Faith Lounge

Living Without Fears

2007-03-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines fear this way: to have reverential awe of , to be afraid of : expect with alarm. Fear is a word that speaks with a heavy tone. Everyone is afraid of something. Be honest. Even you are afraid of certain things. Nowadays there’s a phobia for everything. While I was checking up on the term phobia, I came across some interesting finds. Here are some phobias you may or may not have heard of:

• Amaxophobia - Fear of riding in a car
• Claustrophobia - Fear of confined spaces
• Cyclophobia - Fear of bicycles
• Ecclesiophobia - Fear of church
• Nephophobia - Fear of clouds
• Pentheraphobia - The fear of your mother-in-law

While some of these may be humorous, it certainly isn’t funny that there are so many fears in the world. There’s a fear for just about everything. In fact, there’s a fear for what you’re doing right now, reading this book—bibliophobia, fear of books. I think you see my point. If you allowed it to happen, you could live your life afraid of everything.

In order to go from ordinary to extraordinary, you must overcome your personal fears. Whatever your fear may be, it can potentially chain you to the blocks of normalcy, keeping you from possessing the great things God desires to give you. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (KJV). The word fear in this particular passage is derived from the Greek word phobas, which means “running scared.” In other words, God has not given us the spirit of running scared.

And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever” (Exodus 14:13 NKJV).

Moses is saying, “Hey, don’t be frightened. Don’t run. Just stand still and look for the salvation of God.” God is saying, “See that problem you’re facing right now? Just wait—tomorrow it will be completely gone.” We need to live as though our problems will be gone tomorrow. We need to trust that God is greater than our fears and worries.

Whenever the Bible tells us to “fear not” or “don’t be afraid,” it doesn’t mean that you won’t initially have fear. Many think that they cannot move until their fear is gone. That’s not the message God is relaying. The message is that you must move in spite of your fear. The only way to overcome fear is to face it. Facing your fears is not erasing them; it’s making a decision to proceed regardless of their existence. This takes courage and faith.

Remember when Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water? He didn’t do this because he was fearless of the waves and winds; he stepped out in spite of the dangers. He wasn’t superhuman or divine—he was just like the other disciples. However, he possessed the willingness and courage to step out. Peter’s willingness is better known as faith. Through faith we conquer fear. I see faith as the antidote for fear. In fact, it’s the only antidote. If faith is the answer to our fears, we must continue to strengthen our faith.

Blessings,
Jacob

The Power of Speaking Life

2007-02-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Have you ever said something you regretted later? Have you ever spoke too soon, too harsh, too slow, too late, or too much? We’ll, since you’re as human as I am, I bet you have at least a few times in your life. Perhaps you spoke to a family member, friend or even yourself—yes, that’s right, yourself. Words are powerful and what you say carries much credence. In fact, the Bible says that the power of life and death is in the mouth. Something as little as a word can cause significant consequences, both positive and negative.

You would be surprised how dramatically situations could change in your life just by what and even how you speak. Many folks get into the habit of speaking negative words, which only creates more problems. For example, one might be experiencing physical sickness, and all they do is talk about how bad things are. They say things like, “I’ll never get better”, or “Mom died from this, I guess I’m next.” Speaking disbelief or negativity literally works against victory and success…

The more you tell yourself and someone else something, the more believable it is. For instance, the delivered people of Israel did not inherit their promised land, largely because of what was said. Ten of the twelve moles gave a defeated and negative testimony of the land of Canaan. Their words created a flood of mass confusion and discouragement. “And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants; and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." Numbers 13:32-33 (NLT) Take a look below at how the problem progressed in hearts and minds of Israel.

1. They heard the negative words. It all began with what they heard. Hearing negative words isn’t always avoidable. It’s what follows that makes the difference.

2. They believed the negative words. After hearing the depressing testimony, the people immediately believed in their hearts. They were convinced within themselves that the land was not attainable.

3. They confessed the negative words. Once believing what they heard, they confessed it through wining, murmuring and complaining. This was the clincher—the decision that brought calamity to their promise. When you start speaking and confessing defeat, you’re more than likely going to have it.

4. They became the negative words. The end result of their actions caused them to become what they said. They said they couldn’t, and they didn’t. They said it was over for them, and after that, it was. Their terms brought their termination.

This is an example of the power of negative speaking. In contrast, speaking life also causes great things to happen. In fact, the process is identical. Contrary to popular opinion, at least two God-fearing, faith-motivated men spoke a word of life and hope. Joshua and Caleb. What a great example these men are to us. While the others were so quick to surrender and speak defeat, they spoke up and confessed that the land was attainable. This is one of my favorite Bible stories, there’s so much to glean. Specifically dealing with the power of speaking, it demonstrates exactly what happens.

Joshua and Caleb spoke life into their circumstances. They believed what God said, and merely echoed His voice by proclaiming the victory. Even as the children of Israel murmured, their words of faith paved a path for them to walk into their own destinies. Could it be that voices (whether literally or metaphorically) are opposing your dream? Could it be that you find yourself alone, frustrated, and feeling like your life is surrounded by impossibilities? Or could it be that you’re just tired of fighting and the stress of it all has weakened your faith?

Today, I summit you, speak life! If your situation suggests you can’t, say, “I can”. If your circumstances suggest defeat, say, “I am victorious”. If your body is telling you that you’re sick, and the doctors have run out of solutions, I challenge you to say, “I am healed”. Because what you say, not what you feel, determines your outcome. Whatever the situation may be in your life—today is the day to declare your victory. Words are powerful, especially when they are spoken from a heart of faith. Joshua and Caleb did in fact enter their promised land. And it largely was due to their spoken word; a life message that still echoes today, “With God, anything is possible.”

Blessings...
Jacob

After you've Blown It

2007-02-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

Face it. We've all messed up. We've all made terrible mistakes, costly ones. Some mistakes happen and you say "oops". Some happen and you say "ouch". Others happen and you say "whoa!" We all spill the milk now and then, but it's those really big mistakes that can potentially destroy us. Namely, it's the mistakes or sins that affects those around us. In other words, not just the glass, but the whole gallon of milk spilled! Get it? Well, David had a situation when he spilled gallons of milk and everything in his life got messed up.

2 Samuel 11:1-5 tells the story of David's downfall-his adultery with Bathsheba. It's really a very sad story. It hurts to even read it; especially because of who David was. He was a king. He was an anointed man, chosen from an early age, and whose trophy case was filled with victories. At this point in his life, he had let down his guard some and started lounging in his success. Be careful with success! It tends to make people more vulnerable to the enemy's tricks. The more successful you become, the more you ought to pray and safeguard your spirit with God's word.

To make a long and sad story short, let me break it down for you:
- Bathsheba got pregnant from David
- David sent for her husband Uriah to come from war, hoping he would sleep with Bathsheba (making it seem as though the child was his)
- Uriah, feeling guilty for leaving the war, slept at the doorpost of his house
- David, feeling pressure, had Uriah killed.

Sound like drama? You better believe it. Talk about one sin leading to another! In time, David could have recovered from the affair. But he panicked and now an innocent man was dead. As you can imagine, David fell to the lowest point of his life. Milk was everywhere. It even took a rebuke from a local prophet to convict David's heart. He was in shambles. He blew it big time. However, through God's grace, he was restored.

So the question is, what do you do after you've blown it? How do you recover from a fall? For starters, observe the prayer David wrote down when everything started crashing down on him. When you can, read Psalm 51. It's too much to put in this article. But in there you will see David's heart being poured out before God.

Let me summarize David's prayer; Psalm 51:1-19.

1. Plead Guilty and Own your Part (vv. 1-4)
Appeal to God's mercy by being honest about the situation. Own up to your actions. Yes...it hurts. But do it. Don't blame others. Don't list areas or times where you "have" been good. God isn't interested in your resume; he wants to see your remorse-the sorrow. This is probably going to squeeze some tears out of you! Confess and acknowledge your sin.

2. Pursue Total Restoration (vv. 5-12)
David wanted more than just a pardon; he wanted complete restoration. He said, "purge me, wash me, blot out my failures!" Many don't realize that you can be forgiven, but not completely restored. Forgiveness is being exonerated from your deeds. It removes the guilt and blame off your life. That's great! But it isn't restoration. Restoration is the next part in the process; whereby you gain back your joy and peace.

3. Pledge yourself to God's Purposes (vv. 13-15)
Another aspect people forget when bouncing back from a fall, is to reconnect with God's purpose for your life. Part of you being restored, is doing something for God. David said, "then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you." Hopefully, you will have learned something valuable to pass on.

4. Persist to Worship from a Broken Spirit (vv. 16-19)
David said, "the sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit, you will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." David returned to his true roots, worship. God is looking for a broken, humble heart of worship. In fact, worship is part of the restoration process because it draws you closer to God. David didn't bring out his harp for this one. He simply wept with adoration and gratitude-as should anyone who is recovering from a fall.

What's beautiful is that David slowly regained his vitality and trust with God. Sure, his sins were still costly, but he had God close to his heart. Both you and I will blow it at some point, if not already. We're human and imperfect. But the main thing is to recover and learn something from it. Don't keep making the same mistakes. When you mess up, big or small, rush to God in prayer and seek his counsel. Come out of your situation wiser, stronger and broken before God. Because after you've blown it, you CAN get up again.

