15 Books for Spiritual Growth

One of the best ways to grow spiritually is to read! Books for spiritual growth offer unique perspectives and encouragement. There are so many choices of books, and it can be very intimidating! To help narrow down the choices, our staff put together a list of some of our favorite books for spiritual growth. Take a look at this list and choose a book to read over the next couple of months. You won't regret it!

1. Growing in Christ by J.I. Packer

2. The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

3. Unseen by Sara Hagerty

4. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

5. Keys to Spiritual Growth by John MacArthur

6. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Don Whitney

7. Attributes of God by Arthur Pink

8. God: As He Longs for You to See Him by Chip Ingram

9. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala 

10. Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby

11. Root of the Righteous by A.W. Tozer

12. Wide Awake by Erwin McManus

13. Love Works by Joel Manby

14. Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

15. If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg

 

What are some of your favorite books for spiritual growth?

Let us know in the comments!

Peace Be Still

“Peace! Be Still!” Read those words again and say them out loud as you do. “Peace! Be Still!”

You may know the story from where these words come, but in case you don’t, Jesus spoke these words when He was trying to calm the nerves of His disciples. The story is found in Mark 4:35-41. The simple version goes like this. Jesus was crossing the sea with his disciples in a boat, and He decided to take a nap. While He was sleeping, a storm came up, and the wind and waves made the disciples fearful and worried. They woke Jesus because they thought they were going to die. Then Jesus stood up and said, “Peace! Be Still!” to the wind and waves! Then all was quiet and calm, and the disciples were amazed that the wind and waves obeyed Him.

As I read this passage recently during my quiet time, the thing that jumped out to me wasn’t Jesus' amazing power over the wind and waves. The thing that jumped out to me was that Jesus could sleep through a storm! I find that impressive. I’m a very light sleeper. I don’t think I could have rested well enough to take a nap in a storm that is bad enough to make you think you’re not going to survive!  

Here is an interesting and worthy observation: the passage says a “windstorm arose and the waves were breaking over the boat,” and the disciples were “amazed because wind and waves obeyed Him”…hmmmmm, I'm thinking…not a coincidence! Jesus was in full command the whole time! There was purpose in the storm!

Isaiah 9:6 tells us that one of the names of Jesus is “Prince of Peace.” Clearly we see the name and character of Jesus on display in this story. In the midst of the storm, He is able to be asleep because He is the Prince of Peace! He commands the wind and waves, not once, but twice, to be silent! He is commanding peace because He is Peace! (Eph. 2:14).

What wind and waves are you currently experiencing that make you wonder if Jesus cares or if He is asleep somewhere?

This summer as you ‘get away’ on vacation, remember that peace is not the absence of conflict or tension. Peace is not your presence under an umbrella on a beach, as nice and relaxing as that is. Peace is the presence of Jesus resting ‘in the boat’ of your heart and mind!  

Say it again slowly…“Peace! Be Still!”

10 Verses for Finding Joy

Let’s face it. It’s hard to find joy these days. Looking at the news can be devastating. We live in a society where every other day the flags are at half mast. People immediately choose sides, and emotions rule our actions rather than reason. It’s easy to feel like the junk of this world is constantly swirling around us like an vicious tornado.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. -John 16:33b

So, what exactly does “take heart” mean? I believe it means we focus on the fact that nothing surprises God. God is always in control even when our surroundings and circumstances feel like chaos.

Christians have a hope beyond this temporary world. Focusing on eternity allows us to find joy in the midst of the insanity. If we have joy ourselves, we can use it to encourage others. If the people around us are overwhelmed and beat down, demonstrating joy in our lives may open a door to share our ultimate reason for joy: salvation through Jesus.

How do we get there? How do we find joy? Reflecting on and memorizing scripture is a great place to begin.

10 Verses on Joy

1. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. -Psalm 30:5

2. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24

3. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. -Psalm 119:111

4. A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. -Proverbs 17:22

5. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. -Isaiah 12:3

6. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and a delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. -Jeremiah 15:16

7. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. -Matthew 2:10

8. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. -John 15:11

9. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. -Acts 71:23

10. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. -Romans 15:13

The Bible speaks of joy in many other verses. Use this list as a starting point for building a foundation of joy in your life.

The Problem with Pride

People have pride in a lot of things - our families, our work, our possessions, and even ourselves. We are taught to be proud of who we are and what we do. It is what motivates us to do good work. My name is going to be on what I do, so I am going to do it with all I have. A job well done means I can take pride in my work.  

While there are a lot of good places that we see the presence of pride, there is a problem with pride that we must look at. Pride is defined as a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. At its core, pride is at odds with the gospel. This is a problem, and, although we tend to praise pride in our lives, we need to make sure that we keep it in check and call it what it is…sin.

4 Common Problems with Pride

1. Pride Breeds Self Righteousness

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 18:9-14 

Everyone would condemn the Pharisee for his pride. It’s so obvious and ugly. We see the sin so quickly in it. But if we are honest with ourselves, how often should we condemn our own thoughts and actions? Maybe our pride sounds like, “God I am so thankful that my marriage is not falling apart like those people,” or perhaps, “I am so thankful my business is doing well because I am so smart and savy,” or even, “I'm a good Christian because I serve once a month in children’s ministry, and I attend church when I'm not out of town.” Pride is a problem!

2. Pride Puffs Up

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. 1 Corinthians 8:1-2

What you know should never become a source of pride. Convictions and beliefs are important and necessary for everyone. But becoming prideful in what you know only puffs you up and makes you feel like more than you really are. 

Love humbles us. Love requires that we count others more important than ourselves, and as the Scripture says, love builds up. I don’t know about you, but I would rather be known as a builder than a person who is puffed up.

3. Pride Leads Us to Worship Our Achievements

7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? 1 Corinthians 4:7

All of our achievements and accolades are a direct result of some ability or skill God has given us. We have only used what He has given. We must be careful here! If we worship our achievements and do whatever it takes to gain recognition, we sin. This sin can be so alluring that we honestly see it as beautiful and something to applaud.

