Here are five things from the week that I hope inspires you!
1. Bible Verse I am contemplating:
And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. 2 Timothy 2:9-10 NLT
I'm studying 2 Timothy with my DGroup and we studied this verse a couple of weeks ago, but has stuck with me. Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel, and then he said, "the word of God cannot be chained." That is the power of God's word! Even if God's messenger is contained, the message cannot be contained. It reminds me of the passage my friend JBob always reminds me of: "so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11 ESV) The word does the work!
2. Quote that inspires me:
“Your life today is a result of your thinking yesterday. Your life tomorrow will be determined by what you think today.” John C. Maxwell
John Maxwell is a prolific author and America's "leadership guru." I am audio reading his book, How Successful People Think. This is one of many quotes that has caught my attention. How you think matters, because your life will go in the direction of your thoughts.
3. Bonus quotes
I finished reading Kevin DeYoung's Crazy Busy and it was a helpful read. In his chapter on Sabbath and rest (chapter 8, "Rhythm and Blues"), DeYoung offers this insight:
"By all accounts, we are sleeping less than ever before. The average American gets two and a half fewer hours of sleep per night than a century ago... Though we often brag about how little sleep we get, studies show sleep deprivation is a trigger for problems like diabetes and obesity."
Later in the chapter, DeYoung quotes theologian D.A. Carson:
"Sometimes the godliest thing you can do in the universe is to get a good night's sleep - not pray all night, but sleep. I'm certainly not denying that there may be a place for praying all night; I'm merely insisting that in the normal course of things, spiritual discipline obligates you to get the sleep your body needs."
These passages really spoke to me about the importance of having balance in life. I am a "doer" so sleep isn't something a value. But as I get older I have realized how important getting enough sleep/rest is to my overall health - not just physical health, but spiritual, mental and emotional health as well. I'm thankful for the above words that remind me to take care of myself and get some sleep.
4. Text message I've earned from
A few weeks ago I received a text from a friend and church member. This person was hurt by a sermon I had preached. They understood the point of the sermon about serving others, but felt that it turned into something else, and they explained the things that had bothered them. And even before I had finished reading the text, I knew they were absolutely right. In fact, as I was preaching the sermon, I knew I was off-base and preaching more in the flesh than in the Spirit. My words were laden with guilt and borderline abusive.
I apologized to my friend, and thanked them for their feedback, assuring them that this kind of feedback was invaluable to a preacher/pastor. As I have been thinking and processing our text conversation, here are three things that I have come to realize:
a. Even after 33 years of preaching, I sometimes still operate in the flesh rather than the Spirit. This person's text was humbling because they were right, and it was a good reminder to make sure my heart is right and I am preaching in His Spirit, not my own.
b. I realized what a true friend I have. In 33 years of preaching I have had a number of people leave the church, only to find out through the grapevine that they left because of something I said in a sermon. But they never said anything to me... they just left. I am thankful that my friend loved me enough to contact me and let me know how I had hurt them. It takes a lot of maturity and courage to do something like that. I am blessed to have a friend who loves me enough to be honest with me.
c. Finally, I've learned that God is still sovereign and can use even my failures for His glory. After I had preached the sermon, another friend and church member told me that the message was exactly what they needed. Even in my weakness, He is strong and even though the messenger failed, God's word did not.
I am truly thankful for my friend and their text, it has helped me immensely.
5. Dad joke I'm digging
Be blessed and have a great weekend!
