Walking by Faith

Have you ever really thought about what it means to walk by faith?
Do we really have faith?
We have faith for some things, you know like, "I had faith in this chair I'm sitting in." I had faith that it would hold me up! Or, "I had faith the switch on the wall would turn on the light."
Everyday we do things and never once worry about will it happen like it is supposed to.

But then, there are bigger things. You know, times when you must decide to live by faith or to hold back in fear.

I wonder how many times we choose not to do something or go somewhere that God has planned for us because we are afraid?

Recently I was listening to a podcast by Steven Furtick, during the message he said, "I would rather stand before God as a failure than one who was afraid."

This comment has really stuck with me. Paul told Timothy, "God has not given us a spirit of fear..."; the writer of Hebrews said, "Without faith it is impossible to please God."

Which word defines my life? Faith or fear?
Do I really walk by faith, or am I more likely to let fear keep me from trying something new or going somewhere different?

I recently read Tommy Barnett's book, "There's a Miracle in Your House."
The following quotes come from his book:
"The greatest hinderance to walking by faith is trying to be fail-safe."
"In the making of every miracle are faith, obedience and the willingness to take a risk."

I read both of these statements and realized how great they are. I've shared them several times with different people. Then suddenly the other day I felt the Lord say, "Hey Dummy, those were for you too!"
I had been so focused on encouraging others that I almost missed what God was trying to do in me.

Then I heard that statement from Steven Furtick.

I have decided I will be one who walks by faith, even if sometimes that step of faith ends in failure.

What is God asking you to take a step of faith and do? Are you willing to risk everything?

Take that next step of faith, even if you can't see where the next step is. You'll be glad you did!

Waiting on God

I am currently reading the book "Secrets of the Secret Place" by Bob Sorge.
I am actually walking through it with a friend.
This morning as we were discussing the book we talked about the chapter called, "The Secret of Waiting on God."
Sorge says, "Waiting on God may be the most difficult of all the spiritual disciplines, and perhaps that's the reason so few truly practice it." He goes on to say, "We lack the attention span to wait on God."

This got me to thinking. How often do I get tired of waiting on God?
How many times have I missed what God had instore because I got tired of waiting.

Waiting seems so unproductive. Waiting is hard! Waiting means I have no control over what is happening!

As I pondered these thoughts about waiting, I began singing the song we used to sing in our churches based on Isaiah 40:31.

They that wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings, as eagles
They shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not faint
Teach me Lord, Teach me Lord, to wait

That last line got me. We sing and pray, "Teach me Lord to wait." And yet we often grow tired of waiting.

The past few years I have been waiting on God. I've been waiting so long, that now people give me a weird look when they ask how things are going and I reply, "I'm waiting on God."
People's response to my reply started becoming frustrating.
This was just another lesson God was teaching me.

People do not understand waiting on God because most people think they don't have time to wait on God. Why? Because most people are busy trying to figure life out on their own.

Several years ago, the Lord reminded me that I am just a passenger in this thing we call Life. He is the driver. He is the one in control. My responsibility is to wait upon Him.

Bob Sorge wrote, "Waiting on God is so powerful that the enemy will do everything in his power to dissuade you from maintaining your watch. Even though you may wait on God for many years, there is a day coming when God will change everything in a moment."

So how do we learn to wait on God?
First we must learn to value time in His presence over working for Him.
Second we must focus on what He has promised, knowing that at any moment God will change everything.

So many people are in a hurry. In a hurry for a lot of things. We want things to happen yesterday!
But there is a spiritual discipline we must value. Learn to wait on God.

Waiting on God puts Him in control and allows us to know Him more intimately then we ever dreamed we could know Him.

1910

Earlier this week, I recieved this as an e-mail from my friend Billy Ray.
Thanks Billy Ray!


1910 Ford Model R

THE YEAR IS 1910

This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine!
************ ********* ***********
The year is 1910
One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!

Here are some statistics for the Year 1910:
************ ********* ************
The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.

Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower !

The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.

The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year ..

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,

A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .

Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard.'

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

The Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars ....

The population of Las Vegas , Nevada , was only 30!!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and

Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school..

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores.

Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the
stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health' ( Shocking? DUH! )

Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help ....

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !

I am now going to forward this to someone else without typing it myself.

From there, it will be sent to others all over the WORLD - all in a matter of seconds!

Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.

IT STAGGERS THE MIND!

Life is Precious.

Later today, I'll be attending the funeral of the mom of a 12 year old who was on my son's baseball team.
It's sad when a loved one is suddenly gone.
So many times we forget how precious life really is.
We rush through days and weeks, many times taking life for granted.
We get irritated and become impatient with friends and family members. Sometimes we get down right angry.
Never once thinking that we should make things right and part on good terms becausee that could be our last meeting together.

I am reminded of the scripture in James 4:14 that says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

Life is short. Let's make the most of everyday we have with each other.