4. Pride Breeds an Independent and Unteachable Spirit

As a younger man I bucked authority and did not see it for what it truly is. My pride in my abilities and wisdom was misplaced. My independent and unteachable spirit caused me to miss the fact that people older than me or with more responsibility than me were doing what they believed was best and sharing their wisdom for my benefit.

You are not called to like every authority in your life, but it is wise and in line with scripture to honor and follow those in authority. 

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17  

Pride is a sin. We don’t want it to be a sin, but it is. Take stock today of where you see pride in your life. Confess it and change the way you think. Speak to others in love. Treat those around you and over you as the scriptures encourage and let the Lord show you his favor as you do! Freedom is the result that waits for you. James 4:6, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Finding Your Spiritual Gifts

Recently, I was having a conversation about spiritual gifts with my small group. As I described the different spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, many of my small group members began giving me the same look I give the car repairman when he is describing car parts and all that he did to repair my vehicle. I was surprised to learn that many in my group were not familiar with the spiritual gifts the apostle Paul describes in his New Testament letters.

Now concerning your spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 1 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV)

How about you? If someone were to ask you what your spiritual gifts are, would you be able to respond? What would you say? Some believe that God-given spiritual gifts are simply the fruit of the Spirit, but the New Testament makes mention of 18 specific and actionable gifts apart from Paul’s famous writing in Galatians. In his letters to the churches in Rome, Ephesus, and Corinth, Paul describes spiritual gifts such as shepherding, evangelism, discernment, or mercy-showing…which gifts belong to you?

Every Christian would be wise to determine his or her spiritual gifts. Knowing the gifts that God has given you helps you find the best fit for serving in the church. Fortunately, we can help! Follow this link to take a spiritual gifts survey:

The knowledge of how God has gifted and wired you will inform and enhance your obedience for the rest of your life. Find out what your gifts are and ask God to give you opportunities to serve and glorify Him doing what you do best!

Find out more about Summer Test Drives HERE

How the Church Partners with Parents

Did you know that from the day your child is born until high school graduation you have about 936 weeks? Every week counts. In fact, every day counts. Let's be real, parenting is not for the weak. I remember when my daughter was a few weeks old and wouldn't sleep, and I thought, “This is it?” Don't all parents go through that at some point?

The church is here to partner with you. I mean, not necessarily through the sleepless nights, but we are here to share this journey and help make your spiritual impact the most effective in your child's life. You may be thinking, "How does the church partner with parents?"

First and foremost, you must remember that God is for you. The church, as the bride of Christ, is for you too. The church is modeled after Christ, and we are called to love one another. In order for the church to love on parents, we must partner with parents. Here are a few ways you as a parent can ensure that you and the church are working together.

Be the Model

Jesus is our model. We need to use our model - Jesus, and be the model for our children. Our children are watching us. They see everything that we do, and it sticks with them. If we ask our children to do something that we ourselves are not willing to do, we are not being authentic models.  Jesus is an authentic model, so we need to strive for that too. 

There will be times where we will fail and fall short of the glory of God, but thankfully, we can model forgiveness in those moments. To be honest, modeling forgiveness for my child is humbling. Think about this. You do something wrong, and your child calls you out on it. Yep, that has happened to me more than once. In that moment, I took a deep breath and showed my daughter how to appropriately admit my mistake and asked her, as well as Jesus, for forgiveness.

Be Present

Times have changed since I was a kid. Technology is changing daily; our children can have friends that they have never even met in person! Although technology is allowing us to see the world through a whole new lens, it is also allowing our children to be vulnerable. Be present in the things your children are doing on social media. Know their friends and the people they are talking to.

Our children are also facing stress. I know everyone has stress; however, the stress that our children face is like nothing before. The stress of friends, the stress of fitting in, the stress of doing well at school or extra curricular activities, and the list goes on. The stress kids face needs an outlet. Allow your children to talk to you about what they are experiencing each day and provide them with a safe outlet to share honestly. 

When I say safe, I mean a "no judgement zone." Listen to what they are saying and provide them with the Truth to apply to their situation. You may be asking, "How do I know what to say or do?" The church is here to guide you through this process and help you grow in your knowledge of scripture. Knowing your child’s small group leader is also a great way to get guidance.  

Know Your Child's Small Group Leader

This is a huge part of a successful partnership between parents and the church. Your children’s small group leaders are here for them, but they are also here for you. They want to know you and for you to know them. Feel free to go into the group area and introduce yourself to your child's small group leader!

You may be thinking, “Why is it important to know their small group leader?” Depending on your child’s age, his/her small group leader may be an outlet when he/she is struggling with a situation. If the small group leader knows you, he/she is able to share this information with you to help your child in that time of need. In order for all of the suggestions to truly work together for the greater good of your child, you must be involved at a church.  

Be Involved at Your Church

To be involved doesn’t mean just attend on Sunday and be done after that. No, being involved means getting in a small group of other believers who are experiencing spiritual growth. Another way to be involved in the church is to serve in an area that allows you to use your spiritual gifts. Finding where your spiritual gifts fit is key. For example, personally, I would not be happy serving on our security team. Not because I don’t support it, but I would struggle with confronting others in a possibly negative situation. 

Don’t serve in an area that doesn’t fill your heart with joy. Find the place that fits you. Once you become involved in the church, you will model for your children what you want for them. Remember they are watching you, and it will stick!  

936 weeks will be gone in the blink of an eye. Why waste it? The church is here for you each week and will continue to be. Think about your children right now. What phase are you in? How many weeks are left until graduation? What are you going to do to ensure you have the right partnership to raise them to be a disciple of Jesus? We are here for you! Are you willing to let us partner with you on this journey? 

26 Inexpensive Things to Do with Your Kids This Summer

When the kids are out of school, it can be a bittersweet time for parents. Lots of fun comes with summer, but the kids' boredom can set in quickly. Parents have a great opportunity during the summer to make lasting memories with their kids while keeping the kids entertained at the same time!

We put together some inexpensive ideas for you and your kids to have some fun together this summer! At the bottom of the list, we’ve included a bonus activity so be sure to scroll all the way through!

1. Local Parks & Playgrounds

    Pack a picnic and head out to a local park!

