Are you ready for someone to ask you “the question”? You know-the question that becomes that “opportunity” that you will make the most of?
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
With Christ at the center of our lives, God will provide opportunities for us to share Him with others. In Christ are hidden treasure troves of wisdom that He gives us applying to the way we live oue daily lives. People will notice wisdom, gravitate toward it, and thus you will have influence.
With Jesus at the center, our speech becomes nutritious and life-giving. Gracious conversation combined with wisdom lends itself to insightful interaction with others throughout the course of the day. We know what to say, how to say, and when (or when not) to say those things that God Himself would have said in any given moment. The Grace-filled tongue is influenced away from negative and critical comments that repel people away from Christ’s influence through us.
Instead, encouraging words that build up and give grace to the hearers come from our Center.
Our hard-working, wise, gracious, seasoned lives will always attract questions. People will be attracted by Christ in you. You will become magnetic. There will be people who find you attractive and ask you about things-lots of things. Then you can be ready! Ready to tell them why. It is a simple answer. Because you have faith in Christ and you are making a sincere effort to follow His teachings.
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)
Monday, October 30, 2006
Love my job!
Did you know that Jesus is thought to have repeated His teachings over and over not because of the different crowds but for His disciples who he was depending on to change the world. I thought I would use His repetition strategy as well and refresh the weekend message in our minds as we head into our work week.
Colossians 3:22-25 (MSG) 22 Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. 23 Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, 24 confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. 25 The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being Christian doesn't cover up bad work.
1. Do exactly what your boss asks of you.
2. Do your best at your job at all times.
3. Recognize Jesus as your boss and offer your work as Worship.
4. Work not only for a raise in this life, but also for a “pay day” in eternity. R
emember that people are watching our effort and drawing conclusions about our character. We have an opportunity to let them “see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven”. Let’s take full advantage and “make the most of every opportunity” to set a good example of a Christ-centered work ethic. Let’s honor Christ at work today. Have a great day and invite someone to come to church with you this week!
Current weekend series: “Get Centered”
A Journey Through the book of Colossians
Visit Our Website
email: chrisb@newcommchurch.org
web: http://www.ncclv.com
Colossians 3:22-25 (MSG) 22 Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. 23 Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, 24 confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. 25 The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being Christian doesn't cover up bad work.
1. Do exactly what your boss asks of you.
2. Do your best at your job at all times.
3. Recognize Jesus as your boss and offer your work as Worship.
4. Work not only for a raise in this life, but also for a “pay day” in eternity. R
emember that people are watching our effort and drawing conclusions about our character. We have an opportunity to let them “see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven”. Let’s take full advantage and “make the most of every opportunity” to set a good example of a Christ-centered work ethic. Let’s honor Christ at work today. Have a great day and invite someone to come to church with you this week!
Current weekend series: “Get Centered”
A Journey Through the book of Colossians
Visit Our Website
email: chrisb@newcommchurch.org
web: http://www.ncclv.com
Thursday, October 19, 2006
hate my job!
“For promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God” Ps. 75:6
All too often people dread their work. Most people are not doing work they dreamed of or feel is satisfying. Some even hate their job. Many look forward to the weekend when they can escape into recreation and other activities.
With Christ truly at the center of our lives, He makes a significant impact on our work environment. For those who can adopt a fresh mindset, their work can become an outpost for the advancement of the Kingdom. New significance can be discovered in what was “just a job”. Jesus can turn our job into a place where He intersects the lives of those we work with. I can look forward to my day anticipating what God might do at work.
“Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being Christian doesn't cover up bad work.” Col. 3:22-25 (MSG)
My work day is an assignment from Jesus to display His character to the people around me. My authentic faith impacts my work ethic and inspires me to give an effort that is my best. As I quietly and consistently do my job (no matter what kind of job it may be) with excellence, others appreciate my effort and notice something different in my life.
