2017 Devotional Word #4: PURPOSE

PURPOSE

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”‭‭ ~ Acts‬ ‭20:24‬

I believe all of us in Christ have a common purpose: we are called to testify to the world about the grace of God. It doesn't matter who you are, how you are gifted, what your personality is, or your geographic location. If you have been saved by God's grace - forgiven of your sin by faith through the precious blood of Jesus - then you have a responsibility and call from God to direct your life to the purpose of sharing the good news. 

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” ~ ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-16‬a

You don't have to pray about it and see if it's God's will. You don't have to give it a second thought and wonder what God wants you to do. In all areas of your life, make it your goal and ambition to consider nothing as important as sharing your story of how God graciously brought you from death to LIFE!

2017 Devotional Word #3: GLORY

GLORY

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty”‭‭ ~ Psalms‬ ‭104:1

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬

Glory is defined as (1) high renown or honor, (2) magnificence or great beauty or (3) to take great pride or pleasure in. 

At the root of all our struggles is the battle for "who gets the glory." When you think about it... the main difference between self-centered and Godly is the recipient of the GLORY. Many times we live our lives burdened for the achievements and possessions that ultimately only point others back to us. Is this what we should want? Are we ultimately deserving of that honor and glory?

Years ago I heard this description about our call to reflect and deflect the Light and glory of God. The image is of the moon shining in the night's sky. Here's the deal... the moon has no source of light, it simply reflects the light coming from the sun. The only light we see from the moon is not its own. We should never give the moon the credit and praise for shining brightly in the sky. The credit and "glory" needs to go to the source of light. 

We should live our lives like this - simply reflecting the Light of God to the world. All the glory from everything good in our lives should go to the Son who has shown His love and grace freely upon us. So all of us who are Christ followers should strive for excellence in all we do. When the world or anyone gives us credit or praise, take the time to point them to Jesus with high praise and renown offered only to Him!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” ~ Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬

2017 Devotional Word #2: HOPE

HOPE

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ ‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13

One reason why I love the beginning of a new year is the "fresh start" aspect of this time of year. All of us, no matter the joys or pains from this past year, get to look ahead to the wonderful (and unknown) potential of the year ahead. Don't look ahead with worry and doubts - look ahead with trust and hope! And don't just look with hope to earthly and material things... live with an eternal Hope perspective as well. 

In Christ, all of us are able to look ahead to this year with a God-given hope. I am certain that for many, if not all, of us will definitely face trials and suffering of some kind this year. Whatever may come, hold your head high and your heart bowed before the Lord trusting in God's perfect peace and provisions for the now and the future. Keep your eyes on Him for He holds it all in His grasp!

2017 Devotional Word #1: SURRENDER

So I decided to make a brief devotional post every week this year. 52 weeks. 52 words of challenge and encouragement for the Christian life. So let's get started…

SURRENDER

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” ~ Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬

The concept of surrender is a once for all thing as well as a daily thing. Giving my life up to follow Christ begins with surrender and should continue to be a daily dying to self. God has a much better life for me than I could ever pursue or achieve on my own. This is a call to bow my heart and will to His each and every moment. I am loved. I am His. Now to walk by faith in Him.

One moment away

Most days, if we were honest, we are all one moment away from our world crashing down. One phone call or text with some bit if news that would shake us to the ground. Life - our marriages/families and often our jobs, etc - seems to be hanging in such delicate balance. One false move and crash!!! It's tough to find peace in the midst of this serious situation.

Psalm 62:1-2 is written on our family chalkboard just outside our kitchen.


Easier said than done, right?! My life daily claws for something to hold onto that doesn't change with the stock market, latest news from cnn, or that dreaded phone call from a loved one.

Hope is not a guessing game. The word has changed in our culture and lost its true meaning. Today, we often say I "hope" _______ happens or I "hope" _______ this and that with no real assurance of these things happening. It's like the ultimate rolling of he dice or tossing coins into the wishing fountain. "Maybe I'll get lucky..." This maybe be ok for insignificant matters of life, but not for the truly important: your family and friends, and yes, especially your heart and soul.

Hope for the believer in Jesus Christ returns back to its truest of meanings and uses. Christ in You = the Hope of glory. We have a sure foundation to stand on when (and they will come) the flood waters of this world rise! Make it your prayer today to find rest, peace, and salvation in the only true Rock and Fortress for your life - Jesus.

Put your faith and trust in the only One worthy today - then you can honestly know that you "will never be shaken." This faith-lived-out will be the "reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen!"

Name Change

I have clearly struggled in being consistent in my blogging. I say that as if anyone out there has been really anticipating my next blog. I do long to make more time to express my jumbled thoughts on a more consistent basis.

Anyways... I decided to change the name of my blog from "Life in God's lane" to "ClayNation." I felt inspired in reading some recent posts on a blog concerning the controversy surrounding a famous pastor and his leadership style and church life. One responding post reminded people that we all have "feet of clay." This made me immediately think about the famous passage in 2 Corinthians 4.

"Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed." ~ 2 Cor. 4:7-9

As I get older I am seeing the fragile nature of life, health, relationships, this world - everything! How many times do I put way too much stock in the here and now and not the eternal things of true value?

ClayNation... not to be confused with the 15 fans of Clay Aiken out there (no offense intended :-).

ClayNation.  The great paradox of this life in Jesus - weak, but strong; in danger, but completely safe; broken, but whole; sinful, but forgiven... DEAD, BUT ALIVE!

That's all. Thanks for reading. I'll be back, I promise.

(the) Church

Make CHURCH a priority!

Now please hear me out. Not the GPS point on a digital map. Not a box to check off your weekly calendar or to-do list. Not just a place to hang out. Not a service time.

From my vantage point, the church in America is quickly losing sight of the Biblical understanding and value of CHURCH! Church has become a destination instead of a relationship, maybe even a "venue" to be entertained or a scheduled box to check.

CHURCH is so much more.

CHURCH is the body of Christ – a people of faith belonging to Jesus.

CHURCH is God’s people called to share the “good news” with a lost world.

CHURCH is sharing our lives with each other (the good, bad and in-between)

CHURCH is making time to join together in the praise and worship of God.

CHURCH is a community of hope and healing.

CHURCH is serving others meeting practical, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

CHURCH is more than my words can express.

Make CHURCH a priority!

For CHURCH to be a priority, you must make your relationship with GOD the most important priority! Spend time today growing deeper in your love and knowledge of GOD. When we do that, God will build up a mighty CHURCH for His glory!

So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. You also are being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit. ~ Ephesians 2:19-22