• Carl Miller Park
• Neighborhood Playgrounds

2. Dollar Movies

Did you know that many movie theaters have dollar movie days/mornings?

Regal Cinemas offers $1 movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings throughout the summer. Check their website for specific details. Sit back and enjoy a kids' feature in the air conditioning!

3. Hiking

Put on comfy shoes and head out to explore nature. Make sure you pack extra water and snacks!

• Line Creek Nature Area
• Kennesaw Mountain (Civil War history may interest older kids!)
• Chattahoochee Bend State Park

4. Library

Libraries have lots of resources and fun for kids other than just books. Head over to your local library to find out what they have going on during the week. Sometimes they give free classes and read books to the kids!

5. Go Swimming

Find a friend with a pool or visit your neighborhood pool. Maybe there's a lake that you love to go to as well. Make sure to jump in and enjoying splashing and playing with your kids!

• Lake Lanier - There are many areas within Lake Lanier, so don't feel like you just have to go to the main section!
• Lake Martin
• West Point Lake

6. Make Slime

Find out how to make slime and where to buy materials HERE!

7. Sprinklers or Slip n’ Slide

Sprinklers may not sound thrilling to us as adults, but for kids, it’s the best! Running around with the water falling is great and having a slip n’ slide is even better!

8. Ride Bikes

Riding bikes around the neighborhood is fun, but there are also plenty of places to ride bikes in Peachtree City and at Callaway Gardens!

9. Catch Bugs

Buy a little bug catcher or use a jar and let your kids find crickets, ladybugs, caterpillars, and other fun bugs to watch. Magnifying glasses are available at dollar stores to get a really close view!

10. Play Sports

Playing sports is always a fun time during the summer. Grab a ball or frisbee and get outside! Use stools, hula hoops, or other items to make an obstacle course in your yard. Time each other to see who makes it through the fastest!

11. Make S’mores

S’mores by the fire are so yummy, but did you know that you can also make s’mores in the microwave on those rainy days? Click HERE to find out how!

12. Build a Fort - Blankets or Cardboard Boxes

Building a fort is a classic! If you don't have boxes, place a large blanket over the kitchen table, and everyone can crawl inside. Use flashlights and tell stories or read. Don’t miss out on indoor "camping!"

13. Bake Cookies

Baking and decorating cookies is not only fun for the kids, it’s also beneficial for you! 

14. Pick Berries at a Farm

Head over to a local farm and pick some blueberries or strawberries!

• Whitley Farms
• Adams Farms

15. Water Balloons

Let your kids get outside and fill up some water balloons. Have a water balloon war and see who wins! For older kids, use sidewalk chalk to draw targets with points on the driveway and play water balloon "darts."

16. Finger Painting

The good thing about summer is that you can do so much outside. Grab some paint and old clothes and let the kids use their hands to create art. Let your kids paint with inexpensive household items for cool textures (i.e. toothbrushes, hairbrushes, small brooms, or combs).

17. Sidewalk Chalk

The awesome part about sidewalk chalk is that you can draw over and over again. As soon as that chalk washes away, the kids can draw again! Trace each other on the pavement and create your own chalk "selfies!"

18. Bowling

Bowling alleys often provide special discount offers. Check out your local bowling alley’s website to find a day to go!

19. Music

Turn on some music, play dress up, and get to dancing! Everyone loves a good beat.

20. Sno Cones or Popsicles

Buy a shaved ice maker or just some ice trays with popsicle sticks. Put some soda or juice in the ice trays, put in the popsicle sticks, and in just a few hours, you’ll have refreshing popsicles!

21. Bubbles

Who doesn't love bubbles? Head over to Walmart or the Dollar Store to get a couple of different sizes of bubbles and wands!    

22. Water Color Painting

Get outside or set up a painting table for water color painting. A spray bottle filled with water color paint is also a fun way to paint an old bed sheet or tablecloth. 

23. Picnic

Enjoy an outdoor picnic at a local park or even in your backyard! Let the kids make the sandwiches and help pack up the snacks. Have them take their favorite beach towel or blanket to sit on.

24. Make Tie-Dye Clothes

Learn how to make tie-dye clothes HERE!

25. Decorate Cookies or Cupcakes

Pop some cookie dough or cupcake batter into the oven and get the icing ready! Give each child a container of icing and let them spread it on. Get creative with fun toppings such as brownie pieces, sprinkles, Reese's, M&M's, Skittles, or other small candies.

26. Marble Painting

Get an old or cheap container (foil baking pans work great!), some marbles, a piece of blank paper, and paint. Give one to each kid and have them rock the containers back and forth to make the marbles roll through the paint and create art! Click HERE to see how.

BONUS:

Sign up for Summer eXplosion! 

Join us for Summer eXplosion from June 13 - June 15 at our Thomas Crossroads Campus! Each day, we will have activities for rising Kindergarteners - rising 6th Grade from 9:00AM - 12:00PM. 

There will be skits during large group times to learn about the Bible, small group activities where the kids will learn more about Jesus, crafts, fun games outside, and a water day! Your kids will not want to miss out on all of the fun at Summer eXplosion!

Do you have more suggestions?

Let us know by commenting below!

The Discontentment of a Pastor

How about that title for an attention grabber? Yes folks, it is true that even pastors experience discontentment. That is not to say that it is right to be discontent. Actually it is quite the opposite. It is sin, and one that we all too often excuse and even embrace. In my life, I have seen how sinful and troubling discontentment can be. See if this resonates with you.

Anxiety Starts It All

I have anxiety when I worry about the uncertainty of the ministries I lead. Will people sign up for events? Will folks come to church? Will the folks I lead day-to-day follow where I am trying to lead them? All these are my fears and my sinful worrying over things that I have no control over and have not even happened yet. God speaks directly to this in 1 Peter.  

