PERSPECTIVE

OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE


How do you read those words above? You have two options. You can read it as four words--Opportunity Is Now Here. Or you can read it as three words--Opportunity Is Nowhere. How you read those words is a good indication of your perspective heading into 2015. Is 2015 going to be your best year yet? Or will it slip by like 2014, 2013, etc.?


Revelation 21:5-6 says (5)"And He [Jesus] who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things NEW." Also He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (6) And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment."


Jesus said He is making all things NEW. Notice that He's not going to one day make things new in the future. No, he's is currently doing something new. He wants to do something new. If you read the sentence above as three words, you'll have a hard time accepting that. If you read it as four words, it should be a little easier to believe that 2015 will be better than 2014.


Today is page one of a 365 page book. Make each day count and believe for something NEW.


Perspective is everything....


12/26/14
The Jump Off--GSMNP

2014 Throat Punch

I've decided to become very familiar with the word Gillulim in 2014. This Hebrew word is translated into "idol" or "idolatry" in the Bible and appears 48 times in the OT (mostly in the Book of Ezekiel).

Here's the interesting piece:
Gillulim does not refer to carved images of gods, golden calves, or any other false gods. Gillulim doesn't refer to the act of bowing down to a statue (there are several other Hebrew & Greek words translated for those English words). In terms of those definitions of idols, most Christians would say they've got that covered. They can check that off the list.

However, when we know the definition of gillulim, we are challenged a little more. Gillulim can be translated as small, round pellets of….poop.

No, seriously. Search for gillulim in Google if you don't believe me.

God warned His people 48 times in the OT of worshiping…..…poop.

So now we have to answer some obvious questions.

• What poop am I worshiping?
• I see simple electronics (iPhone, laptop, video games, etc). But, does God see that as poop?
• What poop is standing in my way of growing with Christ? 
• Greed?
• Lust?
• Envy?
• Evil speech? 

The answers to those questions can be anything that consumes your time and prevents you from spending your time worshiping God. What is riding shotgun in your life and pushing God to the backseat.

So my 2014 goal is to remove the POOP out of my life so I can continue to grow in Christ. Will you join me?

P.S. Who knew someone could type poop so many times in a blog post….? I win!

ALF

One Choice

Hello friends,

Do you know you are ONE CHOICE away from a different life??? It's true...

I recently read this article about Aaron Deveau from Massachusetts. Long story short (I'll post a link to the story below if you would like to read it), he was texting and driving. He crossed the double yellow line and killed a father of three and injured his girlfriend. Aaron was 17 at the time of the incident and 18 now. His trial just concluded with him receiving 2.5 years in prison, 40 hours of community service, and a suspended license for 15 years.

I read about stories like these all of the time, but for some reason, this story stuck out to me. I am deeply sorry that a life was lost in the accident. It's absolutely horrible that three children won't have their father in their lives. I don't want to lose the fact that a guy won't be coming home to his family tonight because of the decision of another young man. But my heart really goes out to the young man who caused this wreck. His life is forever altered because of ONE CHOICE to send a text while driving. The lives of the family members (on both sides) are forever altered by his ONE CHOICE.

Maybe this story stuck out because the guy is close to my age. I could not imagine being sentenced to a prison term when I was 18 years old!!! Maybe it stuck out because I'm guilty sometimes of texting and driving...are you? I'd say we've all sent at least one text while on the road. Unfortunately, it's in our culture as fast-paced Americans.

With that being said, I don't think this guy should go unpunished. I'm just not sure if prison is the best option. I'm looking from the outside in. But, I can only imagine that if my dad was killed by another person's mistake; I'd be angry, resentful, and unforgiving. If I was in the shoes of the family, I'd want him to be punished for the rest of his life. I'm just being honest. The family has every right to be angry. But is the justice system creating another casualty by sending Aaron to prison? What if there was another way...

Aaron has great potential to turn his mistake into a testimony. What if he went around high schools all over the country to tell of his mistake and act as a warning to other kids texting & driving? What if he could be used for the greater good. Again, this would be best case scenario...

This stands as a reminder to me, and it should be one for you too. We are all just one decision away from a different life. I don't know what my future holds, but I know the One who holds my future.

Would you join me in prayer for the families and Aaron Deveau? I'm asking God to use Aaron's testimony to shape the lives of others and to prevent this from happening to countless others throughout the country. I'm praying for the family who lost their father...that God would use their testimony to demonstrate God's love, forgiveness, and grace.

Aaron Deveau Story

Nkwagala,

Adam

What if...

