someone. Look people in the eye and try to see them as God sees them — beautiful, special, and loved.

Here’s a great music video by Brandon Heath to help anchor this reminder in your life:

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Can you recall the last time you intentionally stopped what you were doing or changed your schedule in order to respond to someone in need? Share the Gospel? Offer to pray with someone you didn’t know?

Did you like this post? If so, you might also be interested in these previous posts:

• 5 ideas for church growth

• Joy to the World!

• 4 keys to a Christ-centered doomsday response

• ” . . . scared the devil out of me!” (whenever somebody got really frightened)

• ” . . . the devil whippin’ his wife” (whenever rain and sun were present at the same time)

• “The devil got into him.” (whenever one succumbed to the temptations of the evil one)

Scripture teaches us that the battles we wage as believers really are largely battles of good versus evil. Too often we let evil have victory in our lives — in the so-called ‘little things’ that perhaps don’t make much difference. Or so we say.

The truth is that Satan, while extremely shrewd, is also limited. There are only so many tricks he has up his sleeve. The sad thing is that even though we can spot his arsenal pretty much anywhere, we still let him have his way far too often without so much as a whimper, let alone a fight.

For those who are in Christ, the best hope the devil has is to discourage our hearts, distract us from our mission, and define us by our past. He knows that Christ has already won the victory, and the pages of history are just playing out according to God’s perfect plan. Therefore, Satan focuses on us with laser-like precision in a battle for our minds. You see, if he can get us in a mental tug-of-war, we’ll never be effective for the Kingdom of God.

HERE ARE THREE LIES SATAN CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO BELIEVE:

1. “You don’t really belong to God.” With this lie Satan aims at the very heart of our faith. He challenges us to doubt our salvation experience — and pulls out lots of ‘evidence’ from our emotional pile of dirty laundry. “If you belonged to God,  you wouldn’t do these sinful things,” he whispers. Reality Check: Not all doubts are necessarily from Satan. However, while salvation is a point of decision/acceptance of God’s gift to us through Jesus Christ, personal discipleship is a process that will not reach completion until we meet Jesus face to face

2. “God doesn’t really care about you.” This is a real manipulative power play that has only one goal: confusion. In this mode, Satan brings all our problems to the forefront of our mind: debt, health issues, relationship and intimacy problems, dissatisfaction with work, etc. I think some of Satan’s chief channels for communicating this ridiculous message are the proponents of the ‘health and prosperity gospel.’ That’s not to say that those individuals are not believers — but to point out that Satan can use even believers to bring about confusion. We live in a fallen world. Problems come. People die — which in most cases involves developing some sort of health issue — no matter how faithful they are to the Lord.

3. “This is as good as it gets.” Every now and then, Satan tries to convince us that the Bible is just one big fairytale. He tells us there’s no God, no heaven, no abundant life. In this line of attack, the devil strives to drive daggers in our very hope. If we begin to think there’s no hope, then we’ll certainly not be sharing the Good News with others.

I believe that everyone has doubts from time to time; otherwise, there would be no need for faith. However, when those doubts arise, the only proper response is to confess them to God (He already knows what you’re thinking and feeling), challenge them with Scripture, and command in Jesus’ name that Satan have no power over your mind.

And always hold on to the powerful truth of Scripture:

“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:2-4, NIV [emphasis mine]

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are some other lies that Satan tells you? How do you handle those times when doubts arise?

Did you like this post? If so, you might also be interested in these previous posts:

• God is in control

• It’s time to get serious!

• The process of becoming

Of course, there are many who will make resolutions to improve themselves in some way during 2012. Surveys have indicated that most resolutions don’t make it past the month of January. Today I offer you ten secrets to guaranteed success:

1. Don’t personalize your goals. Simply read one of those New Year’s articles in Sunday’s paper and use that as your goal-making guide. Better yet, just ask your friends what their goals are and resolve to do the same. Just think of all the time you’ll save.

