According to Him

Question: What rock ‘n’ roll chica has the rare combination of one of the most unique names in musical history and *mad* guitar skills?

If the name Miley Cyrus came to mind, please dismiss that thought immediately…you’re fired.

Ladies and Gentlemen, her name is Orianthi Panagaris, her eco-friendly guitar is named “Pepper,” and you probably know her as “that blond chick that sings‘According to You.’”

According to you
I’m stupid
I’m useless
I can’t do anything right
According to you
I’m difficult
hard to please
forever changing my mind
I’m a mess in a dress
can’t show up on time
even if it would save my life
According to you, according to you

Who is “you”? Apparently it’s the guy she was dating who obviously didn’t have a lot of good things to say to her:

According to you
I’m boring
I’m moody
and you can’t take me any place

Can anyone out there relate to Orianthi and her unhealthy relationship? I would bet that there are a few voices in your world that would fall under the category of “According to You”…that cause you to feel “stupid” and “useless,” and any other number of things, making you wonder if you mean anything to anyone.

Sometimes it’s our parents, teachers, coaches, or even the images and expectations we get from the media that make us feel worthless. But ultimately, those messages come from the one that the Bible calls the enemy of our souls, “the accuser” Satan.

Satan accuses you of being worthless, unlovable, incompetent, and hopeless…why? Because if you have trusted Christ, you are God’s child, which means Satan wants nothing more than to steal the joy out of your life, kill your dreams, and destroy your hope of finding God’s amazing plan for your life.

In the song “According to You,” Orianthi discovers another voice which she refers to as “According to him”:

But according to him
I’m beautiful
incredible
he can’t get me out of his head
According to him
I’m funny
irresistible
everything he ever wanted

Aren’t those the words we all want to hear? Wouldn’t it be amazing if we had a person in our lives who believed in us and saw the best in us even through our flaws?

You do have Someone like that. There is a heavenly song playing for all believers in Jesus Christ that started even before the universe existed called “According to Him” - and here are just a few of the lyrics:

According to Him*

I love you, my people, with an everlasting love.
With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.

According to Him

I know the plans I have for you, they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

According to Him

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what He has prepared
for those who love him.

According to Him

His unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

According to Him

He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
He is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Are you picking up on how God feels about His children? In Christ, we are way beyond “beautiful, incredible”…in fact, according to Him, He chose to die rather than live without us.

So now, like Orianthi, you have a choice between two voices. Don’t listen to the accusations of the devil and the world. Instead, tune your soul into the melody of heaven that assures you for eternity that you have the unfailing love of your Father, the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

And just like you would pass along a link to an amazing video on YouTube to your friends, get the word out about the Bible’s version of “According to Him.” You have friends that are trapped in the world of negative messages but you have the voice of the gospel that will allow them to choose a different perspective – that they are loved by God the Father when they put their faith and trust in Christ.

According to Him… He made you, He loves you, He died for you.

*Jeremiah 31:3; 29:11; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Psalm 103:11-13

Isn’t it great to know that the Creator God of the universe has forgiven us and loves us unconditionally because of Christ? That’s why it is so critical that we get the word out to our friends and families that are only hearing the “according to you” messages. Send your friends the link to this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu1aQvm5MrU) and then bring up a conversation with them about the different voices in their lives and how they impact them. Pray for an opportunity to share the true “according to Him” message.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands (Deuteronomy 7:9).

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him (1 John 3:1).

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

The Gospel is Afoot!

It’s official… Robert Downey Jr. is more than Iron Man. He’s actor man and mega kudos to him for bringing back one of the coolest characters in all of literary history: Sherlock Holmes.

If you didn’t know, the tales of this incredible detective’s adventures have been around for over 120 years. Way, waaaay before your grandparents were born, super sleuth Sherlock Holmes was on the case, mystifying folks with his incredible intellectual prowess and bringing the bad guys down to Chinatown.

Now in 2009, he hits the big screen with not only brains, but also mad, Chuck-Norris skills that he uses to bring an extra slice of beat-down on his adversaries.

Isn’t there a bit of Sherlock Holmes in all of us? Think about it - shows like CSI, House, heck even Blue’s Clues (we just figured out Blue’s clues!) captivate us by getting our brains humming to see if we can solve the mystery before the characters.

(Well, maybe not Blue’s Clues… Not that I *cough cough* watch it or anything… But you get my point, right?)

So in the grand tradition of Sherlock Holmes and the satisfaction of solving mysteries that feel like a splinter in your mind, I present to you the grandest mystery of all… one that involves tragedy and triumph, action and adventure, and most importantly, life and death.

The game is afoot!

We find our first clue in a conversation that took place thousands of years ago, when the first man and woman on earth made the biggest mistake in the universe. They disobeyed God’s one and only rule, and brought physical and spiritual death to all humanity. But look closely at what God tells Satan in the midst of this:

Then the Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this, you are cursed
more than all animals, domestic and wild.
You will crawl on your belly,
groveling in the dust as long as you live.
And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel” (Gen 3:14-15).

