Volume 15 Post/Email 3 – My Own Vineyard
In the beginning of the love story of Song of Songs is a metaphorical statement by the woman that describes the lives of perhaps every one of us at times. Chapter 1:6 states, "My mother's sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards." So Brian, what's the big deal? The woman helped her uncles - what's the problem?!
Well, the woman continues, "my own vineyard I have neglected."
When we take care of the vineyards of others to the neglect of our own life and wellbeing, we are unbalanced. We can love our mother; our uncles; our family and friends. But we also must love ourselves and tend to our own needs and individual responsibilities. To neglect ourselves because we overextend ourselves and overexpend our energy and time is to the detriment of all. When our own vineyard is well cared for and nurtured, we are then in the best position to ably serve others.
Reflection: While investing in others, what are you doing to invest in yourself?
Volume 15 Post/Email 2 – Weary and Burdened
Stress and problems in life can lead to becoming weary and burdened.
Jesus' message to the crowd in Matthew 11:28-30 is this: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Reflection: Is any matter pulling me away from Jesus? Am I trying to deal with any person or situation without Jesus and remaining harnessed with Him?
If so, the solution is evident ... 1. Return to Jesus! 2. Learn more from Jesus! 3. Remain yoked with Jesus!
-Brian
Volume 15 Post/Email 1 – It Is Time
There can be times in our lives where we are unsure what to do. However, regardless of season or circumstance, there is a decision for which we should never hesitate or waiver.
Hosea 10:12 directs, "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you."
IT IS ALWAYS TIME TO SEEK THE LORD!
We can desire to be showered with blessings of rain for harvest, but yet neglect to put first matters first. We can dismiss our responsibility and need to plow and prepare the ground! We can overlook our need to sow the seeds. We can fail to cultivate our spiritual ground; spiritual garden; spiritual life.
The Lord promises to shower those who seek him with his righteousness.
We worry about whether we have enough money; whether it is time to change jobs; whether it is time to change diets; whether our family is making the best decision; what we might do to aid a friend.
All of these concerns can be legitimate. And the best way we can live with wisdom regarding these earthly matters is to have a healthy and growing spiritual life! Our greatest daily decision is our faith in the Lord and focus on the Lord. When we worship the Lord, praying to and praising him, and seeking his will and guidance, we will be blessed by him and a blessing to others.
Reflection: What time is it in your life?
Volume 14 Post/Email 6 – Remember That Growth Is Seasonal
Jesus makes the following statements regarding our lives achieving results and bearing "fruit."
John 15:2 - "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
John 15:4 - "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
John 15:16 - "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."
Jesus expects his disciples to bear fruit, and, he explains the process for how this is done.
We can have enormous tension when we are not seeing any fruit in our lives. This is why it is exponentially important that we remember all fruit is seasonal and all growth is seasonal!
Every living plant goes through seasons of growth (spring and summer) and seasons of dormancy (fall and winter). Sometimes we think we are watering a dead or dying plant, when the metaphorical plant is simply dormant! Healthy personal growth, as well as, healthy growth in others, takes time. When God wants to make a mushroom he takes 6 hours. When God wants to grow an oak tree he takes 60 years.
Reflection: Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree?
Friend, nothing bears fruit year round. Continue believing, learning, and putting down roots. Spring and summer are coming!
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 5 – Be Humble Or You Will Stumble
In connection with Living For An Audience Of One is being humble. Humility helps us deal with the tension in our lives between where we are and where we could be. In fact, humility helps us get where we could and should!
On the contrary, a lack of humility hinders our path to further productivity! Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Furthermore, whenever I am prideful, I become the enemy of God! (James 4:6) Since God resists helping the proud, when I am proud (his enemy) I am going to stumble and fall! It is only a matter of time!
Positively thinking, humble people are teachable. Humble people don't rush to judge others. Humble people are honest about their own weaknesses, and are gentle towards others regarding their weak areas and even shortcomings. The humble are favored by God and lifted up by Him - "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)
Finally, to clarify a common misconception: Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. We are not to put ourselves down, nor deny those spontaneous compliments from others. We are to magnify the Lord and seek His grace to lift us where we can be.
Be humble or you will stumble when seeking to reach your desired goals with the Lord's blessing.
Reflection: Is my ministry and journey toward my larger life vision and purpose about the Lord?
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 4 – Live For An Audience Of One
Managing the pressures in our life becomes easier when we live for an audience of One!
The moment we choose to worry about what people think, our life and ministry become crippled. If someone's criticism is true, listen and learn from it. If someone's criticism is false, ignore it and forget it. Either way, concern yourself with what God thinks and seek to please Him.
Psalm 40:8 expresses this focus. "I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
When we try to do what others want and it is not already aligned with the will of God, this pressure is not deserved. Neither should we try to be someone we are not. We should simply be ourself! In living for an audience of One, we are able to be ourself. Our desire should aim to be all that God would have for us, and to accomplish all that he would wish - nothing more; nothing less; nothing else.