I'm thankful that death is not the end, but simply the beginning. The Apostle Paul reminds us that to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ. Paul also said, "O, death. Where is your victory?Where is your sting?"

Jesus Christ said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me even though he dies, yet will he live."

Death is not the end. It's just so cruel and difficult for us to deal with.
But Jesus told us in John 14:1-3 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am."

Just some wondering thoughts.
Enjoy your day. Make the most of every opportunity. Say "I love you" to the ones you love.

He is Worthy!

This passage of scripture has really been challenging me this week.

Revelation 5:6-14

John spends a good deal of time describing the scene in the throne room of God which is amazing to think about. But then you get all the way down to verse 11 and he writes "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand... 12 in a loud voice they sang: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'"

Now here's what has challenged me... if this is what it is like around the throne of God, angels declaring He is worthy, what should my life be like right now?

John goes on in verse 13 and writes, "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them singing: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!'"

Wow! Every breath I take should declare that He is worthy. Everything I think, say and do should bring glory to God. Simply because He is worthy.

I don't think we have to wait until we are in the throne room of the heavenlies to worship and declare that He is worthy. I'm thinking we should be doing this now. The fact that Jesus is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise should change the way I live right now!

No matter where I am or what I'm going through. No matter what I have accomplished or failed to complete.
He alone is worthy. And I must make sure that each day I am giving Him praise.

I guess a better title for this post would have been, "Joe's wandering mind". But I just had to put into words as best as I could what I've been thinking about lately.

Today is done. Did I give Him praise? Tomorrow will begin soon, will I acknowledge He is worthy of all praise, and will I praise Him all day long? Whether I do or not... He is Worthy!

Something to think about!

Yesterday my friend Nathan, who is also a missionary, posted the following quote for his facebook status:
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply." - Missionary Hudson Taylor

Yesterday as I was preparing for my day, I was praying about somethings that are happening in my world. I remember saying something like, "What's up God I haven't heard from You in a couple of days. I am frustrated and confused."
To catch you up, for the last week everyday, God has been confirming something in my life. Everyday! It would be through a scripture, someone's story, just many different things were used to confirm what I felt God leading in my world. Thus the reason for yesterday's prayer/question.
Moments after praying this, I turned on my Blackberry and was clearing messages when a facebook message popped up. As it was loading I caught a glimpse of Nathan's post. As I read the Hudson Taylor quote I again found myself saying, "Thanks God I got it!"

Let me type that quote again,
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply." - Missionary Hudson Taylor

Now that's a thought to think about!

Still Listening!

Recently God has been challenging me with somethings. Right now I can't sharee specifics, but a couple of people close to me told me I need to write everything down that God is saying, the challenges and what is happening as a result.

So today I decided to look back at what started me on this journey.
Before I begin though, in a conversation today I told someone that I felt like I was at the beginning of a great story. I feel like I am living out the introduction and the story is yet to be written. And everything within me tells me it is going to be an amazing story.

I know this is kind of cryptic, but the journey I'm on started with this video clip of Pastor Perry Noble.
Watch Perry Noble // Catalyst West '09 on Vimeo! http://vimeo.com/9304430

As Perry talked about "God doing great things through Noah" God began to stir in me that He also wanted to do great things through me and I needed to "pick up the hammer!"

That was Feb. 11, 2010. Since then I've been listening to and waiting on God. Today I am amazed at the opportunities that stand before me and all I have to go on is trust in God.

I cannot tell you specifically what I am feeling, partly because I'm not really sure. But I know God is up to something and I am thrilled to be a part of what God is doing.

Several years ago I learned that our prayers should not be, "God bless what I am doing", instead we should pray, "God let me be a part of what you are blessing". Every since I learned this principle and changed the way I pray, it has been incredible to watch as God works and let's me be involved.

I titled this post "Still listening" because that is what I am doing. Still listening, with the hammer in my hand, waiting for God to tell me what to do next.

Years ago there was a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that said something like "there's no better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven". I can honestly say, there is no better place to be than listening and waiting for God's directions as He accomplishes His dream for your life. As you wait and listen you begin to realize that you have the privilege of being a part of an epic story! God's story of your life!

Be Still.

It's been a really busy week. Sunday's are crazy but this past Sunday after doing two servics, we also had a board meeting and a workday for our upcoming Easter Eggstravaganza.
Then Monday started by running back and forth between two hospitals to be with families and check on two people having surgery at the same time. Then Tuesday was anbother busy day filled with a ministers meeting and hospital visits.
All of a sudden it is Thursday afternoon. I find myself sitting at my computer wondering where the week went and how will I get everything done that needs to be done for Sunday?
In the midst of my busyness, I began to think about Psalms 46:10 which says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Be still, he says. Do you ever think,"if only I could be still, that would be nice." Even in the midst of our busyness and accomplishing this and that, we must make tim to be stil and know God. Many times we rob ourselves by being "too busy to be still".
Why not try it right now. Just stop for a minute. Take a deep breath. And just say "God I'm listening, speak to me."
We could learn a lot by learning to take time each day to be still. How much do we miss because we're too busy? How much less stressed out would we be if we just took a moment to "be still"? As we make time for God, He is exalted. He wants to be the focus of our lives, and to focus you have to be still!

