Rugged Individualism

One of the greatest things about being an American is that we get to be individuals.  America was founded on a desire to seek freedom from state imposed regulations that served an Aristocracy rather than one that served the people.  The preamble to our constitution says, "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

This preamble along with the constitution of the United States of America has given us the right to choose our leaders.  This week we enter into the week of Super Tuesday.  This is a week where we get to choose the candidates who will run for the office of president.  What we need to remember is that in America we get to be individuals.  We can vote for anyone we want.  And we can make decisions based on faith, on a gamble, on popular opinion, by being informed through research, you name it.  As American's we are not held the decision of the leader of the country.  We are truly one of the few countries that has this privilege. 

So what is the purpose of sharing this with you?  As Christians we have this right to individualism because we are Americans.  As Americans we are beyond blessed to have the freedom to live as Christians.  And in both cases we are charged with making decisions not just in accordance with our desires, but in accordance with the one whom we serve.  

 If you are a Christian I encourage you today to take some time to really pray about who you should vote for.  We do have the power to make a name for ourselves.  Not a name that slings mud, not a name that would hurt others through judgmental rhetoric, but a name that honors the one we serve.  I encourage you today to  make a name for yourself.  Step outside the mess and choose to be a rugged individual.   But don't do it for fame or fortune.  Choose it to honor the one who gives you the true freedom.  

Pastor Joyce shares what Rugged Individualism in the Christian faith really looks like.  

Rugged Individualism- Joyce Wyrostek February, 29

In our western culture and many other nations of the world we honor the ones how have made a ‘name’ for themselves and become embedded in history.  The world exalts sports heroes, lawless gangsters, movie stars who play a part yet do not have any idea who they are. In essence we envy the rugged individual who beats the odds of defeat through sheer determination.

Book stores are filled with best sellers that have titles such as;  How to Learn a Language in 30 days, 21 Days to Emotional Freedom, 10 Steps to Building a Successful Business, How to Cast Vision and Set Goals.  This is only a brief list, indicating there is no limit to anyone who will put their mind on what they want and go after it in hot pursuit.

The people of such a culture frown on the one who chooses to humble himself in the sight of the Lord.  Those who decide to pursue the plans of God declared in Jeremiah 29:11 are scoffed at , ridiculed and labeled as weak and out of touch with reality.

The Kingdom of God is the antithesis of the kingdom of darkness.  Jesus did not say His Kingdom would be comprised of individuals with personal agendas.  He said we would be servants, humble and lowly and He would lift us up.  Matthew 23:11-12, “The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Paul tells us that we are a collective body that becomes one at rebirth in Ephesians 4:5-6, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all.” It is in this oneness with the Lord that we are, “…fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies according to the effectual working in the measure of every part” Ephesians 4:16.

In this union we are a force to be reckoned with and the gates of hell will not prevail against us…the only name that will be glorified is the name of Jesus.  Our rugged individualism gives way to robust oneness in the Holy Spirit.

Knowledge Without Truth

Today I voted.  No, I will not divulge who I voted for.  I will say though that as the Presidential race heats up and as the candidates vie for our votes, I encourage you to research and seek the truth.  I have heard statements like, " I'm voting for Hillary because we need our first woman president."  I've also heard, " I'm voting for Trump because he's not a career politician."  Both statements are beyond absurd.  This is not to say that Hillary or Trump are the better candidate.  However, the reasoning behind either statement is not founded in truly knowing what either candidate stands for. 

I am a social media person as well as one who watches television, reads several online journals and newspapers, and I follow news outlets such as the BBC, Al Jazeera, the New York Times, Dallas Morning News, and several bloggers on twitter.  What I've noticed are sensational headlines that set out to discredit or bring some crazy accusation against a candidate.  You've read them I'm certain.  " Trump reveals the Illuminati", " Carson lied about his scholarship to West Point", " Bernie Sanders is proposing a tax increase if elected president", "If Hillary was telling the truth about wall street speeches she'd release them", " Cruz lies to voters telling them Carson has dropped out of the race".  The headlines go on and on. Some make us angry, some make us laugh, and after a while they desensitize us completely. But as you dissect each headline they all have this in common.  Each one is an effort to divide us from the truth.  The wise will seek the real truth, and be able to read through the headlines in order to make a decision for themselves. 