1 Peter 5:6-7  6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Anxiety Leads to Frustration

I am frustrated when my hopes and dreams don’t pan out. I find my mood and attitude towards the rest of life is dictated by circumstances that I don’t always have control over. All of this frustration is rooted in my desire to please men. I am not seeking to please God first when these frustrations rule my life. I want to be seen as important. I want to be someone that leads big things. I want to be exalted. I want to have no weakness and no difficulty. That is the essence of sin! God speaks directly to this as well.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10  7 So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Frustrations Left Unchecked Create Discontentment

At times I live in the mire of discontentment. I forget to cast my anxiety on God with my job, my family, my friends, my hobbies; you name it, I have been discontent with it all. Unless I confess my fears and my frustrations, I will never see a way out of this discontentment.

What about you? What are your fears? Those fears lead to frustrations when what you hope would happen doesn’t happen. Maybe you have to kill yourself to get the job done, the promotion you are wanting doesn’t come, you don’t have the money and the bills are coming in, you don’t know what to do in a tough time in your marriage, you feel set aside by folks that you want to be closest to. You have to think through these questions. You have to deal with what is really going on in your heart. If you cannot do that, pray what the Psalmist prayed.  

Psalm 139:23-24  23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

When as children we were afraid of the monster in our closet, we were comforted by the words of our parents assuring us there was nothing to fear. When as children we were frustrated over some disappointment in our lives, it was the assurance and love of our parents that showed us there would still be tomorrow and that perhaps God had another way. In the same way, we must listen to the words of our heavenly Father.

Dear friend… You must understand that lasting contentment will never be found in your desires or in your ability to avoid frustration. It will only be found when your desire is for God’s will. Discontentment will always be our problem when we refuse to hear what our loving heavenly Father says to dispel our fears and frustrations. We must begin to see past what we want to what God is doing in our lives.  

Philippians 4:11-13  11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Are you discontented? Do you feel like I have felt? Discontentment is a sin because it takes our eyes off of the eternal truth that God is sovereign and is at work in His world. Your circumstances aren’t random, and they are not a surprise to God. Your path to freedom today begins when you confess and receive God’s grace in forgiveness. Then you begin to obey what we see in God’s word and joyfully follow your loving Father in His plan and work in His world.

Read more from Matt Smith HERE

Disciples Never Graduate

This is the time of year when students are graduating. People at all levels of education are “walking,” as they say, and receiving their diplomas. As graduations take place all around me, the thought occurred to me that disciples never graduate. Learning never stops in the school of discipleship!

On this side of eternity we will never figure it all out. We will never understand it all. We will never finish the course. We will never arrive spiritually. We are forever in the school of learning what it means to live like Jesus.

Character and conduct require a lifetime of continual development. All the discipleship notebooks in the world won’t get you to a place where character development is complete. All the fill in the blank outlines will never bring you to a point where your conduct is fully transformed.

For the rest of your life you will need the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the People of God to help you become more like the Son of God. Stay committed to the classroom of discipleship!

If you have grown tired of small groups, accountability, scripture memory, Bible discussion, outreach projects, and prayer–it is time to re-enroll. The disciples of Christ never graduated. They never ceased to grow and learn how to be disciples and how to build more disciples.

Someone once said, “The best time to grow an oak tree was ten years ago. The next best time is today.” Don’t waste ten years, one year, or even a day not being in an environment of growth. Make a commitment today to be part of a disciple-making small group.

One day you will “walk.” Let that day be the day you enter into eternity. Until then, keep learning and growing and stay enrolled in the school of discipleship.

The Remarkable Power of One's Influence

I was having a conversation with a friend and fellow father a short while ago. When we are together our conversations usually become creative dream sessions. We share vision, discuss opportunities, and dream of possibilities. It is quite invigorating for a personality like mine. I love the startup, the creative process, and the activation of great ideas.

During a recent conversation, we discussed the success of two individuals whose work we both admire. These two individuals were friends who were impacted greatly by one friend’s father. We concluded that if that father never accomplished another thing the influence he had on those two boys was great enough accomplishment. The effect of his influence is now being felt worldwide through the influence of those two friends.

Many of us long for positions of influence, prestige, and notoriety. Many push to influence the masses without understanding that influencing one or two could have just as great an impact on the world. I like to think of this way of thinking as the ripple effect. Many sit on the side of the shore afraid to ever cast a rock in the water. They think, "What’s the use? It will have no effect. The size of this rock is too small." It does not matter the perceived size of one’s influence. Everyone can be a person of influence.

Regardless of the size of one’s influence, the effects continue even when they become seemingly unnoticeable. Just like the small rock thrown into the lake. The water ripples for a second and seems to dissipate, but, unnoticed to the naked eye, the molecules continue to move.

As parents we are given the wonderful opportunity to daily impact the life of another. Our children may very well be our legacy. We should leverage our influence to lead our children well. If we are doing a good job at this, our children will begin to mirror our behavior and lead others around them. Teach them to lead up, down, and sideways. We can lead up to our bosses, teachers, and coaches. We can lead down to those we manage, and we can lead sideways to all our friends, family members, teammates, and coworkers. Whether you choose to lead one, two, or many, there will be lasting effects.

What dreams do you have? Who is currently leading you? Whom are you currently leading?

“‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." - Jeremiah 3:15 (ESV) 

Looking on the Inside

The Bible tells us that believers have God’s power to overcome the world (1 John 5:4). By overcoming the world, Christians should have different standards by which we live or treat others. For example, if the world equates outward beauty with acceptance and worth, then we should strive to see people God’s way, by looking on the inside. 

Growing up, I loved to hear my grandma recall a story about how she went to a fancy dress shop one day with a pocket full of cash to purchase a new dress. She was in a hurry after working in the yard. Her hair was not styled, and she wore an old cotton dress, her typical work clothes. But she “went to town” anyway because she needed that dress.

However, she left the boutique that day with her stack of money and no dress. The fashionable ladies who worked in the shop refused to assist her. They turned up their noses at her unkempt appearance assuming she couldn’t afford to purchase their clean, crisp couture.

Her story did not end there. Having all but forgotten about her previous experience, several months later she returned to the shop. This time, however, she went to browse. She had no money to spend, and her pockets were empty. Since she was “going to town,” she set her hair, applied her bright red lipstick, and donned the nicest thing she owned: a long, brown coat with a mink collar.

