"Trust" - Perspective for March 31, 2011

“Trust”: Any and all relationships are built and maintained on the foundation of trust.

I recently had dinner with a good friend of mine. My friend is a man of principle and conviction. He is one with whom I have much in common, though the things of church life are not among them. Over dinner I was greatly intrigued by one comment he made: “Trust can only be present in the absence of judgment.”

I have thought about that statement much since hearing him say it. How strong is my tendency to judge those around me. I may not know their circumstance nor all the information that shaped their decision, yet I tend to cast my judgment on them. If my friend is correct in his statement, my judgment of others is a demonstration of a lack of trust.

Jack Gibb suggests that trust is the result of a risk successfully survived. It is true that for us to trust we must risk getting hurt and disappointed. But there are three ways we can build trust:

1. Learn to trust yourself. If you are not honest with yourself you will not be able to be honest with others. Self deception is the enemy of all human relationships.
2. Trust includes all areas of life. If one cannot be trusted in all points of life, they cannot be trusted in any point. A trustworthy character is one who never cuts a corner for any reason.
3. Trust is like a bank account: one must continue to make deposits in order for it to grow. It can take a life-time to build trust in a relationship; 10 minutes and one bad decision can destroy what took a life-time to build.

Trusting others is always going to be a risk. But it is a risk worth taking. Without trust, you cannot build healthy, lasting relationships. Your marriage will never stand a chance of improving. Your hurts will multiply without trust. Take the plunge of faith and begin to trust again. It begins with a choice. It continues as you manage that choice daily. There are three ways I think your trust can grow again:

1. Forgive the wrong that was done to you. You have power over the other person who was wrong. What would happen if you used that power to offer forgiveness. Your bitterness will not hurt the other person; but it may well kill your joy.
2. Validate the expectation that the violation must never happen again. Forgiving others doesn’t mean allowing them to continue hurting you.
3. Choose to remember their better moments.  If we look for the bad in people we are bound to find it; the same is true if we look for the good.

The verse that comes to mind when I think of “trust” is Proverbs 3:5-6: “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Think of the risk God took when he sent His son to die for you in hope of becoming your friend. Go ahead, my friend, take the risk of forgiving someone today and allow trust to spring hope within you again. The potential gain is worth the risk!

This is my perspective. What’s yours?
Click here to send me your perspective

Brent

"Love" - Perspective for March 28, 2011

“Love” is perhaps over used and used incorrectly by proper English grammar. The grammatically correct rule is one loves people and likes things. But for all my life I have heard others use English incorrectly:

• I love my jacket
• I love to hike
• I love pizza
• I love doing crossword puzzles, etc.

As I was thinking of this word “Love” this morning, I began to think of an example of love that is very close to my heart. In 1975 I met a young lady who had gorgeous dark hair that flowed all the way down her back almost to her waistline. She had been a softball player and a cheerleader in high school and she was shaped in all the right places to catch a young 18 year old adolescent’s eyes. We met the very first day we stepped onto the college campus in Nyack, NY. Three weeks later I asked her out for our first date. I was so stinkin' scared that she would turn me down that I barely had the nerve to form the words with my cotton-dry mouth. What a rush when she replied, “I’d love to go see Gone with the Wind with you, Brent”.  WoW!

I was certainly infatuated with her that day, but I did not love her…yet. In fact, I don’t know what day my love for her started, nor hers for me. However, 35 1/2 years later I am helplessly in love with that girl!  She has changed a bit. Her hair is short now. Lady Clairol comes to visit with her every once in a while. She doesn’t play softball very well anymore…but my-oh- my, does she still cheer. And her favorite guy in the whole world to cheer is me! She whispers things to me, that are our secret! She knows when I am discouraged, tired, or frustrated, and she always seems to know what to say and do to brighten my day. She has served me so faithfully for over 3 decades of marriage.   She has never complained about being the primary cook in the family. She has never complained that she does way more loads of laundry than I do. She has complained over the years that I leave my dirty socks on the floor occasionally. So, I try to get it right all the time now.

Susan will always stand out to me as the best example of ‘love’ that I have ever consistently seen in my life. I would hate to think of life without her companionship and friendship. She loves me and I love her.

This marriage relationship is the one God uses to describe His love for you, the “Church”. He loves us unconditionally and gave himself for us! He calls us to also love Him. As a man is called by God to be faithful to his wife and a wife to her husband, so God calls us to express our love for Him by living a life of PURITY.

God would love to have you express you love to him right now. Would you take a minute to tell Him how much you love him and renew your commitment to walk in the purity of that love today?

This is my Perspective. What is yours as you read 1 John 3:7-10?  

