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Keeping an Eternal Perspective

Proverbs 23:17-18 says:

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.

Real Quick – For those who have made God the Lord of their lives, who have accepted the forgiving work of Jesus into their lives let me remind you that:

  1. This is not your home – earth is just a temporary place of your eternal life.
  2. Keep your focus on God’s Will – for He is our hope and eternal security.

These two power points will make your days more productive and pleasurable.  Without them you can expect a grind and some grief. Pause for 120 seconds and evaluate what your are focusing on in life, make corrections in your vision and direction, and set out on your new eternal destination of pleasing the Lord.

Gooday!

Bernie

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How Does Your Church Grow?

Here’s a little quote found in a book entitled: To Transform a City by Eric Swanson and Sam Williams.

 

            At least one lesson that we can learn from the story of the early church is that you don’t need seminaries, church growth seminars, elaborate youth programs, and large buildings to grow and see lives changed by the gospel.

 

People of that early church “had a distinctive lifestyle that could not be ignored”. “Early Christians were captivated by the Gospel” and for the most part that is what separates them from us today.  At some point in time we have lost our captivity.  We are no longer characterized by a “Lifestyle that cannot be ignored”.   We sail our own ships across seas that we choose.  And those excursions are often trips to nowhere with personal and un-spiritual desires at their core.

 

Should be forego the seminary education, the church growth seminars, the multi-faceted ministries of the church?  As Paul would say “God Forbid!”  Every tool in the Spiritual Tool Bag of God should be exercised.  But what makes the tools effective are the people whose lives are totally surrendered to the LORDSHIP of JESUS in their lives.  People that are so changed and captivated by the personal experience of the Saving Power of Jesus in their lives are the catalyst or fire of seeing others changed to Children of God.

 

Make today your earnest attempt to live that totally surrendered life.  And let others see Jesus in you.

 

Bernie

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Principles of Living #13 – Witness

Over the years my understanding of Witness has taken different forms and presentations.  From the time I let Jesus into my heart and life and knowing I needed to “TELL” others of my experience as a witness to the more recent days of having my “DEEDS” be the voice of my witness, I have grown to know it is even more than those simple avenues as a witness.

  From the conviction of OBLIGATION to the compulsion of OPPORTUNITY my witnessing has ebbed and flowed from season to season and from person to person.  During this course of time I have come to grip with 4 Eternal Bricks to Build My Witness Upon.

1. God’s Word Is My Light.

 This is the core of all witnessing.  Without the Light of God in your life – then you have nothing to tell or shine on others.  Never believe that you alone carry power or authority to change a life.  It is only through the LIGHT OF JESUS that witnessing is effective.

2. I Am the Light to the Lost.

As Jesus is the Hope of the Church – the Church is the Hope of the World.  It is in Jesus’ closing command that “You shall be My witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the far reaches of the earth” If you have Jesus as your Lord and Savior – then you are the Light to the Lost.

3. I Only Shine when Jesus Is Lord of My Living.

Each day I learn the value of Character over Competence, Truth over Intent, and Obedience over Sacrifice.  The fuel of your Spiritual Light is the Character, Truth, and Obedience of your living.  Without those three in your life at full capacities your light will not reach the world effectively.

4. I May Be the Only Bible Some May Ever See.

Don’t leave it to chance that someone else will be that particular witness to your local world.  We never get a day off from being the Light of Jesus to the World.  Never allow the minute by minute opportunities to go by without your focused awareness  of your light reaching someone somewhere.

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.”    Matthew 5:16

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Leadership Objectives

Have you ever wanted to make a difference as a leader but weren’t sure how to get it done or even how to start the process?  Well, you are not alone.  Sometimes the task of leadership seems ominous.  But I have found a Focal List of Leadership Objectives that you can set before yourself to enable you to move further down the Leadership Tracks.  Here they are – Hope they help You.