2. Don’t write down your goals. Not on paper. Not on your computer. Not on your bathroom mirror. Nowhere at all! Before a week has come and gone, you’ll have forgotten any of these silly little dreams and can get back to being the same ol’ you that you’ve always been.

3. Don’t be realistic in your thinking. Shoot for the stars! Don’t settle for  just a little self-improvement. Go all out and aim for a total life transformation.

4. Don’t pace yourself. Accept no waiting! Do you really want that perfect body in 30 days? Then flip on the TV and order the latest, greatest gadget from one of those overnight infomercials. They really work. Plus, you almost always get a free gift or two if you ‘order now.’

5. Don’t believe in yourself. Adopt a ‘No I Can’t’ mentality.This is a well-kept secret of some of the most successful people in the world. For example, if you really want to drop some pounds, just say ‘no’ to every temptation that comes your way. Not one Hershey’s kiss. Not one potato chip. Not one carrot dipped in extra Ranch dressing. Ever!

6. Don’t set a deadline. By keeping your options completely open, you can be your own judge of progress made toward your goals. In six months’ time when you haven’t really seen any change at all, you can honestly say you haven’t failed but are just waiting to identify the perfect moment to break out of your rut.

7. Don’t tell anyone about your goals. Not. One. Soul. Once people know your business, they tend to lord it over you acting as your moral and spiritual compass. They’ll ask how you’re doing . . . remind you of your target . . . encourage you — and maybe even pray for your success. You certainly wouldn’t want anyone interfering like that.

8. Don’t do anything too hard. Simple is often better. Keep breathing. Keep eating. Keep sleeping. Basically don’t attempt to do anything a cat wouldn’t. Success is sure to be yours.

9. Don’t evaluate your progress or adjust your goals. Of course, if you follow #2 carefully, then this one will be a real piece of cake.

10. Don’t ask for God’s help. There’s what . . . seven billion people on this rotating rock called Earth? Surely He wouldn’t be interested in you. Do everything in your own power, and just think of the boasting you can do at the end of the year.

OK, so maybe you’ve picked up on a bit of sarcasm in this post. Someone once said that they weren’t making resolutions for the new year because last year’s resolutions were as good as new. Don’t let that be your testimony. I encourage you to take some time to identify just a few areas in which you’d like to see some improvement. Even if you haven’t fully specified your goals as of January 1, a few extra days of sincere and thoughtful planning will likely pay big dividends in the long run.

If you’re serious about making some changes in this new year, then I wish you all the best. Aim for S.M.A.R.T goals: Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive. Remember that moderation is preferable, and accountability is almost always essential.

In closing, consider these powerful and familiar words from the Apostle Paul:

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14, ESV

May God richly bless you and your family in this new year of life.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are some things you wish to improve upon in this new year? What are the biggest challenges to reaching your goals?

You know how the Doppler effect kicks in with a motorcycle or freight train? You hear the sound coming in the distance . . . then it gets really loud when it’s right beside you . . . then it fades off into the distance. Well, I think there’s a little bit of Doppler in the way we greet people too. Think about it. How often does someone ask you how you’re doing — only to walk right past you without skipping a beat? If we’re honest, it happens pretty often. If we’re doubly honest, we can probably say that we’ve been guilty of doing the same thing to others.

Life is hard. Times are tough. Worries are rampant. Every time you turn on the news, there’s something else to be concerned about. Rising costs. Falling home values. Broken families. Sometimes the burden of care becomes too great. If it weren’t for the power of Christ at work within me, there would be absolutely no way I could function in this world.

People today bear a lot of hurts, wounds, scars, sorrows, anger, confusion. You get the point. Every day we have a responsibility to help someone move closer to God. A warm smile, a gentle touch, and a friendly hello can go a long way to make one’s day a bit brighter. We never know how God is going to use us from one minute to the next, but we can be assured that He cares deeply about people — and wants us to care too. My wife, Michelle, recently said it this way:

I want to leave people better than I met them. I want to bring joy, peace, and gratitude to the people I encounter on a daily basis. I want them to walk away feeling better. Sometimes this requires a simple smile. Other times it requires kind words, forgiveness, and/or a listening ear. It isn’t always easy, or convenient.  It may require me giving up my way – or losing an argument.  But, in the end, it is sharing God’s love with them.