Click here to send me your perspective

Have a great day!

Brent

Perspective for March 23, 2011

Samuel Zwemer, famous for his missionary work among the Muslims, gives a stirring witness to the joy of sacrifice. In 1897, he and his wife and two daughters sailed to the Persian Gulf to work among the Muslims of Bahrein. Their evangelism was largely fruitless. The temperatures soared regularly to 107 degrees “in the coolest part of the Verandah”. In July 1904, both his daughters, ages four and seven, died within eight days of each other. Nevertheless, 50 years later Zwemer looked back on this period and wrote, “The sheer joy of it all comes back. Gladly would I do it all over again.” (From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya. P277 Tucker)

As a former missionary of 10 years in West Africa, I read this brief biography of Samuel Zwemer. The reality of 107 degree air, open sewers, malarial fevers, and sleepless nights of tossing and turning covered with wet towels and ceiling fans turned to their highest speed in an effort to get cool enough to be comfortable are all part of my memories of missionary life. Nothing about that 107 degree air brings back pleasant thoughts to me as I relate to Zwemer.

The responsiveness of the Burkinabe to the gospel, however, was so positive. When we set up an open-air evangelism rally, people almost always prayed with us to accept Jesus as Savior. The method was simple; using a bed sheet stretched by two metal poles on the back of a pick-up and a 16 mm projector to show the Jesus film. The preacher was always long-winded and the story was told on the level a third grade student would understand.  But people…adults…young and old, came to Jesus!

Zwemer never knew that kind of harvest.

One of my three children was born in Africa….but I never buried one there! Zwemer knew the agony of that; I never did. Samuel Zwemer spent five decades working on foreign soil; I spent only one. Zwemer looked back and into the darkest moments of his service and stated that he would go back and do it all over again. Knowing what I know about daily life on the mission field in the tropics, I have the utmost respect for Mr. Zwemer!

I am challenged to renew my passion for Jesus and the spread of His Kingdom as I read of men like John Hyde, Samuel Zwemer, William Carey, Adoniran Judson, J. Hudson Taylor or women like Amy Carmichael and Lottie Moon.

Jesus said we are to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him…

Would you be willing to sit down and write out a prayer to God right now telling Him about the sacrifice you are planning to make as part of your “cross bearing” today? It should be easier said…than done! But in the end it should be done!

This is my perspective, what’s yours?

Brent

Daily Perspective for March 21

Casey Stengel said, "Getting good players is easy.  Gettin' 'em to play together is the hard part."

A group is made up of people are in close proximity but do not have a oneness of mind or purpose.  An example of a group would be a number of people larger than three, who try to push a giant rock through incoordinated, individual effort.  The rock seldom moves or it moves in an unpredictable and often wrong direction. 

A team, however, is made up of a group of individuals who have a single goal (or shared goals) and who coordinate their efforts to achieve that goal.  They all push together in the same direction until the rock moves where they desired it to be!

One of the teams that is mentioned in the Bible is the team of disciples Jesus picked.  There are some principles we can learn from the selection Jesus made:

1.  Uniformity in opinion is not a requirement.

2.  Difference of opinion in political orientation is acceptable.

3.  High levels of education are not mandated as requirements for every member of a team.

4.  Strong personalities make good teammates.

5.  Sometimes teammates let us down and disappoint us.

6. Teammates are allowed to have disagreements.

7.  Team leaders need patience in leading.

8.  Teams need a break from the stress of reaching the goal.

9.  Not all teammates have the same strengths.

10.  Teams that function best put the team over selfish desires.

How many teams are you on right now?  Marriage, raising a family, work, local church, fellow Christians...  Philippians 2:1-4, offers the best advice I know of for winning teams:

"In humility, consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others."

Somewhere, this very day, you have various teammates on numerous teams, counting on you!  I hope you represent your Lord well on all of them!

I prayed for you today, toward that end!  :-)

Brent

Daily Perspective for March 18, 2011

Have you ever wondered why Chirstians don't have an easier life than pagans?

I've never met a person who has not asked that question. In fact, the single greatest struggle I've observed in the general population is the fact that there is severe suffering in the world for Christians and non-christians. 

There is often a root of bitterness that grows deep and branches out widely in some folks I've attempted to pastor over the last 28 years. I do not know the specifics but I am confident of the spiritual principle. It is found in the first 5 verses of James chapter 1 and also in the first five verses of Romans chapter 5. I hope you will take time to read these two passages today and write your own perspective on the topic. 

Here's a thought to get you started in your thinking:
"What’s better than answers to our why questions? ...is trusting a good, loving, and just God who has His sovereign reasons."

This is my perspective; what's yours?