Blessings...
Jacob

American Idols

2007-01-26T09:34:00.000-08:00

No, this posting is not about the ever so popular TV show where American viewers vote singers into stardom. The hit show has become somewhat of a cultural icon, a brand that most every one recognizes. Each week, talented young singers perform on a national stage—showcasing their very best vocals. Once the show is over, millions call and test-message their votes, hoping that their favorite "idol" will move forward in the competition.

This growing phenomenon got me thinking about "idols", not the singers or the show, but the idols we sometimes have in our lives. America really does have it's own idols, things we idolize and exalt in our lives. Webster’s dictionary first defines idol as: 1 : a representation or symbol of an object of worship; broadly : a false god. Wow! Webster usually gets it right. My twist would be that an idol is an object, person or idea of worship. For instance, pride is the worship of your opinion over God's truth. An idol is anything that you worship. Idols can be jobs, money, material things, people, and even ones self (believe it or not).

Whatever we cherish that lessens our love for God or interferes with our service to Him, that has become a god. God is so serious about this that when he personally wrote the Ten Commandants (not suggestions), his first said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3). You may have to ask yourself, "Are there any gods in my life?" Sure, at first it might seem silly to ask yourself the question, but let it sink in before you answer. Perhaps there's an idol, something that's been stealing your devotion and passion for God.

God is a jealous God. And he's not shy about saying it. Throughout the Bible He constantly tells us that he shares his glory with no one. Unlike the TV show, this isn't a contest, but a true reality. God doesn't even waste his time competing for your worship. He does initiate the relationship and pursues us with passion, but he will not contend with our idols. He'll simply wait until you realize that whatever is it you're worshiping cannot do anything for you. But let's rid ourselves of idols. Let's love God with all that we have. Put him first and above all.

Blessings...
Jacob

Moved with Compassion

2007-01-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

Jesus Christ exemplified so many great qualities in his life, but perhaps the most essential of all was his compassion towards people. We sometimes fail to recognize that many of Christ’s miracles, such as healing the sick and even raising the dead, were a result of his compassion. He wasn’t just a power-filled man, walking around, zapping people with miracles and wonders. Was he a miracle worker? Yes. But his miracles were driven by compassion.

One occasion really captures my heart. It’s found in Mark 1:40-42. This is the story of the leper who was cleansed. “40) Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41) Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42) As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” What a powerful picture of compassion!

In this case, a man who was suffering from leprosy (which is considered symbolic of sin), came to Jesus with hopes of being healed. When Christ saw him, his heart sank. He felt pity. And the verse says, “Then Jesus, moved with compassion.” That’s exactly it—compassion moves you. It compels you to act. There is a huge difference between feeling sorry for someone, and having compassion. You can feel sorry for anyone and sympathize, but not be moved to reach them. Let’s look at how compassion moved Christ to action.

1. He Stretched
Because of compassion, Christ stretched out his hand to this man. Compassion will cause you to stretch yourself into areas you would normally go. It will take you out of your circle of comfort. It will stretch you beyond your own needs and desires. We need God to stretch us. We need him to extend and enlarge our sphere of influence. Having compassion will do this to you.

Compassion is what drove God to come down to earth and save us! Wouldn’t you agree that heaven-to-earth is quite a stretch? In fact, Jesus himself—is simply God stretching!

2. He Touched
Not only did Christ stretch, but also he touched this leper. Compassion will drive you to touch people and places you wouldn’t normally touch. By “touch”, I mean connect. Sometimes we are afraid of touching people’s lives, especially those without God. Jesus placed his own hand on the point of infirmity. He touched what others feared. Compassion will cause you to touch people and situations that others avoid and possibly ignore.

As Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities…” Christ isn’t afraid to feel our pain and problems. We should take on that same attitude.

3. He Spoke
Lastly, Christ spoke a word of healing to the leper. Interestingly, it wasn’t until Christ had spoken, did the leprosy leave him. Many times, it’s just your spoken words that bring healing and restoration to people. Never underestimate the power of your spoken word. Share Christ. Talk about His love. Testify of your own life. Say something encouraging. Speak faith into someone’s situation.

As I wrap it up here, ask God to help you become more compassionate. If you grow in compassion, you will be able to reach and ultimately win people for Christ. As the saying goes, “people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” How true that is. And remember, “feeling sorry” for someone doesn’t get them saved, “compassion” does.

Blessings,
Jacob

Cry from a Cast Away

2007-01-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

I believe this article today, will strengthen and encourage your life. Lately I’ve been drawn to the Psalms, and it’s hard not too, simply because I often see myself in there. Although there are other writers in the book, I mostly relate to David. His candid thoughts and expressions resonate daily. The scripture that has touched me today is Psalm 43. Here you see a man, hurting, somewhat afraid and aloof to the hand of God on him. Feeling alone, tied-up with emotions and troubling circumstances, David seems to burst from the inside out. His heart is heavy. His life feels uncertain.

So here we read his outcry, and personal revelation:

1 Vindicate me, O God,
And plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
2 For You are the God of my strength;
Why do You cast me off?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

David, who is running for his life, puts the ball in God’s court. He pleads. He prays. He petitions. Everything in his soul is being poured out. Ever felt that way? Ever felt like you were running from something frightening, and painful? I think we all do. We all face situations that are painful and nearly impossible to avoid. Sometimes we feel it’s the enemy attacking our lives. Other times it’s just life unfolding.

Are you feeling like you need God to sustain you? Feel you need some comfort and help? If so, look at David’s heart in his time of trouble. It stands to prove that no matter what you’re going through, God can bring you through. But you must take some steps that allow God to help you.

1. Position yourself in His Strength
Firstly, David said, “For You are the God of my strength.” Sure, he followed that statement with worries and doubts. However, before merely complaining to God, he recognized that he needed his strength. Often times we grumble without seeing the strength God has already given us. To David, he could have already been dead and gone. He could have already been killed. But God’s strength kept him going.

Sometimes we need do to what 2 Chronicles 20:17 says, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.” What a powerful scripture! It’s all about how you position your life. Position yourself in a way, so that you are standing on his strength, and not yours.

2. Pursue His Word
David went on to say, “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!” He was desperate for God’s word. I have found, that when you’re in a desperate place, you get hungrier for God’s word. It almost seems like no matter what the preacher is saying, your heart melts in your chest and you feel encouraged. When we’re in trouble, we tend to be less analytical of the preacher’s delivery, the choir’s sound, and all the other details we can easily spend time on.

Being in a place of brokenness unties the often-petty issues around your heart, and allows you to receive God’s word. Turning to the Word of God is the most powerful thing you can do when in a tough situation. Simply reading or hearing the word empowers and enlightens us.

David also said, “send out your light”, which harmonizes with Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” Like a lighthouse’s beam pierces fog and guides off-course ships towards safety, so God’s word sheds light in dark places.

3. Persist in Worship
As synonymous with David’s entire life, he can’t help but worship God in his time of need. He said, “I will go to the altar of God… And on the harp I will praise You”. Dear friend, this part is so powerful. In midst of calamity and despair, with nowhere to turn, David musters up a spirit of worship. When it appeared at all hell was breaking loose, and the end was near, all he could do was worship and praise the Lord. He yearned for the altar. He hungered for the presence of God.

I believe this was the defining moment in David’s life. And the same can be true for you. Worship changes you; especially when it seems inappropriate—based on your current circumstances. The best worship is not the praise you offer when standing on the mountaintop, above all your obstacles, but the weeping worship that echoes in a lonely cave, where problems seem to be mounting. There…is where God gets the most glory.

4. Possess your Hope
Finally, David hopes again. He said, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God.” Pay special attention to this progression: after that David was position in God’s strength, pursued God’s word, and persisted in worship…he possesses his hope. Plus, he is able to praise God even more. David got his hope back, because he got his faith back. As Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

So how do we get faith? Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” God’s word was in David, and that produced his faith.

Maybe you’re wondering, “What does all this mean?” It’s actually pretty simple. Life takes us all to caves of pain and distress. But if you can cry out to God, like David did, God is able to come to our rescue. Does it mean your situation won’t hurt anymore? Possibly not. But what will be evident is the hand of God, pulling you through each step. God has a tender spot for those who call on him, when all hope seems lost. He hears the cry of a cast away.

Blessings,
Jacob

Christ Became the Curse

2007-01-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday to you! I know most dread Mondays, but let me offer you a cup of inspiration this morning. Typically I write about practical topics of Christian living, however today I feel like sharing with you a scripture I’ve had on my heart recently. Perhaps it will remind you of what Jesus Christ has done for us. The scripture is found in
Galatians 3:13-14 (NLT):

13) But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14) Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

Too many, this scripture may not mean much or hold real value. But to all of us who have received Christ as our Savior, and have committed our lives to him, this scripture speaks volumes. Let me share with you a couple of truths that I marvel at:

1. Christ became the Curse, to Rescue us from the Curse
Whether through TV or first-hand account, we have all seen someone being rescued. To me, the most amazing rescues I’ve witnessed are when someone is trapped in a rushing river, and some brave rescuer has to be lowered by a helicopter, and pull the victim out of the gushing water. Essentially that is what Christ did for us. You and I were caught in a river of sin and destruction. Our doom was clear. But God lowered himself from Heaven to Earth, through Christ, and pulled us out. But unlike the rescuer in the helicopter, Jesus Christ actually had to trade places with us. And instead of both of you being lifted up to safety, just you are. Only to die, the strong current carries Christ away.