Let's stop the ride and focus for a moment. Be still and know He is God.

BHAG anyone?

At Christian Center, we sing this song called "God of the City". It has a part that says, "Greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city."
Are you expecting greater things? What is your dream or goal for this year, this decade, or simply this season in your life? Realize God's dream and destiny for you is bigger and better than you could ever imagine.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work with in us,"
Think about what Paul is saying, God will not only do what we ask or desire, but even more than we could imagine.
As you dream and set goals for this new year, dream big. Don't just have a goal, have a BHAG! (Big Hairy Audacious Goal).
If your dreams are only big enough for you to accomplish on your own, you haven't dreamed big enough. We need to have a dream that is so big we can't accomplish it without God's help.
Greater things are yet to come!

Great Day!

What a great day.

Got to have lunch at my favorite place (Chipotle) with a good friend I haven't seen in a while. He was such an encouragement. I'm glad we were able to meet and catch up! Thanks RbJ!

Tonight I had the privilege to speak in our youth service. I was blown away by the response of our teens tonight. We have some students who have a passion for God!
We are blessed with awesome youth pastors (easy to say since they are also related to me!)
I am so blessed to get to pastor an amazing church and work with a first class team.

Just wanted to brag on my church for a minute!

And yes I still believe "Greater Things are Yet to Come!"

Convoy of Hope

Wow! I can't believe I haven't posted here since January.
I wish I had a good reason. The best I can come up with is I've been busy!

Last weekend our church participated in Convoy of Hope in Denton. What a great experience. It was a cold March morning, but I was so proud to see over 570 volunteers come out and serve the community of Denton.

I know that Convoy of Hope has made a lasting impression on many in the Denton area, volunteers and guests who enjoyed everything that was offered.

If you served at Convoy. Thank you. We appreciate your willingness to "let love live" in our community.

Strength

This weekend I preached a sermon out of Psalms 73. One verse in this incredible psalm stands out to me still (even though I forgot to mention it in the sermon!!!)

Psalms 73:26 My Flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

As I continue to think about this verse, here's what I come up with:
All that I have may fail, my health, my relationships, my ministry, everything, but God will still be my strength. If I put my trust in anything besides God, I will be disappointed.

But when I trust in God, He is always faithful. When I turn to Him to be my strength, He strengthens my health, my relationships, my ministry, everything!

God is my strength, without Him I am nothing!

Something to think about

Received this e-mail from a friend this morning. Thought it was good enough to publish on my blog . Makes you think!

Ever wonder if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
Makes you stop and think, where are our priorities? And no dropped calls!

Death of the Blackberry!

Early Friday morning...my blackberry died!
If you've been trying to reach my by calling my cell #, you probably got my voicemail, which I can't check because I HAVE NO CELL PHONE.
The people at the AT&T store very very uncooperative, so here I sit Monday morning waiting on AT&T to send out a replacement that I'm not even sure is what I needed, but how could I know since the guy at the AT&T store blew me off and had me call the warranty 800#.
Anyway, there's a bit of frustration in this post...I am not a big AT&T wireless fan right now.
Guess I need to pray that the Lord will help me forgive and forget.
But boy, it sure is frustrating not having a cell phone for several days.
So if you need to contact me, call my home # or the church. I always at one of either of these places.
Thanks for letting me vent my frustrations to my blog readers ( if there are any!!!!!!)

What else can they fry?

Just got home from a day at the State Fair of Texas with my family.
Couldn't believe all the food booths and the things they offered. Living in the south is great!!!
I saw a booth that had chicken fried bacon, another one offered fired lattes, still another had fried banana splits, and even fried s'mores and fried cheesecake. And if that wasn't enough they even had something a bit healthier...fried green beans.
I think I heard my arteries clogging just walking through the food booths.
What's even worse is I didn't get to try any of the things I listed above.
But buddy, that chicken fried bacon sure was tempting!!!
I guess here in the south you can fry anything!

Just thought I'd share some of the sights and smells I experienced today.

Here we go again

Alright,
Several people have asked what happened to my blog.
I deleted it! Didn't feel like anyone was reading it and thought I could find a better way to use my time and share my thoughts.
I WAS WRONG!!!
So today I am creating a new blog. I hope that it encourages and blesses you. And most importantly helps you grow closer to Jesus.

Hope to see you all tomorrow (Sunday, 9/21) as we begin our new series CSI (Christians Should Investigate).