March 30, 2015 - Passion won’t quit… can’t quit… sees things through to the end!

Well I am back home after a week of some rest, some adventure, and the awesome opportunity to share the Gospel at Beach House Church in Daytona Beach… It was a full week and of course ended with a 19-hour day of driving, preaching, and potty breaks. We even made it home late last night in time for me to get almost 4 hours of sleep before heading to the gym for Men’s Morning Madness life group. Had a great time sharing in the devotion and running the floor; and actually felt really good afterwards on the physical front, until I got home and sat in my recliner. Now as I face the many things I need to complete today (including this devotion blog) I am a bit overwhelmed both physically and mentally.

So the question becomes, “Why do it?” To be honest with you there have been many Mondays that I have considered not writing anymore; there have been many trips I have considered not traveling anymore; there are days I have wondered if there is a “normal job” I would be good at that paid well…

But like the athlete that pushes out one more rep on the weights when he feels he can’t go any farther; or runs one more wind sprint even though he feels he may collapse; or is the first and the last athlete in the gym for practices as he works on his craft… I am driven by a passion that is founded in knowing my purpose! Even when I am weary I (like the Prophet Jeremiah in Jer 20:9) simply cannot quit!

I read a great quote in the forward to the book “Open My Eyes” (author Brian Webb); it is a book that was given to me about travel safety and security in missions. The forward was written by a missionary (John Burroughs of globalX Missions.) He was actually quoting one of his friends and stated, “It’s hard to be satisfied with existence once you’ve tasted purpose.” He goes on to ask, “Do you desire to have an impact on people for good?”

Here at InBounds we continue to use the acronym MAD (Making A Difference.) I cannot tell you what your purpose is in vocation, school, etc… but I can tell you that if you are a believer in Christ you have purpose as an “ambassador” for him (See 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, and many other verses reiterating  Christ’s commissioning us to a life of purpose!) I just know I love seeing people get saved! I love seeing people grow!

And in honor of Passion Week I ask you to reflect on the ultimate example of one driven by passion for a purpose… From the time of Christ’s birth it was told that he was on earth to be a “Savior” and bring “peace” between God and man (See Luke 2); He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey signifying that He was there to bring peace (See Matthew 21); and in order to complete His mission/purpose He “became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (See Philippians 2:8)

We know as He faced the completion of the mission, the fulfillment of His purpose, during that earthly visit that He faced great sorrow and the temptation to quit; yet three times He prayed, “Oh my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

And in the meantime His disciples were found asleep (See 26:40) and Jesus questioned their drive and passion.

Aren’t you thankful that Jesus stayed the course? …that He showed what passion really looks like? (Passion won’t quit… can’t quit… sees things through to the end!)

Well we know the story that those sleepy, Christ-denying apostles witnessed Christ crucified and were then fully awakened from their “slumber” when they witnessed Christ risen again! That gave them the drive and passion to fulfill their purpose!

If Christ were speaking to you today would He ask you why you are “sleeping”? OR would He commend you for a life that is Going MAD with the Gospel?

1 Corinthians 15

55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” …57 But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

March 23, 2015 - Making Adjustments

I’m not sure how long you have been reading these weekly devotions but if you have been with us for a while you know at this time of year I get excited talking about March MADness. And in honor of the tourney I’m typing another “buzzer-beater” late night devotion… just need to make the midnight deadline.

It is exciting watching games where underdogs play the favorites tight or even pull the upset. It is exciting when your favorite teams are in the tourney and doing well. But the reality of the tourney is that the higher seeds often go down to defeat to the lower seeds.

It’s really all about match-ups. Of course there are the upsets where one team is cold and the other team hot, but mostly it is about style of play and ability to adapt to different styles. I heard the analysts talking about the fact that teams that can only “play one way” are at a disadvantage in the tourney as they are going to face teams that will change the tempo, style of defense, etc. The reality is that a good team (and obviously good players) are those that are ready to face obstacles; those that can adapt and overcome; those that can adjust on the fly; those that can receive new instruction from the coach and implement it.

I tell those that go on mission trips with us that the first rule is to be “dogmatically committed to flexibility.” It is amazing how often one has to adjust when serving in a different culture. And the reality is that every day even here at home brings unexpected changes. It doesn’t matter how many plans we make, we need to know that they simply may not unfold the way we envisioned.

I was reading through some of the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys in the book of Acts and it is crazy how often he and his partners had to change course. At times they had to flee for their safety. At times God had them be even bolder in their speech. At times the Holy Spirit prompted where to go and what to say; at other times the Holy Spirit forbade them from speaking or going to certain places. Basically we see that they were in it for the journey more than specific destinations. They made plans but always with the understanding that they were willing to adjust course…

Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

Let’s be dogmatically committed to flexibility to go wherever doing whatever the Lord directs! Let’s adjust to whatever the day brings us! Let’s live a MAD (Make A Difference) life!