At first glance, it looks like snakes and people just won’t get along to well – Duh! But notice God refers to “her offspring.” This is the only time God refers to Eve’s descendant, not Adam’s. Why? And what does He mean with the whole “strike your head” and “strike his heel” thing?

The next two clues come from songs written by one of the greatest Kings of Israel, David:

My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
an evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.
They divide my garments among themselves
and throw dice for my clothing (Psalm 22:16-18).

(This sounds like a death scene, but how could David write this if he were dead?)

For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave (Psalm 16:10).

(Wait a second…does David really think he’ll live forever?)

The final clue comes from a great prophet of God named Isaiah:

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).

OK, now the mystery has gone to a whole new level… A virgin has a child? Also, “Immanuel” literally means “God with us” – as in, God in the flesh. What does that mean?

Confused as to how all those fit together? Perhaps not, because for many, the case has been solved. But think about the people who lived before Jesus came. They had no idea that Jesus was a descendant of Eve, not Adam, through the Holy Spirit and borne of a virgin. They didn’t know that he hadn’t inherited the sinful nature that the rest of the human race inherited from Adam, their representative. They also didn’t know that death on the cross is the only form of execution that bruises your heel. And yes, Jesus crushed the power of Satan when He defeated death.

And David’s songs? He was prophesying that Jesus’ hands and feet would be “pierced,” that soldiers would gamble for His clothes, and that Jesus wouldn’t stay in the grave…

All of which took place exactly as predicted.

What about Isaiah’s prophecy? It had been revealed to him that Jesus would be both God and human. Jesus was God in the flesh, God walking around on earth, eating, drinking, sleeping. And because he was fully human, he is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, because he was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Aren’t you glad the gospel isn’t a mystery anymore? The case has been solved and your greatest enemies - death and Satan - have been totally defeated. This is elementary, my dear reader. If you have trusted Christ as your only hope of salvation, you have hope for this life and paradise in the life to come.

But there are many who have yet to solve the mystery of their depression, guilt, loneliness, and despair. They are held captive by the enemy. So now it’s your turn to join the adventure and help them find the solution every soul longs to discover.

The gospel is afoot!

How to Survive 2012

Save yourself, serve yourself.
World serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed.
Tell me with the rapture and the reverent in the right - right.
You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light, feeling pretty psyched.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

Do you feel fine? Apparently a lot of folks are scared, freaked out, and even panicked about this whole 2012 deal. And when there is general anxiety spreading through the population, we can count on Hollywood to throw together a massive disaster film to really help set people off.

This one is called 2012 and unless you’ve been hanging out in the Mayan ruins for the last year, you’ve heard the doom and gloom predictions about that date. Actually if you really were in South America, you’d be able to see firsthand how the long term Mayan calendar comes to a rather abrupt end in 2012…hence the fear, hence the movie.

Apparently the film is having its desired effect. Check out this comment from one moviegoer:

“If you want to watch a movie that will have you STRESSED OUT, ANXIOUS, and PANICKING for the next 3 years then go ahead and watch this movie.” (www.imdb.com)

It’s in times like these that I am especially thankful that we have somewhere - or should I say Someone - to turn to for answers. As it turns out, the Mayans aren’t the only ones who have a theory about how the inhabitants of planet earth will meet their Maker:

Jesus then left the Temple. As he walked away, his disciples pointed out how very impressive the Temple architecture was. Jesus said, "You're not impressed by all this sheer size, are you? The truth of the matter is that there's not a stone in that building that is not going to end up in a pile of rubble."

Later as he was sitting on Mount Olives, his disciples approached and asked him, "Tell us, when are these things going to happen? What will be the sign of your coming, that the time's up?"

Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.

“Then, the Arrival of the Son of Man! It will fill the skies - no one will miss it. Unready people all over the world, outsiders to the splendor and power, will raise a huge lament as they watch the Son of Man blazing out of heaven. At that same moment, he'll dispatch his angels with a trumpet-blast summons, pulling in God's chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.

“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows” (Matthew 24:1-8; 30-31; 36, The Message).

Actually, Jesus’ words here are not a theory or prediction. This isn’t a calendar running out. This scenario is a trailer for the real deal. This is a blow-by-blow account of the end of the world as we know it…

And I feel fine!

Why? Because the God who created the universe holds everything together and nothing happens outside of His perfect plan. The fate of humanity isn’t a matter of random chance or undirected causes.

Not only that, but for those who are trusting in Christ as their only hope of salvation, the end of the world as we know it is good news! It marks the beginning of the eternity that we will spend in Jesus’ presence.

Jesus tells us to “keep our head and not panic.” Even He doesn’t know the exact time of when it all goes down! So if He’s trusting God’s timing, we should also chill out about doomsday predictions and dates.

But Jesus doesn’t want us to be oblivious about the end of the world. It will happen eventually and He wants us to be prepared and ready for it:

So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up (Matthew 24:42-44, The Message).

The best way to be ready for Jesus’ second coming is to live a godly life in Christ Jesus and tell others about the good news of the gospel.

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires (Romans 13:11-14, NLT).

There’s no time to waste! Let’s live like Jesus Christ died yesterday, rose from the dead this morning, and is coming back tomorrow!