Pastor Joyce teaches us how knowledge without truth only serves to draw us down a path of ill informed decision making.  Before you read her teaching I leave you with this thought. As you cast your ballot during the primary season, make sure you know the truth about who you are voting for.  Don't let a headline or popular opinion draw the conclusion for you. Make sure you are so informed about the candidate that if you had to defend your choice, you would be able to convince anyone else to vote for your candidate. 

Knowledge Without Truth

The Apostle Paul warns Timothy that in the last days there will be those who will be so ‘self’ consumed they will have a form of godliness but do not love God.  He says of this kind that they are, “learning, learning ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth.”

Jesus said in John 16:13, “However, when He the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

Leaders in the Church and members in general may have the ability to quote ever passage of scripture and from their own acquired knowledge know more than most.  These scholars may have studied for years yet they still don’t know the truth.  They may impress the masses with their ability to explain the original Hebrew and Greek relating to the text but still don’t know the truth.

The truth of the scripture and that which makes it a living word; applicable to all current day issues, is only received and discerned by the Spirit.  We are told to test all the spirits that are speaking; this too can only be comprehended by the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is in us, but if we never listen to what He has to say about interpretation and application of the word we will fall into the same type of godliness that Paul describes to Timothy.  “They creep into households and make captives of the gullible loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts.

When we read the scriptures and study text we must always seek the Holy Spirits guidance so that in these last and perilous times we are hearing what God is doing and can ignore the voices that seem to be godly but have no knowledge of truth.

Walk in Love

Today I had the privilege of listening to Monty Williams, the head coach of the New Orleans Pellicans give his wife'e eulogy.  One might wonder how that could be considered a privilege. What I witnessed however was nothing less than.  Monty Williams was widowed last week due to a head on collision.  His wife's death left him to raise 5 children on his own. 

His eulogy paid great homage to his wife.  Greater yet the eulogy honored the God of the universe.  To the Jews he is called Yeshua Hamachiach.  To Christians he is called Jesus Christ. Mr. Williams honored Christ, and honored his wife's service to all that matters in life.   He went on to tell us that we need to pay attention to what really matters. He said, " What Jesus did on the cross...that's what matters." Then he did something incredible.  He expressed Christ's love to the family of the driver of the other car.

His exact words were, “Let us not forget that there were two people in this situation, and that family needs prayer as well,” Williams said. “And we have no ill will toward that family. That family didn’t wake up wanting to hurt my wife. Life is hard — it is very hard — and that was tough. But we hold no ill will toward the Donaldson family.”   

Wow!  this is one of the greatest testaments to walking in love that I have seen in a long time.  Monty Williams could have stood at the pulpit mourning and crying for justice

or wishing ill will on his "enemy".  Instead, he showed grace to a family who is also facing a life without a loved one.  

As you read Walk in Love today, take a moment to remember the grace we have all been given. I encourage you to extend that grace to someone else today.  Even if, in the world's eyes, they don't deserve it. 

Walk in Love Joyce Wyrostek - February 23 

In Ephesians 5:2 Paul says, “And walk in love, as Christ has loved us and has given Himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”  Loving as Christ loved is a journey of sacrifice beginning with a choice.  We assume that love is a feeling that overtakes us; that when it strikes we have little control over the course it will take.  However in the way that it is addressed throughout scripture love is a choice.

To truly walk in love we set aside self for the sake of another.  Paul states it this way in Philippians 2:3-5, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others.”

There is no pre-packaged formula for loving another.  There is no add and stir recipe for the love of God to gush forth.  We choose to make loving others a priority that is right next to that of loving God.  Jesus commanded (not suggested) in Matthew 22:37-40, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself, On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

When we make the choice and commit ourselves to obeying the command, something supernatural begins to happen within the Spirit man which when yielded to changes our heart and brings the outward flow of what has been worked in the Spirit that we reflect the Love of God through us.  Our difficulty is often we attempt to convey to others something that has not been made complete in us – yet.  As we sit together with Christ in heavenly places we get changed from Glory to Glory – So stay seated and marvel at the Love of God for you first.