You see, he not only saved you from the curse, but became the curse so that you could have eternal life.

2. Christ became the Curse, to Bless us with Abraham’s Blessing
Abraham, the patriarch of faith, was promised great blessings from God that included his family, finances, health, personal legacy, and protection. You can learn about it in Genesis chapter 12. Before Christ, those enormous blessings were only available to the Jewish people. Any non-Jew is considered a “Gentile” in Biblical teaching.

When Christ died on the cross, and rose again, you and I were given the opportunity receive the blessings and benefits of Abraham. That’s as if a very healthy man had left a huge inheritance to his children, and nobody else. Then an attorney was able modify the contract, and now you, even though a stranger, receives the same portion. It’s just like that. Because Christ became the curse, you and I can receive every blessing available.

3. Christ became the Curse, to Inhabit us with the Holy Spirit
Not only have we received the prior benefits mentioned, but largely the greatest gift is that now Christ can live inside of us! Because Christ became the curse for us, he can come into our hearts and souls. The gift of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) is indeed a fruit that bears from the tree that He hung on. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and our guide. It is Christ, the living God, in us.

With the Holy Spirit in you there also comes power. Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…” (Acts 1:8). You are given power over the enemy and sickness of every kind. Does that excite you? Does that motivate you? It sure does to me! It’s means we can be victorious!

By Christ becoming the curse, the curse of sin was broken. Adam’s mistake in the Garden of Eden doesn’t mean that we have to suffer. Christ took on shame, so you and I could live shameless. Christ took the blame, so you and I could live blameless. How thankful should we be to him? How much should we praise him for this? What can we give in return for such a wonderful thing? I humbly suggest…your life.

Blessings,
Jacob

Dream Big for the New Year

2006-12-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

(End of the Year Article...A little longer than normal)

It’s that time again. The time when everyone is making New Year’s resolutions; pledging to trim off a few extra pounds, start that home business, get out of debt, go back to school, etc, etc. Everyone has different goals in mind for the New Year. That’s great. But seriously, how many times we made January 1st promises; only to come up short, or worse, never even try? Okay, I’ll be the first to say, “I’m guilty”. I’m guilty of making New Year’s vows, and shamefully breaking them. My guess is that I’m not alone on this. I presume you would join me in this category.

Truthfully, New Year’s resolutions are nice, but they’ve become more of a Holiday-driven ritual. So today, I’m not going to offer you ways on how to make a great resolution that you can tell all your friends about. I will, on the other hand, offer you some tips on starting the year off right, by setting realistic goals, and putting a plan in motion. Because let’s face it, without a plan, goals are just wishes.

Although resolutions have lost their punch, I challenge you to dream big. Everything that God has for you is within reach. So, allow me to draw from a concept I created that will help you reach your dreams and goals. The following acronym for DREAM itemizes valuable steps to take in reaching your dream:

Develop a game plan

Restructure habits

Evaluate growth

Anticipate resistance

Maximize opportunities

Develop a game plan.
Your dream needs a scheme. To me, the difference between someone who wishes and someone who dreams is a game plan. I’ve seen many wishful people talk about their dream but never develop a strategy to capture it. They pray about it. They chat about it. They smile about it. But they never map out a game plan. Your dream is not going to just show up at your front door. It must be chased with keenness and pursued with purpose.

A coach could talk about, shout about, aspire about winning the championship all he wants, but until he gets into his classroom and develops strategies, his dream will remain only a dream. While you’re developing a game plan, some questions need to be answered—for example, “What resources do I have?” and “What do I need?” The objective of a game plan is to sketch a course of action.

In order to have an effective game plan, you must set realistic targets. In other words, plan with faith but establish reachable goals. There’s nothing wrong with shooting for the moon as long as you remember you live on Earth. Your dream needs to be well thought out. Seek God—ask Him to help you put your plans on paper. I’ve personally made it a point to flesh out decisions and write down all of my dreams.

I distinguish goals that are wishful thinking rather than dream material by gauging how motivated I am to develop a game plan. I plan for the dreams that motivate me. The dreams may be long-term or short-term. They may be expensive or economical. They may be personal or corporate. Jotting down notes, typing a detailed strategy or drawing a diagram starts the game plan that will put feet to your dream.

Restructure habits.
Forming habits that are conducive to your meeting your goals will play a key role in capturing your dream.

When I decided to author my first book, The Woman’s Touch, I had to form a habit of writing. Everywhere I went, I had my laptop with me. I wrote in Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, shopping malls, cars, park benches, airplanes, restaurants, hotel rooms, my office and the church sanctuary. . .I think you get the picture. Anywhere at anytime was an opportunity for inspiration, so I had to be ready.

I sometimes wrote for five minutes, fifteen minutes, one hour and three hours. By doing this, I formed a habit. Was I gifted to write? I believe so. Did I have the ability? Yes. But having those things wasn’t going to get a book written until writing became a habit.

What’s your personal dream? Are you forming habits that compliment and endorse your dream? Restructuring your habits is a huge part of fulfilling your dream. You’ll never accomplish extraordinary things until you change your daily routine.

When you develop productive habits, you create a foundation of character. What things can you start doing today? What little habits could you form right now? To change tomorrow, start today.

Evaluate growth.
Fulfilling a dream is a process often filled with peaks and valleys. It is a learning experience. In order to truly seize a dream, you must evaluate your growth. Those who don’t analyze their development and chart their progress rarely reach their goals. You must be willing to change and improve, and the only way to improve is to evaluate.

Sometimes the best way to evaluate your operation and progress is to use an outside source. It’s natural for you to be a bit biased towards yourself when you’re doing the evaluating. Because it’s your dream, you’ll be inclined to protect it simply because you believe in it. But remember, the objective of evaluation is not to impair, but to improve. Evaluating your progress will keep you sharp and effective.

Anticipate resistance.
Every dreamer must expect resistance and opposition. Birthing a dream is a process that typically includes hardship. I honestly feel that a dream’s most crucial stage is during resistance. Resistance creates hunger if funneled in the right direction. You can either give up or go up. You can either quit or be fueled with determination. Every great person is made great through the pressure of pain and rejection.

Every time you’re denied, rejected, beat, broken, discouraged or opposed, you’re experiencing what every great dreamer must experience. What fire is to pottery clay, resistance and hardship are to a dreamer. Clay is given durability and toughness only by firing it at a high temperature. Firing is usually the final stage in the potter’s process.

Fire comes before usage. If you are in the midst of the fire, hold on and keep pursuing your dream. Resistance is a part of life. Rarely do dreams and visions roll in smoothly. As an author, I’ve received countless denials and dismissals on my writings. Yet I thank God for rejection because it has made me a better fighter. It’s also helped me appreciate every level I reach. If you have the right attitude, resistance will do the same for you.

Maximize opportunities.
In chapter one, I wrote about maximizing misfortunes. You must also learn to maximize opportunities. Seldom do opportunities come in a perfect ready-made package. They often come coupled with risks. If you have an open door, walk through it. If you have an opportunity, seize it. Life-changing opportunities don’t come all the time. They present themselves, and if you’re hungry and zealous to achieve, you’ll recognize them.

Sometimes the only thing that separates successful people from the unsuccessful is the recognition and maximization of opportunities.

If there is a chance to obtain your dream, go for it. Capitalize on it. Enlarge it. Do what it takes to amplify your ambitions. If you’re persistent and tenacious, a door will eventually open. Trust God to guide you and point you in the right direction. Ask, seek and knock until God answers with an opportunity.

When we pray for God to send us a miracle or solution, He often sends us an opportunity. Why? So, that we will grow and learn to exercise the power He’s already given to us through His Spirit.

I hope today's article has helped you. I encourage you to pursue your dreams with passion and diligence. Stay focused on your target. Be patient. Be open to learn. Perhaps 2007 will be your breakout year. Perhaps this will be the year you take big steps towards your dream.

Special Note:
Before I sign off, I just want to thank you for reading my blogs this year. 2006 marked the beginning of this ministry, and it is my prayer that it continues to bless your life. The purpose of FaithLounge is to offer weekly inspiration through practical advice and Biblical application. I hope that you will continue to tune in, and invite others to join. May you have a blessed New Year, one that is filled with joy and victory!

Blessings,
Jacob

Getting a Grip on Anger

2006-12-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

One thing is for sure; we all get angry from time to time. But anger itself is not a sin, as some suppose. Even God gets angry. Some things that anger God are sin, disobedience, and pride. Anger is an emotion, just like happiness and sadness. However, if you are not careful, anger can control your behavior, frustrate your daily life, and cause huge problems in your relationships.

Anger is often exemplified by feelings of displeasure, hostility, wrath, and of course, vengeance. Anger is the outlet of dissatisfaction and discontentment. It is often considered to be the most passionate of all human emotions, including love. Anger drives people to do things they wouldn’t usually do. It drives people to act in ways they wouldn’t typically act. Every issue of anger cannot be solved in a short article, but the Bible does offer us ways of getting a grip on anger, so that it doesn’t lead to sin.

