Just an easy BUT overflowing devotion for the morning. I am still walking tall from our awesome Easter weekend. Yet there is always stuff on the agenda and people asking for time and myself pushing me harder and harder. Maybe it is time to rethink the busy monster some of us serve. What do you think?
Here is one of my favorite passages. I have to thank Bob White from Georgia for sharing it with me (three times in one year, 1998). Read on with passion:
Micah 6:6-8 (nlt) --- What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the L ord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
We need to know what God expects of us. No, this devotion is not about tithing or going to church. It is about refocusing on what really matters. Think about it. Clarify your priorities.
First let me say this, some people have expectations of me or of you that are unreal, ungodly and unright (had to stick with the un's). Second, there are people who don't meet our expectations. Sometimes we are wrong, and sometimes they are. But that is not the point here. This is a personal look. Read the verses again.
It clearly says that God desires that we do right, love right and walk right. It says that life is all about God. This is where my life must shine. In fact, I believe far too many people care more what people think of us than what God thinks of us. That's wrong. We would rather offend God by disobeying Him than offend people by following Jesus. Think about it.
I was reading a blog by Tony Morgan that I have to share with you part of as I close (and I pray we will rid ourselves of the gunky build up):
Stop Gunky Build Up
I saw this sign at a gas station while I was traveling this past week. It made me think about instances when I've had to deal with gunky build up in my life. For me gunky build up occurs when I let less important stuff squeeze out the real priorities in my life. Maybe you've experienced this as well.
By the way, gunk shows up in my personal life from time to time, but I've also seen it in ministries and other organizations. Sometimes, as an example, gunk comes in the form of ministry programming and events. Good programs get added on and added on to the point that they squeeze out what's most effective in helping people take steps in their faith. Or, worse yet, ministry programming and events become so numerous that they start competing against each other. Gunk is bad for people, but it's also bad for churches.
So, is it time for you to stop the gunky build up in your life or in your ministry? Now is the time to do something about it. Don't delay. And, don't let yourself get in a funk because you're unwilling to deal with your gunk.
(Thanks, Tony!)
Here is one of my favorite passages. I have to thank Bob White from Georgia for sharing it with me (three times in one year, 1998). Read on with passion:
Micah 6:6-8 (nlt) --- What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the L ord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
We need to know what God expects of us. No, this devotion is not about tithing or going to church. It is about refocusing on what really matters. Think about it. Clarify your priorities.
First let me say this, some people have expectations of me or of you that are unreal, ungodly and unright (had to stick with the un's). Second, there are people who don't meet our expectations. Sometimes we are wrong, and sometimes they are. But that is not the point here. This is a personal look. Read the verses again.
It clearly says that God desires that we do right, love right and walk right. It says that life is all about God. This is where my life must shine. In fact, I believe far too many people care more what people think of us than what God thinks of us. That's wrong. We would rather offend God by disobeying Him than offend people by following Jesus. Think about it.
I was reading a blog by Tony Morgan that I have to share with you part of as I close (and I pray we will rid ourselves of the gunky build up):
Stop Gunky Build Up
I saw this sign at a gas station while I was traveling this past week. It made me think about instances when I've had to deal with gunky build up in my life. For me gunky build up occurs when I let less important stuff squeeze out the real priorities in my life. Maybe you've experienced this as well.
- Sometimes I believe the lie that I can't afford to take a break and rest. The reality is that I'm far less effective in my family and leadership roles when I'm tired and grumpy.
- Sometimes I believe the lie that I'll spend quality time with my wife at the end of the day after everything else is done. The reality is that the last things on my priority list rarely get done.
- Sometimes I believe the lie that I'll get to the big projects after I knock out the more routine tasks. The reality is that there will always be other routine tasks to complete.
- Sometimes I believe the lie that the more I do the more valuable I am to the team. The reality is that I'm not being effective if I'm busy doing the wrong things.
- Sometimes I believe the lie that the little problem I have isn't jeopardizing my leadership. The reality is that most times everyone else is already being impacted by my problem.
- Sometimes I believe the lie that I need to correct every false statement and negative comment. The reality is that many times those faint voices become a distraction when I draw attention and make them loud.
- Sometimes I believe the lie that goals will be accomplished without a plan if I'm just patient and faithful. The reality is that most goals worth pursuing require counsel and strategy and hard work and commitment.
- Sometimes I believe the lie that I need to jump at a good opportunity. The reality is that someone will always have a good opportunity for me to pursue, and many times those good opportunities squeeze out time and energy to fulfill a great mission and calling…
By the way, gunk shows up in my personal life from time to time, but I've also seen it in ministries and other organizations. Sometimes, as an example, gunk comes in the form of ministry programming and events. Good programs get added on and added on to the point that they squeeze out what's most effective in helping people take steps in their faith. Or, worse yet, ministry programming and events become so numerous that they start competing against each other. Gunk is bad for people, but it's also bad for churches.
So, is it time for you to stop the gunky build up in your life or in your ministry? Now is the time to do something about it. Don't delay. And, don't let yourself get in a funk because you're unwilling to deal with your gunk.
(Thanks, Tony!)
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