Strange Doctrine- Lent

Today's thought is one that may cause you to pause.  It may even make you angry.  Reader beware.  Today's thought will challenge you to look beyond everything you've ever believed an make you think differently.  After reading you may want to respond and engage in dialogue. Or it may make you think, "I'm never reading this blog again!"  In any case please know that this is not meant to divide.  Nor is it meant to offend.  Pastor Joyce was a master at making one stop and pause.  She always sought the truth.  And in seeking the  truth, she made it her mission to share that truth.  


Equally, today's thought is not meant to criticize the tradition of lent.  Nor is it meant to say, don't fast, don't worship, don't draw near God.  Today's thought is to challenge you to seek truth.  Find it, hold tight to it, and never let it go.  Take the challenge.  What do you believe?

Strange Doctrines February 22

The writers of the New Testament letters warn the Christians to stay away from strange doctrines that move followers from the Gospel of Grace to some form of works or religious traditionalism.  Most of these traditions have been in existence for centuries and in religious circles are sacred cows that should not be disturbed.

In the days of separation in the early church this was a crucial breaking away of what was being taught as scripture (mixed with tradition) to embracing a whole new idea of reaching holiness.  Those who believed in Jesus Christ were set free from the vain traditions of men and translated into the kingdom of light where it was clear that there was nothing in man’s mind or tool box of do’s and don’ts that would ever make them right with God.  By faith men believed in the birth, death, and resurrection from the dead for the forgiveness of sin; once and for all.

The line was drawn in the sand and there was an absolute distinction between religion and relationship. We are naturally prone to assume that as great as the cross is; there must be something more that we can do than just believe.  Belief will lead to doing the work of the Father but doing the work of the Father seldom leads to belief.  In John 6:29 Jesus says, “The work of God is this; to believe in the one He has sent.”

Strange doctrines carry people by the masses in the opposite direction and cause them to practice things that have absolutely no scriptural basis except the ones added to make them appear to have a form of godliness – but there is no power to activate change.  Millions of people in cultures around the world have just entered a 40 day observance called Lent.  There is no validation in scripture that this should be observed yet it’s peddled as Christian.  Most blindly follow the observance without ever knowing its true meaning or purpose.  Don’t be led blindly down any path…examine the scripture, build yourself up in the Spirit and listen for the voice of God…He will never lead us astray!

What do you Want?

What do I want?... So many times in my life I have not really been able to answer this question.  Not because I was without direction.  But because I thought I had everything I ever wanted.  That sounds a lot like someone who grew up with an easy life.  But that is not the case. 

We were poor.  Yep, by definition of the federal government, we lived most of our life just below the poverty line.  We were also a bi-cultural home.  My father being half filipino and my mother being white we celebrated all of our ethnic background.  And in fact we faced some prejudice that was directed to isolate us.

What was amazing about my parents though was that they never dwelt on wealth or race.  They never really taught us to see these things as a deficit.  Instead they taught us to embrace who we are and go for it.  My parents taught us one very important skill.  That was the skill of believing that we were capable of anything.  

Though both of my parents did not adhere tightly to the Christian faith, my mother taught us that the gifts we had were for our use to honor God.  So I grew up with this wildly innocent belief and I still adhere to it today.  As a matter of fact I quote the scripture, "With man it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible." Mark 10:27.  

And because of this faith, I believe I am not even done with what God has in store for me.  As you read what Pastor Joyce wrote for today, think about what God has in store for you?  What is it that you really want?  Or maybe you want nothing for yourself, but have a wish for someone else.

Then take a little time to ask. You never know the answer unless you ask :)

What Do You Want? February 17

Joyce Wyrostek

Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” In the tenth chapter of Mark the last seven verses relate the story of this blind beggar that cries out for Jesus as He is passing by.  Jesus stops and poses that question.  It seemed obvious what the need was but Jesus forces Bartimaeus to define what he wanted from Him.

What if Jesus were to ask you this very same question? Would you be able to spell it out for Him?  Sadly most of us have no idea what we want God to do for us. If we can’t answer thFaith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. If faith is being sure of what we hope for, then being unsure of what we hope for is the antithesis of faith.

is question we are as blind as the beggar asking for sight.  When a dream or vision seems impossible we are prone to let it die and often have the audacity to say, “It must not be God’s will for me” when in reality it is God that gave the dream in the first place. “

Spending time with the Lord in prayer is not simply asking Him meet the needs of Susie, Sally, Jim, and Joe; it often requires definition of the sort that specifically states what you want done in their lives.  This is what develops faith.  Faith results in well-defined prayers and well defined prayers result in a well lived life.

