“Working God Into Our Lives??…”

Isn’t it interesting how we are so busy that we “work God into our busy lives?” We are "too busy" to call or text anyone; to be there for others; or to worship & thank the Lord. We can’t seem to wrap our minds around the fact that without God, there is no life.

Satan is just as cunning now as he was in the beginning with Eve. He convinced her to believe that, although God was real, he didn’t want her to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil because she would be like God. In the Bible, Genesis 3 (NKJV) describes this.

Today, Satan convinces us that our goals, our accomplishments, our wants, our plans, even our health challenges are About Us.

The Bible states in Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Society motivates us to make ME and MY goals the priority and to work everything else…even GOD…around it…when it’s convenient.

Based on this scripture, we are to make GOD the priority…and work everything around Him. That includes EVERYTHING. God blesses us or allows things to happen in order to fulfill HIS purpose, not ours.

Your degree, your promotion, your goals, nor your success…they are NOT about you. “God has not called you to be successful. He called you to be faithful.” – unknown

I debated with someone regarding this point. Their rationale was: “I believe in God and everything, BUT I have got to be selfish and put everything aside to reach MY goal.” I countered: “Who do you think owns your goal and the entire process? God can make anything happen that He wants. He is allowing you to strive for this goal so that others can see HIM in you and others can be drawn to HIM because of you. It’s not about you.” My rationale was not well-received.

It is scary how Satan convinces us to believe our lives are only about us. “Believing in God is just a nice thing to have in your back-up plan, but not the focus,” he whispers to us.

We fail to understand that we do not belong to ourselves. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV): “19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

We are here as part of God’s master plan. He created us to fulfill His goals, not our own. We didn’t create God; He created us. Other biblical references include:

Romans 12:2 (NKJV): “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

1 John 4:4 (NKJV): “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Philippians 3:20 (NKJV): “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV): “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV): “Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.”

"I belong to Jesus. He must have the right to use me without consulting me." – Mother Teresa

Satan KNOWS about God. He did in the beginning (Genesis 3: 1-3), and he does even today. James 2:19 (NKJV): “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”  He knows where he is going. He is determined to take as many of us with him as he can.

“The Devil doesn’t care if you go to church and read your Bible, as long as you don’t apply it.” – unknown

"If Satan can't make you bad, he'll make you busy." ~ Adrian Rogers

“Satan’s Biggest Lie: SIN will make you happy, and there are no bad consequences.” – unknown

“The devil doesn’t come in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you have ever wished for…” - unknown

We must Realign Our Priorities. Make GOD the #1 priority of your life. He promises in Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

This is difficult to do because it requires us to relinquish control, our wants, and our plans. It requires you trusting God. Do you? Will You?

“Thrown Under the Bus…”

We often hear warnings, especially in the workplace, about “being thrown under the bus.”  This basically means:  being betrayed; being unsupported; or being sacrificed for someone else’s benefit.

To throw (someone) under the bus is an idiomatic phrase in American English meaning to sacrifice another person (often a friend or ally), who is usually not deserving of such treatment, out of malice or for personal gain. The phrase has been widely popularized by sports journalists since 2004 and was picked up by the mainstream media during the 2008 primary season. It has frequently been used to describe various politicians distancing themselves from unpopular or controversial figures. David Segal, a writer for The Washington Post, calls the expression "the cliché of the 2008 campaign". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throw_under_the_bus

The phrase means utter betrayal or sudden brutal sacrifice of a loyal teammate for a temporary and often minor advantage. http://www.examiner.com/article/what-is-meant-by-thrown-under-the-bus

An example of this was during the 2012 elections. Republican candidate Mitt Romney, during a heated debate with Incumbent President Barack Obama said he would eliminate PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), an American broadcast television network, as a means of reducing our national spending. Since one of the most popular, long-time, educational programming is Sesame Street, it was surmised that he was literally “throwing BIG BIRD under the bus” for his own benefit.