1. Guard yourself Against the Triggers - 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith…” The enemy is constantly looking for ways to set you off. Usually on a daily basis, he looks for opportunities to trigger your anger. Whether it’s someone treating you poorly, a reminder of an old issue, or an unfortunate event, he wants to capitalize on your sensitivity.

You must guard yourself by remaining alert to his antics. Don’t fall for his tricks. Be proactive by asking God to help you identify and snuff out anger triggers. Don’t just let anything get you hot. Anger can be valuable. So save it for when prudent action is warranted, as opposed to impulsive behavior.

2. Forgive, and Remember Vengeance belongs to God – You are probably tired of hearing me talk about forgiveness. But it’s no coincidence how many areas of life it affects. So as I have said before, when you have been hurt, offended or mistreated, let it go! Chances are, holding on to that hurt or planning a scheme to get even will go nowhere. In fact, you won’t just have moments of anger; you will live an angry life.

Romans 12:19 says, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God…” God’s revenge is righteous. When he sticks up for you, it won’t cause a mess and hurt innocent bystanders, like your revenge would. No matter how angry you are, forgive, and release the situation to God. Trust that God will bring you a better future.

3. Get Angry, but Don’t Sin – Okay, you might like this one. If something warrants anger, get angry! Express yourself. I personally don’t believe in suppressing anger because it piles up in your heart and causes all sorts of problems. The key is to express with maturity. Get angry, but don’t punch holes in the wall, pick fights, key peoples cars, set things on fire (physically and figuratively), or take it out on others. Don’t spread more anger by gossiping, scheming paybacks, uncovering dirt, making threats, or forcing your friends to choose a side.

Remain calm. Pray. Anger is not a sin, but if handled immaturely, it can lead to sin. Ephesians 4:26–27 says, “And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” These are some wise Biblical words! This leads me to my forth point.

4. Find a Healthy Outlet – If in a moment of anger, you aren’t sure what to do, consider the following:

· Pray about it – people in the Bible got angry all the time. But those who had success were able to take their frustration and anger to God. Allow the Holy Ghost to govern your life.
· Think it through – think and try to understand before you act out. Ask yourself, “Am I overreacting?” Could it be that there is a whole other side to this? Anger is often fueled by ignorance.
· Occupy yourself – praying is definitely a way to channel your emotions, however, you could also take a walk or work on a project or task.

Anger can be a good thing, when it’s pointed in a positive direction; and an absolutely terrible thing when it’s pointed in a negative direction. Whatever you do, it’s okay to feel angry, just make sure you have a grip on it.

Tools for Growth:

1. Of the 4 ways of getting a grip on anger, which do you feel you’re best at, and why?

2. Which do you feel you need to improve on, and why?

Blessings,
Jacob

Help, I am Out of Balance!

2006-12-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

For most people, life is a daily juggling act between their roles, obligations and personal time. In a world that has so many gadgets to help us better manage our lives, it actually can feel like the reverse is happening. Instead of being on top of things, you feel like you’re being squashed, especially around the Holidays when everyone takes it up about 3 notches. We get busy. We all wish we had an extra 4 hours in our day, to do everything we want; work, kid’s soccer practice, meals, errands, and if you’re a Christian, church.

Raising a family, being married, plus working and doing ministry all require dedication. Often times, as I have found in my own life, these streams of schedules overlap each other, making your week look like a painting straight out of Picasso’s gallery. Add to the mix that you might be a perfectionist or overachiever type, and you have yourself quite a crazy combination. However, I would like to share with you some practical principles about getting balanced.

1. Be Realistic about Time
In the business world, where deadlines must be met, we have the tendency to think that if something doesn’t happen in the time we thought, that somehow we are not doing enough. So what is our solution? We rush.

Okay, sometimes rushing is needed, like when you’re running late (funny how it’s not called walking late, but running late) to an appointment, and your kids need to be dropped off at school, etc. But there are people who rush, everywhere—every time. God never rushes. And he’s never in a hurry. In fact, it’s against his nature. Check this out; when God created everything, he took 6 divine days (it’s widely believed that 1 day is like a thousand years to God, 2 Pet. 3:8) and then rested on the 7^th day.

In other words, God handled his business in 6 days, and just kicked-back on day 7. But he took his time. We try to squeeze 3 or 5 days of activities and tasks into one or two days, then get frustrated when we don’t finish. Readjust your idea about time.

2. Don’t Over Commit
It is the natural tendency of many to over commit. That is a recipe for disaster. We want to do everything. Many of us struggle with saying “no”. So, we over commit ourselves, putting more on our plate than we can actually handle. The problem is, we KNOW when we are doing this, but we feel like we can find a way to make it happen. However, all you do is stretch yourself too thin, and instead of being excellent in 2 or 3 things, you’re mediocre in 5 or 6 things.

This is a case of being overcommitted. Your desire to do it all, leaves you bankrupt of time and energy. You can’t do it all. Sometimes those involved in ministry feel that because they are doing God’s work, God will supercharge them to get it all done. Of course, God helps us, but in the case of Martha, he basically told her, “Hey, you’re way too busy doing things. And even though it’s good, you should sit down listen to my words” (Luke 10:38–42).

This sounds like an oxymoron, but knowing your limitations can be the most liberating thing.

3. Keep God First
Jesus stated, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:23). This principle remains a classic teaching of Christ. However, sometimes we forget or overlook its day-to-day significance in our lives. When you put God first, he will bless your every endeavor. We often say that God is at the center of our lives. While that is good, the place God wants to be is first.

This can be a struggle, especially when you’re managing a ministry role, and a family and business role. But you need find the right balance. People often feel like they have to compromise. However it’s not about compromising, but complimenting. Organize your activities (church, family life, career) so that they compliment one another. Perhaps on another occasion I can write more on this topic.

4. Get Away!
I love Mark 6:31 that says, “Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” Ever felt like that? If you keep missing meals, rest and down time, because you are too busy, you are out of balance. If you can go on a vacation, be it big or small, get away! If you can escape the rat race for a day, get away! People fear getting away, because they feel things will fall apart if they don’t stay. This practice has nothing to do with praying and fasting, but it’s very Jesus-like. Even he knew when to close shop.

Book a “just because” trip. Go to the park, the beach, the lake or the mountains. Take a cruise. Go on a road trip. Get away, so that you can balance out your life. And guess what, when you return you’ll be more effective, refreshed, and inspired to continue on.

So the question is, how do we manage our lives, so that we don’t lose grip on the things that really matter? How do we juggle our schedule and organize our roles and goals? Well, to be honest, there is no mysterious way of dealing with all this. Sorry, there is no magical wand you can wave in front of your life to erase things off your plate and relieve you of all your responsibilities. You simply have to make wise choices about your time and abilities, and put into practice the points I just mentioned.

Tools for Growth:

1. Of the four principles I mentioned, which one do you need to work on the most, and why?

2. What decisions can you make today, that will balance you out?

Blessings,
Jacob

Living to Serve

2006-12-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

Christ didn’t see serving as a burdensome chore—He saw it as a privilege. He didn’t serve with an attitude or a secret agenda. Christ served with meekness, grace, mercy and love. To Him, it was an absolute honor to kneel on the rough floor and bathe the feet of his own students. How many Ivy League professors would stoop down and clean their students’ feet? How many CEO’s would roll up their French cuffs, kneel and serve their people?

Christ, being both the ultimate teacher and CEO of the galaxy, girded Himself with a towel and submerged his hands in a basin. Jesus Christ, like the basin of water, was low to the earth (humble) and overflowing with cleansing capabilities. Like the girded towel, Jesus wipes off what the dusty roads of life have stained. He is the Savior and the Servant. What a great model we have in Christ. He left the suite of heaven to scrub away the sins of humanity! Let’s briefly look at some ways to improve your service:

1. Be Charitable
First things first, a servant must understand the concept of giving and personal sacrifice. Servanthood is all about giving of yourself and putting others first. A great example of this is found in the union of marriage. Marriage is about more than holding hands and cuddling. Marriage is serving. A husband serves his wife, and a wife serves her husband.

As a servant, you must love those you’re serving, or your giving will be spoiled. This is why God loves a cheerful giver. He adores someone who not only gives, but gives with joy and happiness.

2. Be Obedient
A person cannot truly serve until he is obedient to those he serves. Obedience means to submit to the will or authority of another. Obedience involves releasing the will and control of your life unto God. Christ Himself obeyed the will of the Father. When He knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42 NKJV). Christ was obedient to the point of death.

Nobody is asking you to die physically today, but rather to die to your will and ways. Being obedient means hearing and doing what God says, regardless of personal opinion or desires.

3. Be Teachable
A teachable person is a moldable person. The day I think I know it all is the day I haven’t learned anything. Learning is the key to personal growth. In order for your leader or mentor to mold you, you must be teachable. To be teachable, you must be willing to change the way you think, to bend. If nothing adapted, changed or bent, the world would be a boring place. When people are teachable, they open up an unlimited realm of possibilities. They can be molded and shaped for greatness.