The Bible is full of principles, promises, and patterns that can and will be the definition of our life if we circle those promises, build our faith on them and develop a certainty of what we want for ourselves and others based on each underlying truth.  Let’s not be vague in our prayers, but bold knowing that God will keep His word.  Right now, write down one audacious dream, hope for it, believe for it, and hang on to it until it is miraculously answered.

Transforming Thoughts

It has been a while since my last post.  We've enjoyed the wedding of our oldest son, Valentines Day has come and gone, and now we are in that lull until Spring Break. Sometimes when there is a lull we get caught in that chasm of nothingness that often exists between life events. 
 Transforming your thoughts is such a powerful title for today's word for the day.  As an athlete I have heard so many times, "If you think you can't, your right".  I've also heard it said, " you can do anything you put your mind to".  And then there's the song She's a Wild One, with the lyrics, "when she was three years old on her daddy's knee, he said you can be anything you wanna be".  
At some time in our lives we've all heard that motivational speech, or been encouraged by a parent or a coach.  And each time we heard those inspirational words, we've been charged to move on toward a goal.  But then, time passes, we reach a plateau or come to a set back where something stops us in our tracks and then... we may quit or give up. 
As those days happen we have choices to make.  We can nurse a thought, either negative or positive. Regardless of the direction the thought takes, the more we dwell on it the more it becomes our reality.  
As you read Pastor Joyce's word for the day, I encourage you to transform your thoughts.  Think

Transforming Thoughts February 16

By Joyce Wyrostek

Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as a man thinks in his heart so is he.” The problem with most of us is we don’t think.  We fail to engage our brain before we speak, or act; we go through days, weeks, months and sometimes years unconscious.  If we fail to program the unconscious mind and it leads our conscious actions we will fail to make right choices. By programming the unconscious mind I mean feeding it words and truths related to the Word of God that bring about conscious acts habitually.

Once I was working as a company manager and was directed to go on a thirty day fast.  The Holy Spirit defined the fast this way.   Do not allow a negative thought to remain in your brain for more than 8 seconds, within that time change it to a positive.  The Bible says in Romans 12:2 “Don’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I was about to get some on the job training. The fast was a real challenge because 70,000 thoughts pass through the human brain in a day and are generated from both inside and outside stimuli. 

I struggled a while trying to think of positive input because I worked with a lot of negative people.  So I put them on notice that I was on a fast and said if they had something negative to say to me they had only 4 seconds to get it said so I could have 4 seconds to turn it around.   Here’s an example;   a secretary said, “I feel so tired”. When the thought entered my mind because of her words the only thing I could come up with was, “I’d rather live by faith than try to make it on feelings…the just shall live by faith.” We both laughed.

I had a great time working through the thirty days and sometimes it was exhausting. But in the end I learned that I could control how I thought and my thoughts controlled my actions.  If we don’t discipline our subconscious we can easily fall into negative thinking and become reactive to life. When pushed around by what we see and hear in the natural we will be angry, bitter, blame people for jerking us around and making us feel inferior on the inside.  If we feel inferior on the inside we have no power on the outside.

I've been reading this fantastic book by Christian Moore called the Resilience Break Through. His believes that for a person who is ready to give up the best help they can receive are the skills associated with resilience.  To be resilient means you must lay down your pride and be vulnerable long enough to take the risks necessary to achieve a breakthrough.  

One of my favorite quotes in his book is, " If you are not willing to be wrong and sometimes fail - to be vulnerable and take a risk- you'll never come up with something original".  Moore later adds that in order for one to be vulnerable he or she must first let go of the fixed mind set and trade it for a growth mindset.  He quotes Dr. Carol Dweck saying that, the growth mindset it to "believe that a person's true potential is unknown ( and unknowable)."  