Flash Point: Ignite Into Action

Talk to your friends about the 2012 theory and what they think and feel about it. Use the topic of the end of the world to lead into a discussion about whether they know for sure they’re going to heaven when they die - or when the end of the world comes - and then share the good news of Jesus with them.

Accelerant: Feed the Fire

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6).

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat (2 Peter 3:3-12).

John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen (Revelation 1:4-7).

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What If Today Really Were Your Last Day?

Although they had a small-time start in Canada, they are now huge in the U.S. Nickelback smashed onto the Billboard charts in 2001 with “How You Remind Me” and has convinced folks to buy more than 25 million albums since then. Included in Nickelback’s trophy case are accolades from the MTV Video Music Awards, the World Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Juno Awards, and several nods from the guys at the Grammy’s. Nickelback’s presence has been felt in the pop, hard rock, alternative, and metal crowds.

In other words, I’m assuming you know who Nickelback is?

Or perhaps you’re familiar with one of their latest hits - “If Today Were Your Last Day”- that was also made into a very cool video. This song is also a very clear reminder that even though we’d like to think we have a long time to live here on earth, the fact is, no one really knows and there are definitely no guarantees. So in light of that, Nickelback poses some great questions:

If today was your last day
& tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
Would you call those friends you've never seen?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreaming of?
Swear up & down to God above
That you'll finally fall in love?
If today was your last day

So…what if today really was your last day?

Seriously, don’t we just assume we have all the time in the world? So we fritter and waste away the hours and days on mostly meaningless and generally purposeless activities that really make no difference in the grand scheme of things?

That is what Nickelback is getting at, and I think this is an issue worth thinking about - and even contemplating for a bit.

Why? Well, for many reasons. But I think the most important being the fact that you don’t want to look back at the end of your life with the burden of regret. Oh yes, there are thousands, maybe millions of people who do every single day. Instead of passing into eternity with a triumphant feeling of having squeezed every drop of juice out of life, their souls are weighted with the lament of all the “if only” and “why didn’t I” flashbacks of life.

You know whose life didn’t end with regret? The Apostle Paul’s. Read and reflect on what is probably the last thing written by him and recorded in the Bible:

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Did you catch the parallels between Paul’s last words and “If Today Were Your Last Day”? They both have a clear statement of “I’m going beyond this culture’s annoying habit of wasting the days that could have been spent with passion and investment in the things that last forever.”

Paul spent his days pouring out his life like a “drink offering” to God, because he knew two very critical things. First, Jesus Christ will return - and can at any time – and call all true believers into His kingdom. Second, after His return there will be a Judgment Day, when we will all give an account of how we spent the time we had on Earth.

Those two facts became the engine and the fuel of his life and as a result, he wrote two thirds of the New Testament and was used by God to spread the gospel throughout the world.

What if Paul hadn’t lived each day as if it were his last? Well, he would have made more money, been more comfortable, maybe even retired on a tropical island and invented the internet so he’d have something to do.

And he would have sped into eternity with an eternity of regret.

But that wasn’t for him, and that isn’t for me. And do you know what? I hope it isn’t for you either! Pour out each day like a drink offering to God. Look forward to Jesus’ return at every turn in life. And most importantly, remember there will be a Judgment day, which I hope is a day where your life is applauded and your work is rewarded.

That is how to live like today is your last day.

So You Think You Can Dance...For God?

Pop quiz: do the names Kayla & Jason, Brandon & Jeanine, and Melissa & Ade ring a bell? They do if you’re a So You Think You Can Dance fan. Now with over 100 episodes and 5 seasons, SYTYCD has captured the attention and imagination of millions of loyal viewers.

Not being the particularly off-the-charts dance fan, I must admit that watching the couples soar, twist, twirl and entwine around the stage has a certain appeal…especially for a guy that pulls a hamstring with even a simple moonwalk attempt.

Now I know that freely admitting as a guy that I find a dance competition interesting puts me at risk of having my man card confiscated, but there is another element of SYTYCD that is even more interesting to me, and that is the judges.

Think about it, in the hands of John, Abbey, and others is the fate of everything the dancers have planned, practiced, and practically killed themselves over.

And you can see it on their faces, can’t you? When the dance is over, the moment of truth arrives, and their destiny is evaluated and determined based on their performance.

And so will mine. No, I don’t even think I can dance in hip hop/jazz/rumba way, and even if I could, I could also care less what a panel of human judges thought. No, my day-to-day life is a different kind of dance. The music I hear is the whisper of God’s Spirit living inside me, and every moment of every hour, I choose to soar, twist, twirl, and entwine my life with the plan that God wrote for me before the universe even existed.

You’ve heard the music too, haven’t you? It’s the prompt to help a homeless person, forgive a friend, and tell others about God’s incredible message of freedom and salvation through Jesus Christ. At that point, you either choose to dance or you choose to attend to other music - the tunes of the world and your selfish nature.

Either way, one day the dance will be done, and the moment of truth will arrive. And, just like SYTYCD, your destiny will be evaluated and determined.