4. Be Accountable
Accountability is about being “counted for.” In other words, it’s being held responsible. I think it’s funny when I hear people say that they want to be used in an area of service, yet they never submit themselves to leadership—like someone who says, “I want to evangelize, preach and give Bible studies” but rarely comes to church. What sense does that make?

A true servant must be accountable to someone’s “ship”: pastorship, leadership or mentorship.

Being charitable, obedient, teachable and accountable are powerful attributes that will improve your service. Do as Peter says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6 KJV).

Tools for Growth:

What type of feeling do you get when you serve?

Of the four key attributes to improving your service—charitable, obedient, teachable and accountable—which do you feel you need to work on?

Blessings,
Jacob

Five Smooth Stones

2006-12-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

1 Samuel 17:40 - Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.

So many people want God to use their lives. This is great! Young or old, God can use anyone. I am encouraged when I see people, especially the younger generation, hungry for God to use them in some area of ministry. So today, I want to offer you some basic principles on being used of God. To me, a great example is David, and how God used him to kill Goliath. This is arguably one of the most widely told stories in the Old Testament. But more than just a motivational story, it offers us a worthy template of how to be used by God.

The Bible says that when David got ready to destroy the giant, he dipped his hand into the brook, and pulled out five stones for his slingshot. If you know the story, you already know that it only took ONE stone to kill Goliath. However I believe that all five stones are symbolic of areas in your life, which qualifies you for God’s usage. Let’s take a look:

Stone # 1 – Have a Heart of Worship
To me, David’s first stone represents his relationship with God. He was a worshipper, a man with a heart after God. When he stepped up to Goliath, he saw a dwarf in comparison to God’s vastness and glory. He had spent so much time in God’s presence that Goliath’s presence did not intimidate him. This is what happens when you are a worshipper and have a steady prayer life. Worship maximizes your view of God and minimizes your view of your problems.

David could approach and defeat Goliath, because to him, this threat wasn’t a giant, but a dwarf.

Stone # 2 – Take Advantage of Small Opportunities
When David got the opportunity to head out to the battlefront, he took it. Even though he was only sent to deliver lunch, he took that job serious and was willing to go. Listen, even if your task in ministry starts off small (maybe even delivering lunch!), don’t feel cheated or undervalued. That small, ordinary responsibility could be the thing that positions you for something greater. Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) says, Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…

Be willing to do the little things. If you are faithful with a few things, God will make you a ruler over many.

Stone # 3 – Stay True to Yourself
One of the worst things you can do, even if you are not pursuing ministry, is comparing yourself to others. Unhealthy comparisons will stunt your potential and frustrate your faith. When David got to the battlefront, and volunteered to fight, the generals tried to outfit him with King Saul’s armor. But David quickly realized that the armor was not designed for his built, but for Saul’s. So, he took it off and stayed in the attire he already had on. With good intentions, people will try to dress you with someone else’s anointing, style, ministry or accomplishments. Beware of that!

I could stay on this a while, but just remember to be yourself. Don’t try to mimic anyone else. God created you with your own special gifts, talents, anointing and so on. You bring glory to him when you walk in the identity he gave you. Don’t be intimidated by others who may be progressing at a different pace than you. Celebrate your uniqueness. Be the best “you” you can be.

Stone # 4 – Keep a Humble Attitude
Although David was the one standing up to Goliath, never once did he take the credit for defeating him. He made it clear to the giant enemy that it was God who would destroy him and be glorified. David’s humility also stemmed from his life of worship. Having a humble attitude is so important when it comes to being used by God. Humility actually qualifies you for service.

If you humble yourself, God will raise you up. Christ had the same attitude. He humbled himself; and even though he was God robed in flesh, he never ceased to glorify God for the wondrous works that were done.

Stone # 5 – Stir Up your Gift
Aside from everything that David did right, one of the most important things he did was use the gift God gave him. Was it God who ultimately killed Goliath? Yes. But he operated through David’s giftedness. Once you realize what your God-given gifts are, utilize them. Paul told Timothy, Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Be a specialist at what God has given you. Always pursue excellence and settle for nothing less.

As a writer and speaker, I’m always working at my gifts—to improve and maximize my effectiveness. Sometimes it is through study and prayer, other times through experience. But I encourage you to sharpen your skill in ministry, which will bless others and glorify God.

Get your five smooth stones, and run towards your purpose in Christ!

Tools for Growth:

1. Of the five stones, which one(s) do you feel you need to improve most, and why?

2. Do you find yourself, comparing yourself to others who share common ministries? If so, what do you plan to do to change that?

3. Have you recognized what your gifts are? If so, write them down. And in your daily prayer, ask God to help you develop them. If not, begin to ask God to show you them. (Hint) Sometimes the things we enjoy doing are closely related to our gifts.

Blessings,
Jacob

When You’ve Been Hurt, Let it Go!

2006-12-04T14:32:00.000-08:00

Let me be straightforward with you when I say, “We’ve all been hurt.” I’ve been hurt. You’ve been hurt. The people around you have been hurt. Everyone who has lived life along enough has or will be hurt by someone or something. Being hurt, offended, or even mistreated is unavoidable. Just because you have been hurt, doesn’t mean that a shadow hangs over you, or that somehow you’ve been singled out. It happens to all of us. Maybe not in the same way, or to the same degree, but everyone has scars.

I don’t want to make lite of your situation or emotions, but the only way you’ll find true freedom, joy and peace is by letting it go. You might be thinking, “Okay, now he’s really lost his mind.” Well, it does sound a little extreme, but keep reading.

In order for you to truly understand the power and value of “letting it go”, you have to look at the other side, which is, “holding on”. We as humans tend to hold on to things, especially when we’ve been hurt. In fact, the thought of letting it go might bother you. Why? Because for the most part, people (or victims) feel a sense of empowerment when they hold on to hurt feelings and unforgiveness towards someone. But it’s a false sense of empowerment. The reality is, you’re really not holding anyone hostage by refusing to forgive, holding a grudge, being bitter, gossiping, being critical, crying, hating or being vengeful—but yourself. You may think you’re doing damage to the other person, but the only one being damaged is you. The old saying, “I’m going to show them!” was probably spoken by someone who never really showed them.

Letting go is really about forgiving and moving on. Let’s look at two reasons why people struggle with letting go. I can’t let go because:

1. It Says that What Happened to me was Okay
Totally false, but boy have I heard this one a few times. Hurt people tend to feel like if they release their pain or the people who caused it, it somehow condones it. They feel by letting it go, their offender is off the hook and blameless. However, this idea is incorrect and actually traps you. The reality is, you’re not letting yourself off the hook. While that other person(s) has already moved on and living life, you’re still not over it.

This excuse has so many people bound. And it’s time to realize that holding on to your hurts only hurts you more.

2. I’m a Victim
Some can’t let go because they have adopted a victim mentality. Strange as it sounds, people actually get attached to their hurts. They go so long that they aren’t sure how to live or function without feeling that way. This is especially difficult because letting go feels like they’re separating a part of themselves. One gets to this point after months or years of holding on to the past. Their hurts and frustrations take root in their hearts. And roots are not easy to pull out.

The powerful advice I can give you is, “let it go.” By letting it go, you are releasing yourself of the stress it causes. Forgive and put the issue behind you. Cast your cares to God, because he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7).

If people have mistreated you…let it go!
If people have abused you…let it go!
If people have talked about you…let it go!
If people have offended you…let it go!
If you’ve been wounded emotionally…let it go!
If you’ve been betrayed or abandoned…let it go!
If you’ve been the target of criticism…let it go!
If you’ve suffered through circumstances…let it go!
If life, in general, hasn’t been good to you…let it go!

The more you can let go, the more God can fill every space in your life. Jesus showed us how to let it go. When he hung on the jagged cross, having been rejected and nailed by his people, he uttered out “Father forgive them, because they don’t know what they’re doing.” In other words, “let them go.”

How you live the remainder of this precious life is up to you. But I urge you; when you’ve been hurt, let it go. Refuse to hold yourself hostage to false ideas about revenge and unrealistic goals that somehow you’ll get even or teach the other a lesson. Walk in the liberty that God has given you through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Call Satan a liar and live the life God intended. In Jesus Name!

Blessings,
Jacob

All Things Work Together...

2006-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

I am filled with joy over the goodness of God. In all things, God is good, and he working in our favor. Today I would just like to encourage you with a passage of scripture that blessed me this morning in prayer. As I was meditating, I came across Romans 8:28, which says:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

This scripture is powerful and brings encouragement to the soul. Allow me to share a little bit of insight with you. No matter what hardship you are going through right now, God is going to see you through it. Often times we get lost in the fog of worry and feel like God has forgotten about our pain and conditions. We feel as though Christ has overlooked our situation. But the reality is, He closer to you than you realize and his hand is at work in your life.

The Apostle Paul said, “We know that all things work together for good…” Sometimes we stop there. We sometimes figure that no matter how we live or walk, things will work out good. But that is not the case. Even though we have God’s grace, our victory is conditional on two major principles:

1. To Those who Love God
Paul first indicates that things will work together for good…to those who love God. Now, I know we all say we love God. And that is great. However, just saying you love him isn’t enough. Jesus once remarked, “If you love me, keep my commandments”. No matter what you’ve been told, loving God is a lifestyle, a decision, and a daily walk. Nothing tells God that you love him more than when you obey his word, follow his counsel, and respect his authority. Sound crazy? Not really, when you consider that love is a behavior, not just a gushy feeling. Okay, I could say more, but I will leave it here.