Sesame Street character Big Bird’s name came up at Wednesday night’s first presidential debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney. During the first presidential debate Wednesday night, GOP challenger Mitt Romney said he would cut funding for PBS, even though he is a fan of Big Bird. As Romney noted what entities he would stop funding, he mentioned the president’s health care law, then added that he would also stop a subsidy to PBS. He said to moderator Jim Lehrer, who works for PBS: “I’m sorry, Jim. I’m going to the stop the subsidy to PBS. I’m going to stop other things. I like PBS. I love Big Bird. I actually like you, too. But I’m not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for it.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/big-bird-in-the-presidential-debate-mitt-romney-advocates-cutting-funding-for-sesame-street-pbs/2012/10/04/f7f280ba-0e1f-11e2-bb5e-492c0d30bff6_story.html

The Bible addresses this simply in Matthew 7:12 (NKJV), or known as The Golden Rule: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Two warnings that I personally came up with and live by include:

“If someone is trying to throw you under the bus, it would be wise if you’d stop running beside it.” – Janette McGowen

“Be careful of throwing someone under the bus. Remember…it DOES shift into REVERSE.”- Janette McGowen

Bottom-line: We all must be diligent in avoiding unhealthy conflict and preparing, in case it occurs.  In the wise advice of our elders: “Prepare for the Worst. Hope for the Best.”

“Stuck In Your Story…”

When I think of this phrase, I am reminded of quotes such as:

“You can’t move FORWARD if your PAST is holding you back!” – Michael Travis

“Do you keep yourself stuck in your story for way of resentment or do you reach out to yourself with compassion through reaching out to others?” – Michele Harvey

"Choice: That one moment when you decide if you're going to stay stuck in your story or move out of it!" – unknown

"She kicked me out...she doesn't love me...my kids hate me"... Blah blah blah blah blah blah!!! Perhaps you should start telling WHY, instead of pretending to be a martyr. Own your actions!! – unknown

Iylana Vanzant, author & motivational speaker has a series on the OWN Network called Iylana, Fix My Life. During an episode of Oprah's Lifeclass: The Tour, Oprah and Iyanla discuss the spiritual solution to stories that have become stumbling blocks. "Having one story in your mind about yourself can trap you in a world of pain.” When Oprah wants to know how to stop recounting a painful past, Iyanla says there are three spiritual tools to use to spin a new story.

1. Tell the Absolute Truth
2. Speak Up and Say What You Want.
3. Get a vision

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/iyanla-vanzant-how-to-rewrite_n_2371928.html

Another article explores the advice from motivational speaker Tony Robbins:  During one of his seminars, a woman tried to explain in brutal detail what was wrong with her life. Tony continued interrupting her by saying “Tell another story.” She continued repeating her sad story, and he continued to interrupt her with “Tell another story.” His point was for her to stop telling the story of what was wrong and why she couldn’t move forward, and create a new story of what she did want. It advised that you have to access where you are. You have to determine your motivation. If you are telling your story to gain sympathy, it's probably holding you back. If it is to connect with and help others, it may be healing. Your story is important. Whatever you have experienced, you experienced for a reason. Everyone's path is different, but by sharing the fact that your healing exists at all, it helps others.

http://www.brighthill.net/articles/does_telling_your_story_heal_you_or_hold_you_back.htm#sthash.4ES08bnU.dpuf

The Bible gives us directions on becoming “unstuck:”

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV): “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

“Change the way you see the world, and the way you see the world will change.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

NOW is the time for us to become “unstuck” in our old story, create a new story, and move toward our destiny…

“Let The Words of My Mouth…”

The acapella group Take 6 sang a wonderful little vignette titled Let The Words. The lyrics are:

“Let the words of my mouth bring You praise;

Let the words that I speak be seasoned with Your love and grace.

May the things, oh Lord, that I choose to say,

Bring glory, not shame to Your name each day.

Let the words of my mouth bring You praise.”

http://www.metrolyrics.com/let-the-words-lyrics-take-6.html

“Profanity (also called bad language, strong language, foul language, bad words, vulgar, swearing, cursing, cussing, or using expletives) is a subset of a language's lexicon that is generally considered in society to be strongly impolite or offensive. It can show a desecration or debasement of someone or something, or show strong or intense emotion. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures (such as flipping the middle finger), or other social behaviors that are construed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, obnoxious, foul, desecrating, or other forms.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Profanity

Profanity or “cussing” has become so prevalent in today’s society. Some people find it amusing to teach children this verbal communication as their first use of language.  What used to be shocking and appalling has now become profitable, acceptable, and socially “cool.”