Please don’t take my word for it, but please do take God’s word for it:

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body (2 Corinthians 5:10).

On the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames (1 Corinthians 11:13-15).

There’s a reason God was kind enough to let us know about Judgment Day, and that is to motivate you to dance your heart out for Him and His Kingdom. If you’re trusting in Jesus as your only hope of salvation, you already know that you’re going to heaven because of what Christ did for you. But additionally, when you work hard for God’s glory with the blood, sweat, and tears of your days here on earth, you can look forward to hearing the applause of heaven.

Not only that, but Christians who live each moment with a thirst to please the Lord Jesus by loving Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving humanity as themselves, will also hear twelve words that will deafen even the loudest cries of approval:

'Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness!' (Matthew 25:21).

Believe me, that’s a reward for your efforts that can never be matched here on earth. Remember, whatever name, fame, bling or anything else you achieve from your time here will die with you. But every dance move you invest in response to God’s voice earns you a reward that will last forever.

So…do you think you can dance? I believe you can - and I hope to see you in the victory circle.

The Only Audience That Matters

Fame and fortune, talent and titillation - whether in life or death, few stars wield Michael Jackson's headline-grabbing power. Initially it was his groundbreaking talent that built a worldwide fan base. But over time, his bizarre behaviors and appearance took center stage in the tabloids and his alledged sex abuse and baby-dangling notariety began to overshadow his music and moon walk.

Jackson's reputation never fully recovered from the 1993 child sexual abuse charges he faced. Realizing that, Jackson longed for a career-changing comeback. His final weeks were filled with rehearsals for his sold out comeback tour. But in the end, his comeback dream evaporated in the blink of an eye. Instead, the legendary King of Pop found himself facing an unexpected appearance before the only audience that matters…God Almighty: The King of the Universe.
How do you rehearse for that?

Good questions. In fact, it may be the most important question you ever ask and answer. And the Bible has some insights for us on the subject. Listen to what Jesus said about sudden death to a dude who was busy expending all his energy accumulating $$$ and the things it can buy:

Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me."

Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."
Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I'll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

"But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?'

"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God" (Luke 12:13-21).

Who wants to be called a fool when it comes to what's important in life? So it might be wise to listen up to what Jesus is actually saying here. Here it is: You're a fool if you store up material things, but ignore God's offer of a rich relationship with Him.
So what does a rich relationship with God look like?

According to Scripture, it starts with a restored relationship to God through Jesus' work on the cross. Jesus died to pay the price for the sin of all humankind and restore our relationship with a holy, perfect God. Accepting the free gift of salvation that God offers is the launching point for a deep, rich, personal relationship with the God of the Universe. But the Bible also tells us that God promises us many things when we seek His forgiveness for our sins and accept Jesus' gift of grace. Here are just a few:

The gift of eternal life with God in heaven (1 John 5:13)
The right to become children of God, with 24/7 access to our Heavenly Father (1 John 3:12, Romans 8:38-39)
The ability to tap into God's strength and walk in His power (Acts 1:8, Philippians 4:13)
The responsibility to be God's ambassadors, representing Him in a lost and broken world and sharing His Good News with others (2 Corinthians 5:20).
If you were suddenly called to appear before the throne of God, would you be prepared? Contrary to what many people believe, God does not take your good deeds and weigh them against your bad deeds and give you a grade as an entrance exam when it comes to heaven. All the millions of dollars Michael Jackson raised and donated to charity during his lifetime, weighed against his bad deeds (which you can be sure God knows the full extent of…), will not be the thing that buys him an admission ticket to heaven. It's only by grace that any of us can receive God's gift of eternal life, not by good deeds. Listen to what Ephesians 2:8-9 says:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

Make sure your friends and family are prepared for the only audience that matters - tell them about the good news of Christ!

The Bible: The Original Transformer

I’ll admit, even as a grown man mind you, that I think the Transformers movies are pretty cool. There, I said it - and I don’t feel an ounce less mature.

Maybe it’s the CGI magic and enough explosions to leave your ears ringing for a week? I’m sorry - what did you say?

Or perhaps because the US Air Force (the branch in which I served) is actually portrayed in an awesome light? Go USAF!

For sure it’s also because of the films’ attempts at putting an engaging plot line together:

First Transformers: Autobots good…Decepticons bad…transform…battle…blow up everything…the end

Second Transformers: Autobots good…Decepticons bad…lather, rinse, repeat…the end

But who cares, right? A movie about robots trying to destroy the universe should be a big budget bloated behemoth that has more product placement than a 50 Cent video.

There is one element of Revenge of the Fallen, though, that I found interesting. Without giving anything away that you haven’t already seen on the 57 different trailers for Transformers, did you notice the whole ‘ancient clues that lead to a key element’ thing? In this film, Sam has some sort of Allspark hangover and has his Witwicky head full of visions of the past that lead to a critical talisman that somehow the Decepticons lost a bajillion years ago…or something like that.

Annnnyway…isn’t there something fascinating about ancient signs that lead to incredible discoveries? Especially if they are verified, tested, and legit.