2. To Those who Are Called According to His Purpose
The key here is, “HIS” purpose. Again, Paul is saying that things will work out good for those who are living and walking in his purpose for their lives. Being in the will of God affects how you handle adversity. On the same token, being in His purpose doesn’t negate hardship either. However, it gives God the license to act and move on your behalf, because your faith is in him. When you are in his purpose, you make room for him to work in your life.

Things working out for the good in your life hinges on these two keys. Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Love him with your lifestyle. Also, align yourself with his purpose. Line up with his will for your life. If you follow these principles, you will soon discover that indeed, all things work together for the good.

Blessings,
Jacob

P.S. If you’re enjoying these blogs, and they have been a blessing to you, I encourage you to invite others to subscribe. New members can sign up at: http://www.truetouch.org/faithlounge/ under Google Groups.

5 Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

2006-11-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

The rush towards Christmas has officially begun. Actually, I think it began the day after Thanksgiving, with all those huge sales being offered by retailers. For many, “Tis’ the season” to stand in long lines at the check-out counter, bring out your Christmas décor from 1989, and make your rounds at all those lovely parties. Of everything that people associate with Christmas, the actual reason for the holiday is becoming less and less important.

As I look around at the all the festivities taking place, my heart hopes that we embrace more than the season, but Christ, who without him there would be no reason to celebrate. With movies such as “The Nativity Story” hitting the box office, I’m a little more hopeful that people everywhere will remember why we celebrate. However, a movie isn’t enough. So, I’ve come up with 5 ways to keep Jesus Christ the center of the Christmas season.

1. Give God a Gift
What could be more valuable than giving our Savior a gift? Obviously you can’t wrap a gift and FedEx it to him Airmail. Doubt he needs any gloves or slippers. But there are a few things we can do that bring pleasure to God. One gift could simply be worship. Decide to worship and praise him more. Spend extra time just thanking him for being born, and the miracle it is. Perhaps your gift to God will be to forgive someone you've needed to forgive for a long time. Or maybe your gift will be a rededication of your soul to him.

2. Read the Christmas story (Luke 1:5-56; 2:1-20)
Revisit the story you probably heard so many times before. Ask God to show you something new, different from what you thought you knew about the birth of Jesus Christ. If you have children, read it to them. Let them know that Christmas isn’t necessarily about Frosty the Snow Man and Santa Claus. Read them the real story.

3. Spread good will and love towards others
Instead of focusing so much on your wish list, focus on what you could give others, especially those less fortunate. Give someone a gift they’ll remember. Bring over a turkey or full meal to a needy family. Volunteer your time or money to your church’s Christmas outreach. Also, get your family involved. Show your children that Christmas is more than about getting a new toy, but maybe a new friend.

4. Try to Avoid the Commercialization of Christmas
Much of what American society calls Christmas, is simply commercialized and media-driven fluff. Everything from Santa suit potholders to miniature trees for your dashboard can flood your world with holiday hype. Christ often gets lost in all this. And too much of it will stir your focus away from the true reason for the season.

5. Use simple ways to Convey Christ
First of all, even if it’s faster to write or type, avoid the term “Xmas”. That’s the easiest way to take Christ out. Also, instead of saying “Happy Holiday’s” or “Season’s Greetings”, try your best to say “Merry Christmas”. Every year, our secular society moves further and further away from the greeting “Merry Christmas”. Say it and make no apologies. Call it a “Christmas” party, dinner, or gathering. I know these are just little things; but sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference.

So as your standing in those long lines or putting up decorations, try to remember these simple ways of keeping Christ the center of Christmas. You still have a whole month to exercise these habits!

Blessings,
Jacob

Still Thankful?

2006-11-27T10:44:00.000-08:00

The turkey is gone. The stuffing is all finished. A few days after Thanksgiving and for the most part, people are already slipping back into the typical routine of life. I, like many of you had to get up this morning and face Monday. And while I don’t have any gravy or yams this morning, I still am so thankful for everything God has done in my life.

Feeling thankful and being thankful are two totally separate things. I don’t always “feel” thankful, but I ought to always “be” thankful for what God has blessed me with. Feeling thankful can come for a moment, a season or time. Maybe after receiving a gift or award, you will feel very thankful. But being thankful is something that you express daily.

The simplest ways of being thankful is by actually saying “thank you.” We sometimes stop saying “thank you” for things that we feel we deserve or own, or when we feel something is indispensable. For instance, you might stop thanking God for your job because you’ve been employed for so long. But remember how you felt when they said, “You’re hired?” You might stop thanking your spouse for being “your” spouse, because the wedding day is long over and you have plenty of anniversaries under your belt. But remember how thankful you felt when she said, “Yes?” Or when he got down on one knee?

And of course there are the smaller, yet important things. Perhaps your spouse does something for you or your family consistently, that they are just expected to do. Sometimes we stop saying “thank you” for things people are supposed to do…and we save our “thank you” for when they do super things. Ladies, if your husband gets up for work every morning to provide for you and your family, say “thank you”. Men, if your wife tirelessly nourishes your home and children, say “thank you”. The more thankful we are for the things we’re obligated to do, the more grateful and satisfied we’ll be for the things we’re not.

Not only is thanking God important, but also thanking one another. God is good, but God doesn’t make your spouse love you or your pastor serve you. Everyday, they have to wake up and decide whether they will or not. Just a thought.

So turkey day is past, and Christmas is quickly approaching. Start thinking about ways you can say “thank you” for the things you think are normal, expected and/or deserved. Because often times it’s those same things that wear us out.

Here are some ideas:

Leave your husband a “thank you” note in his briefcase, laptop bag, or lunch.
Husbands, if your wife typically makes dinner, drop a “thank you” note in her favorite pan or pot.
Leave a “thank you” note on your pastor’s (or his wife’s) desk, thanking them for their prayers.
Again, the more thankful we are for the things we’re obligated to do, the more grateful and satisfied we’ll be for the things we’re not.

Thank you for reading. =)

Jacob

He Stooped Low

2006-11-20T13:20:00.000-08:00

Her knees were scrapped and her lips quivered with nervous fear. Her hair was tangled with small clumps of dirt and her body slightly clad with a tattered negligee—the only clothing she had time to grab when the intruders barged in. With her head hanging low, she did not see the crowd gathering around her, but she heard the pattering feet and bustling aggression rising. News broke quick and spread like wildfire. Her secret sins had become front-page gossip and the Pharisees smelled blood in the water. She knew what was about to happen—the unthinkable. Accused and caught in the act of adultery, her fate was dim.

To say she felt guilty would be an understatement. Even before critics picked out their execution stones, she had already judged herself. She figured, “why fight? I belong here.” As the crowd of accusers grew, she ironically felt alone with her thoughts of regret. With those thoughts, the pious, self-righteous Pharisees saw her condition as an opportunity to test Jesus, who had been claiming to be the Messiah. Eager to put him in a moral and religious quandary, they brought him to where this woman was.

Little did this woman know, that when Jesus Christ stepped into the picture, her life would change.

Bruised and embarrassed, she cupped together her shaking hands and smothered her face into them. Her shock turned into remorse. Tears began to leak through between her fingers as her hands held her face. Soon everyone noticed as she sat in a puddle of pain.

“What are you going to do about this, Jesus?” said one loud Pharisee. “She was caught in the very act of adultery. And you know what the ancient law says!” They had hoped to trap Christ, forcing him to choose compassion over law, or law over compassion. Christ wasn’t trapped at all. He quietly walked towards the accused woman, crouched low and wrote in the dirt with his finger. Then he faced the group and said, “You are all more than welcomed to punish this woman with death. The law says what it says. However, I ask only those who are sinless, and who have never failed, to throw a stone.” The crowd was silenced as their conscience judged them.

The stones dropped…and so did the mouths of the Pharisees. They were stumped.

Still shaken and scared, the woman was nearly oblivious what had just happened. So Jesus turns toward her, stooped lower, and said, “Dear woman, look up, where are your accusers?” Once she realized that they had left. Jesus softly uttered, “If they don’t accuse you, neither do I. So my advice to you is to get up, leave this place, and never do these things again.”

With tears still flowing, she realized that she had been forgiven…that even when she was wrong, this Messiah named Jesus stood up for her. But she knew then, what you and I know today. It wasn’t when Jesus stood up for you that made the difference—it was when he stooped down, touched and wrote in the dirt of your lifestyle, and forgave you.

He touches the sensitive areas where you think no one understands; takes your shame, so you can live shameless. He heals with the stroke of his hands.

Whether you deserved punishment or not, He stooped low…so you could stand tall.