1. Be Committed in All Things.  Where things are being done there are people, and they need to see your commitment.

2. Godly Qualities Before Skills.  Be the right person so that God can enable you with skills and ability.

3.  Be Willing to Stand Alone.  This Leadership will demand that you stand out front and stand alone.  That’s what leaders do.

4. Speak Lasting Words.  When you speak – make sure your words are Godly, imperative, Supportive, Pertinent, and Gracious.

5. Humility Enables endurance.  The more you help and aid others – the longer the need for your presence.

6. Talk to God Often.  There is only One opinion that matters, so prioritize the Voice of God above all things in your life.

7. Focus on Making God Famous.  When it all comes end, we will be evaluated on how well others saw the value of Jesus in your life.

These 7 Leadership Objectives can be your ticket to Successful Leadership with others.  Try them for 30 days and see the difference.

Bernie

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Principles of Living #12 – LEGACY

Everything you do MATTERS!  Every word you pronounce has SIGNIFICANCE!  Every thought you contemplate has LASTING EFFECTS! Those are heavy statements, and they are meant to be.  How you live and present you life is Important.  History of man has been shaped by the living of others before us, and is being shaped presently by the way we live out our lives.  This Effect is called: Legacy.

Everyone Leaves a Legacy!  No matter who you are or where you are from, No matter your age, your weight, your height, or nationality, No matter if you are fat kid, a skinny kid, a kid that climbs on rocks, a tough kid, a sissy kid, even one with chickenpox, everyone leaves a legacy.  Some legacies are good – Some are bad.  Yet, everyone leaves one.

Here are some thoughts to help you govern how yours is left. 

1.  What We Do in Proportion – Our Children Will Do in Excess.  Every generation attempts to expand its territory.  Every generation attempts to increase its options, raise the bar, become more daring, and experiment a little further.  So, consider what you are doing and ask yourself if you want your children to go further than what you have done.  If they are things that have negative outcomes  - I would hope you wouldn’t.  If they are things with a positive outcome – then encourage your kids to take it to the next level.

2.  The Wake of Our Living Affects More People the Further Time Passes.  Much like a boat leaving a wake behind it – So do our lives.  And the further time passes the wake the boat made becomes wider – so too our wake becomes wider – affecting more and more people along the way.  Both Positive and Negative behavior has lasting and widening effects.

3.  Your Legacy affects both the People You Did Know and Those You Did Not Know.  Never think you are an Island unto Yourself.  All things have an effect on All People.  Be sure that the people you affect have beneficial effects.

If you were to stop and consider all the actions you have made over the past week – how would they rank on the Legacy Scale of being Up Lifting or being Down Grading where would yours fall?

Make a Mark – Leave a Mark that takes the next generation to a higher level.

Bernie

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Principles of Living #11 – RESERVATION

      In the process of living your Christian Life there is a disposition we all must embrace as we relate to God and to others.  Today’s Principle is Reservation which is in some manner closely related to Meekness and/or Self-Control.  As I share these you will begin to see the correlation.

4 Principles of Reservation

1.  I Will Listen More than I Talk.  It is so tempting to TELL everything we know or think rather than take in through LISTENING.  This is Reserving yourself to the ACT of Being Attentive.  It is a greater disciple to Listen than to Speak.

2.  I Will Say Only What the Spirit of God Tells Me to Say.  Wow, what a challenge.  Is it possible that we could control our words to the level that we would only say what we are given instruction or permission to say by God?  Think of what your conversations would resemble if that were so.  Could we be that reserved or self-controlled?

3.  I Will Listen with the Heart of God.  It is one thing to Hear someone, it is another to Listen to them.  It is still another to Listen to them with God’s Heart of Understanding and Compassion.  Could we possibly comprehend the message of others with a Spiritual Understanding and Sensitivity?  Could you not take the very next conversation you have and listen with a hope of Listening Like God Listens?

