Yesterday’s message had the ABC and D’s in it. (I’m so witty!) We opened the new series “Natural Encounters with a SuperNatural God” with the story of Lazarus. Looking over how Jesus’ navigated that situation led me to understand His power and love a little bit more.

A – Walk in His AUTHORITY!

Jesus commanded Death to release its hold. We don’t need to sit back and kindly ask darkness to flee, we command it through His power. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58)

B – Be BALANCED in your reactions!

Jesus didn’t let circumstances rule Him. He balanced His emotions and reactions with His purpose. Are you allowing your circumstances to get the best of you? Jesus allowed bad situations to show His glory. (2 Timothy 1:7 / Romans 8:28)

C – Be driven by COMPASSION!

People seem to believe that God is emotionless when it comes to us. The scripture John 11:35 tells us different. His compassion for us is great. (Hebrews 4:15)

D – Operate from His DEFEAT over sin!

Jesus always operated from a state of victory not as a victim. Too many Christians walk around defeated already. Where is your trust? Whom are you believing in? Jesus defeated it all. (John 10:10)

MR

Posted: August 8th, 2011 under Leadership, Life Stuff.
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On Sunday I shared about the story of the servants and the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The part that stood out to me was the end.

Matthew 25:29-30 “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Whoa…are we really being good stewards of our blessings? Are we really bearing fruit that people desire to want in their own life? As Christians I believe most of us suck at making fruit. Most of our fruit is rotten and unappealing to others. God desires for our lives to be so filled with His blessings that people want to be part of it. Check out what the Word says about “fruit”.

John 7:16-20 “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

So what is “fruit”? I believe from the standpoint of God’s Word that “fruit” is the evidence of Blessing, Growth and Abundance in our life. Just as natural growth should be part of getting older, we need to continue to grow in our spiritual life as well. Unfortunately many of us are like the 3rd servant. We hide our talent (blessings) in the ground and figure this is the safest and best way to live life. How can we get hurt or burned out if we just play it safe? I believe we should live a life of adventure. The blessings that we all possess (and yes we are all VERY blessed) should be on display in our everyday lives. Here’s some ways people will know us by our “fruit”:

You will know them by…
-how they act when they have money and when they don’t.
-how they act when the pressure of life gets turned up or when things are going great.
-how they respond when the Holy Spirit shows up.
-what they value and devalue.
-their Facebook status. (oops….check your status right now)
-their spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend.
-where their money goes to.
-their reputation at work/school.

What kind of fruit are you bearing? Will people desire to know more of God after knowing you? Do you shine forth His goodness, grace, mercy and love? Do people radiate with His glory after spending time communicating with you?

We’ve each been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to allow us to be more blessed than we could ever be alone. It’s not you that does these great things, but it’s Him, THROUGH YOU, that gives you the power to do great things (John 15:4). Let’s bear the fruit that shines His glory and illuminates His majesty. Come on Church….BE the Church. The beautiful bride that God has called us to be.

We are a Blessed people and through our blessings we can help usher in the Kingdom of God!

MR

Posted: July 29th, 2011 under Culture/Society, Leadership.
Comments: none

15 Things I’ve learned over 50 years of ministry

Chuck Swindoll

National Religious Broadcasters 2011

1. Tell people how you feel about them now, not later.  Before it is too late.

2. Things I’m not even aware of are being noticed and remembered by others.  Little things mean so much to people.

3. Being real is a lot better than trying to look pious.  Authenticity.  Pursuing holiness is good, but acting like you think you are holy stinks!

4. When things fit, they flow.  When they don’t fit, they have to be forced.  Forcing things is usually a mistake.  Wait for God to make it fit.  When God is in it there is a flow to it.

5. It doesn’t pay to talk anybody into or out of a big decision.  A good book is “Leading Without Power” by Max De Pree

6. Days of maintenance are a lot more in number than days of magnificence.

7. Some people aren’t going to change no matter what.  It’s our job to love them.  It’s God’s job to change them.

8. I seldom feel sorry for things I did not say.  When thinking about saying something on the ‘edge’ to someone, ask self:  is it kind?  Is it confidential?  Is it necessary?  Is it true?  Am I the one who should say it?

9. Perception overshadows reality.

10. Time spent with my family is always worth it.

11. Grace is worth the risk.  Extend grace to those who need it. Grace relieves guilt.  It releases shame.

12. I’ve taken the words ‘never’ and ‘always’ out of my vocabulary.

13. Thinking theologically pays off big time.  Dwelling on God’s sovereignty will save you much worry.

14. Some things are worth the sweat.  Like admitting you are wrong.  Always telling the truth.  Admitting my own inability.  Expressing gratitude.    Being generous.  Showing kindness.

15. You can’t beat having fun.  Look for ways to help people life their spirits.

Good points – enough said

M

Posted: July 20th, 2011 under Family, Leadership, Life Stuff.
Comments: none

I’m excited about being a part of some powerful city prayer over the next few Tuesday nights leading up to Sept 11 (from 7pm-8pm). This September 11th is the 10 year anniversary. Thompsons Station Church is hosting these prayer nights under the organization of AWAKENING AMERICA and “Cry Out America”. They have already done 2 nights but have quite a few more to go. Each Tuesday night will be led by a different local pastor. My night to lead is coming up on August 2nd. I hope we can see all of you come out for an hour to pray with other local Christians. One hour goes by fast and think of all the power that will be coming from a room full of people, from different denominations and backgrounds, lifting up our families, our city and our nation. It’s going to be good!

M

Here is a link to view and download more info about this event.

CRY OUT AMERICA in SPRING HILL, TN

Posted: July 18th, 2011 under Culture/Society, Leadership.
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Some points from my message on Sunday.

-Honor is a lost art. We will protect ourselves and our reputation before we honor someone else and serve them.

-Religion has taught us to honor those that we respect and that are like-minded.
The Word tells us to honor everyone including those that persecute us and are in low positions (the unlovely).

-People get nervous about honoring people with issues. Don’t we need to punish them? Jesus still was who He was no matter who He was with.

-Honor is cultivated and not automatic. In most cases it’s not natural….especially in this day and age. We are taught it’s okay to disrespect people that are wrong, not our same political party, age, race, denomination, etc. God’s Word tells us otherwise.

-Honor is mandated not an option. (Galations 5:26 / Romans 13:7)

-I see so many people complain about not getting respect when they do not live a life of respecting others.

-We Honor God as we Honor others.

-We need to celebrate Honor and continue to encourage an environment that fosters it.

-We need to start celebrating WINS not defeats.

-We need to start honoring peoples’ callings and destinies rather than keep looking back at their past.

-We need to celebrate people trying rather than demanding success every time.

-We need honor people before us, rather than trying to exalt passing fads.

-We need to get excited for salvations and deliverances instead of celebrating death.

-We need to honor people’s decisions with faith and love rather than gloating in “I told you so”.

MR

Posted: July 6th, 2011 under Church info, Leadership, Life Stuff.
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