As you go through the rest of your week, I encourage you to make time for people. Don’t just offer a trite, rhetorical “How are you?” Instead, take time to listen to people. Take time to connect on a personal level. Take time to bask in the interruptions of life in order that they might become ministry opportunities.

I’ve long heard the statement, “You may be the only Jesus some people ever see.” Will they see Jesus in you today?

IT’S YOUR TURN!
How do you feel when someone takes time to show interest in and concern for you? How can you be more sensitive to and available for those in your workplace, neighborhood, or church?

Ministry leaders are particularly prone to discouragement due to the intense demands on their time and families as well as the extremely relational nature of the work. The truth is that most of us really do want to please people, but there’s absolutely no way to please all the people all the time.

It’s on these down days that my affirmation file comes in very handy. I keep this tattered file in one of my desk drawers. It has made a number of moves through the years as I’ve followed God to different places along my ministry journey. The label on the tab says simply ‘Affirmation/Encouragement,’ and it’s filled with cards, letters, and notes of appreciation from various people I’ve met along the way. Over the past few years, an increasing percentage of these items are in the form of email and Facebook print-outs. Most of the notes are from people I know pretty well, although some are from those with whom my life intersected only briefly as I led a workshop, officiated a funeral,  or ministered in some other way.

I’ve kept a file like this for as long as I can remember, and I strongly recommend that you keep one too — for several key reasons:

1. You need reminders of the really good moments in your life. One of the enemy’s greatest and most effective tools is that of discouragement. Written words have value long after the ink dries. When discouragement comes I essentially have two choices: I can wallow in self-pity (which accomplishes nothing helpful), or I can focus on my blessings, strengths, and past accomplishments. I like to think that the apostle Paul might have kept an affirmation file too. Writing to the Philippians, he said:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8, ESV

Paul is often described as a sort of spiritual superhero who, like Superman, underwent an almost instantaneous transformation when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Clearly, as one who had a legacy of persecuting believers, Paul could have focused on his past sins and selfish actions. Instead he made the choice to channel his energies into being different and doing good things, all for the sake of the gospel message.

2. You need perspective in times of self-doubt. We often go through seasons of life in which our struggles seem never-ending. Re-reading the materials in my affirmation file helps me remember that God uses me to make a difference in the lives of others, even at times when I’m totally unaware of my influence. I find that I am my own worst critic, and the notes in my file remind me that plenty of people are with me, for me, and behind me — encouraging me to finish strong in this marathon of life.

3. You need “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” Those are words from one of my favorite hymns, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” I draw a lot of strength from the power of God’s Word. So many of the items in my affirmation file contain a Scripture verse that is just what I need to hear in days of trial. Many of those verses are near and dear to my heart. They are constant reminders that God’s Word never returns void.

An added benefit of keeping an affirmation file is its intrinsic ability to help me practice gratitude to others. A hand-written note or other expression of encouragement can absolutely speak life into someone’s day.

May you find joy and encouragement as you live and lead, and may you find joy as you affirm others along life’s path.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Do you keep an affirmation file? How are you impacted by a written expression of gratitude?

Michelle really enjoys watching almost anything on HGTV. She has a love for houses — and a keen eye for interior design. Every now and then we encounter a house that has a history. An obviously bad history. Sometimes the damage seems only slight — perhaps needing fresh paint, new carpet, or just a deep cleaning. Other times the damage is absolutely overwhelming. We’ve seen homes with faulty plumbing (and subsequent water damage), buckled floors, trashed walls, broken windows — and that’s just in the first half of the house.

Sometimes the problems are due entirely to neglect. In others, a very different story is told. In one particular case, it was clear that the previous occupants had lived together during a nasty divorce. If walls could talk . . . well, the holes in them did.

The question for the prospective buyer is a big one indeed: Where in the world does one begin to repair the damage? The options are seemingly endless, and the amount of time and money required are hard to conceive.