Any employer will tell you that good help is hard to find. Many are watching the clock-finding ways to do as little as they can. They discover the minimum required and they do it. When someone pours their heart into their work they can easily stand out and are often rewarded or promoted by their employer.
For the Christ-follower, there is an extra source of power to tap into. We can allow Him to watch us while we work. We can feel His approval on our effort. Energy and attitude are available to me as I look to Him while I work. We can offer it to Him as worship. He will receive it and transform it into something that honors His Father and impacts the lives of others. Even in writing this blog right now I hope that my work is pleasing to God. I offer it to Him as worship. I am doing my best. I am pouring my heart into it and expecting Him to use it to impact you.
At work we earn more than a paycheck. Through hard work, we earn the right to honor our King and share with others His life-inspiring power. God says that He has an incentive package designed for His worker that is out of this world. One day (no matter if my earthly boss does or not) my ultimate boss will reward me for my effort.
May you work for Him today!
May you feel His blessing on you throughout your day!
May your work be appreciated and rewarded by both of your bosses!
Chris
All too often people dread their work. Most people are not doing work they dreamed of or feel is satisfying. Some even hate their job. Many look forward to the weekend when they can escape into recreation and other activities.
With Christ truly at the center of our lives, He makes a significant impact on our work environment. For those who can adopt a fresh mindset, their work can become an outpost for the advancement of the Kingdom. New significance can be discovered in what was “just a job”. Jesus can turn our job into a place where He intersects the lives of those we work with. I can look forward to my day anticipating what God might do at work.
“Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being Christian doesn't cover up bad work.” Col. 3:22-25 (MSG)
My work day is an assignment from Jesus to display His character to the people around me. My authentic faith impacts my work ethic and inspires me to give an effort that is my best. As I quietly and consistently do my job (no matter what kind of job it may be) with excellence, others appreciate my effort and notice something different in my life.
Any employer will tell you that good help is hard to find. Many are watching the clock-finding ways to do as little as they can. They discover the minimum required and they do it. When someone pours their heart into their work they can easily stand out and are often rewarded or promoted by their employer.
For the Christ-follower, there is an extra source of power to tap into. We can allow Him to watch us while we work. We can feel His approval on our effort. Energy and attitude are available to me as I look to Him while I work. We can offer it to Him as worship. He will receive it and transform it into something that honors His Father and impacts the lives of others. Even in writing this blog right now I hope that my work is pleasing to God. I offer it to Him as worship. I am doing my best. I am pouring my heart into it and expecting Him to use it to impact you.
At work we earn more than a paycheck. Through hard work, we earn the right to honor our King and share with others His life-inspiring power. God says that He has an incentive package designed for His worker that is out of this world. One day (no matter if my earthly boss does or not) my ultimate boss will reward me for my effort.
May you work for Him today!
May you feel His blessing on you throughout your day!
May your work be appreciated and rewarded by both of your bosses!
Chris
Monday, October 09, 2006
Space cadet
Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. 3 For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Col. 3:2-4 (NLT)
We have been talking about being Centered. I was reading in Colossians 3 this morning and learned yet another way to center my life--set my heart and my mind on things above. How does this work? I live on earth. I interact with earthlings. I am dealing with real earth problems. I am not a space cadet. I want to know if this passage says for me to stick my head in the clouds and focus on mansions, streets of gold and little naked angels with harps and such and not face reality here. I think not.
Listen to the Message paraphrase, “Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. 3 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life.” Col. 3:2-3 (MSG)
I am reminded that Jesus came from heaven to earth. He brought heaven to earth. Once when Jesus was centering Himself, His disciples asked Him to show them how to “Get Centered” themselves. What did He do? He taught them to pray. Prayer is when I center my heart on what is happening with Jesus. In prayer I connect with the very heart of God and get Heaven’s perspective.