What would you think if I told you that there was a book, an ancient book in fact, that was put together by 40 different authors, took 1,500 years to complete, yet somehow managed to maintain one basic theme, and never contradicted itself on any subject? Would you be at least a *wee* bit interested?

Of course I’m talking about the Bible. The dusty old book of rules and regulations that people have used for an excuse for just about every kind of awful behavior - or at least some folks think of it that way.

But there are others who know about the true nature of the Bible, which is supernatural. How do we know this? Pretty simple. Not only does it have a remarkable history and life changing content, it has one other factor that definitely makes it the ‘Allspark’ of all literature:

Fulfilled prophecy.

Yep, a lotta people over a lotta years have predicted things that might happen in the future - heck you could probably drive over to the ‘interesting’ side of town right now and get your future predicted by the Crazy-R-Us folks (but don’t really).

That’s not what is contained in the Bible. There are over 2,500 prophetic statements that are amazingly specific and even unlikely - and they all (not some or most) came true exactly as predicted.

We could make more than a two and a half hour movie about this and we still would not cover the mind-blowing nature of what is predicted and fulfilled in Scripture, but here is a short list that I hope will serve a trailer to get your interest:

Hundreds of years before it happened, prophets in the Bible predicted the utter destruction of the mightiest city in the ancient world, Babylon. At the time, people laughed at how ridiculous such an idea would be, yet that’s exactly what happened in 539 BC.
There are over 300 separate prophecies about Jesus Christ. They include the exact location of His birth, the miracles He would accomplish, the type of death He would encounter, and that He would come back from the dead. Three of them that amaze me are:
His body would be pierced. (Zechariah 12:10; Ps. 22:16 compare John 20:25, 27)
Not a bone of His would be broken. (Numbers 9:12 compare John 19:31-36)
He would be buried with the rich. (Isaiah 53:9 compare Matthew 27:57, 60)
What’s so amazing about these three? Well, for one thing, the prophecy about His body being pierced is a reference to crucifixion hundreds of years before it was invented! And when people were crucified, they broke their legs, so if you’re going to prophesy crucifixion, you’d best not predict no broken bones.

Yet Jesus died before they needed to break His legs…simply amazing.

And ‘buried with the rich’? Jesus was homeless, so how would he get that gig? Again, highly unlikely, yet a rich man named Joseph donated his own grave out of love for Jesus.

All 300 prophecies about Jesus have been tested, verified, and found legit. The odds of just those being fulfilled exactly are 1 in 10 25 (that’s 1 in 10 with 25 zeroes after it!).

Put simply, the Bible is the most amazing book ever put together - that’s why it can make this statement with credibility:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT)

The Bible is the book of clues and images for how we can find an amazing adventure of a life serving the God who made the universe. So don’t be deceived into thinking that Scripture is on par with ‘other religious books’ - it is definitely not.

In fact, think of the Bible as Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth and you’ll be transformed in ways you never thought possible!

The Climb...Are You Ready?

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah...

(From The Climb sung by Miley Cyrus)

So are you ready for "The Climb"? Apparently Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana is, because obviously in her vast and expansive 16+ years of life, she has picked up that our time here on earth is much more than just a vanity fair.

And I'm guessing you have too, right? I'm not sure at what point it hits us - but over the course of time we realize that we have challenges and difficulties to overcome, and oftentimes it feels like we are scratching and clawing our way over a 14,000 foot massive peak.

Have you ever done any serious climbing? I've had the privilege of living in Colorado my entire life, and with 54 or so mountains that are 14K and above, we know about the climb.

As I listen to Miley Cyrus' song and watch the video, I realize that there are some incredible similarities between climbing a real mountain and overcoming life's difficulties. So if you would indulge someone who has reached some of the highest peaks in the nation and also had my share of battles with life, I'd like to offer a strategy that can make your climb a success every time.

First and foremost, you must know what kind of mountain you are dealing with. Underestimating the elevation, terrain, and wildcard factors will trash your attempt and leave you discouraged.

So what kind of 'mountain' are you facing right now?

A stack of broken relationships and a heap of loneliness?
A giant hill of habits and addictions that make you feel like you are literally chained to pain?
A loss, a setback, a disappointment that seems impossible to get past?
A massive pile of bitterness that robs any hope of joy and happiness in the future?
Secondly, remember that whatever your situation, know this...any mountain can be successfully climbed if you have three things.

A companion
The right equipment
Confidence
Of course everyone is struggling with mountains in their lives, but for the Christian, the climb gets a whole lot easier.

Why?

Because we have a permanent companion:

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

This is a promise from Jesus that He has already climbed every possible mountain, therefore you can find courage in the fact that He knows the exact path to overcome our struggles. There is no hurt, disappointment, betrayal, or loss that you will go through that He hasn't already experienced - and that's the kind of companion you need!

And the right equipment? God has outfitted us with spiritual armor that no struggle on earth can break through. Check out this gear:

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out (Ephesians 6:13-18, The Message).

Finally, remember that you can take on the climb with complete confidence. Here's the way Jesus describes it:

I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it would move. Nothing would be impossible (John 17:20).