Brent

Got Junk? Perspective for March 17

Remember when Starbuck’s cups used to have little quotes on the side of them? I have to admit I would eat those up! I loved reading the newest quote from Starbucks. Sometimes they would be insights on life that would be either profound or mundane. I remember one that I’ve kept to this day. It is by Brian Scudamore the founder and CEO of 1-800-Got-Junk. He says this:

"It’s difficult for people to get rid of junk. They get attached to things and let them define who they are. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this business, it’s that you are what you can’t let go of."

In our lives there is junk. By junk I mean habits, attitudes, perspectives and points of view that may not be bad, but they are not the best. While we hold on to this junk it keeps us from experiencing the full and abundant life that Christ has for us. We hold on to pride, arrogance, insecurity and fear and let those qualities define us. If we would only let them go so that we can take hold of the abundant life that Christ (John 10:10) has for you today.

What junk are you holding on to today? What good thing do you need to get rid of so that Christ can give you something that is better and best?

This is my perspective, what's yours?

Nithin

Perspective for March 16, 2011

GUIDANCE

How much do you know? It’s ok to admit that you know something; everyone does. Some know more than others. Few are considered ‘genius’. Only God knows all things.   The Bible says that “a wise man listens to the counsel of many”.

I once heard a man make a comment that has stuck with me for many years now:

“It’s what you learn after you think you know it all, that offers you the greatest chance for improving your life”.

There are people in my small world that know far more than me in the areas of

• Interpersonal relationships
• Business
• Corporate structure
• Health
• Pastoral care
• Spiritual maturity

It is not uncommon for me, while preparing a sermon or thinking through an upcoming counseling session, to pick up the phone and speak to someone that I consider to be more knowledgeable in an area than myself. Before I make the call and invest my time with them I ask myself four questions;

1. Do I trust this person?
2. Am I willing to listen carefully to this person?
3. Does this person have integrity? (i.e.Does this person’s life measure up to a standard of integrity between word and lifestyle?)
4. Am I willing to follow the counsel they give me?

It is not hard to find someone who will offer guidance. But there is a bit of difference between good and bad guidance. May I back up and remind you that God is omniscient, which means “all knowing”. He made you, loves you, has your best interest in mind ….always, and he left you a book, called the Bible, to guide you. The book of the Bible called “Psalms” says that “the Word of God is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

Are you demonstrating wisdom because of whom you seek, how well you listen and how passionately you follow the counsel that is given to guide you?

Think about it; God may have something for you to know even though you thought you already knew all about that subject of humility, marriage, finance, conflict management….if you follow His counsel you will find a guidance that will not lead you astray! J

This is my perspective; what’s yours?

Brent

Perspective for March 15, 2011

Default Destiny

“How can God say that He is love and condemn someone to Hell just because they don't believe in Jesus?”

Good question... but maybe the assumption is the problem? Does God throw unbelievers into Hell? Or, is He working to pull them out of it?

Do we think our default destiny is heaven... unless we’ve done something REALLY bad? So, how could God, who claims to love us, kick us out just because we don’t believe in Jesus?

But, listen to what Jesus said: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." - John 3:17-18Jesus is saying our default destiny is not heaven... rather we are already destined for condemnation ... unless we believe.

God isn’t like some American Idol judge deciding who stays and who goes... rather, the Bible says, He has been working since the foundation of the world to offer hope and rescue to an already condemned, sin-sick world, through the lifeline of His Son Jesus Christ.

So, the real question for those of us who have already been pulled by God from the waves of condemnation is:

Will you just watch God work to save others while you sit warm and dry in the hope of your salvation? Or, will you help people to see their default destiny in John 3:18, and God’s plan to save them from it?

This is my perspective, what's yours?

Jeff

Perspective for March 14, 2011

Is life really "sweeter than the day before"? It says that it is in the hymnal...but in reality, it is neither true nor biblical!

Some days our disposition is bitter even though we are saved! Some days we are so saddened by the circumstance that we are depressed and discouraged.


Every day with Jesus is NOT sweeter than the day before. We know it from experience and from scripture:
Ps 19:7 says, "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul".

If every day with Jesus were sweeter than the day before; if life were a steady ascent with no dips in our affection for God we would never be discouraged or frustrated or depressed and consequently we would never need to be re-vived! When I read the 23rd Psalm and understand that David's soul was "restored" (vs2-3) I conclude that he needed restoration because he was down...not up!

Let's be honest! God does not promise us easy....but he promises us growth of character through adversity as we trust him in difficult days. 