What is so cool is what Jesus prayed,
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus came to earth to bring heaven to us and then He returned there to sit at the right hand of our Father. We center our hearts on heaven because Jesus is there. As we connect with Him a download takes place—Heaven’s resources are placed within me so that His heart can be expressed through me on earth. I am to bring heaven to earth. This will not happen unless I center my heart on what is happening there with the King.
May you hallow the name of your Father in heaven today.
May His Son’s Kingdom find allegiance in your heart.
May His will be done on this earth and in your life as it is in heaven.
And may you find Jesus to be your real life.
Chris
We have been talking about being Centered. I was reading in Colossians 3 this morning and learned yet another way to center my life--set my heart and my mind on things above. How does this work? I live on earth. I interact with earthlings. I am dealing with real earth problems. I am not a space cadet. I want to know if this passage says for me to stick my head in the clouds and focus on mansions, streets of gold and little naked angels with harps and such and not face reality here. I think not.
Listen to the Message paraphrase, “Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. 3 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life.” Col. 3:2-3 (MSG)
I am reminded that Jesus came from heaven to earth. He brought heaven to earth. Once when Jesus was centering Himself, His disciples asked Him to show them how to “Get Centered” themselves. What did He do? He taught them to pray. Prayer is when I center my heart on what is happening with Jesus. In prayer I connect with the very heart of God and get Heaven’s perspective.
What is so cool is what Jesus prayed,
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus came to earth to bring heaven to us and then He returned there to sit at the right hand of our Father. We center our hearts on heaven because Jesus is there. As we connect with Him a download takes place—Heaven’s resources are placed within me so that His heart can be expressed through me on earth. I am to bring heaven to earth. This will not happen unless I center my heart on what is happening there with the King.
May you hallow the name of your Father in heaven today.
May His Son’s Kingdom find allegiance in your heart.
May His will be done on this earth and in your life as it is in heaven.
And may you find Jesus to be your real life.
Chris
Thursday, September 28, 2006
agony & ecstasy
“I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other friends who have never known me personally. My goal is that they will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have full confidence because they have complete understanding of God's secret plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. Col. 2:1-3
For almost 9 years Michelle and I have labored here in this field, partnering with God and you to build New Community Church. It truly has been the agony and the ecstasy. Our goal has always been to build life-long relationships that enrich the lives of all who enter into them. Our desire is to share the great news that Jesus can completely alter people’s lives and bring healing into their hearts. That is what He did for me. I am still amazed at where I once was and where I am today. Only God can do this in someone.
As I said, it has been a mixture of joy and pain, like birthing a child and watching it grow. Giving nurture, teaching, modeling, praying, crying, laughing and a whole host of other experiences along the way.
What is most rewarding (ecstasy) are the relationships built along the way. I have deep and growing relationships in our church. It has been a joy to watch many of you get married, have kids, and build your lives. It has been a privilege to walk with some through the difficult moments as well. Our hearts are deeply invested in you. Our lives are happily entangled with yours. I would not have it any other way!
What I have found to be utterly heart-breaking (agony) is when people break away because of hurt. The painful truth is that people leave churches. Some leave our lives the right way while others fall short. The bonds of love were not strong enough. Because of the sin in all of our lives we must work to strengthen our friendships. We must communicate until we understand each other. We must pray together until God’s Spirit produces unity. Of course, there will always be those who will still walk away. In these moments we must guard our hearts and allow God to heal us from the painful loss of relationship.
I believe that if we allow Jesus to be at the center of our church and relationships we “will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love”. In Jesus, is all of the wisdom and knowledge we need to work through all of life’s challenges.
May we allow Him to have our hearts today.
May we Center ourselves on Him.
May we move into our future together allowing Him to build strong, abiding relationships among us.
“Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” -Jesus John 13:34-35
Chris
For almost 9 years Michelle and I have labored here in this field, partnering with God and you to build New Community Church. It truly has been the agony and the ecstasy. Our goal has always been to build life-long relationships that enrich the lives of all who enter into them. Our desire is to share the great news that Jesus can completely alter people’s lives and bring healing into their hearts. That is what He did for me. I am still amazed at where I once was and where I am today. Only God can do this in someone.
