Iron Sharpening Iron

Coach Mike Tomlin and his Pittsburgh Steelers will participate in Super Bowl XLIII tomorrow. I read that he often uses Proverbs 27:17 in communicating with his team: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

It is true in all areas of life. When I began weight training, I had a workout partner. We spotted weight for one another, and held each other accountable to be at scheduled workouts. It made it easier, and more fun.

Part of my spiritual workout this year will be reading through the Bible. Feel free to ask me how I’m doing. You will be “iron sharpening iron”. Why not get a workout partner to keep you accountable and join me in reading God’s Word. It’s great spiritual training and will benefit all of us.

(A Bible Reading Guide can be found on the Linton Assembly of God Website, lintonag.org. There are different levels of commitment, so everyone can participate in this spiritual exercise.)

Before and After

Physical training makes a difference.

BEFORE
Weight: 205 pounds
Bench Press: 125 pounds

AFTER
Weight: 185 pounds
Bench Press: 205 pounds

Spiritual training can make a greater difference! Author and pastor John Ortberg gives the following definition of spiritual disciplines (spiritual training) in His book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted: “A spiritual discipline is any activity I can do by direct effort that will help me do what I cannot do by direct effort…”

Did you get that? Read it again and let it soak in deeply. When we give ourselves to spiritual training (Bible reading and study, prayer and fasting, public worship, and any of a number of other spiritual disciplines), we can expect a return - an enabling from God, who can do immeasurably more than all we can ask, think, dream or even imagine.

Spiritually speaking, what might your “Before” and “After” look like?

Training In 2009

When I walk by mirrors these days they all shout at me, “Go back to the gym!” If it gets any louder I may have to do that.

A few years ago I disciplined myself to do it regularly; shedding 20 pounds of unwanted weight and increasing the amount I could bench press from a puny 125 pounds to a respectable 205 pounds.

What was the difference between 125 and 205 pounds? In those first couple months, no amount of "trying" could have moved the heavier weight off my chest. In a word, the difference was “training”. By doing what I could do faithfully, it empowered me to go on and do more than I thought I could do.

The same is true spiritually. To get where we want to be spiritually, it will take more than occasionally trying. To be more like Jesus and reach our God designed potential, we need to give ourselves to disciplined spiritual training.

I am going to hit the spiritual weights in 2009. Want to join me?

My Great Reward

Recently I read in Genesis 15:1, where God says to Abram: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

In an act of devotion to God, Abram had just given up, in today’s terms, what might have looked like winning the lottery. The king of Sodom offers him the big dollar deal and Abram says "no deal" and walks away, simply to maintain his commitment to God.

At this point God reminds Abram that his greatest reward is not material things, nor is it in temporary victory, his safety and his reward are found in God alone. God is his great reward!

Jesus makes a similar statement to his followers in Matthew 6:33 (NLT), after telling us not to worry, He says: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need”.

Lord, in these days of financial and material concern, help me to keep my eyes on you and maintain my commitment to you. For just as you went on to bless Abram beyond anything he was tempted by that day, you can bless and care for me. Jesus, you are my great reward! Amen.

Cohorting

Not much to say today. Judy and I are, as one friend put it, cohorting. We are attending the Indiana Healthy Church Life Cohort training. It is an opportunity that I appreciate; learning in a network of others who are hungry to learn and grow. Many churches in Indiana will be healthier and stronger because of the investment of time and effort made by those attending today.

I am committed to being a life-long learner. I want to love God just as Jesus told us in Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Notice He did say “with all your mind”.

As Christians, we do not have to “check our minds” at the door when we come to worship and serve God, and neither should we neglect them. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve God with my mind today through intense study - cohorting.

Messiah Or Demon

I watched history unfold today along with people from across our nation and around the globe. In his invocation, Pastor Rick Warren called this inauguration “a hinge point of history”. The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States is indeed significant.

So much could be said, but let me speak from my heart. I’ve got to get something off my chest. In many conversations since the election, I have heard Mr. Obama exalted to the level of superman or even messiah. On the other hand there have been others who criticized him so disparagingly that he was nearly demonized.

Barack Obama is neither a messiah nor a demon; he is the man the majority of United States voters elected to serve as our next president. It is time we as Christians stop talking as republicans or democrats and started doing what the Bible tells us to do, to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4). One good example of how to pray for the president is the prayer offered by Dr. Albert Mohler (click to view). Let’s stop talking about our new president and start talking to God for our new president.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. I feel much better now and hope you do too.

Tony Dungy

One week ago today, Indianapolis Colts coach, Tony Dungy announced his retirement from professional football. It was a sad day for all Colt fans.

To say Coach Dungy was successful in football is certainly understated. Let me list a few highlights from his coaching career:

- He retired with a 148-79 won/loss record as a head coach

- He is the only coach in NFL history with six straight 12 win seasons

-His ten consecutive trips to the playoffs with Tampa Bay and Indianapolis is also a record for an NFL head coach

- Six divisional championships

- Three championship game appearances

- One Super Bowl win

Now here is the deal, more outstanding than any of his accomplishments is the man himself. In the high pressure world of professional football, he was unafraid to live by his stated values of faith & family. He lived by those priorities, and his life has been, and continues to be, an influence for Christ and strong families.

Faith, family, and football, great priorities Tony!

Worthy Of All Praise

I have been deeply moved this week by the revelation of God's greatness. From the vastness of space, to the incredible detail of human life, it is awe-inspiring. Creation virtually shouts to us of God's majestic greatness.

A bit more subtle, yet just as powerfully, His grace beckons us from Calvary's cross. The Creator becoming part of His creation, sacrificing Himself for you and me. Creation reveals God's greatness and Calvary His grace.