The attention she received at the boutique this visit was quite different. The sales ladies fawned over her, offered her a seat, and even brought her some hot tea. Little did they know, she was broke and had no money to spend at all.

How often are we like the ladies in the boutique? How often do we assume others are not worthy because their lives are messy, unkempt, and not like ours? It’s difficult to see others outside of our own experience “glasses,” but thankfully God doesn’t operate that way.

In 1 Samuel, God sends Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel. But even Samuel, God’s prophet, falls into the trap of looking at the most attractive and strongest as the best when he sees David’s older brother, Eliab. 

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

People come and go in our lives. How many times have we discounted someone because of an unattractive appearance? A disability? Poor hygiene? An unfamiliar accent? The list could be endless. We may have missed a huge blessing from God because we avoided a person with tremendous wisdom or gifts that God meant for us to receive.

Or on the flip side, how often have we seen ourselves as unworthy because we didn’t “fit the mold?” Have you believed God could not use you, or people wouldn’t accept you in a certain ministry role based on your outward appearance or affliction? How many opportunities to do a great work for the Lord were missed because of your own perceived limitations?

I’m grateful God looks on the inside. I’m so thankful He doesn’t look at us through worldly lenses. Let us all aspire to look past the world’s standards and into the heart of each person we meet.

Firm and Secure

The two words, Firm and Secure, remind me of a particular trip with my family. We were camping in the North Georgia Mountains and decided to go hiking. We were walking through this area and then all of a sudden the terrain changed, and we found ourselves amongst boulders of granite as big as homes and cars. We were so amazed and excited that we did what everyone does when they see big rocks...We starting climbing all over them! Of course we had to get to the top of the biggest one, right!?

I don’t mean to make myself sound all spiritual, but to be honest, in that moment I did think of the Scriptures that describe God as our rock and refuge. I had my wife take a picture of me standing on the rock as I held my walking stick over my head like I was the victor! This was personal because, to be honest, I was at a low point in my life where I did not feel like I was strong or the winner of anything! I wanted a picture to always remind me of the truth that God is my Rock.

Just this morning I read Hebrews 6 and the words “Firm and Secure” jumped out to me from verses 18-19. “…we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul," ‘Firm and Secure’…

These two words describe our hope and faith! The writer to the Hebrews wanted them to be strong in their faith and to not waiver or “fall away” from the truth of who Jesus is and what He had done for them. Honestly, there are times, and probably will be times ahead of each of us, when our faith is challenged, and, if we are dependent upon ourselves and our own footing, we will most likely slip and fall. But here’s the beauty of it…our faith is “Firm and Secure,” not because of our strength but because of who our God is. He is our Rock! The Bible says in Psalm 18:2  - “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (CSB)

Psalm 9:10 says, “Those who know your name trust in you…” (CSB). One of God’s names is El Sal’i, God my Rock! The more you get to know someone the more you will trust that person, and that's the simple truth of Psalm 9:10. Get to know your God, and you will trust Him because of who He is…your Lord is El Sal’i, your rock! The next time you see a rock, big or small, remember…because of who He is, you are and can always be…”Firm and Secure!”

The Weeds of Anger

Well it’s spring time, and if your yard is anything like mine, you are looking at a bunch of weeds. The overwhelming urge is to just crank up the mower and chop them up quickly and easily, but the weeds will only keep popping up unless they are pulled up by the roots. Anger can be the same way. What happens when we don’t dig deep enough and get to the roots of our anger? We will deal with troubling and noxious weeds in our hearts and minds for a long time.  

Anger is defined as a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong, wrath, or ire. The wrong that we suffer requires forgiveness to move past it. Without forgiveness the strong feelings we have will not go away.

“Anger is never static. If it is not dealt with, it will grow…” – Jerry Bridges (Respectable Sins). Anger will grow like weeds. It will spread places you don't want it and will multiply faster the longer it's allowed to stay.  

Anger Becomes Resentment

Unresolved anger becomes resentment. We resent people because we don't speak of our anger and deal with it. That may be because of fear, it may be because we do not care enough to do it, or it may be because the offender isn't around or close enough to confront. No matter the reason anger develops and grows…  

Resentment Progresses into Bitterness

Resentment progresses into bitterness when we do not resolve our issues with the wrong doer. Bitterness is different from resentment because as it grows it shows up as inactions. We avoid someone with whom we are bitter. They have become more than a hurt, they are now an enemy. Our anger has now grown to where someone that we should call our brother or sister is now our adversary...

Bitterness Becomes Hostility

When bitterness is left to grow it becomes hostility. This is where we see our hurt feelings take action. You're holding a grudge, which leads to actual plans to retaliate or get revenge. This action leads to strife among friends and family. All of this is traced back to your unresolved anger and escalates from a simple feeling to actions that wound others who may not have even been involved.  

I know this chain of events personally, and I'm willing to bet that you do too. My hurt causes my anger, which grows into resentment and leads me to become bitter. It eventually makes me hostile in my nature towards anything that feels like the original pain. It is wrong and sinful. My anger is a sin and should be dealt with. I may never get the response I desire from those that have wronged me, but that doesn’t change the fact that I must confess my anger and grant forgiveness full and free.

How Did Joseph Deal with Anger?

Beginning in the 37th chapter of Genesis, we have the story of Joseph--a man we should identify with on this subject.

• Sold by his brothers into slavery (only because one brother was too scared to kill him) for being an annoying favored younger brother (not his fault, just who he was).
• Accused of rape by his master’s foul temptress of a wife. Sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
• Forgotten in prison by men who swore to plead his case with the authorities.
• We don’t specifically see in scripture that Joseph remained calm and always tender towards his wrong doers but can see that he was a trusted man, and his actions reflect someone who was not bitter or driven to revenge.  

Joseph must have been angry, but he found some way to keep the weeds of anger from filling his life. I believe it was his deep love for God that allowed him to lay aside anger. His love for God overshadowed all the wrongs that could happen to him. His desire to honor and serve God was larger than his desire to exact revenge on those who had wounded him. And he did not have the benefit of the full scriptures that we now have. If you are dealing with this issue in your life listen to scripture and do what it says.  