4.  Waiting on the Lord Puts Me in the Right Time Zone. One of our greatest reservation acts is to Wait on the Lord.  It is also one of the most difficult acts of reservation we can attempt.  Our mind and will see matters and respond to them in a completely different manner than that of the Lord’s response.  When we wait on the Lord, we are actually putting ourselves on His Time Table or Time Zone of Action.  If you are in any other time zone, other than HIS, you are going to find frustration and misery in your life.  Stay in God’s Time Zone.

Thanks for Reading  – Bernie 

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Principles of Living #10 COMPASSION

Today we will look briefly at Christ-Like Presentations of Compassion.  I wil keep them Pointed so that we can grab the intent.

1.  You are Never out of God’s Care.  No matter who you are or what you have done – God has Compassion on and for you.  Don’t give my your “but”s,  God will always care about you.

2.  God’s Care Never Changes.  The level at which God’s Compassion led Jesus to the Cross to die for you is the same level of compassion He still has for you this very minute.  God’s Compassion and Love cannot diminsh.  I John makes it plain:  GOD IS LOVE.  He will always be so.

3.  The Cross was: My Destiny, Christ’s Choosing, and God’s Glory.  The Cross was and still is the greatest expression of Compassion the world will ever know.  No rendering of love will ever surpass the Compassion of the Cross.  We belonged there on the cross but Jesus took our place there, which God got all the glory for.

4.  Compassion is the the Caring and Giving to others in the SAME WAY that Jesus cares and gives to you.  Anything short of that is not TRUE HOLY COMPASSION.  So, Aim High!

5.  Compassion is BLIND.  It sees no color, no infirmity, no race, no poorness, no accomplishments.  It can only see the heart of someone in need.

As you walk today – who around you needs a hand of compassion from you?

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Principles of Living #10 COMPASSION

Today we will look briefly at Christ-Like Presentations of Compassion.  I wil keep them Pointed so that we can grab the intent.

1.  You are Never out of God’s Care.  No matter who you are or what you have done – God has Compassion on and for you.  Don’t give my your “but”s,  God will always care about you.

2.  God’s Care Never Changes.  The level at which God’s Compassion led Jesus to the Cross to die for you is the same level of compassion He still has for you this very minute.  God’s Compassion and Love cannot diminsh.  I John makes it plain:  GOD IS LOVE.  He will always be so.

3.  The Cross was: My Destiny, Christ’s Choosing, and God’s Glory.  The Cross was and still is the greatest expression of Compassion the world will ever know.  No rendering of love will ever surpass the Compassion of the Cross.  We belonged there on the cross but Jesus took our place there, which God got all the glory for.

4.  Compassion is the the Caring and Giving to others in the SAME WAY that Jesus cares and gives to you.  Anything short of that is not TRUE HOLY COMPASSION.  So, Aim High!

5.  Compassion is BLIND.  It sees no color, no infirmity, no race, no poorness, no accomplishments.  It can only see the heart of someone in need. 

As you walk today – who around you needs a hand of compassion from you? 

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Making Your Day More Joyful

Here are 4 Simple Things to Do to Make Your Day More Joyful:

  1. Smile – physically smile all day long – even when you are by yourself – Smile.  Your body will catch on as well.

  2. Read 1 Psalm on the hour every hour. Read it slow - Read it with a sense of assurance.

  3. Know that God is walking with you throughout the entire day – show Him you are glad He is there.

  4. Expect the best from others.  When you do you will smile with Anticipation.

If you do these four (4) things … you watch … your day will be more joyful.

Gooday

Bernie

 

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Principles of Living #9 – Tools

A Tool – something that makes the  job easier, something that makes the finished job better.

I hope you can connect the dots:

My greatest tool / asset is Angela.  Without her, my daily life would be utterly miserable.  She does with me and for me more than I could ever say.

My greatest responsibility is Kirby.  He will become the legacy of our family.  Through him people will know more about my living and work.  I must invest more in him than in anything else on earth.  I must secure his vulnerabilities, accentuate his gifts, and walk with him as his father and companion.