As I said, it has been a mixture of joy and pain, like birthing a child and watching it grow. Giving nurture, teaching, modeling, praying, crying, laughing and a whole host of other experiences along the way.
What is most rewarding (ecstasy) are the relationships built along the way. I have deep and growing relationships in our church. It has been a joy to watch many of you get married, have kids, and build your lives. It has been a privilege to walk with some through the difficult moments as well. Our hearts are deeply invested in you. Our lives are happily entangled with yours. I would not have it any other way!
What I have found to be utterly heart-breaking (agony) is when people break away because of hurt. The painful truth is that people leave churches. Some leave our lives the right way while others fall short. The bonds of love were not strong enough. Because of the sin in all of our lives we must work to strengthen our friendships. We must communicate until we understand each other. We must pray together until God’s Spirit produces unity. Of course, there will always be those who will still walk away. In these moments we must guard our hearts and allow God to heal us from the painful loss of relationship.
I believe that if we allow Jesus to be at the center of our church and relationships we “will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love”. In Jesus, is all of the wisdom and knowledge we need to work through all of life’s challenges.
May we allow Him to have our hearts today.
May we Center ourselves on Him.
May we move into our future together allowing Him to build strong, abiding relationships among us.
“Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” -Jesus John 13:34-35
Chris
Monday, September 25, 2006
Brain Fried
“for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me. I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other friends who have never known me personally.” Colossians 1:28-2:3 (NLT)
On Mondays I am usually “brain-fried”. Today is no exception. The life of a pastor can get interesting. It can also be very draining. I was just reading this morning in Colossians about Paul the church-planter. I bet he was fried often.
But there is one thing that he said today that has my attention, “I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me.”
What exactly does it mean to work very hard all the while depending on Christ’s strength? At times I work very hard and at times I feel completely exhausted. To tell the truth, I have felt exhausted for a couple of months now. There have been moments of mental and emotional drain that have taken me to my limits. It is at my limits that I learn lessons about Jesus’ power.
I have learned that His power actually is available to me. There have been times when I have simply said, “Lord, I can’t. You are going to have to do this.” We have all been to places where we feel that we can’t go on. This can be an exciting place for me. It all depends on where I turn next.
I have learned that His power is already in me. At the moment I realize I can’t, but try anyway depending on Him to help me, I find “in me” reserves of strength that I did not think I had at all. There is a powerful truth that all too often I can forget-Christ lives in me. Greater is He that lives in me than anything this world can or Satan can throw at me.
I have learned that I often don’t depend on Him until my resources run out. This is the unfortunate truth. Then I get frustrated with myself because I know I should have depended on the Lord’s strength, and I didn’t. I start out the day determined to depend on God only to find myself a few hours later trying to get it done on my own.
At 40 years old, I am seeking to learn more about working hard while at the same time depending on Christ to give me strength. I believe this is primarily a matter of prayer. I also believe that if I don’t learn this lesson, I won’t be able to finish this difficult race that is set before me.
May we work hard today. May we work very hard depending on Christ’s mighty power that lives in us.
“Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” Eph. 3:20
On Mondays I am usually “brain-fried”. Today is no exception. The life of a pastor can get interesting. It can also be very draining. I was just reading this morning in Colossians about Paul the church-planter. I bet he was fried often.
But there is one thing that he said today that has my attention, “I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me.”
What exactly does it mean to work very hard all the while depending on Christ’s strength? At times I work very hard and at times I feel completely exhausted. To tell the truth, I have felt exhausted for a couple of months now. There have been moments of mental and emotional drain that have taken me to my limits. It is at my limits that I learn lessons about Jesus’ power.