Ephesians 4:25-32  

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Let Go of Your Anger

Right now, before you close this tab on your browser, write down what you are angry about. Confess it to God first. Then take time to think about how you can speak the truth to your neighbor, not lashing out in hostility, and express your problem with him or her. Give forgiveness no matter the response and walk away free from the weeds of anger in your life. It is so much easier to hold on to your rage and anger, but the hard work of confessing and dealing with our sin is life giving. Trust God and deal with it today!

[Dr. Jerry Bridges' book, Respectable Sins, is a work that every believer should at some point pick up and read. I owe much of what I wrote today to his work because it changed my life and how I view sins that I once excused. This post was written in light of what I learned, and I hope that it encourages you as well.]

You're God's "Plan A"

There are 7,609,617,230 people besides you living on planet Earth right now. That number increases by an average of 97,400 people every day. Over 326,000,000 of those people live in the United States of America, the third most populated nation on Earth. 10,500,000 Americans reside in the state of Georgia, and close to 140,000 Georgia residents live right here in our county. 

For a guy with my personality, these are exciting numbers. I am a relationally driven extrovert with a natural desire for connection and conversation. A day filled with abundant human interaction excites and energizes me, especially when the dialogue moves beyond ordinary small talk or a brief greeting. I cannot interact with every person on the planet, but population data reminds us that there are plentiful connection opportunities for us each day. More importantly, there are lots and lots of unique souls alive right now that God loves deeply and sent His son to die for.

Whether your personality is like mine or not, God’s clear design is for human beings to interact with one another regularly. No one is wired for or intended to live in isolation, but sadly, modern research indicates our world is more lonely and socially deprived than ever. The non-stop progression of technology and increasing consumer convenience are making everyday interaction less common or even necessary. Some of us no longer shop for our own groceries, and perhaps the majority of your daily “socializing” occurs while staring at a soul-less screen. “Social” media has hardly made us more social; more likely, it has made us more cynical and judgmental of the people around us. 

Despite these cultural shifts and the decrease of everyday human interaction, God’s plan to the reach the world remains unchanged. We, God’s dearly loved sons and daughters, are Plan A for reaching those around us. There is no Plan B. 2 Corinthians 5:20 reminds us that we are Christ’s ambassadors, and He is making His appeal to the world through us. Therefore, we must pursue one another with the love of Christ and consistently connect with each other through conversation and shared community. It’s not a convenient or narcissistic plan. It’s not the path of least resistance, and it will require that we tear down the barriers we have put in place to shield ourselves from others. Godly love and authentic connection require self denial, sacrifice, and a servant’s heart. 

I challenge you to renew your commitment to connection, conversation, and community with others this week. Invite people to church or work on building relationships with those around you. Don’t be afraid of strangers! Everyone you come in contact with deserves a warm, personalized invitation. Don’t let your non-social media platforms do all your talking and interacting for you. God didn’t have Facebook posts and creative digital graphics in mind when He commanded us to love others and make disciples. Jesus began His ministry on Earth by establishing genuine relationships and personally inviting people to be a part of the greatest mission of all time. The strategy of God has been the same ever since. It works, and you were designed to be a part of it. Make it your priority to speak up and speak into the lives of those around you!

Worship with Your Whole Heart

"I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol." -Psalm 86:12-13

The Psalmist says that he gives thanks with his WHOLE heart! Compartmentalizing and thanking God in part is not an option for David. If we hold back a portion of our heart as we approach the Lord with thanksgiving, we are clearly communicating that we disagree with or do not appreciate something that has taken place in our lives. That is the root issue—sometimes we believe that we would be more effective “gods.” We buy in to the lie that we know what is best for us. As a result, our worship is half-hearted...crippled.

So here is the question- If our WHOLE heart is required to be biblically, and truly grateful, then what is the condition of our hearts? Are we worshiping and thanking God with a heart that has been beat down, ripped apart, broken, poisoned, abused, or mishandled? God is the one who has the ability to restore the condition of our hearts. If we allow Him to, then we are able to truly love and thank Him with our "made WHOLE again" hearts. So as we grow in faith, in order to experience the fullness of gratitude, the challenge is to give God space to work in us...to restore what needs restoration, to heal what needs healing.

Space means solitude, silence... The distractions of our fast-paced way of life make connecting with God nearly impossible. How can we engage with God if we are always connected to a million other things? God is omnipresent, we are not. I would challenge you to make an intentional decision to disconnect, so that you can connect with your creator, savior, and friend. Put down the phone, the computer, or whatever is keeping you connected to thousands of people and intentionally create space for God to speak to you.

God's love for us is steadfast; it will never change, it will never fail. And if that is not enough to evoke worship in our hearts, the last part of Psalm 86:13 says, "you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol."  Sheol is death or Hades. David understood it to be a "place of darkness to which all the dead go, both the righteous and the unrighteous, regardless of moral choices made in life, a place of stillness and darkness cut off from life and from God." For those who believe in Jesus, they have been saved from Sheol-- from darkness and separation from God. So THANK HIM! With your WHOLE, healed heart. He is worthy of praise and gratitude.

The God Who Sees Me

The story about Hagar, Sarai’s Egyptian slave, has always intrigued me and pulled on my heart. A few years ago I realized why her story connected with me so much. Although we didn’t have the same situation, we experienced the same feelings. I have learned a lot about my relationship with God through the name that Hagar gave Him in the midst of her struggles with loneliness and hurt. Because I have also felt hurt and alone, this story continues to speak to me every day.

Who is Hagar?

In Genesis 16, Hagar was pregnant with Abraham’s son, Ishmael, because Abraham’s wife, Sarai, had not been able to conceive a baby. Sarai wanted to have a child through Hagar because she thought that she and Abraham could fulfill God’s promise if they did this (Crazy, right?). But when Hagar got pregnant, Sarai became jealous and started treating her badly. Because of this, Hagar fled, risking her and her baby's life. She was hurt and conflicted about her situation and didn't know what else to do.

When Hagar ran away, she felt alone and hurt in the middle of nowhere, but God showed up and spoke to her. He encouraged her and gave her hope. 