Unfortunately, this is not reality. One of the top qualities sought out, especially in the Corporate America sector, is Communication Skills. This is often the basis of judgment of others. I personally am guilty of this. If someone has a PhD, I have a certain expectation of their verbal prowess than I do of someone with no High School Diploma. Profanity from either lends itself to an unconscious judgment of them.

When I am subjected to profanity, either verbally, in writing, or in the media, it is as if someone is scratching their finger nails across a chalk board. It is also as though someone is poking me in my skin with tiny needle pricks. Both are painful and stressful.

A former colleague, the late Mrs. Lucy Foster, once reprimanded our manager by saying: “Use of Profanity simply reveals your lack of education, a vocabulary, and class.”

The Bible (English Standard Version) gives approximately 38 directives when it comes to profanity & obscene language. A few include:

Matthew 15:10-11 - And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Matthew 12:36-37 - I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

James 1:26 - If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Exodus 20:7 - “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

http://www.openbible.info/topics/using_profanity

Motivational Speaker Les Brown was very passionate about the subject on his Facebook page:

Avoid foul mouthed people. If you’re one of them, commit to lose this part of yourself. Don’t allow yourself to be a vessel or a sponge for filthy or disrespectful language, or a garbage disposal for violent words ~ especially from people who are supposed to love you.

Some people enjoy using profanity, even when talking to children, or when in their presence. Many people pay to listen to foul mouthed rappers, comedians and various entertainers. However, the acceptance of this as normal only speaks to our loss of spirituality and self-respect. It highlights the tragic lowering of our standards for language which has negatively impacted our children.

Cursing is the strongest expression of a weak mind. Don’t fool yourself! Death and life are in the tongue. Your words create your world and your world reflects your reality. You always have a choice. Use words that represent the highest and best expression of yourself and of what you see for your future and your life. You deserve!

Posted: May 23, 2014 https://www.facebook.com/Brown.Les?ref=br_tf

Interesting Quotes include:

“Profanity is the effort of a feeble brain to express itself forcibly.” ― Spencer W. Kimball

“Obscenity and profanity had no meaning as such among those people. They were emotional expressions of inarticulate people with small vocabularies.” ― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

“Your ability to communicate will account for fully 85% of your success in your business and in your life.” – Brian Tracy

“Don’t underestimate the seductive power of a decent vocabulary.” – unknown

If we all would focus less on “profanity” and more on “humanity,” this journey called LIFE would be a little easier to travel…

“Say It – Do It – Show It – Prove It”

A powerful song by the group Brownstone recorded in 1994 was “If You Love Me.” The chorus is:

If you love me, say it

If you trust me, do it

If you want me, show it

If you need me, prove it

People can often be heard saying “I Love You.” As I become more attentive, I realize that this is often said so casually. I have heard and even been guilty of saying it, maybe out of habit? But just saying it is easy…it means nothing.

Love is defined as a noun: “a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person” and as a verb: “to feel great affection for (someone); to like or desire (something) very much; to take great pleasure in (something).”

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/love

The word “Love” appears 500 times in The Bible (NKJV). http://www.biblegateway.com  A few of them include:

John 3:16 (NKJV): “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV): “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails…”

Galatians 5:22 (NKJV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV): “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ ”

1 John 4:16 (NKJV): “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”

Love is an “action” word.  How do you do it?

10 Ways to Love are:

1. LISTEN without interrupting
2. SPEAK without accusing
3. GIVE without sparing
4. PRAY without ceasing
5. ANSWER without arguing
6. SHARE without pretending
7. ENJOY without complaint
8. TRUST without wavering
9. FORGIVE without punishing
10. PROMISE without forgetting

“Love is not a feeling. Love is an action, an activity. . .Genuine love implies commitment and the exercise of wisdom. . . . love is the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth.....”-M.Scott Peck

“Yesterday’s ‘I Love You’ isn’t good enough for today. Every day, you need to express it – with your words & your compliments.” – Joel Osteen

Start Today! If you truly love someone, “Say It – Do It – Show It – Prove It.”