My greatest opportunity is to Love Them Both.  God gave me the two greatest people – it is my honor and opportunity to love them with my life.

And speaking of Great Tools – The Bible fixes everything perfectly.  So, I must use God’s Holy Word to expand on my family and to fix any difficulties that exist.

What tools do you have?

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How to Build Charisma into Your Living

I just love my John C Maxwell Leadership Bible.  Every time I turn the page there is a new insight on the Scripture that helps me focus more intently on my helping and leading others.  Here are a little set of PowerPoints from Acts 2:14-40.

How Can We Build Charisma?

#1  Love Life!  Enjoy the journey.  Let others enjoy it with you.

#2  Put a 10 on Everyone You See.  Expect the best – Embrace the best of each person you see.

#3  Give People Hope.  The one thing everyone needs is Hope.  You have it in Christ, so give it away.

#4  Share Yourself.  You have a heart, so express it and share it with others.  Your time, talent, resources, and Christian Experience are things You can share and should share.

Develop your Charisma – Be and Encourager!  This world needs more of this everyday and everywhere.

Bernie

 

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Some Thoughts on Personal Vision

Four Points to Consider about Personal Vision.

*Focus has to do with not seeing the unimportant as it does seeing the most important. Today – remove the un-necessary – accent the Godly.

*Focus also has to do with CLARITY – clearing the path of vision from where you are to the focal point of your vision. Clearing the air.

*Perhaps your Needed Vision is that which falls beyond the horizon. Are you willing to wait on the FUTURE VISION? Don’t quit looking.

*Sometimes the best vision is obtained by closing your eyes and looking with your heart and mind. This is Spiritual Vision. Seeing God.

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Tell Me About Your Faith

Tell me about Your Faith. 

What kind of faith is it?  Is it one that waits on God?  Is it one that confidently takes action in defense of the Gospel?  Is it an obedient faith … that wholly responds to the command of Christ?  Tell me about Your Faith.

Let me share with you a few folks who exercised their faith and the outcome that followed.

First, there was this man who was a leader of his community.  He had a daughter that had just died of an illness.  This man went straight to Jesus and asked Him to come and simply lay His hand on her and she would live … and live she did!  Wow, in spite of the reality of death, he still believed and had faith that LIFE would prevail.

Then there was this woman.  She had been sick for 12 years.  Doctors everywhere made an attempt to heal her.  Yet, she still suffered.  She said to herself, If only I could touch the edge of Jesus robe, I know I would be healed.  With her Reach of Faith – it was so, she was instantly healed.  Jesus knew that His Holy Divine Healing Power had moved from Him into a suffering individual.  He look straight at her and said – Your Faith has made you well. 

Lastly, there were two men, friends, and they were blind.  Here’s a true picture of the Blind Leading the Blind.  They began to “follow” Jesus.  I think, desperation led them to Jesus.  They pleaded with Jesus to heal them.  Jesus asked Do you Believe that I am ABLE?  The two blind guys declared YES!  Jesus said ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH let it be done to you.  And they were healed.

Ok – What is it that died in your life?  What is it that has had you ill for 12 years?  What is it that has brought about desperation in your life?  No matter what it is – If you will bring it to Jesus – With Faith – It will be overcome.  Will it go away right then and there – maybe.  But if your assurance and faith rest in God and not in your circumstances – then your Faith will see you through to the end.

Tell me about Your Faith.

Bernie

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Two Eternal Truths that Cannot Change

Two Truths that will stand forever:

1) Jesus is the Hope of the Church.
“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” “Upon this rock (this true testimony) I will build My Church” Matt. 16:16+

2) The Church is the Hope of the World.
“Gave us (the Church) the ministry of reconciliation, that God was reconciling the world to Himself…” “He has committed to us (the Church) the message of reconciliation” “We (the Church) are therefore, Christ’s ambassadors”  II Cor. 5:18+

Being So – You as members of His Church should declare His Love and Lordship to everyone. You do that through – Word & Deed.