 

What if I lived out the life I talked about? What would happen if I got real about my faith and quit fooling others and myself? What if I could control the fleshly desires in my heart and walk out my faith? What if I was a conduit that God could use for His good? What would it look like if I used the power that God has given me through the Holy Spirit?

Could I change the world?

Could I have the kind of influence like Peter or Paul—or even Jesus—had?

Could I see my life transformed?

Could I see other lives being transformed?

Sometimes I get so tired of the pseudo-Christianity…I hate hearing “God bless you” & “I’ll pray for you” when people don’t really mean it. I want my words that come out to mean something. I want people to know that what I say is TRUTH. What would happen if we quit playing games in church? What would happen if we quit playing games with Jesus? I’m guilty of it. It’s hard to admit, but I’ve done it. I’d say if we all got real honest, we could all admit to doing it at some point.

What would happen if God’s Word really transformed our lives? I’m tired of reading the Bible and learning what God wants me not to do, only to go out and do the very thing I read about. I’m tired of stale Christianity. I’m tired of having a walk with God that is not marked by POWER. A true relationship with JESUS is marked by POWER. So is my walk fake? If I’m not seeing the power of God in my life, what does that say about my walk?

I can’t help but think about all of the men (& women) that Satan has lied to. For example, think about all of the people who have been unfaithful to their spouses. Those people include former presidential candidate Jonathan Edwards, Tiger Woods, Bobby Petrino, Kobe Bryant, Bishop Eddie Long, and so so so many others. Why do people fall for Satan’s tactics? Satan has been using the SAME tactics since Adam & Eve. Satan uses ONE plan for you to sin. That one plan is for you to put other things before God and/or worship something else as God.

The reason why there are sexual sins in the world is because sex has been elevated so much and is now worshiped as a god. Instead of worshiping God, we’re worshiping something that God created for the good of his people. We’re taking that God given desire and using it for the wrong reasons. Sexual sin is just one example of so many that I could name.

So with all of that being said…what if God’s people would realize the potential that we hold. Why can’t I ever seem to get ahead of the game and not always fall behind? Why do I succumb to the pressures of the world so easily? Why do I not trust more in God’s power for my life? Why can’t I follow Romans 8:37 and be a CONQUEROR??? God has designed you and me to be CONQUERORS. The Bible says we are made in God’s image. I’m not sure what you know about Jesus, but everything I read says he was not a weak man. He was the epitome of a CONQUEROR. So why then can’t I be a CONQUEROR? Why, then, can’t I seem to show God’s power to other people? Why can’t my life be marked by God’s hand?

I know I have the POTENTIAL…. we all have the potential. So what do I have to do? What was it that Peter and Paul had that allowed them to turn the world upside down for God? What’s the secret?

I’m tired of this Christian faith where everyone seems to have it together and they don’t need any help from God or anyone else. Does it please God when we own up to our walks and are honest? Does God want us to pretend that we are ok when we are really not? Does it make God happy when we are so full of pride that we put on a smile in front of others?

Maybe I’m the only one that feels this way. Maybe you can relate to my words here…maybe not. Let’s get real. Let’s be honest with God and ourselves. Let’s let God humble us before Him and others.

I don’t want a life that impresses others. I want a life from which God is pleased. I want others to look at my life and have no doubt that Christ is directing every step. I don’t want to stray one foot to the left or right of God’s will. I’ve already strayed too far.

What if…

…I lived out the words that I read in the Bible?

…I got real?

…I believed that God had my best interest in mind?

…I lived like a CONQUEROR?

…I resisted Satan’s tactics and followed God?

…I quit pretending in front of God or other people?

…I am able to speak boldly in the name of Jesus?

What would it be like to get out of your own way and let God control your steps? Would you look back on your life thinking that you could have done better than God by controlling your own life? Do you think you can live a better life than God can provide if you follow His will? What would it be like to live a life of POWER? What would it be like for others to feel God’s presence on you without even speaking to you? What would it be like to experience modern miracles on a regular basis? What would it be like if you told Satan to go back to Hell every time you were tempted?

Lots of questions that I don’t have the answers to. I just can’t help but think “What if…”

Peace,

Adam

Unconditional Love

Hello!!!!

I just wanted to give some quick encouragement to anyone that reads this. God has been pouring into me as of late. I am beginning week #2 of a partial fast and I just feel God's presence all around me. Fasting always seems to help me connect more deeply to my Heavenly Father.

I hope you all know that God loves you. Not only that, but I hope you know how much God loves you. God's loves isn't based on you...Let me explain. God is not a conditional God that loves someone more than me, and He doesn't love me less when I screw up. In fact, in those times that I screw up the most, I feel His loving arms wrap around me the tightest.