Blessings,
Jacob

ThanksLiving

2006-11-15T10:10:00.000-08:00

Carved turkeys. Stuffing. Mashed potatoes. Yams. Baked ham. Dinner rolls. Pumpkin pie. Yes, thanksgiving is approaching soon. Perhaps you can already smell the aroma of a freshly baked turkey filling your kitchen. Well, thanksgiving is more than about eating more than you can handle and breaking the wishbone. Thanksgiving is a time to come together and be thankful for all the things you might have taken for granted throughout the year. It’s about sharing the joy of life with family, friends and hopefully with someone less fortunate than you. And yes, it’s about holiday food.

As Thanksgiving sneaks up on us, I think it’s a good time to remind ourselves the importance of thanksliving. Although Thanksgiving is an opportunity to be thankful for all God has given us, I truly believe that everyday can be Thanksgiving (without the turkey and mashed potatoes of course). Thanksliving, or living a thankful life, is the key to many of God’s great treasures. If we give thanks on a continual basis, we will discover a life full of joy, satisfaction and peace.

Let’s look at the two-fold purpose of thanksgiving:

1. Thanksgiving brings Praise
Psalm 50:3 says, “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me…” Thanking God is a form of praise and worship. Many scriptures associate thanksgiving with praise. A simple “Thank You” to God, is just one of many ways to praise him. Personally, when I start thanking God, I can never run out of things to thank him for. If I thank him for my breath of life, I’ll thank him for my health, my wife, my family, my church, my pastor, my ministry, my job, etc. There are so many things to thank God for. Psalm 92:1 says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;” I dare you to thank him today.

2. Thanksgiving brings Peace
Not only does thanksgiving bless God, but it blesses you. Yes, you can benefit from this! The more thankful you are, the more appreciative and humble you feel. It changes your mentality about life and everything you have. It relieves you of worry, stress, and discontentment. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” In other words, instead of being worried and burdened with life, you can live in peace.

Homework:
There are 8 days till Thanksgiving. Each day, choose one thing in your life to thank God for specifically. For instance, tomorrow, thank him for your children. Then perhaps the next day, thank him for your job. You get the picture. When Thanksgiving Day comes, you’ll feel like it’s more than a holiday, but an exclamation point after your ThanksLiving.

Blessings,
Jacob

Temptation: Persist to Resist

2006-11-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

When you get a chance, read Genesis 39:6-15. It’s kind of lengthy so I chose not to insert it. However, there you will find the ever-dramatic encounter of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. In an age where many Christians, even leaders, are being trapped with temptation, we need to refresh our minds in how to overcome temptation. Joseph paints this picture well.

Joseph was caught in a bad situation. Potiphar’s wife has literally throwing herself on him, pressuring and seducing. Talk about persistent! This woman couldn’t rest until she had Joseph. He was well built and handsome. But I honestly don’t believe that it was Joseph’s physique that attracted this spiteful woman. It was his innocence, integrity and uprightness that triggered her desire for him. The enemy will always challenge holiness and integrity. The enemy will always attempt to sabotage God’s chosen people. Potiphar’s wife wanted to destroy Joseph. Just like Samson and Delilah, there is an evil spirit that specializes in attacking those who uphold a standard.

The following are some quick truths about Joseph that empowered him to resist temptation:

1. His faith was known.
The Bible says that Potiphar realized and noticed that the Lord was with Joseph. He was not quiet about his relationship with God. He didn’t broadcast it. He didn’t announce it or distribute flyers to promote his ministry. People knew Joseph was a man of God by the way he lived. I’m sure he wasn’t ashamed to speak about God, especially since interpreting dreams were part of his ministry. But his lifestyle spoke more than anything.

2. He was active.
Joseph didn’t become idle. He was busy working, planning, collaborating, managing duties and serving at high capacities. Joseph didn’t have time to sit back. He was on route to his destiny. He was actively involved in the business of his life. Joseph’s sense of purpose kept him focused and alert. It’s when you stray away from your purpose that you begin to lose focus.

When you don’t have something to fight for, you have nothing to live for. Don’t lose your fight.

3. He had boundaries.
Joseph understood and respected his boundaries. Upon being promoted, Potiphar made his guidelines clear. Joseph had rights to everything in Potiphar’s house, except his wife. Solid lines were drawn, and Joseph knew them well. In an age of blurred lines, let me ask you a few questions:

· Do you know your boundaries?
· Have you drawn clear moral lines?
· Do you know when/if you’ve crossed the lines?

Not having defined boundaries creates grey zones. It also makes things easily justifiable. When there are no solid boundaries about sin, it’s easier to remain neutral and unchallenged. Boundaries also create accountability. No matter how spiritual or anointed you are, you need to be accountable to someone, other than your spouse.

4. He called sin “sin”.
Unfortunately we live in a world where morality has been blurred and people are calling “sin” something else. Sin becomes “right” in their eyes. God doesn’t play games when it comes to labeling sin. We live in a society that has changed the terms, whereby smudging the lines of morality. Look that the comparison below:

· Hostility and out of control tempers are called "self-expression."
· Pride is called "self-confidence."
· Greed is called "the good life."
· Covetousness is called "trying to get ahead."
· Perversion is called "an alternative lifestyle."
· Fornication is called “testing the waters.”
· Adultery is called “a cry for help.”
· Abortion is called “a woman’s right to chose.” (Instead of murder)

Joseph called sin what it was. He told Potiphar’s wife, “How could I ever do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” We have to call it like it is. Sin is sin. There is no grey area. There is no middle ground. This understanding helped Joseph resist temptation, and it will help you too. Truth is empowering.

The Bible says to “resist the devil, and he will flee.” In other words, keep hanging up the phone on him, and eventually he won’t call as much. Keep slamming the door in his face, and he won’t knock as often. Persist to resist. =)

Blessings,
Jacob

The Busy Bandits (Pt. 2)

2006-11-07T15:09:00.000-08:00

What keeps you busy may not be work, but it could be hobbies, school, family, church, etc. Many things can occupy our time. And what happens is; we end up giving God whatever is leftover. When we're consumed with busyness, God typically gets our spare time, usually accompanied with tiredness and boredom. By the time we pray, we're out of breath and out of tune. Our words are barren, without depth and seedless. Muttering whatever comes to mind, we squint, talk somberly, but feel and affect nothing. In total frustration, we stop, remember something we have to do, and walk away with a weary heart. Trust me, I write from experience. I've knelt; prayed weakly for ten minutes, then start thinking about everything I have to do, people I have to call, bills I have to pay and places I have to go. Meanwhile, God is on the other side of the line, just listening to you talk to yourself.

Busyness is fatal in the spirit world. It can rob you of so much goodness. God is asking you, me, all of us, to remember he is the source of life. We're so afraid of wasting time and losing out, yet God is saying, if you seek me first, I will add to you all that you need and desire. Spending 30 minutes or an hour with God won't hurt your sale, it will secure it. Spending time in prayer won't ruin your business, it will bless it. Seeking God won't hurt your grades, it will elevate them. Spending quality moments with God won't weaken your drive, it will strengthen it. Ambition alone brings seasonal success. Ambition plus God, brings lasting greatness.

Starting your day with God is the best thing you can do for your day. Morning prayer is the breakfast of champions. But especially for you busy folks. You know, as well as I know, things come up throughout the day; unexpected meetings, emergencies and change of plans. A day rarely if ever turns out exactly the way you planned it. That's life. So if you schedule your prayer time in the evening or late night, there's no guarantee that you'll be able to stick to it. The early morning is always available and never interrupted. It's calm, silent, and fresh. For busy career types or busy moms and dads, praying in the morning might be your best solution.

It's all about management. How you manage your time and energy. You may have time, but no energy. You may have energy, but no time. Everyone is different. We all have 24-hours in a day, but we all use them differently. I'm not a time management expert. But I have a good understanding about priorities. We generally plan our days around our priorities. What I'm suggesting is, make God your number one priority. I know we say that sometimes, but honestly, does God really take precedence? God must always be first, not just with money, but with time. Seeking his kingdom first will result in greater blessings for our lives.

Busyness is an epidemic; a problem of mass proportion. From San Francisco to New York City, Seattle to Miami, busyness is widespread. Unfortunately, it's God who is being left out of the day-planner. Our passion to be successful has drowned our passion for God. Sadly, even in some Christian circles, we've stressed prosperity, success and dreams more than we have prayer and consecration. I believe God wants us all to be blessed and prosperous. God wants us to succeed more than anyone. But in some cases, churches have transformed from houses of prayer to motivation (feel-good) centers and prosperity portals. We've taken scriptures and built business plans and wealth plans out of them. I'm not against teaching such topics. I personally teach biblical prosperity. The church has taken impressive steps in that area. However, basic principles of faith and relationship with God have been abandoned.

Until we learn to slow down and pray, God will always play second fiddle in the orchestra we call "life".

He's waiting....

Jacob

The Busy Bandits (Pt. 1)

2006-11-07T14:35:00.000-08:00

Forgive me if I bore you with the topic of prayer, however, I'd like to spend the next couple of days unloading some of my most deepest thoughts on how busyness can rob us of our relationship with God. You might want to forward these Blogs to people; at work, at church, anywhere. Share them with someone you know could benefit. Hopefully you have "time"...to read. =)

There are some real significant reasons why people don’t pray. Based on their experience, surroundings or faith, they ignore prayer. These prayer dodgers are in real danger; the danger of never knowing and experiencing God for who he is. Knowing of him isn’t enough. The time has come to know him. I would like to zero in on one particular characteristic: busyness, or what I’m calling, the busy bandits.