This is where you can find limitless confidence. Have faith and believe that whatever mountain you are facing, with your companion and equipment, you will reach the summit and experience views of the world that make it worth all the blood, sweat, and tears.

MileyHannah? I have to agree, those are the moments you'll remember most.

Welcome to the Real CTU

Question...are you bored? Do you wake up and sometimes wonder how you will be able to bring some excitement into your life? If so, I don't think you're alone. Back in the day folks filled the hours with now forgotten things like 'the outdoors' and a really novel concept called a 'book'.

But now we have 5000+ channels of comedy-animal planet-discovery-food-home shopping-MTV-you can learn Japanese in 30 days type stuff going on.

If that's not enough, you can pretty much enfold hours of entertainment with compelling text message sessions that go like this:

?4U

SUP?

WRUD?

NMU

GG

L8R

Or...you can spend hours on Facebook while also checking your MySpace while downloading tunes and seeing what other movies Robert Pattison has been in.

Like I asked...are you bored? Maybe that's why the smash hit TV show 24 is now in its 7 th season? Watching Jack Bauer and company throw down terrorists and save the nation seems to never get old - and it seems to be the way a lot of people spice up their lives.

And of course there's nothing wrong with that. Unless of course you are sitting on the sidelines bogged down in a swamp of self entertainment when you actually should be carrying out one of your callings in life.

What calling? Well to be honest, it's a lot like the recently disbanded CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit) in the show 24 . Here's the way it is described:

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12 ).

Sound like terrorism to you? The 'Evil rulers' and 'mighty powers' mentioned in this verse are demons who are serious about taking spiritual terrorism to a whole new level. They aren't satisfied with destroying physical life, they want to claim eternal souls to join them in eternal torment.

And like Jack Bauer and the other former members of CTU that have banded together outside any official government agency to continue the fight against an impending terrorist attack, we all have a critical part to play in this battle. We can't afford to have anyone sitting out on the battle at hand. That's why we were given these orders:

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil (Ephesians 6:10 -11).

We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Can you see what's going on here? Part of the reason God left us on this earth after we trusted Christ was to take on the terrorism of Satan and his band of spiritual 'insurgents.' And you really don't need to look around much to see the damage they inflict every day. Poverty, homelessness, injustice, broken relationships and hatred in the human heart are just of few of his weapons.

But we can fight back. And we need to fight back. The problem is that we are often more concerned about updating our status than we are about the status of hurting and enslaved people all around us.

My encouragement to you is to get active in the battle for eternal souls. Pray each day for victory in your life through the Holy Spirit. Put on God's armor for protection, then go out and boldly go where few Christians have gone before.

And remember, one of your most effective weapons is the gospel message of Jesus. The good news that people can be set free from sin and secure a place in heaven simply by trusting in Jesus Christ alone is the equivalent of an air strike on Satan's Kingdom.

Remember also - being effective in the spiritual battle is a moment-by moment practice of living according to God's Word, in His power, confidently facing an enemy already defeated by the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and fearlessly sharing the gospel no matter what the cost.

If this becomes the pattern for your life, I absolutely guarantee the word boredom will never enter your vocabulary again.

© 2009 Dare 2 Share Ministries

God's Best Dance Crew

How are these incredible peeps able to do it? Breaks, head spins, and deep backwards bending all synchronized and perfectly timed.

You probably have guessed that I'm talking about America's Best Dance Crew - described as an 'infectious dance reality show that delivers the goods with tight, athletic teams who each bring their flavor to the round stage.'*

East Coast and West Coast alike bring amazingly talented groups like Jabbawockeez and Extreme Dance Force.

Even if you're not that into dance, once you turn this show on and see the performances, it's really hard to look away. It's incredible to see each member of the crew bring a unique style - yet also stay in sync with all the others.

I can tell you without a doubt that I could never make it on a dance crew. It would be the single most worst tryout in the history of 'white boys can't dance'...with the exception of Zac Effron of course.

However - I am in another 'crew' of sorts. One that needs me to bring my individual gifts - yet also synchronize with those around me. When this crew comes together and works in harmony, the world finds it hard to look away.

The crew I'm talking about is called 'Ecclesia'...you would know it as what the Bible calls 'church' - but that is not the meaning of the word. The word 'church' means 'belonging to the Lord' - which we do. But Ecclesia literally means 'called out ones' - in other words - this crew is made up of people who are called out of a boring, everyday, meaningless, purposeless life to use their gifts and transform the world.

If you are a Christ follower, you have a unique set of gifts and talents, and the Ecclesia crew needs you. Here's how the choreography is laid out:

God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:

wise counsel

clear understanding

simple trust

healing the sick

miraculous acts

proclamation

distinguishing between spirits

tongues

interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't, the parts we see and the parts we don't. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance (1 Corinthians 12:4-11;25-26, The Message).

God is telling us that we all have spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit that need to get used in the world around us. The church - or Ecclesia - that you attend is not meant to be an audience that belongs to the Lord and just sits around and talks about it. It is supposed to be a unified crew where everyone brings their gifts and works together to blow the minds of the world around us.

Think about it. When the Ecclesia has worked together in the past, entire cultures have been changed. Slavery abolished - hospitals built -homeless fed - addictions broken - and eternal souls saved.