Hagar felt hurt, broken, and confused. Why had she been treated poorly when she was only doing what she was told? Hagar didn’t feel safe, and she didn’t know what to do with her life. God came to her in the desert when she was hopeless and helpless, and He showed her that she was not alone. 

El Roi - The God Who Sees Me

She gave this name [El Roi] to the Lord who spoke to her. “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” -Genesis 16:13

In Genesis 16:13, Hagar responded to God by giving Him the name El Roi, “the God who sees me.” She didn’t call Him this because He saw her faults. She called Him this because He saw her in her loneliness. He saw her in her pain. He saw her in her struggles. He saw her in her confusion. He was with her and came to her when she ran away, so He could encourage her. 

Many of us feel like we live life in the shadows. Our efforts go unseen. Our pain goes unseen. The lack of encouragement wears us down. Our identity is easily shaken by the people around us and the circumstances we face. But the truth is we have the God of the universe meeting us where we are, because He sees every little thing in us. The crazy thing is that He sees everything in us, and He still pursues us and is excited about who we are. When we feel brought down by the people around us, He is working on our hearts and building us into who HE wants us to be, not who everyone else does or doesn’t see us as.

You Are Seen

We don’t have to try to get God’s attention. He already sees us, and He reaches out. He meets us where we are whether we are happy, sad, hurt, confused, trying our best, or at our worst. Even when we don't realize it, He is pursuing us. We don't have to rely on people's opinions, impressing others, or proving ourselves. We don't have to rely on compliments or affirmation from anyone, because we have God our Father meeting us where we are and giving us everything we need. In Genesis 16:13 Hagar says, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” She realized this piece of God's identity, and she responded. All you have to do is respond to knowing that our God is the God who sees you.

Be Still and Know

I am a worrier. I have always been a person who worries. Once I became a mom, my worry hit a whole new level. I think about the bad that can happen, and many times it truly ruins my day. Do you do that? Do you worry to the point of taking the joy out of the day? If so, you know exactly what I am talking about.

As I have grown deeper in my relationship with the Lord my worries are less frequent, but Satan, the prowling lion, waits until I am vulnerable and pounces. That's how Satan works. He waits until you are vulnerable, and then he strikes. But lucky for us, the Lord has already won!  

In the midst of our vulnerability we must remember Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” Why must we Be Still? In order to hear from the Lord, you must listen. You can't hear in the chaos; you need to be still.  The Lord can't speak to you when your complete attention is on something else...whether it be work, social media, simple everyday tasks, or just being plain busy. When we are focused on the day-to-day grind, we lose sight of the Lord. Satan gets us where he wants us. That's the perfect time for the worry to strike, or maybe for you, it's not worry but stress, or anxiety, or temptation. Whatever it may be, you are under attack. You lose sight of what the Lord has already done and will continue to do for you.  

So how can we be still? Remember how I said the closer I am to the Lord the less I worry? That's the key - your relationship with the Lord. Make time daily for the Lord. Spend time with the Lord, read His word, pray and disconnect from the distractions for a little bit. Allow this to be the time that you are still and listening. To be still is to stop, to be quiet, to be patient, to wait and listen.

We can't forget that our Lord is the Creator, the one who has numbered every hair on our heads. Talk to the Lord during your stillness and remember during this time you are building your relationship with Him. No relationship is going to be successful with one way communication. I guess I should go ahead and say, sometimes even when you are still and listening, the Lord won’t answer right away. The answer could possibly be found in the waiting or maybe just knowing He is the Almighty is enough.

This brings me to the next part of the verse. "And Know!…Know that I am God." God created the world for us. Then He created you and He created me in His image. Not because He didn’t care, but because He cared so much for you to have a relationship with Him. He values knowing you, and He desires for you to know Him. In order for you to know God, you must realize how valuable you are to Him. We are so valuable that He sent His one and only Son to DIE on a cross to save US from the sin of the world.

God is with us, and He never leaves us nor forsakes us! During points in life there are both mountain peaks and valleys. God is there through it all. Knowing Him is trusting Him, knowing is having faith that can’t be shaken. In your times of vulnerability you must be still and know. To know is to realize that God is larger than this world and has overcome the battle of death, so you may have eternal life with Him.

Proverbs 3:5 tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Trust God in this journey and know that He is for you. I encourage you today to take time to Be Still and Know. In the busyness, Be Still and Know. In the chaos, Be Still and Know. 

FAMILY Part 2: Awareness

My 4 year old son started playing basketball for his first team sport experience. In the driveway playing by himself, he has pretty impressive shooting, defending, and dribbling skills for his age. However, get him on the court, and it's another story. He struggles to use his skills and pay attention to where the ball is at the same time. Most of the time, he is unaware of what's going on during the game.

Here's the point: Awareness of your role is just as important as having the skills to carry it out. I wonder how many parents are unaware that they are called to be the lead faith trainers in their children’s lives.  

If we are going to raise up a generation of children who transform the world by living out their faith in schools, neighborhoods, work and communities, we must be aware of our call as parents to be the lead faith trainers. It's our job to take the lead in communicating and living out our faith in Jesus Christ.

To start, our effectiveness in this role depends on our personal relationship with Jesus. This is not a job you can hand to your youth pastor or senior pastor. Being the lead faith trainer takes focus and time. Even though this is a huge calling, God will supply all your needs. You have what it takes to be the lead faith trainer of your family.   

Even the busiest parents can be effective by taking advantage of some key moments in each day. These key moments are found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. In this passage, Moses is speaking to Hebrew families that are about to enter the Promised Land. He knows the land is full of provision, and it will be easy for families to be tempted to depend on their own effort and forget to depend upon The Lord. Below is what God has to say to families of the past, present and future. 

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Based on this passage, these are 5 practical ideas you as a parent can implement to make the most out of the time you have with your children.  

1. Be the Model

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."

As parents, we are to model a life of faith in Jesus Christ. We have all heard "more is taught than caught." It is impossible to give what you don’t have. We are to live in such a way that our children see us relying on the Lord, going to God in prayer, and opening up His Word every single day. This is the most powerful tool in your parenting tool kit. 

