Dare To Believe

We’ve all heard the clichés that come with a New Year.

“New Year – New You.”

“Out with the old in with the new.”

“Time to write a new chapter in my story.”

“Get behind me Satan!!” 

Okay, that last one probably isn’t said too much but you get the point. Most of us see the new year as a new starting point. It’s the reset button to our lives. Like somehow, magically, changing that “18” to a “19” is going to make some massive profound difference in our lives. Then, inevitably for most of us, a few weeks or days pass by and the old creeps back into the new.

The holidays are over and the determination to be a better worker or student is crushed as you realize you have the same teachers, employers you had before the “18” turned to “19.” You put off making some changes because it was going to be too hard to make it through Christmas. Now that the new year is here, you’re ready to make those changes. But in just a short time, the cravings and temptations return and you find yourself slipping back into the addictions.

For some, spending time with family is an event that’s looked forward to for months. But when the noise fades and the decorations come down, the depression and loneliness are still lurking under the tinsel and garland.

I know what you’re thinking; “Ben, you’re sucking the life out of my New Year’s Resolutions.”

Sorry?

Look, I’m with you. I’ve got things I need to change in my life. I’ve got weight to lose. Books to read. Goals I want to accomplish. But honestly, that’s been my position every January 1^st since I can remember.

This “new chapter” idea is actually a pretty accurate one though. However, we need to remember, a new chapter is just that, a new chapter…to an existing story. In this great story we call life, there is no such thing as starting over. There is only “new chapters.” The idea of a story is that it builds upon events that have already happened. It doesn’t mean that the story can’t change, it just means that there must be a plot twist. The protagonist needs to have a “defining moment.” They need to encounter another person in their journey that rocks their view of the world around them.

The Book of Acts gives us the beginning of a story for a guy named Saul. In Acts 8, he is the keystone character in the persecution of the church. In Acts 9, Saul has an encounter with the person of Jesus that radically changes his life. It has an immediate and profound effect on his life. Look at the next few paragraphs of Paul’s life.

Acts 9:20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Major plot twist in the story. Saul had been on his way to arrest those in the synagogues saying Jesus was the Son of God. After his encounter with Jesus, he continued to the synagogues, but now it was to join them in teaching about Jesus.

Acts 9:23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 

Radical change can result in friends becoming enemies.  A common reality for most of us is realizing that change isn’t just hard on us, but sometimes for those around us as well. Not everyone is going to accept what you are trying to become.

Acts 9:26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 

Here’s another important realization we need to have…Saul’s old chapters had consequences in his new chapter.

The “19” does not make the choices and circumstance of “18” disappear. There are consequences and circumstances that we carry with us into these new chapters we’re living. The good news is that if you continue to read Saul’s story, he soon becomes known as Paul and goes on to become the greatest apostle to ever live. Understand, this new chapter, new plot twist, new development in his character brought new challenges but Paul believed that encounter with Jesus changed things. I’m sure he would have loved for his past to just disappear but it didn’t. Instead he had to believe that the grace of God made him into a new person.

You can’t pretend 2018 didn’t happen. You need to accept that it did. All the good and bad. Every bit of the highs and bitter disappointments. Every new and precious relationship and every act of betrayal. How you respond and come through these trials is a part of the character development in your story.

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie and thought, I can’t believe someone could keep going after all that’s happened to them? Generally, the characters that keep going are the ones that believe there is something worth fighting for. They believe there is a purpose they are meant to accomplish. They believe there is someone out there that will come alongside them in their hour of need and together they can face anything. They believe there is hope.

Here’s the challenge. Do you believe that?  Do you believe there’s hope? Do you believe there’s a purpose worth fighting for? Have you had an encounter with Jesus that made you believe He’s worth changing for? That He will give you the strength to change? That He can create change in a seemingly hopeless situation?

Maybe it’s time for a plot twist in your life. Your story isn’t going in the direction you want it to go. You’re hoping a new year or new chapter will change things. It’s time to encounter the only One that can truly change the outcome of your story.  As we head into 2019, I want to present a challenge to you. “Dare to Believe” for a plot twist this year.

If your own spiritual journey has become dry, believe for a fresh encounter of His Holy Spirit.

Believe for a lost loved one to encounter Jesus for the first time.

Believe for Him to restore those broken relationships as only He can.

Believe for a plot twist in your finances as you trust and obey His direction in this area.

Believe for healing in your body regardless of what doctors have said in past “chapters.”

Believe for your children.

Believe for your marriage.

Believe for your church.

Believe for your city.

Believe for your nation.

Believe that Prayer Changes Things.