When we don't work together, we become a ridiculous and irrelevant comic relief like a crew that comes on stage and trips all over each other. That's why so many people don't take the church seriously - because we're satisfied with a holy huddle on Sunday and staying hidden Monday through Saturday.

So what's your gift? Do you love to help people? Are you a prayer warrior? Can you teach from God's word? Do you have faith that could move a mountain? Whatever it is - bust out your skills and put together a 'dance' performance worthy of an approval from the most powerful Judge in the Universe - Jesus Christ.

*www.monstersandcritics.com

Head: What you need to know about this truth

Every Christian has spiritual gifts that we need to put to use with others so we can transform the world for Christ.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

Feel excited about being a part of one of the most amazing 'crews' of all time - the Ecclesia.

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Get together with your pastor, youth leader, parent, or mature Christian adult and fill out the information below. Make a copy for the adult and put yours in a place where it will remind you of your responsibility to use your spiritual gifts.

Your Name:
Date:
Adult Leader's Name:

Look up the following passages:

Romans 12:3-8
I Corinthians 12:1-31
Ephesians 4:4-8,11-16
I Peter 4:10-11
What observations do you have about each passage?

Why is it important to use your gifts?

What gifts do you think you might have? Do others think you have?

What is your plan to try out your possible gifts?

What might you have to sacrifice in order to be faithful in using your gifts?

Today I commit myself to discovering and using my spiritual gifts in the context of my youth group/church. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I will be a faithful and obedient servant who will continue to develop my unique spiritual abilities as long as I live.

Your Signature:
Witness' Signature:

SOMETIMES I FEEL UNFORGIVABLE

All that garbage we just got rid of? God hates it.

And while Jesus readily takes it, don't think it doesn't have to be reconciled, forgiven, or atoned for. Feeling better? Probably not. That's why we're spending one more chapter on it.

Here's the good news: The reconciling, forgiving, and atoning isn't your job.

Jesus did that. He died an ugly death on an ugly cross in order to pay the price for all the ugliness in the world.

Ever wonder what big landfill all this garbage ends up in? Somehow I have a feeling God anticipated our question, because the answer we find in the Bible doesn't lack clarity or power.

"You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)

That might not be far enough for you, so how about this?

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)

Once you've asked for forgiveness, God doesn't remember your sins. But just between you and me, Satan would love to have you continue to beat yourself up over all the embarrassing and shameful things you've said, done, and thought.

Really, that makes his day. In fact, he'll go to great lengths to torment you with your past. Yes, torment. Don't open the door for him--even a crack. He never brings a party with him.

But Satan does something more. He makes God out to be a liar. If you'll remember back to the Garden of Eden, you'll know that this is one of Satan's specialties (Genesis 3). He likes to make you doubt the finality of God's forgiveness. Satan really trips up a lot of people with this, so let's not go any farther without putting this to rest.

Satan is famous for saying, "Yeah, God says you're forgiven, but remember what you've done? Why would God wipe that away? No, my fellow loser-friend, you can be quite sure you'll have to carry around that hideous past of yours for quite some time. Maybe forever.”

He may even have you thinking, Good point. I can't forget it, so why should I expect God to?

Well, you can expect God to forget it because he said he would.

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)

God keeps promises.
You're forgiven.
You're his.
And you can take that to the bank.
Now we've come to the part where you smile.
C'mon. A big one.
(Make everybody wonder what you're reading.)

Taken from “You Are Not Alone” by Shirley Perich

Jesus and the MythBusters
 
Have you checked MythBusters out? If not, MythBusters is a show on Discovery Channel that basically tackles urban legends, internet rumors, movie scenes and the like with the scientific method to test their validity.
 
One of my favorites was Shark Week, when they answered critical questions like:
 
      Can sharks detect a struggling fish?
      Does chili powder repel sharks?
      Will a pack of sharks ignore you if you play dead?
      Could you reach a shark's eye while inside its mouth?
 
These are questions that go through my mind pretty much every time I stick more than a toe in the ocean.
 
Then there are other key questions in life that they examine. For example,
 
      Can you cut down a tree with a machine gun?
      Can you hold a conversation with someone while falling at terminal velocity?
 
And of course, many many myths are 'busted' - even though at face value that seemed to make sense.
 
In other words, you definitely shouldn't believe everything you see or hear.
 
Now, I'm for sure no Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, who use their great special effects training and common sense to help keep the story straight, but I have one myth that I would like to 'bust' for you right now. Here is the question for the week:
 
      Is Jesus Christ a mythical figure?
 
Important question - wouldn't you say? If Jesus is just a made up figure designed to impose control and power over weak-minded fools, then I would like to know. By the same token, if Jesus Christ is a real historical figure, then based on what He claimed it would be sheer madness to simply dismiss Him as "another religious dude."
 