While Sitting in the “Belly of the Whale”…

One of the most fascinating stories in the Bible is about Jonah and his disobedience. In the Book of Jonah 1^st Chapter, it discusses how God asked Jonah to go to Ninevah. He refused. He found a ship going to Tarshish, thinking he was hiding from the presence of the Lord. When the sea became turbulent, he told the men aboard. He recommended he be thrown overboard. Once he was in the sea, it calmed. The Lord prepared “a big fish” (whale) to swallow him. He remained in it for three days and three nights.

Jonah 2:2 (NKJV): “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.” After intense prayer for three days and nights, in Verse 10: “So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.”

Oftentimes I have felt like Jonah, as he sat in the belly of the whale.

When the Lord needs you to do or say something & you go on your own assumptions of how or even if you will do it…the Lord has a way of “swallowing you & resting you in the whale’s belly” until you are ready to OBEY HIM.

Many of us are “sitting in the whale’s belly” right now. This may be in the form of unhappiness, inadequacy, dissatisfaction, longing, or “feeling stuck in a rut.” Jonah figured it out in three days. Many of us continue “sitting in the whale’s belly” for years and still don’t get it.

GOD wants our obedience. HE is in control and has a plan for our lives.

Once we understand this and surrender to Him, we can be “vomited” out and begin our journey toward living with Him for eternity.

Remember…time means nothing to the Lord. 100 years to us may only be a second for the Lord. The Bible says in Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV): “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

How long are you going to continue “sitting in the belly of the whale” before you become obedient to GOD?  How long??.....

“You Have Been DISMISSED…”

Dismiss is defined as “to decide not to think about or consider (something or someone); to send (someone) away; to cause or allow (someone) to leave: to officially make (someone) leave a job; to end the employment or service of (someone) http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismiss

Recently, I had someone who I prioritized as a “dear friend” just disappear from my life. No explanation or warning. One day, I am pushing through my own health challenges to take 3 hours to proofread a very important assignment due in her graduate program…and next, nothing. I called & texted, initially out of concern. This is someone who had checked on me at least three times a day for months, since my health diagnosis. Now…nothing. I finally received a text saying, “I am very busy. It’s time for Me to look out for Me!” She announced on Facebook that she was unavailable for the next seventeen days. No contact from her whatsoever. Yet, during this time-frame, she has posted about attending receptions, barbecues, coffee dates, and events with others.

WOW…it finally hit me…she no longer had time for ME.  I had been “dismissed.”

I know me… I initially want to fix it…ask for forgiveness for any wrong doing I may have unintentionally committed. I naturally assume it is my fault. Yet the reality is…sometimes people will walk out of your life, no matter how loving you are to them...just because…

I have to constantly repeat Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): “5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Although I am one who always wants an explanation & for things to make sense, I have to surrender to the reality that it probably is not going to happen. I just have to TRUST GOD and keep moving forward…battered & bruised, but wiser…

Helpful Quotes:

“This is what I learned in all these years on this earth…If somebody wants to walk out of your life, let them go.” – Tyler Perry’s character “Madea”

“God often removes someone from your life for a reason. Think before you chase after them.” - unknown

"When someone walks out of your life, let them. There's no use in wasting your time on people that leave you. What you make of yourself and your future is no longer tied to them. You may miss them. But remember that you weren't the one that gave up." - unknown

“Sometimes you have to let people go because they are toxic to you. Let them go because they take and take and leave you empty. Let them go because in the ocean of life when all you're trying to do is stay afloat they are the anchor that's drowning you.” - unknown

I sadly remember the aching lyrics from the song by Bonnie Raitt:

“I can't make you love me; If you don't.

You can't make your heart feel Something it won't.”

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bonnieraitt/icantmakeyouloveme.html

I have to accept it…I have been dismissed…and I have to learn to be O.K. with that… 
(lowers her head...wipes her tears...grabs her cane...limps off into the sunset...)