I have learned that His power actually is available to me. There have been times when I have simply said, “Lord, I can’t. You are going to have to do this.” We have all been to places where we feel that we can’t go on. This can be an exciting place for me. It all depends on where I turn next.
I have learned that His power is already in me. At the moment I realize I can’t, but try anyway depending on Him to help me, I find “in me” reserves of strength that I did not think I had at all. There is a powerful truth that all too often I can forget-Christ lives in me. Greater is He that lives in me than anything this world can or Satan can throw at me.
I have learned that I often don’t depend on Him until my resources run out. This is the unfortunate truth. Then I get frustrated with myself because I know I should have depended on the Lord’s strength, and I didn’t. I start out the day determined to depend on God only to find myself a few hours later trying to get it done on my own.
At 40 years old, I am seeking to learn more about working hard while at the same time depending on Christ to give me strength. I believe this is primarily a matter of prayer. I also believe that if I don’t learn this lesson, I won’t be able to finish this difficult race that is set before me.
May we work hard today. May we work very hard depending on Christ’s mighty power that lives in us.
“Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” Eph. 3:20
Thursday, September 21, 2006
holding me together
Last night I stayed up watching the news. I was discouraged to see so much happening on the world stage in terms of hatred for the United States. From the oil rich Presidents of Venezuala and Iran to nuclear bomb ambitious Al Queda--all desire to see our country financially unravel or utterly destroyed.
The other day I spoke with someone who is facing financial collapse. As we spoke, I could tell that he was trying to keep it together. Much of the solution for him is out of his control. I visited a man and his wife in the hospital two days ago. He was about to go into emergency surgery to remove his kidney because of a large tumor that had grown on it. Today they are waiting for more news from the doctor. A man told me Sunday that his wife left him after many years of marriage and now he is facing the prospect of life alone.
There is so much instability in today’s world. Everywhere we look we see people and things coming apart. People are living under tremendous pressure. Keeping it together is difficult when your world is falling apart.
It was not long ago that I felt like things were coming apart myself. I am encouraged to know that it is not my job to hold my world together. Colossians 1:17 reminds us that “all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Getting centered means trusting that Jesus can hold me together in a world where so many things can quickly disintegrate. It means reaching out in love to others and providing emotional strength in the midst of suffering. It means putting my ultimate hope in the joys of heaven where there will be no more crying, tears or pain. It means consistently thanking God for all of the things that He does give so generously.
Getting centered does not mean that things are not going wrong or even that I ignore the chaos around me. It means that I place my focus on Jesus and depend on Him to hold me together in the midst of it all. It is believing that he can cause all things to somehow work together for my good. That is what getting centered means to me. It is Jesus-the Center of everything.
Chris
The other day I spoke with someone who is facing financial collapse. As we spoke, I could tell that he was trying to keep it together. Much of the solution for him is out of his control. I visited a man and his wife in the hospital two days ago. He was about to go into emergency surgery to remove his kidney because of a large tumor that had grown on it. Today they are waiting for more news from the doctor. A man told me Sunday that his wife left him after many years of marriage and now he is facing the prospect of life alone.
There is so much instability in today’s world. Everywhere we look we see people and things coming apart. People are living under tremendous pressure. Keeping it together is difficult when your world is falling apart.
It was not long ago that I felt like things were coming apart myself. I am encouraged to know that it is not my job to hold my world together. Colossians 1:17 reminds us that “all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Getting centered means trusting that Jesus can hold me together in a world where so many things can quickly disintegrate. It means reaching out in love to others and providing emotional strength in the midst of suffering. It means putting my ultimate hope in the joys of heaven where there will be no more crying, tears or pain. It means consistently thanking God for all of the things that He does give so generously.
Getting centered does not mean that things are not going wrong or even that I ignore the chaos around me. It means that I place my focus on Jesus and depend on Him to hold me together in the midst of it all. It is believing that he can cause all things to somehow work together for my good. That is what getting centered means to me. It is Jesus-the Center of everything.
Chris
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