Those that believe Jesus is a myth on par with Bigfoot, unicorns, and the Flying Spaghetti Monster base their perspective largely on the concept that Jesus Christ is a copycat Sun god who shares key elements from dozens of 'gods' before Him. For example, they point to themes like virgin birth, star in the east, 12 disciples, death on the Cross, resurrection etc. as the same storylines that have been attributed to many so called 'gods' before Jesus' time. So there never really was a flesh and blood person in the 1 st Century that walked on water, healed the sick and resurrected from the dead.
 
OK, so now we have our myth. But let's look at the evidence.
 
The fact of the matter is that we have four eyewitness accounts of Jesus' existence that were written within a generation of His time on earth. The New Testament books, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are considered some of the most reliable historical documents in the world.
 
And here are a few other things to consider-
 
The Encyclopedia Britannica uses over 20,000 words to describe Jesus, which is more than Aristotle, Cicero, Alexander, Julius Caesar, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, or Napoleon.
 
Sorry, but the pretty doggone smart folks at the Britannica generally do their homework before they use 20,000 words about someone who 'might be' a myth.
 
Eleven of Jesus' disciples were tortured and murdered for spreading the message of Jesus. Wait - they would all die for something they knew to be a lie?
 
The gospel message of Jesus spread from a band of 12 men in a tiny region of Israel to thousands of people across thousands of miles to Rome in just 30 years. Wait, an entire civilization being duped by an obvious copycat religion?
 
Plus we have non-Biblical references to Jesus coming from Roman historians, government officials, and even the Jewish literature of that time. Wait one more time, the people that wished Jesus was a myth write about Him? Not a great way to get rid of a copycat Sun god - wouldn't you say?
 
Finally-
 
*     There are over 5000 historical source documents to support the validity of the New Testament, much more than any other ancient book. All the Gospels were published within the lifetimes of eyewitnesses, and yet there's no record of anyone ever proving them false.
*     The Romans tried for 250 years to stamp out Christianity before accepting it as their state religion. By that time the books of the New Testament had been a published fact for two centuries.
*     The Bible recounts a 6000 year history of God first saying He'll do something and then doing it. You know them as prophecies, and non-Christian history books document their fulfillment all over the place.
 
Why?
 
Because the idea of Jesus being a myth is a myth that in my opinion is more easily busted than proving that a jet engine really can't fly a Chevy.
 
The biggest question you should ask is-
 
Is Jesus Christ really who He claimed to be - which is God in the flesh and the Savior of the world? This is a question that has already been confirmed - now all you need to do is confirm your place in heaven by trusting in Jesus alone as your only hope of salvation.
 
Head: What you need to know about this truth
 
The Jesus Christ who is described in the Bible is definitely not a myth. He is God in the flesh and the Savior of the world.
 
Heart: What you need to feel about this truth
 
Feel confident that your faith in Jesus Christ is not a leap into the dark, it is a step into the light. There is more proof of His existence than any other ancient figure.
 
Hands: What you need to do about this truth
 
Bring up a conversation with friends who don't have a relationship with Jesus using the facts from this week's Soul Fuel. It's a great way to share your faith!
 
 Taken From: Daretoshare.com

How to Have the Happiest New Year Yet

The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards. Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. – G. K. Chesterton

So what's the object of your New Year? For many, it's simply a new start on old habits, and for others the whole resolution thing goes in one year and out the other.

But...may I make a suggestion this year? Forget all the resolutions that involve just trying to manage your sin nature, and take the advice from the quote. What this means is that on January 1, wake up like it was the first day of your life and might be the last. If you stick to that alone, 2009 will bring you things you never thought possible.

I know that looking back can bring up guilt and regrets. The sorrows, sins and silly slip-ups get in your face and haunt you like a re-occurring nightmare. Yet I would still encourage you to do so for this reason: grace. If you peer hard enough into your accumulated memories, you will find the fingerprints of God over all your botches and blunders - and the finger that left the prints is pointing towards forgiveness and restoration. Remember that Jesus is the God of second chances (and third, fourth, fifth etc.). Learn from your mistakes and move on - that's what the Apostle Paul did:

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven (Philippians 3:13-14).

Paul was a lot like us. He looked back and saw things he was proud of, and things he was ashamed of. Yet rather than revel and grovel in obsessive observations, he made a decision to employ a wonderful technique for dealing with the past: forgetting.

But Paul also looked towards the future. Not in a ridiculous and useless resolution sort of way, but in a dedicated and determined fashion that takes seriously the high calling of being a believer left on this planet to advance God's Kingdom one day and one life at a time - because each day is a gift.

What impact does the attitude of 'each day being a gift' have on a person? Perhaps it differs with each individual - but here is the prayer of an African pastor who was later killed for his faith. Read it, memorize it, speak it and live it. Instead of a New Year's resolution, make it a New Year's 'prayer solution.' May Christ give you the grace to have it profoundly affect the way 2009 unfolds:

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!*

Head: What you need to know about this truth

The New Year is an amazing opportunity for us to look ahead and resolve to live each day like it is our first. When we focus on serving Jesus each day, no day of the year will be wasted.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

Are you excited about the New Year? Think of all the wonderful things God wants to do in your life - and feel confident that " God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns" (Philippians 1:6).

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Read the African Pastor's poem every day for a week and see how it impacts your view of the New Year.