Compared to the vastness of His creation, we seem pretty insignificant. Yet amazingly, God has chosen to reach out to us, to meet us, to love and forgive us, to give us worth and dignity, a hope and a future. It all comes through the sacrifice of Jesus.

When you put the two together, the only reasonable response is to offer ourselves in worship. I can think of no better way to tie down the week than by giving praise to such a great and gracious God. He is worthy of all praise!

The Miracle of Human Life

Here is another clip from Louie Giglio's "How Great Is Our God"
message. This excerpt reveals the dignity and sanctity of human life.
It is a powerful reminder of just how much God values you.

How Great Is Our God!

I ran across this video excerpt just yesterday. It is a message by Louie Giglio on the greatness of God. Just one thoughtful look at His creation is awe-inspiring!

What I find even more amazing is that this great God has proclaimed and demonstrated his care for each one of us, in Jesus. How incredible to think that He has now given us the opportunity to approach Him in prayer. Enjoy the message.

Disappointments

Last place, how can that be, not once but twice. While visiting friends Friday evening we took time to play a couple games. The friendly competition was enjoyable but the outcome was not. Being a competitor, I wanted to finish better than last place. It did not happen. Ouch! I was disappointed.

It has been that kind of a week. The Indianapolis Colts ended their season this past weekend with a loss to the San Diego Chargers. The Ohio State Buckeyes, my favorite college football team, lost a heartbreaker of a game to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. One word describes it, disappointing.

Life comes with its share of disappointments. But for some, the loss you feel goes way beyond the shallow, passing disappointment of losing a game. It cuts much deeper.

2 Corinthians 1:3, reveals a tremendous truth about God, describing Him as “the father of compassion and the God of all comfort…” Whatever loss you are experiencing today there is one who knows what you feel and who cares for you. Your pain is real but so is the comfort of God. Why not give Him your cares today? He is there for you.

I Don’t Respect People Who Don’t Proselytize

This video clip of Penn Jillette from the comedy team Penn & Teller has been out on various websites for a few weeks now. I offer it for those of you who may not have seen it. In it he talks about an encounter with a Christian fan who tries to share Jesus with him. Although an atheist, Jilette calls this man’s attempt to convert him a very positive thing. He actually says: “I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize, if they say they have faith.” As you watch it, listen for the key attitudes that he identifies as important to him in this man’s approach. It is food for thought.

Be S.M.A.R.T.

Here is an old but good guide for setting smart goals. Thought it would make a memorable compliment to the last post.

Make goals that are:

Specific.
Measurable.
Agreed Upon. (Be accountable to someone.)
Realistic.
Time-based. (Set goals for three weeks rather than a year. We develop habits over 21 days.)

May God guide you in setting smart goals for 2009.

Spiritual Goals For 2009

Starting the New Year is a good time to set some real goals. Each year I record two to three goals in my journal for each of the following categories: Spiritual, Family, Physical, Financial, Personal Development, Professional Development, and Social.

There are a lot of different ways to set goals. The main thing is to just do it. Keep them reasonably doable, measurable, limit the number you set, and be accountable for them; that keeps it real.

Here are some more thoughts on spiritual goals from Pastor Nate Elarton, of Temperance, Michigan written on his blog “Simultaneity”. May they inspire your goal setting!

“Some asked me for some ideas about spiritual goals. Here are some ideas as you evaluate your life and walk with Jesus:

• Read the Bible through this year.
• Read the Bible daily.
• Fast a day a week, or some lunches for prayer.
• Listen to more edifying music.
• Turn off talk radio, and feed your soul on your drives to work.
• Volunteer for a ministry
• Stop swearing, criticizing, gossiping, lying.
• Worship during worship times.
• Pray out loud with your family.
• Read the Bible to your family.
• Tithe faithfully and believe God for finances.
• Speak words of blessing and encouragement.
• Stop sinning on the Internet and get accountability.
• Be faithful to your local church, bringing your Bible, and journal.
• Start coming on Wednesdays.
• Not putting sports ahead of God, or encouraging your children to.
• Memorizing and meditating on a verse a week.
• Stop gaming into the night and go to bed with your family for prayer.
• Don't turn on your computer until you have had time with Jesus.
• Raising your hands in worship publicly.
• Becoming more bold in your faith at work.
• Leading your family spiritually at home.
• Stop reading those trashy novels.
• Quit social drinking and "be filled with the Spirit".
• Get on your knees to pray occasionally.
• Mentor someone in Christ.
• Lead someone to the Lord
• Join a ministry team at your church

.....get quiet before Father and ask Him about your life and spiritual goals and I bet if you are real quiet, He will give you some. Let 2009 be a year of amazing growth in Christ!”

Pumped Up in 2009!

I’m getting pumped up! New Year’s Day parades? Nope. College football games all day long? Nah. College basketball, Purdue? No. IU? Are you kidding? Colts verses Chargers? A little. Ohio State? Ok, I am hoping for a victory over Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. But what I am really excited about is the 2009 Spiritual Challenge. I’m looking forward to leading our church family in a new spiritual challenge as we begin 2009.

The challenge includes:
- A week of focused prayer followed by 21 days of prayer and fasting
- A year of adventure, exploring God’s Word together

It may not sound exciting on the surface, but the potential is off the charts! Who knows what God will do as we draw near to Him in 2009?

James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you…”
Jesus says, in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

When people begin to make seeking God a priority in their lives, incredible things happen! I’m looking forward to incredible things!

Why not join us this year in the 2009 Spiritual Challenge. Details can be found on the Linton Assembly of God website at www.lintonag.org.