I hope you can apply this to your life. God doesn't care what you did yesterday. He isn't surprised by your sins. He knew you would mess up 2,000 years ago when He sent Jesus to the cross. His mercies are new each morning. His love never fails. He's not mad at you for sinning. His love isn't based on your performance to "be a good Christian". He loves you the same. God loves you when it seems like no one else does. God loves you when you seem unlovable. God loves you when everyone else gives up on you. God loves you when you're the messiest...GOD LOVES YOU!!!

As soon as we accept that, our perspectives change about everything. Now, we don't have to "earn" His love by living right. Instead, we will want to live a life honoring God in response to His love.

I love that I don't have to be punished for my sins. Don't let Satan tell you the lie that God will punish you for your sins. If that's true, why did Jesus die on the cross??? Jesus took our punishment away. If I repent of my sins, God casts them as far as the east is from the west. The key phrase, though, is "if I repent".

While reading some of the Old Testament, I realize how awesome Jesus' sacrifice really is. Those people in the OT had to do some serious stuff because of their sins. I dare you to go read about God's anger for Israel's disobedience. God takes sins seriously...but fast forward to today. His anger isn't lashing out at you and me. Jesus took God's anger on Himself and nailed it to the cross. God doesn't get angry or disappointed when He looks at you...He just loves you!!!!

I pray that you would realize God's love for you and live according to that love.

Peace,

Adam

Live Life as a Mission with a Vision

Olyotya,

Today I was reminded of a very important concept from my business school at Carson-Newman College. In several classes, we learned about the importance of mission statements and vision statements. These are two subjects that are not discussed as widely as they should be. These are foundational to any business. Before you can use them, you must understand what they are.

Mission statements and vision statements are not the same. Mission statements are meant to direct what you want to do now. For a business, it would include your target market, products, marketing, and other business elements. Vision statements are meant to give you a goal to strive towards. For a business, vision statements would include future endeavors such as market share, profitability, stock valuation, etc. (PLEASE HANG WITH ME...THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE A BUSINESS LECTURE).

Taking into account the importance of mission statements and vision statements, why can't we use these as individuals? I mean, if these are good enough for Fortune 500 companies to use time, energy, and money to develop, why can't we use these in our church, homes, and most importantly--our personal lives.

We, as Christians, should develop our own mission and vision statements according to God's purposes. Let me illustrate... My mission statement is to "love God and love others" and it's taken from Matthew 22:37-39(NIV). When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus replied:

³⁷ ...“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

If my mission in life is to "love God and love others", I can avoid a lot of the heartaches that Christians suffer from. If I gauge all of my actions against this metric, then I should be able to decide what would be God honoring and what wouldn't. Suddenly, all of the things I thought were important aren't so important when judged against this mission statement.

My vision is something completely different. My vision statement requires me to think ahead and develop what, or better yet who, I want to become. This requires me to set clear objectives for my life. To be effective, your vision statement should include things that can be measured.

Good vision statement: "I want to be a missionary living abroad by the age of 29."

• That is measurable and completely objective.

Bad vision statement: "I want to be the best Christian I can be in this one life that God has given me."

• That sounds good, but it cannot be measured. It's subject to your biases.

By using mission/vision statements, you can focus your life to accomplish what's important to you. You can run your thoughts and actions through the filter of the mission/vision statements and hope they come out unscathed. No matter if you run a church, run your home, or are a single adult, you can benefit from applying a mission/vision statement to your life. More than anything else, you will be able to live your life as a mission with a vision.

Nkwagala,

Adam

Good Times...

Man....God is so GOOD!!!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to stand in the very building that I gave my ALL to Jesus. God captured my heart at a church on the campus of a drug/alcohol rehab center in Bessemer, AL. (And, no...I was not enrolled in the rehab program.)

It happened 4 years, 13 weeks, and 3 days ago, and I just thought I was going to visit a family member in AL and come home. God had other plans though. God knew I had a divine appointment 300 miles away from home at a drug rehab center. God knew all along...

It felt so good to walk back into that building yesterday. During the church service, I began to reflect on how God has changed me in 4 short years. I'm not the same man I was 4 years ago.

I once was lost...BUT NOW I'M FOUND!!!
I once was blind...BUT NOW I SEE!!!
I once was dead...BUT NOW I LIVE!!!

In the Bible, altars were built as a memorial to God and for what He did for the children of Israel. That church will forever be an altar in my life. I can't wait until God lets me visit again in the years to come and reflect on all that He has done for me.

Check out the picture of the church below.

Adam F.