So if today is not sweeter for you than yesterday, try to remind yourself that you are in good company: Stephen, martyred for his faith; Paul, beaten and left for dead; Moses, when hundreds of thousands murmured against him because they had no meat to eat.....oh yeah...the list is long....

But the Word of God revives the soul (Psalm19:7). Take some time today to read it and write a prayer to God. It is like good medicine for the soul!

This is my perspective. What's yours :-)?

Brent

Face to Face - Perspective for March 10, 2011

One of my favorite devotionals from the Daily Bread series, tells the story of Pastor Scotty Smith learning to personally experience the passionate love of God. When he was a young boy, Scotty lost his mother suddenly in a car accident. Because of this, he closed off his wounded heart to others, including God. Several years later he received Jesus as his Savior and began to learn the truths of Christianity. Yet his relationship with the Lord in those days was, as he described, “side by side rather than face to face. Important, but not intimate.”

Do you ever feel that way? You talk to the Lord a little bit, read His words in the Bible, but don’t sense a passionate connection with Him like that expressed by the psalmist David in Psalm 63. I have. . . and it’s not a comfortable place to be.

In his book, Objects of His Affection, Scotty suggests two ways to overcome the obstacles to intimacy. First,Live Honestly. Open up to the Lord about the pain of your losses and admit your failures. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

Secondly, Ponder and Believe the Scriptures about God’s character and His longing for you. “Your loving kindness is better than life.” (Psalm 63:3)

Building a relationship with anyone – including Jesus, takes time and effort. Decide to be His friend. . . and don’t give up. I know He won’t. In the end, the reward will be immeasurable!!

This is my perspective. . . what is yours?

Pastor Tom

Daily Perspective for March 9, 2011

There is great value in friendship and accountability. One of my friends for the last 13 years is Frank Donaruma. He is an Elder at the church. One of the things Frank has done for me for the last three years is include me on a daily devotional that he copies and sends out to a group of people who were in a small group...

This one was impressed me. Therefore, I want to send it on to you. We lose sight of the value of the small things CONSISTENTLY done in our life. At the end of the string of small things done consistently we find what is called a LEGACY. You are building one daily by the habits you keep.

Read: John 6:4-14There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many? —John 6:9

Skeptical about the usefulness of a small lunch, Andrew said to Jesus, “What are [these five loaves and two fish] among so many?” (John 6:9). Yet the little lunch in the hands of Jesus turned out to be a huge blessing. So, before you think that you donʼt have much to offer Jesus, consider this:

Edward Kimball, a Sunday school teacher in Boston, decided to visit a young man in his class to be sure he was a Christian. That day he led that man, Dwight L. Moody, to the Lord. Moody, the Billy Graham of the 19th century, had a major impact on Wilbur Chapman.

Chapman, a prominent evangelist, recruited Billy Sunday to join in his evangelistic campaigns. In turn, Sunday launched a national ministry that had great results in cities like Charlotte, North Carolina.

An organization that started as a result of Sundayʼs revival invited evangelist Mordecai Ham to Charlotte. In one of those meetings, Billy Graham received Christ as his Savior and later became the most prominent evangelist of our time.

When you think you donʼt have much to offer, remember Sunday school teacher Edward Kimball, who spent a Saturday afternoon reaching out to someone in his class. God has a special way of using routine faithfulness in the “small things” to accomplish great things! What may seem insignificant, mundane, routine, or small is often used by God to show His power over all.

God uses small things to accomplish great things for His glory. He wants to use you today!

This is my perspective. What's yours?

Brent :-)

Daily Perspective for March 8, 2011

Frost

I have a really bad habit during these cold months. Overnight, frost often forms on the windshield of my car as it sits in my driveway, and as I rush out the door and into the car in the morning, taking the time to scrape it off or to let the defroster melt it is often the last thing on my mind. So instead, I rush out of the driveway in the car, peering through the clouded windshield, running the wipers and washer, heat cranked on high, hoping that it all clears up before I really have to see something.

I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this dangerous, foolish practice.

One of the most startling revelations of my adult life has been the fact that what I perceive to be reality oftentimes is not: it’s distorted, incomplete, or inaccurate. My view of people, situations, circumstances, and even God is very often not the real picture. The same is true for each of us: we view life and others through our own biases, brokenness, and personality- our fallen condition.

In Matthew 7, Jesus says this: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. “

Jesus is speaking in the context of judging others, and we typically interpret “specks” and “planks” as the activity of sin. Sin, however, is more than just an activity. It’s a condition. It pervades every corner of our existence. If you’ve ever had a speck of dirt in your eye, you know that it is impossible to see clearly, or to focus on anything else, until it's been removed.