“Down off the Pedestal”

Recently, I was giving advice to a dear friend in the midst of some relationship challenges. I shared with him the “female perspective.” I told him that when we women are in love, we can tend to do some irrational things. We can and will say and do some things that may be considered dumb, crazy, and foolish. We make mistakes.

I was shocked when he replied with honesty & sincerity, “But not you, Sister Janette. Why, I have always thought that you were a perfect Christian. You never sin or make mistakes.”

I humbly said, “Sweetie…that is far from the truth. I am going to need you to pull me off that pedestal. I am flawed. I ask the Lord DAILY for forgiveness of my sins in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have, do, and will make mistakes. I am imperfection personified. If you were to look up ‘imperfect’ in the dictionary, I would guess that my picture would appear!” J

What does it mean to put something "up on a pedestal"? A response on Yahoo! Answers revealed the following:

Mjolnir06 answered: This is an English saying that normally refers to "glorifying or idealizing" an individual or individuals. To "place" or put someone "up on" a pedestal means to have high expectations about how they should behave. It's not just with people in highly visible positions of responsibility (world leaders, famous stars, etc.), we also do it with our friends and family, and especially partners in a relationship. 

Usually the problem of putting someone up on a pedestal has little to do with who they are or what position they hold, but more commonly our expectations of someone put them there. When they don't live up to our expectations, we lose our respect for them. Sometimes people do put themselves up on a pedestal by condemning others. But being human is part of life and even if we want to hold people to their claims of sainthood, they may disappoint us. What is it that is disappointing to us? Is it disappointing because somehow it feels like they have lied to us? Yet, it should come as no surprise to us that all human beings are still human beings. But when someone doesn't live up to our expectations is it truthful to say that they are lying to us, or is it our expectations that are lying to us? https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081030174547AAoxiqb

Often people put you up on a pedestal. Their thoughts are often revealed in language such as:

 “You think you are better than…”

“You act like you think you are better than…”

“Well, not everyone has it all together like you have…”

“You are all ‘Holier than Thou’…”

Unfortunately, we can slowly lift ourselves up on pedestals by being so judgmental of others.

I have to confess, I never thought I was perfect, but I boldly thought I had it all together and was in complete control of the direction of my life. I called myself a “Health Fanatic.” And when others would tell me how awesome, skilled, intelligent, professional, and compassionate I was, I guess I allowed my ego to run amuck & myself to be gently raised upon and held upon a pedestal.

However, after receiving the unexpected, devastating health diagnosis of MS and getting laid off of my job, all I could do was remember this nursery rhyme:

“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king's horses and all the king's men

Couldn't put Humpty together again.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humpty_Dumpty

I felt shattered, broken, unrepairable, unlovable, “damaged goods,” and insignificant. The drop from my proverbial pedestal was a long, scary, and painful one.

Lessons Learned:

• Don’t allow others to put you up on a pedestal.
• The only one who ever walked this earth who was “perfect & sin-free” was Jesus Christ.
• The higher you are lifted on that pedestal, the longer the drop.
• The fall off the pedestal is very painful.
• Oftentimes, the ones lifting you up on the pedestal will be the ones celebrating your fall.
• Since no one is perfect, it can be very lonely up there, uplifted as someone you are not.
• The only one who should be put up on a pedestal, revered, and obeyed is THE LORD.

“What people think about me is none of my business.” – unknown

“What God thinks about me is everything.”

“We must shift focus from pleasing Man to pleasing God.” 

If you or someone has “put you up on a pedestal” of perfection…step down off of it NOW…

“Proceed to Checkout…”

When you order something online, you put your selected items into your “shopping cart.” When you are done, there is often a message that says, “Proceed to Checkout.” This area confirms your address and your method of payment, either credit/check card; deduction from your checking account; or PayPal.

While doing this, I wondered, “Am I ready to proceed to checkout when it comes to going to Heaven?”