Matthew 9:27-29 ²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

²⁸ When He had gone indoors, the blind men came to Him, and He asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

²⁹ Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”;

Dare To Believe

Can You Wait?

Can you wait?

It’s early January 2017 and I’m just a few days into 21 days of prayer and fasting with my church.  It’s something I’ve taken part in for about 10 years now. It’s definitely become a part of my life and I look forward to dedicating this time to God each year. You know, as much as a guy who loves food like me can look forward to not eating for 21 days.  

While I don’t normally talk much about what I’m reading or praying about during this time, I am breaking that, not so formal, rule with this brief post.  January 1st, I started on a journey to read through the Bible this year in chronological order. (The order in which events happened…I know you already knew that)  Of course that means I’m starting out in Genesis, the beginning of God’s great story. The beginning of our story with God. I’m not unfamiliar with this book of the Bible. In fact, I’ve probably read through it more times than any of the other books of the Bible. (Years of failed “Through the Bible in 1 year” reading plans. I always made it past Genesis.) Today as I was reading though, I saw a word that jumped out at me. I read it again. Then I sat there and thought back over the last few days of reading and I realized that I had read that word quite a few times. I scanned some of my journal notes I’d written and saw that it kept popping up there as well.  

Promise

That’s the word. Promise. The Bible is filled with promises. But it’s not so much the promises that have stood out to me, it’s the way people respond to them.  Over and over again, God tells people what He is going to do. When God tells you He’s going to do something, that’s a promise. Then over and over again, people take it upon themselves to make something happen in their lives instead of waiting for God’s promise. It’s incredible to watch but it just keeps happening. Now because God is faithful, He remains faithful to His promises but the hardship, brokenness and pain that people bring into their lives and the lives of their families because of trying to make God’s promises happen on their own is astounding. Even when He confirmed it with them over and over, they still took matters into their own hands.

I’m just sitting here wondering how much we still do this? What has God promised you that you’re getting tired of waiting for? What has God said He would do that you’re trying to make happen on your own? What promise have you read in the Bible that you’re struggling to believe in? What situation have you taken into your own hands? What circumstance is kicking your butt spiritually because you’ve lost sight of His promises? 

Don’t give up!  Wait for Him to fulfill His promises in His Way, in His Time.  Stay close to God. Consume yourself with His word. Dedicate moments to pray everyday and over every situation. Get involved in your church. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you in the right direction. Stop trying so hard to make things happen and just follow His path. Sometimes it will happen faster than you’re comfortable with and sometimes it will seem like it’s never going to happen. Follow His lead…Wait for his Promise!

This is my prayer for 2017…God don’t let me forget your promises. I don’t want to become discouraged or impatient to the point of taking matters into my own hands.  I want to wait for Your perfect plan to unfold for my life, my family, my ministry. God not my will be done, but Yours.  In faith I believe Your promises are done.

For no matter how many PROMISES God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

The Best Blog Ever

Today is going to be “ah-mazing!”  I can just tell.  I was up early and went to the gym for the best workout I’ve ever had. I even listened to one of my favourite pastors so I’ve had the best little personal church service already as well. I went home to shower and kissed the best wife in the world good-bye for the day and hugged the best kids ever before I left. I got to Starbucks and I had a reward available which means I’m writing this while enjoying a FREE Venti Carmel Macchiato with an extra shot. How’s it taste, you ask…The Best One I’ve Ever Had!!!  Now I’m looking forward to the rest of the day where I get to serve as the Lead Pastor at the Best Church, with the Best People, in the Best City, in the Best Country in the entire world!! Today will be LEGENDARY!! 

But then again…I said the same thing about yesterday…I believe the same thing for tomorrow.

Is it possible for every day to be the BEST Day?

Is it rationale to think that every sunrise is the most AMAZING one you’ve ever seen?

Is it realistic that the steak you had for supper last night is the steak that will ruin every other steak you will ever eat because you proclaimed LEGENDARY status over it?

Can every Sunday at our churches be the most EPIC service ever, that no one within driving distance should miss or they will regret it for all of eternity?

I’m starting to think there’s a flaw in our descriptive language.

I took Isaac, my oldest son, to a baseball game earlier this summer. Around the fourth inning we were joined by two boisterous women who took up residency in the seats directly behind us. I’m all for loud fans at a sporting event. When they are talking about the game. It’s expected, even entertaining. These two ladies however, were more interested in discussing their lives and the event planning business they were ready to “take to the next level.” A company that is soon to become so big that all the competition will be jealous and the A-listers will want only them to plan their events but when those A-listers call, these ladies will turn them down because they can.  That may or may not be a direct quote. I told you they were loud.