2. Take Advantage of Meal Times

"when you sit in your house"

Make mealtimes count. There are few times in a day when technology is off, and everyone is together around the table. Use this time wisely to invest in your children. There are a few things we do at each meal we share together. Try these or come up with your own:

1) We pray and give thanks to God.

2) We catch up on sports and/or school.

3) Everyone shares five things that they are grateful for.

Don’t beat yourself up if you miss meals together occasionally, but do try to gather the family together for a meal at least a couple times a week.

3. Make the Most of Travel Time

"when you walk by the way"

Not many of us walk to work, but most of us drive with our families to school, sports, or other events. I think drive time gives us a unique opportunity to build relationships. Challenge yourself to turn off the radio and listen to your children. Sometimes kids are more open in a car than they are at home. When given the opportunity, make sure to speak God’s Word into the situation or circumstance they may be going through.

4. Waking Up in the Morning

"when you rise"

I believe there is no greater time to instill purpose in your family than in the morning as they rise. Remind them that they are children of God, and He has an awesome plan and purpose for their lives. Remind them that God is bigger than anything they will face that day whether at school or other environments.

5. Before Going to Bed at Night

"when you lie down"

Ending the day well will help set up the next day for success. Each night, my wife, Christin, and I open God’s Word and pray with our children. We always try to relate what we read to their lives. 

Don’t get me wrong, Christin and I mess up at this parenting thing at least once a day, and we are still relatively new parents. My heart here is to encourage even the busiest parents. It is important to spend time with our kids. More than that though, we must understand the role we have as the lead faith trainers and use our time wisely to invest in our children.

Check out FAMILY Part 1 HERE

How to Defeat Anxiety

Anxiety is an inappropriate fear. Now before you completely check out on me, give me a minute and follow me through the full argument. The dictionary definition of anxiety is as follows:  "Anxiety: a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome." 

You see, anxiety is simply fear of an outcome that we cannot control. Because we cannot control the situation, we are gripped by the fear of what may or may not come to pass. Fear in and of itself is not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, we see in scripture that it is a good thing when put in its proper place.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever!" -Psalm 111:10

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction." -Proverbs 1:7

There is no worry or unease when we fear God. God is perfect and just, forgiving our sins and giving us new mercies every day. When we fear him we actually become wise and have true incorruptible knowledge. There is an “equation” that will help us understand this better.

God’s Sovereignty + God’s Purposes = Our Good and His Glory

When we understand that God is sovereign and that He has a purpose in all He does, we can truly trust that is it for our good and for his glory, and there is nothing to fear in what we cannot control!

Philippians 4:4-9 says:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, 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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

The Secret to True Peace: Prayerfully Trust in God.

Our action -our call to duty- is to reject the worry caused by dwelling on our own wants and desires, but instead to constantly think on the true and life-giving properties of God’s nature. We have to trust Him, and we will have peace!

We don’t often seek God in our troubles. We look to fix them ourselveS…

Where are the places that we seek to escape our inappropriate fear? How do we manifest our anxiety? We chase lustful desires and turn to pornography. We escape the world and turn to the virtual world of video games where we can control everything. We lose ourselves in TV and movies that only reinforce our fears and anxieties. Perhaps we even self medicate with alcohol and drugs looking to forget the anxiety for a time...

Do NOT seek refuge or peace in the world. There are no actions and habits that you cultivate today that will not affect you in the future. Becoming a person of prayer and seeking refuge in God when you have crushing fear is the only true peace giving habit and escape. You see, peace is a fruit that is born out of trust. We must stare straight into our doubt and worry and remind ourselves that God is on his throne. He loves us and His peace will guard our hearts when we trust in Him.

Prayer Guide for You Today:

• Praise God for the peace that he provides. Praise Him for the things He has done and will do in your life.
• Confess the things that you worry about. Spend time telling God about the weights that hold you down and thoughts that plague your mind.
• Ask God to forgive our nation and heal our land. Pray for revival in our hearts and the hearts of the people of Newnan. Thank God for the good in your life. What can you praise Him for?
• Pray for members of your small group and their daily needs. If you don’t have a group or know their concerns, pray for yours.

Living a Spirit-Filled Life

Today is a new day! A new year is underway, and it is filled with potential as each new day brings a fresh start….a reset…a time to pause and allow the Creator of all things, God, our heavenly Father, to transform our lives one morning at a time. I’m talking 365 days a year.

A day becomes a week, becomes a month, becomes an entire year of seeking God and experiencing the transforming power of His presence 24/7…365. Can you imagine the possibilities? Every time I begin to imagine the possibilities of what God can do in my life, I am reminded of what it says in Ephesians 3:20.     

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Where do you need to see the power of God displayed in your life? What would happen in your broken relationships? Do you need a plan for your finances? Where are you struggling? Are you just going through the motions lost without purpose? Do you want to change, but just don’t know where or how to start? 

The great news is that you aren’t alone! God is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine. That is an incredible promise straight from God’s word. As a child of God, His power (the Holy Spirit) is at work within you. If that doesn’t fill you with hope, I don’t know what will.  

Too many times we live a defeated life because we simply refuse to unleash the power of the Holy Spirit in our every day lives. We look to God and call on Him for the really BIG things, but when it comes to our everyday lives, we approach it with an "I’ve got this" attitude. I don’t know why we do this, but, before you know it our prideful, self-sufficient attitude gets in the way and keeps us from experiencing immeasurably more that we could ask or imagine. 

It’s time we set our pride aside…no, it’s time we hand our pride over to the Holy Spirit and exchange it for humility. We need to come humbled before God, and ask Him to take not just the big things but our moment-by-moment everyday lives also. Here are some passages of scripture I’ve incorporated into my time with God to help me become less self-sufficient and more God dependent.

• Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:8
• Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Psalm 143:10
• Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8
• Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

Each day is filled with possibilities. Where we end up this year is determined greatly by how we begin each day. Will we set our hearts and minds on God, surrendering to His Holy Spirit, or will we let pride and self-sufficiency continue to reign over our lives? My prayer is that this year will be a year yielded to the Holy Spirit fulfilling the purposes of God in my life. What about you?