The same is true for ourselves — on a spiritual level. There are times when we get off track. The slide begins with a lack of attention to daily time with God (usually paired with a rationalization of recurring sin), and it proceeds to sporadic church attendance and almost non-existent personal worship. One day we wake up and realize that we are completely disconnected from the community of faithful believers that once was so vital to spiritual health and growth. A similar question begins to emerge: How does one begin to repair the damage?

The answer is perhaps not as hard as you might think. I suggest a four-step approach:

1. Be honest with yourself — and with God. Take some time to think through the reasons for your getting out of sync spiritually. Incidentally, this may require a serious evaluation of your true spiritual condition. If you’re trying to be a ‘good Christian’ in your own power, then you’re way off base. Remember, we’re saved by faith alone — but our actions bear witness to His transforming work in us.
2. Commit to begin again. Everybody needs a fresh start every now and then. Fortunately, the Lord’s mercies are new each morning. He constantly pursues a love relationship with us, and He will gladly help you as you re-engage by doing the things you know you should be doing. Identifying past barriers and obstacles to your spiritual growth can help prevent another such slide.
3. Find someone to help you. I absolutely can’t emphasize this one strongly enough. While your relationship with Christ is a personal thing, you need to realize the necessity of having others to help you. I encourage you to find a couple of solid Christian friends (same-sex, if you’re married) to hold you accountable, particularly in the areas where you’re prone to struggle most. And by all means, make sure you’re involved in a Bible study class or small group that provides an opportunity for fellowship with other believers.
4. Follow through. Realize that nothing you think about doing will be helpful until you actually do it. So many times it’s easy to identify trouble spots — even obvious solutions — and then get distracted by something else. And to be quite frank, Satan is counting on you not following through — or being sidetracked by things of the world. The reality is that only you can decide whether your relationship with Christ is really priority in your life. I happen to believe the old saying is still true: “Jesus has no place in your life unless He has first place in your life.”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are some other things that help you get back on track when you falter in your spiritual life?

Indeed the first one-third of this year has been full of trials for many all over the world. From the political uprisings in the Middle East, to the earthquakes and tsunamis in various places, to the violent and deadly storms just this week, the news reads like a dramatic screenplay of Matthew 24.

In times like these I often ask the question, “How do people who have no faith in God make sense of the trials of this life?” I don’t necessarily know the answer to that question, but I do know that He has placed believers in this world to be the hands and feet of Christ to a world that very much needs to know He is real.

It’s easy in a world populated by some six billion people to have a diminished sense of responsibility. How often have you thought — or even said — to yourself, “Someone else will do it?” Friends, what if we are that someone? Now is not the time to roll over and say, “Woe is me.” Now is the time to stand up to the challenges at hand, with full confidence and faith in Christ that He will work through us to help usher in His Kingdom on earth.

In his book Missional Small Groups, author M. Scott Boren writes:

I find it interesting that Jesus told His disciples, “You are salt, . . . light . . . a city on a hill.” He did not say, “You should be . . . ,” “You would be if . . . ,” or “You could be if . . . .” He declared who they were and equipped them to live in a way that fit this declaration.

Jesus never promised His followers that this life would be easy; quite the contrary. His words in John 16:33 are clear: “In the world you will have tribulation.” Thankfully He doesn’t stop there. “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He will walk with us through the storms of life, and that brings me great comfort.

I also love this reminder from Psalm 46:1-3:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (ESV)

No matter what happens in this world, we can be assured that God is still fully in control.

Whatever trial or trouble you may be facing today, know that if you belong to Christ, then you need not worry about the things of this life because we have the promise of ultimate victory in Him. Just know that the trials we face often provide us with a context in which to connect others to the redemptive message of the Gospel. Let’s be diligent to not squander such opportunities.

I’m mindful today of the words of this familiar chorus:

People need the Lord. People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door.
People need the Lord. People need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord.

(Phillip J. McHugh & Greg Nelson, 1983)