As they got more heated in their discussion, I heard a theme coming out.  Everything in their lives was “literally the greatest.”  

They threw “literally, the greatest parties.”

They knew “literally, the best people.”

That person, “literally, had the best boyfriend.”

That TV show, “literally, is the best show and you HAVE to watch it.”

That player, “literally, has the best butt.” (That is a direct quote)

As I sat there and listened, I had to wonder how you go through life with a sense that what you did today and the people you meet from this point forward in your life have to live up to such incredibly high standards.

Why do we do this?

One Sunday, a few weeks ago, I made reference to the fact that we have become a culture that is obsessed with pleasure. Where everything we experience is the “best.” It has created a lifestyle of pursuit.  We are surrounded by opportunity for immediate gratification, immediate pleasure.  As a result, it’s easy to find ourselves living our lives obsessed in our pursuit of pleasure in these temporary things.  To live life for the next “Greatest Thing Ever.”

I know for years the church has taught us that words matter. If you want great things in your life, it’s as simple as speaking great things about your life. I think we’ve taken this to an extreme. All you have to do is look to social media to understand my point. It’s become a hashtag society with fun buzzwords that we use to convince ourselves and others that our lives are the “best.”

I’ve been guilty of it myself. I routinely have to edit myself while talking about things happening at church because I actually do know that not every week is going to be the most life-changing experience of people’s lives. Sometimes, we’re just going to come together and worship and receive a really practical word from God. Practical is boring. I know. I struggle on those Sundays because I feel like people are out there thinking, “When is he going to make me laugh?” “Where is the catchy tag line or impacting illustration?” Sometimes, it’s just simple truth from God’s Word.  It’s powerful, just not always entertaining. Life can be that way as well. Not every day is going to be “Epic.”

What’s the big deal?

Please hear me, I’m not saying pleasure is wrong. I’m not saying we should all sit quietly in a huddle and read our Bibles all the time. -  BUT -  If we’re not careful, in an effort to keep up with the demands of a pleasure driven society, we will begin to displace our pursuit of God with a pursuit of pleasure. We begin to place more priority on our next pleasure fix than spending time with God each day. The next thrill begins to take the place of our time together in worship or small groups. It’s so ingrained in the world we live in that I even deal with from my kids. Almost on a nightly basis, at least one of them will ask on the way to bed, “Are we doing anything fun tomorrow?” It baffles me how they can become so bored so quickly. Most of the time I feel like Russell Crowe in Gladiator. I want to throw something across the room and scream, “Are you not entertained!?!?”  Sadly, it’s not just reserved for kids but many adults go through life trying to find the next fix of pleasure. Only to find they quickly need to find another source of pleasure…and then another…and another.

“Entertain me…I’m bored…I’m discontent…I’m lonely…I’m depressed…”

What’s the answer?

When our understanding of “Blessed and highly favoured” comes to mean a life with no obstacles and endless pleasure, we have a problem.  That’s not real life. Every day is not the best day. Every meal is not the best food I’ve ever put in my mouth. Every friend I have is not the greatest person that ever lived. (Sorry friends) My life kind of sucks sometimes…true story. I locked my keys in my car in the Walmart parking lot a few weeks ago. Does that mean I’m not “Blessed?” It sure didn’t feel like the “best” day ever. I’ve been talked about behind my back. I didn’t feel “Blessed” with great friends in that moment. My kids can reach a volume the stretches the boundaries of sanity. My wife and I go through periods that are less than blissful. Does that mean I’m not “Blessed” with the “Best” family or “Best” marriage ever? I believe I’m blessed. But here’s why.

Psalm 146:3-9 (Message Bible)

Don’t put your life in the hands of experts who know nothing of life, of salvation life. Mere humans don’t have what it takes; when they die, their projects die with them. Instead, get help from the God of Jacob, put your hope in God and know real BLESSING!

The Hebrew word used here means “Happy.” So what the Psalmist is saying is, “…put your hope in God and know real “HAPPINESS!”

When I look to man-made things and experiences it’s never fulfilling long-term. “Mere humans don’t have what it takes” to provide me with the kind of happiness that can sustain me through the inevitable ups and downs of normal, everyday life.  They don’t even know the meaning of this salvation life we live. This means that when life become hard, I quickly become disillusioned with life. I’m quick to struggle to creep into depression.

But the kind of “blessing” that comes from God means that despite my problems or pleasures, in defeat or in victory I always can find happiness.  My happiness is not based on the economy, things, people, entertainment, or even my appearance. But when our hope is connected to God – because He is immovable – my happiness never wavers and I am at peace because of who He is.

Enjoy life!

Seek adventures!

But pursue the pleasure and happiness that can only come from God.