Game Planning for the New Year

Game Planning - a carefully thought out strategy for achieving an objective in war, politics, sports, business, or personal affairs.

Most of us go into a new year with a certain amount of anticipation and hope that what happens over the next 365 days will be good...real good...productive and satisfying even. So as we start the year let's remember a very important principle: nothing good ever just happens.

If we want to drop some pounds we have to get in the gym and sweat and then push away from the dinner table a little quicker than we like. If we want to make good grades in school we have to shut the door, turn off the radio and television, or silence our cell phones while we hit the books. And on it goes. It's called discipline and for most of us, myself included, it's a four letter word. :)

We need to purposely put some thought and prayer into the new year. We need to search the Scriptures and talk to a few trusted friends about staying on course and moving in a positive direction. As I was recently meditating on Scripture my mind was drawn to Joshua 1:9 and Psalm 1. Hebrews 12 came to my mind as well and I'm sure there are a ton of other passages that would do the same thing.

In Hebrews 12 the author challenges us with a very important part of the game plan when it comes to spiritual success. Here's what he says...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up."

When he says 'huge crowd of witnesses' he refers to Hebrews 11 which we often call the Hall of Fame of Faith. Those men and women who by faith fought off conflict and persecution to accomplish great things for the glory of God. It's quite a list and it would be worth your time to read and meditate over it.

Then he says we need to think about the current reality of our life and see if there is anything we are doing that is slowing us down spiritually. It could be a habit or relationship or a pet sin or anything that keeps us from running a winning race. And then he says GET RID OF IT.

Much like an Olympic sprinter gets rid of all anything that will slow him down in his attempt for the gold medal we need to take the steps necessary to put ourselves in the best possible position to win the race of life.

JW - 316

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

May you enjoy the love of God found in Jesus this holiday season. Enjoy it with family and friends and everyone God brings into your path. May the joy of Christ fill you in the new year and His peace safely guard your heart and mind. And my hope never cease to energize your spirit towards giving your all in service to our loving Heavenly Father! God bless 2011,

JW - 316

The Power of Praise

2 Chronicles 20 is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible. The Southern Kingdom of Judah is being threatened and about to be attacked. War is inevitable. Judah's leadership team is fearful so they seek God. God calms them down, assures them of His presence, and let's them know that He will be fighting the battle for them.

So on the morning of the war they are on their way to the battle when King Jehoshaphat calls a time-out to discuss the play call. He says, 'Here's what we're going to do guys. I want the choir to get out there ahead of our army and lead the way. Choir, I want you guys to sing to the Lord and give Him praise. This is how we're going to fight today. This is our battle plan for victory.' The choir runs the play beautifully. Here's what they sang: "Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever."

According to verse 22 the result of their praise had a powerful effect. No seriously, check this out: "At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to starting fighting among themselves." Judah's enemies turned on themselves and the Bible says on that day - "not a single one of the enemy had escaped." They literally killed each other. WHOA!!

Well, it's Thanksgiving week and once again we'll be giving thanks for family and friends and health and the Lord's provision and protection and so much more. Giving thanks is a good, easy and honorable thing to do. But here's a thought for you. Have you ever considered giving thanks to God as a method of warfare? Have you ever thought of praise as a weapon against enemy attack? You can and you should. Do you want to see BIG things go down? Then start your day with praise and thanksgiving. Around lunch time do it again. And again before dinner and then before you sleep at night. Go through the day filled with praise and thanksgiving.

I believe the stakes are high in the battle of life. The stakes are high and the enemy is strong. We need to bring our "A" game to the fight. Our "A" game is the weapon of praise and thanksgiving to our Holy and loving God.

Okay choir - you know what to do - now go get'em!

Happy Thanksgiving! :)

JW - 316

I want my own universe!

One of my favorite quotes comes from an old radio preacher who is in heaven now named J. Vernon McGee. He once said, "This is God's universe and God does things His way. You may have a better way, but you don't have a universe." :)

JW - 316

Reckless Extravagance

Timothy Keller is one of my favorite authors. He recently wrote a book called Prodigal God. In it he explains how God's love is recklessly extravagant which, actually, is the meaning of the word 'prodigal'. It doesn't mean "wayward" or rebellious or anything like that. It means "freely spending everything, to be recklessly extravagant."

And that, according to Jesus' teaching in Luke 15, is the true character of God. He allows sinners the freedom to run away and waste it all if they wish. And he runs to the returning sinner even though running in undignified and unacceptable. He blesses him or her with robes and rings and sandals without requiring penance or restitution. God is recklessly extravagant in mercy and grace. Luke 15 isn't the story of "the prodigal son". It's the story of the prodigal father. It's the story of the prodigal God.

Thank God for His recklessly extravagant love, mercy, and grace!!

JW - 316

Christian Atheist

Hey guys, I recently read 'The Christian Atheist' by Craig Groeschel and highly recommend it to you. The sad premise is that despite our profession as followers of Christ most of us live as if He doesn't exist.

It's a good challenge for us to be honest with ourselves and make a renewed commitment to live a life of all out surrender to the Lordship of Christ in our lives.

JW - 316

The Promises of God

Numbers 23:19 - "God is not a man, that he should like, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

1 Kings 8:56 - "Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses."

Joshua 21:45 - "Not one of all the LORD'S promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."

Joshua 23:14 - "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed."

2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Always remember this: "You can't break the promises of God by leaning on them."

JW - 316