• Have I been obedient to God?
• Have I kept his commandments?
• Have I forgiven others & asked for their forgiveness?
• Have I released feelings of bitterness, guilt, and envy?
• Have I completely surrendered my life to Christ?
• Have I shifted my focus from judging others to working on myself?
• Am I not only a reader of the Word but a doer of it as well?
• Do I do good for others, expecting nothing in return?
• Is what I think, what I say, & what I do Christ-like?
• Has my presence, reputation, character & influence drawn others to Christ?
• Do the words that pass my lips bring you praise?
• Am I focused on pleasing GOD rather than man?
• Am I more concerned with acquiring “earthly” treasures rather than “heavenly” rewards?
• Am I more concerned about praise from man rather than praise from God?

The Bible tells us this:

2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV): “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall…”

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV): “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Psalm 37:4 (NKJV): “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

John 14:1-3 (NKJV):  “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Memorable Quotes:

 “My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.” – Billy Graham

“I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.” — A.W. Tozer

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.' ” ― Erma Bombeck

God has already made preparations to receive those of us who are obedient and remain faithful.

Are you ready to “proceed to checkout?”

Not “For Entertainment Purposes Only”

I am always amazed when I hear people say things like:

“Church was boring.”

“I didn’t get anything out of the sermon.”

“Service was ‘off the chain!’ “

“I got my Praise On!”

It’s almost as though worship is evaluated as either a boring movie or a great concert.

Worship’s purpose is not to entertain you.

It is to go and THANK the Lord for all of the blessings you have received this past week. For Health, Food, Clothing, Shelter, Water, Jobs…

When you go to worship, GOD IS THE AUDIENCE. He is watching YOU.

Worship is not about You. It’s About HIM…

Some people act as though they are doing God a favor by even going to worship. If that’s your attitude, He would prefer you not come at all.

Revelation 3:15-17 (NKJV): 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—“

I also find it perplexing for people to have this “dress down, casual” attitude about worship. We dress up to go to work. If we were going to a formal banquet or meeting famous people such as the Queen of England, we would go with our best. Yet, we feel comfortable with giving our Creator & Heavenly Father our “left-overs.” 

The “come as you are” philosophy is often misinterpreted. This was said to people who had merger means…to come with what they had. I recall worshipping in Nigeria West Africa, where we had gone to support our mission efforts at our school. The people had virtually nothing; yet, they still attended worship with their very best. They knew they were going into the presence of the Lord. If we attend worship with a “casual” attitude, we may be inclined to be “casual” about God. It is interesting how we think we “just woke up this morning” all on our own accord.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV): “19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Worship is not a place to take casually. It’s our opportunity to give HIM the glory. We should take our relationship with the Lord as seriously as HE takes his with us…

Maslov’s Theory or God’s Certainty

One of the elders at my church teaches a very engaging Sunday School class. He is a tenured professor at one of Nashville’s most prominent universities. He is a very intelligent, yet very humble man. His class is insightful & thought-provoking.

One Sunday, he discussed “Maslov’s Theory” and how it compared to our spiritual lives.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation" in Psychological Review. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is often portrayed in the shape of a pyramid with the largest, most fundamental levels of needs at the bottom and the need for self-actualization at the top. "What a man can be, he must be."  This quotation forms the basis of the perceived need for self-actualization. This level of need refers to what a person's full potential is and the realization of that potential. Maslow describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs

 

A theory is defined as “an idea that is suggested or presented as possibly true but that is not known or proven to be true.” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theory Do we want to live our lives by man’s ideas or God’s promises?
Society encourages us to seek the ultimate pinnacle of “Self-actualization.” This is the ultimate level of “satisfying” self. Maybe we should seek "God - actualization":  the level as the desire to accomplish everything that God knows you can, to become the most that God created you to be.

The Bible references often that man was created by God and should seek to be like Him:

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV): “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV): “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 29:11(NKJV): “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Colossians 1:15 (NKJV): “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

We should seek to satisfy the Lord and be the best He wants us to be.

“You were made by God and for God and until you know that this life will not make sense." - unknown

“Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about discovering who God created you to be.” - unknown

Is your ultimate goal to seek “self –actualization” or “God-Actualization?”