But there is good news! While the Christian will never be completely free from the condition of sin until we depart this earth, we have do power over it every day through the work of Christ for us and the Holy Spirit in us, and as we walk the journey of life in community with other believers.

What aren't you seeing clearly today? What “frost” is clouding your personal windshield, causing you to swerve all over life’s road? How might it be cleared away? And are you will to devote yourself to that time-consuming process before you set out on your next journey?

This is my perspective, what's yours?

Michael

Daily Perspective for March 7, 2011

Earl Weaver was the Manager for the World Champion, Baltimore Orioles some years ago. He had a knack which pleased the fans while it tormented the Umpires. Earl would often run out onto the field to dispute a call which the  umpire had made. As he argued he would get nose to nose with the Ump and the two would yell and "spitball" one another and smell each other's bad breath. Often Weaver would end his arguement by walking away about 20 feet then turning around with a shout even the fans in the first few rows could hear: 

"Are you gonna get any better, or is this the best we can hope for?"

Oh! The fans would cheer and clap and holler in great amusement as the Umpire stood there in embarassment!

I am so grateful that Jesus didn't just get by when He paid the penalty for our sins.

He didn't sluff off 

He didn't cut corners

He didn't barter

He didn't tap out!

He was the best and gave his best....all the Time...and still does today!  The Bible tells us He sits at the right hand of the Father praying for you and me right now!  It can't get any better than that!

That's our Jesus!  What a Savior!

This is my perspective!  What's yours?

Have a Spirit-Filled day!

I love you!

Brent

Daily Perspective for March 5, 2011

"Repentance" is not a word that is used much in today's world. It has to do with sin and pleasing God

In the Old Testament God required people to do pentence for their sin. This required bloodshed and the death of animals. It was a costly and messy affair. 

The word "repentance" comes from the root word "pentance" and implies the making right of that which is misaligned with God. It is that which is required of God in order reunite us to Himself. 

There are three words that are very much associated with TRUE repentance:

Confession- our mouth acknowleges the wrong that our mind and body have done.

Contrition- our attitude is one of sincere remorse and regret as we realize the depths to which we have fallen in our disobedience to God. 

Change- true repentance is confirmed by changed behavior and new habits.

Perhaps your secretive thoughts nudge your conscience today for they remind you of thoughts, words or actions that you feel don't honor God. 

God loves you infinitely and perfectly my friend! You do not need to wait for a Sunday, an alter call, or a Pastor's counsel. All you need to is Confess to God, show genuine Contrition for your sin, and commit yourself to Change as the Holy Spirit empowers you to do so.

Phil. 4:13 promises that "You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength"!

You don't have to be the way you are. You can change and improve beginning today! Christ paid the Pentance for your sin. You can repent of it and turn from it! You can do it right here...right now!

Pray this prayer outloud and enjoy the power of God's change that begins with a broken and contrite heart:
God, I confess to you my sin of _______ . I am so sorry for it. I do not want to ever do it again. I ask that you give me your Holy Spirit right now to increase my awareness of that which displeases you. Please increase my desire to please you in all areas of my life from this day forward. I want to change. I want to please you!

I encourage you to come to worship on Sunday (9 or 11). 
I encourage you to come at 10:30 for a class taught by one of the Elders, Frank Donaruma on the Attributes of God.
And I encourage you to come the next two Wednesday evenings to a class I teach with Elder Bob Bateman, called "the Bondage Breaker". 

The more you surround yourself with God's word the greater your chances of needing less repentance. 

This is my Perspective :-). What's yours? 

Brent

Daily Perspective for March 4, 2011

Challenge comes into our life every single day.  Some folks are energized by challenges and others are drained by them.  It seems that leaders love a challenge.  It has been said that you can always tell the size of the leader by looking at the challenges he tries to overcome; he’ll always pick on one his own size.

In the Bible there are two verses that I hope will help you focus today:

Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Romans 5:2-4 says “And we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory, but not only so.  We rejoice also in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope.”

If you could take today’s big challenge away and not have to deal with it, what would you choose to eliminate from your day?  Now will you consider thinking of that very challenge and find a place that you can whisper to yourself aloud:  “God this is what you want me to face today to remind me that You are in the process of building my character so that I will have more hope tomorrow than I had this morning when I awoke.  Therefore, I thank you for this challenge and I will face it in the confidence that you will help me to overcome it!”

The challenge you face today is not unique to you.  God has lots of experience in helping others through the same one you face.  Listen to Him.  Trust Him. And Thank Him that He has so much confidence in you to give you such a big challenge!  He has great things in mind for you! J

This is my perspective for today; what’s yours?

Talk it over with God…even if you feel like arguing with Him about how much he dished onto your plate.

Shalom,

Brent