While our true potential may be unknown to us personally, it has been fully planned by the God of the Universe. He has this wonderful plan for our lives that is ours for the taking if we seek him first.  And that moment when we are so down, we just need God, he is there to pick us up and provide us with his promises.  

As I read this book I immediately thought how true it is that resilience is what "gets us through" life.  It is that thing that saves us from the darkest, deepest pit.  And though I have not read far enough into this book to see where Christian Moore draws his resiliency skills from, I kept thinking, "this is biblical, everything he is writing about can be found in the teachings of Jesus."  Pastor Joyce gives us insight into that teaching today in her post  God is Able. Take a moment to find your own resilience as you read her word for the day. 

God is Able February 2

The moment we receive Jesus Christ as the Lord of our life, God starts something in our spirit that He fully intends to complete.  There is only one way to stop the flow of His plan for our life and that is by choosing not to follow the blue print that he has already designed for us from the beginning.

Paul says in his letter to the Philippians, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Every day, in every way through every situation and circumstance, God is working in us to get our attention so that we will look carefully at the purpose for our life.

Paul also said, “I know who I believe and am fully persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.” God is able accomplish things beyond what we are even capable of thinking.  Whatever we commit to Him, and leave it with Him, He will make it happen.  It may not happen in ways that we imagine or in the time we expect but by faith we hang onto what we know and we live with expectation that we will live a significant life in the Kingdom of God.

Never allow discouragement or disappointments rob you of the joy of knowing that you were not just saved from hell, you were born with a fabulous meaningful purpose.  At the proper time it will come and will not tarry.  The psalmist said, “I look to the hills, where my help comes from.”  Everything in the Bible was written that our joy might be complete and the joy of the Lord is our strength.  It’s time to get happy.

After God's Heart

The facades we work so hard to create hold us back from our true potential. Additionally those same facades hold us back from being vulnerable enough to grow. People who refuse to be vulnerable, to simply open their heart to instruction are known as unteachable, uncoachable, and in some circles, just plain prideful. Those same people make poor athletes, poor employees, and are rarely those whom others seek for advice.

But success is not measured by our accomplishments or our trophies.  No one will remember the A's we received in High School or College. Trophies will collect dust. And when all is said and done most people won't care what business deal we settled or for whom we settled it.  Success is measured by our ability to be vulnerable.  We need to be able to be uncomfortable and to seek answers in order to truly reach our greatest potential.  And we have to realize that our greatest potential is meaningless if it serves only to benefit ourselves.  

Pastor Joyce writes about one of my all time favorite students, leaders, and warriors.  She tells us of his vulnerability, and his reliance on the only thing that could ensure him success.  As you read her account of David, consider how you might open yourself up to being vulnerable in just one small area of your life.  

A Heart For God

David was God’s anointed man of the hour in the history of Israel after their first king, Saul, who had allowed the spirit of witchcraft to overtake him through rebellion.  David was a Hebrew and was taught well all the ordinances, customs, traditions, and statutes of the nation.

 

David knew God; he trusted and relied on Him to be a skilled shepherd by protecting the sheep from dangerous predators.  After conquests of such a nature he wrote and sang music that we are privileged to read throughout the Psalms…”The Lord is my portion and my inheritance and of my cup thou maintain my lot. (16:5).

The maintenance of his leadership as King and worship warrior and most importantly His relationship with God is depicted in the 176 verses of Psalm 119.  Over and over he asks the Lord to teach him his law.  He obviously didn’t trust his own interpretation of what was written or handed down by the traditions of the elders but wanted to know the meaning through the only trusted source he knew who was God Himself.

Our pursuit of God, to find His application of the law to our life we must have the same desire to know what He is saying.   In David’s day he talked to men in a mystery; today He speaks through His Son.  And we hear by the voice of the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of us.

To be sensitive to the Holy Spirit we cry out like David,” Lord teach me!”  It is easy to think we know the answers to most of the questions of life, especially if we have lived long enough to experience many things and studied for ourselves…But there is a journey into the unseen realm that the Lord longs to take us that we may effectively rule with Him.  If we seek Him with our whole heart He will be found by us. The Holy Spirit is our guide, counselor, and revelator, tells us God’s thoughts, quickens the word to us so they are spoken through us.  It’s all in the Word of God revealed by the Spirit of God.  Dig Deep!