For most everyone, time is money. We live in a microwave generation, a generation that thrives on doing things fast and easy. In Too Busy Not to Pray, author and pastor Bill Hybels describes the following about our face-paced, profit-driven society. “Cram more in. Start earlier. Work later. Take work home. Use a laptop on the commuter train. Phone clients while you drive. Check your e-mail while you fly. Schedule breakfast, lunches and dinners for profit. Performance, performance, performance—it’s the key to promotion, to compensation, to power...Getting caught up in that intense pace can be rewarding! It’s exciting when the adrenaline starts to flow and you get on a roll, when your motor starts racing faster and faster. But it leaves precious little time for quiet moments with God.” There’s not a better way to say it. We are just too busy, too much, too late, and too often. Finding time for God is easier said then done for many. Time is a precious commodity. It’s valuable, costly and irreplaceable.

Where does God fit in? Between your lunch meetings, client presentations, phone calls, the kid’s soccer practice, homework, dozens of errands, is there any room for God? Ponder that question. Consider it deeply in your heart. Has your life become so busy, so hectic that God has gradually been pushed out of the picture? It’s possible. Even for church goers. We church members, laborers and leaders can be just as guilty of being a busy bandit as those in corporate America. Just because our work is “kingdom related”, doesn’t give us a free pass on prayer. Between church broad meetings, choir practice, praise team practice, ministry meetings, mid-week sessions, building fund meetings, fundraisers and events, we too can neglect prayer. Church business should never be an excuse for dodging prayer.

Ambition is great. We need it to succeed. But ambition can quickly become obsession or addiction. Our ambition to succeed at work, make partner, get promoted, achieve goals, or gain respect can shift our focus away from God.

If gaining career success means losing your relationship with God, it’s not worth it. At the end of the day, when the stock market closes and your office is empty, what do you have left? When the deals and contracts cease, and the computer sleeps, what is really going to sustain you? Certainly not money. The only surety in life is God. And if we’re not connected to him through prayer, we won’t be able to fulfill our potential. God himself brought the client, got you noticed and got people to like you. It only makes sense to talk to him daily.

To be continued...

Jacob

Communicating through Conflict

2006-11-02T14:42:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 15:4 says, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Lately I’ve been thinking about sometimes how difficult it is to resolve conflict, especially within a team or family. Nobody likes conflict, and naturally we tend to avoid it. But sometimes, we simply cannot avoid it. So learning how to communicate through conflict can play a vital role in your life. Communication is important, within a family or team, it’s critical. To me, communication is the link between knowledge and ignorance.

What we often fail to realize is “how” we communicate is just as important as “what” we communicate. Listen carefully; if you say the right thing in the wrong tone or method, you said the wrong thing. How we handle communication determines how well we can resolve conflict. We can either promote life and goodness, or pain and abuse. It’s that simple.

Let me give you some pointers when communicating through a conflict, especially a relationship conflict.

1. Analyze the Conflict – If you speak before you analyze, you might say things you wish you didn’t. Prayerfully judge the situation. Weigh the matter before you verbalize your frustration. Matthew 7:2, 3 (NLT) says, “For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” This is the most important step because it could save you further stress.

2. Never begin a Conversation with Criticism – It’s confession time! We’ve all done this. We’re disappointed about something (okay, we’re “mad”) and we start the conversation with critical remarks like, “You always do this…” What you’re saying is, I want a fight, not a resolution. Anytime you begin a conversation with criticism or sarcasm, you start off on the wrong foot. Proverbs 10:11 says, “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”

3. Own your Part – This is the part we avoid the most. Rarely are we willing to look at our role in the conflict. You have to ask yourself, “How much of this is my fault?” James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults one to another…” Admitting where you were wrong helps open the door to healing, resolution and restoration. You have to swallow some pride, but it’s worth it. What helps is also using personal statements (I. my. our.) rather than blaming or attacking (you. your.).

4. Never bring up Unrelated Issues – When communicating through a conflict, never bring up unrelated, unconnected issues. This not only takes the focus off what’s being discussed, but causes further tension. Now instead of solving one problem, you have multiple issues that won’t be solved at that time anyway. It also makes you feel like you’re never going to put an end to the matter. I know it can be tempting, especially when you feel like they’re all related. But you’re not going to solve world hunger by pouring everything out on the table at the wrong time.

5. Always maintain Respect – When communicating through conflict, never disrespect the other individual. This is what I refer to as when you say the right thing in the wrong method, you said the wrong thing. Being disrespectful negates your opinion. No matter how right you are, you never have a license to demean or belittle someone’s character. Even in a disagreement, your issue has a much higher chance of being resolved when you respect each other. It helps to defuse the tension.

I hope today’s writing was a help to you. I know it’s more on the practical side, but we definitely need it.

Blessings,
Jacob

What's in Your Hand?

2006-11-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

Today's blog is more like an article because it's a little longer. If you can't read it all now, start it now and finish it later. Enjoy!
______________________________

Whenever God asks a question, he isn’t asking because he doesn’t know the answer. Let’s get one thing straight; God knows absolutely everything. Nothing is hidden from his eye. So when we asks you a question, it’s for your benefit—not his. Anytime God poses a question, it’s because there is a truth that he wants to teach or reveal to us. His questions are growth moments, learning opportunities to change your life. This was the case with Moses.

Exodus 4:1-3 says, “Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.” Moses was at a critical time in his destiny when God asked him this question. On the brink of delivering the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, he began to feel unqualified. It’s normal to doubt your abilities and even your purpose, when facing a life-altering mission. Moses, who couldn’t speak very eloquently, was being summoned to be the voice of God’s people.

We’ve all had to do things that we didn’t feel qualified for. We’ve all been in situations that challenge how we view ourselves. Moses was no different. Even though he had a vision and a personal revelation, he still questioned his effectiveness by saying, “suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice…” Notice he mentions whether they will listen to his voice—which was his weakness. We have a tendency of bringing up our weaknesses. We give God excuses why we can’t do what he’s called us to do. But imagine if everyone listened to his or her weaknesses? Nothing would ever get accomplished.

The second thing Moses is concerned about is, whether people will agree and believe that the Lord appeared to him. In reality, there will always be people who won’t believe in your dream. Somebody, somewhere, will always think the Lord hasn’t appeared to you. They’ll think you’re out to make a name for yourself, and that if God really called you, it would’ve have happened this way or that way. But don’t look for everyone’s approval. If God has called you, go!

At this point in Moses’ debate with God, God asked him a question he is asking you and I today, “What is that in your hand?” Moses answered, “a rod”, which was his shepherd’s staff. God chose to ask him that because it would reveal a powerful truth to Moses. Moses’ rod signified 3 facets of his life. Let’s take a look at these:

1. Income
Being a shepherd, his staff signified his salary. Shepherding was a common way of earning a living back then. And having spent years in the wilderness, Moses adopted this trade. That staff, with a large hook on the tip, was used to either pull in sheep, or to poke them to move. That tool was his means of income.

2. Identity
Moses’ staff gave him his identity and distinctiveness. He could relate to the staff, because it represented his role with God’s people. He would pull them towards the promise and poke them to live by God’s guidelines. Moses found significance in this staff, so much so, that he later used it to strike a rock that would flow out water. His staff characterized who he was.

3. Influence
Beyond income and identity, Moses’ staff signified his influence. It wasn’t that his staff had magical powers, as some believe, but it typified his ability to sway masses of people and unleash God’s power. The purpose of influence is to speak for those who have no influence. That is exactly what Moses did when he walked into Pharaoh’s palace and said, “Let my people go!” His staff embodied his influence. Later on, he would raise his staff in the air on the mountaintop, which allowed Joshua to prevail against Amalek. That’s influence!

So when God asked him, “What’s in your hand?” he was asking the most important question. Everything about who Moses was—was in that rod he was holding. Once he answered God, God then instructed him to cast it down. This is the pinnacle of Moses’ conversation with God. The object that signified everything about him, God asked him to throw down. Try to imagine what he must have felt. Say for instance your entire life could be captured into one object, and then God told you to cast it down. You see; God is always interested in what we’re willing to lay down, for his Glory. Like Abraham, who was instructed to put down and slay his son. But what was true for Abraham, Moses, and us today is that what we lay down, God brings to life.

When Moses put down his staff, it turned into a serpent. Then upon instruction, he picked it up by the tail, and it became a staff again. This was to show Moses that God could do miracles with what we lay down. Today, God is asking you to lay down your income (livelihood), your identity, and your influence—the things you feel you most desperately need. Cast them down, and what is in your hand will never be the same again. One could imagine that Moses never looked at that staff the same way again.

Instead of thinking of what you’ll lose, think of what you’ll gain. Your income, identity and influence will never be the same once you lay them down. Give it over to God. Surrender your rights. Make yourself a little vulnerable. You’ll learn that no amount of investment or care will produce the results that come with laying your staff down. Additionally, you’ll never take credit for what happens. When Moses held out his rod at the Red Sea and they parted, he knew it wasn’t him, but the God who asked, “What’s in your hand?”

Blessings,
Jacob