Reflection: Am I straining to please others?
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 3 – Life Is A Marathon
To deal with the tension in our lives between the ideal and the real, between where we dream of being and where we currently are, it is helpful and accurate to see life as a marathon instead of a 50-yard dash.
Just because some of our goals in life have not yet been accomplished, does not mean they will remain unfulfilled. Both life and ministry are a marathon. Thus, sustainability counts more than speed. In First Corinthians 9:24-25 Paul compares life and ministry to a race, and highlights the value and necessity of being disciplined. In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul emphatically states, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
When I was recently visiting the congregation of my childhood at Christmas, a lady I presume in her mid forties came to me with enthusiasm and said when I was preaching a revival at New Center Grove (10-11 years ago), that she was at an extremely low point in her life. She mentioned that I told her a message that changed her life. She quoted, "How you start does not matter as much as how you finish." She then said that when she came to Estill and discovered that my dad was a minister there that further encouraged her faith and determination. We embraced and I told her I was glad she shared and that God has been blessing her so.
Brothers and Sisters - whenever we struggle, are frustrated, down, discouraged, or feel defeated, it can help to have this broader and more accurate perspective of our life!
Perseverance is the hard work you do after you are tired from the hard work you have already done!
Reflection: How will you finish?
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 2 – Tension
We live with tension in our lives. The tension exists between the ideal and the real; between our dreams and where we are. How do we live with this tension? What truth can help propel us forward with energy, focus and momentum in the new year?
Below are four truths we will emphasize in detail for the month of January to apply for 2012 as we aspire to higher living, to our ideal dreams and greater goals while facing the reality and pressure of where we are currently.
1. Life is a marathon.
(On January 9th we will place our lives in this broader perspective regarding unfulfilled dreams, disappointments and frustrations.)
2. Live for an audience of One.
(On January 16th we will emphasize living for God and not worrying about the thoughts, judgments and criticisms of others.)
3. Be humble or you will stumble.
(In connection with point #2, on January 23rd we will highlight the necessary foundational quality and attitude of humility to successful living, and, to healthy living that manages acute and episodic stress.)
4. Remember all growth is seasonal.
(Finally, on January 30th we will apply agrarian and fruit-bearing principles taught in Scripture to our personal growth and seasons of dormancy and the desire to accomplish more in 2012.)
Prayer: Lord, may we grasp, accept and apply these 4 truths this month and this year so that we may be better equipped by you to live with the tension in our lives.
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 1 – A Prayer For 2012
Lord, bless us greatly in the new year! Likewise, may we be faithful stewards of all of Your blessings! Lord, use us everyday of the new year fulfilling your will. Fill us with Your Spirit. Use us daily in some way to bless others and advance your kingdom. Open doors for us as individuals and as a united church to reach more souls who are lost. May we live this year with purpose and peace. In Jesus' Name.
Volume 13 Post/Email 5 – What Child Is This? (#4)
Today we conclude this series on the names for baby Jesus in Isaiah 9:6.
Name #4: PRINCE OF PEACE
The phrase literally means “the prince whose coming brings peace.” This speaks of the effect of his coming. This final title is the climax of all that has gone before. The word “prince” means something like “General of the Army.” It speaks of his high position. The word “peace” speak of his basic nature.
All over the globe there are ethnic conflicts and tribal wars. Closer to home not a day goes by without word that someone else has been murdered in the U.S. We see so much killing that it no longer surprises us—or even bothers us. We’ve been immune to violence because we live in a violent world.
Isaiah 9:6 tells us that God’s plan for world peace is focused on one person—a baby asleep in a manger in Bethlehem. He is the ultimate man of peace. In the past, his coming made peace with God. In the present, those who come to him find peace in their heart when Christ comes in. In the future, his second coming will usher in a kingdom of peace.
There is no peace today. So much strife and bloodshed. He is not a failure. We are.
Peace is a wonderful thing, but hard to find in this world. It’s worth working for and waiting. God’s ultimate plan for peace rests not in treaties or lessons or progress, nor material prosperity. God’s plan for Peace is the Maker of Peace, Jesus Christ.
To know Him is to know blessing and happiness. To live without Him is to be, finally, restless and miserable.
He is no warrior, no greedy conqueror, no empire builder. He came to bring peace. He did. He does. He will.
In this tiny baby we see the peace of God welcomed by angels and shepherds. What child is this? He is the Prince of Peace. In this one verse you have the four names of Jesus. This is what they mean to us today:
When we are confused…He is the Wonderful Counselor.
When we are weak…..He is the Mighty God.
When we are afraid……He is the Everlasting Father.
When we are disturbed….He is the Prince of Peace.
What child is this? He is the … Wonderful Counselor … Mighty God … Everlasting Father … Prince of Peace.
Reflection: Will I leave this Christmas season miserable or peaceful?