When Goals Go Missing…

Goals are slippery. Look away for just ya moment and they’re nowhere to be found.

Goals are harder to keep track of than a toddler at a department store. They’re more elusive than a deer in the deep woods.

Chances are you can’t even remember your New Years resolution by now. It’s a foggy memory at best. That’s ok.

When goals go missing, there’s one question we can ask ourselves to regain focus and get us moving in the right direction. Are you ready to ask? Here it is:

“Are the small things I’m doing today building toward my preferred future?”

“Are my moment-to-moment choices moving me closer to or further from my end goals?”

Here’s your next step:

1. Ask the question of every area of your life.
2. Answer honestly.
3. If you’re brave, ask a friend who will give you an unfiltered answer.

Then refocus and step forward.

Pick up that new habit that will build you up.

Eliminate that weight you’ve been hanging onto.

Live your life on purpose.

You can thank me in 6 months.

Here’s 3 more posts to help you achieve your goals!

1. Goals are Dreams with Deadlines

2. Walk: Take a Step Toward Your Goal

3. Contentment? I Hate It.

If this is helpful, don’t miss another post! Sign up to get them in your inbox. (Top of Page)

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Taxes Taxes Taxes

Taxes are due. Yay!

Okay, maybe not. Chances are that even if you’re getting a return this year, you’re not thrilled about how much we have to pay in taxes. Every time you turn around, you’re taxed.

• Earn money? Tax.
• Buy something? Tax.
• Pump gas? Tax.
• Employ someone? Tax.

Taxes taxes taxes.

If you’re like most people I know, you wish they were less. (especially here in New York State).

• Do you have some heartburn about the current state of the union?
• Do you pay your taxes with a grudge?

Join the club.

A bunch of smart religious guys once tried to ping Jesus about paying taxes. This is how it went down:

¹³ Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. ¹⁴ “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? ¹⁵ Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”

Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” ¹⁶ When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

¹⁷ “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

His reply completely amazed them. (Mark 12:13-17 NLT)

WHAT!?

Could you imagine how repulsed they were at Jesus’ words?

The occupying Roman government was harsh and oppressive. Israelites in Jesus’ day were subjects. They were not independent. Their nation had been overrun by people who worshiped, thought and acted differently then them. It was not a fun time to be an Israeli family.

So these guys put Jesus on the spot. Should we pay taxes to this “evil empire”?

His reply completely amazed them.

Why? Because Jesus cut right through the politics and got to the heart of the matter. If our hearts do not fully belong to God, then we’re always going to believe that the current “powers that be” are running the show. The truly spiritual know that God is in control, no matter what the current administration is doing. He is bigger than history, outside of it. He moves history for His purposes, and every believer is a part of the counter-cultural movement of Christ. Or at least we can be.

This Jesus of ours suggested that people fund the government that would soon execute him. He also demanded a fierce allegiance to the true Kingdom to which every believer belongs, the Kingdom that He came to usher in.

So as you file your taxes, perhaps grudgingly, let me ask the same question that Jesus did.

Are you giving to God what is God’s?

• Is your heart 100% submitted to Him and His will?
• Are you living a life, as Jesus did, that thrives inwardly even in the face of outward oppression?
• Is your faith causing your spirit to flourish, no matter what happens in the White House or the Senate?

If you’re bitter towards the government, you’re bitter. And that’s not what we’re called to.

Time to give to God what is God’s. You’ll be relieved when you do.

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Finding Forgiveness

Forgiveness.

It’s easier for me to extend it to others than it is to accept it from God.

I am so intimately familiar with the stench of my own sinfulness that I find it hard to believe that God could actually wipe the slate clean. For years I wrestled with the ability to take God at His Word, believing in His power to forgive.

On second thought, I don’t think I doubted his power. I doubted his willingness to forgive me. Growing up in the church, I knew better than to sin. But I did. Again and again. I was powerless to stop. I made a mess of my heart, mind and life with my own sin. So I naturally assumed that I, being so intentionally sinful, was somehow unforgivable.

Maybe you’ve felt the same.

Forgiveness can be yours.

If you’ve ever felt unforgivable, Luke 15 is the chapter of the Bible you need to live in starting right now.

This chapter contains three stories of the lost being sought after and found.

1. The Parable of the Lost Sheep finds the loving shepherd leaving the 99 safe sheep to find the one that has wandered off.
2. The Parable of the Lost Coin further expresses the value of the lost one.
3. The Parable of the Lost Son communicates God in a gut-wrenchingly real fashion.

Jesus told these three stories back-to-back-to-back to drive home the point that forgiveness is available to those who will be found. This God of ours is the loving shepherd, the seeker of the lost, the loving father. He is searching for you and expecting your return.

Speaking of the lost son…

This punk of a kid, apparently a spoiled brat, comes to his father. He essentially says, “I’d really like my inheritance now. And since you haven’t kicked the bucket yet, why don’t you just give it to me now?” Nice.

I would have said, “Kick rocks, kid!” But this father gave him the money he had coming.

The young man leaves town, moves to a far away land and into the fast lane. Party. Party. Party. Then he’s broke.

Now, because of his wonderful choices, he’s broke and broken. Ever been there? Me too. This is what happens next:

¹⁷ “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! ¹⁸ I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

That’s where I lived for a long time. Due to my sinfulness, I thought I’d have to come back to God groveling. I was convinced that my own wickedness of heart, mind and action had so damaged me that I could never be fully restored. I was convinced that I would forever be on “Plan B” for my life. Perhaps God would somehow allow me to worship Him, but not serve Him in any great way. I certainly wouldn’t be restored as a member of His family.

²⁰ “So he returned home to his father.

• Have you returned yet? Or are you still wandering?
• What are your expectations of God? What is He like?
• How does He meet you when you return to Him, sin-stained and reeking of the stench of a sinful lifestyle?

You may be surprised at how this father greeted his wandering son.

And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. ²¹ His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

“…while he was still a long way off…”

This father was looking in the direction that his son left. This same father who experienced outright rejection and rebellion did not hesitate. He dropped what he was doing and ran to his son. The disobedient, ungrateful son didn’t deserve it. But he got it.

Forgiveness is as available to you as it was to the lost son.

In order to understand forgiveness, you need to understand three words.

1. Justice is getting what you deserve. For my sins, I deserve death.
2. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Forgiveness is God not counting my sin against me.
3. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

The wandering son knew what justice would look like. He was hoping for mercy. He never expected grace.

What are you expecting from God?

• Do you realize the consequences of your sin? You may fear justice.
• Have you received the mercy found in Christ’s sacrifice for your sin? You are forgivable because of what He has done, bearing your sin burden on the cross.
• Have you experienced the avalanche of God’s love known as grace? Have you been fully forgiven and restored as the lost son was?

²² “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. ²³ And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, ²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

This God you serve is your loving father. No matter where you’ve been, no matter what you’ve done, no matter how filthy your sin stains, He will come running to you when you come to Him! He will forgive you. He will restore you! He will place a ring on your finger and a royal robe on your back. These symbols of authority are reserved only for the members of his household. For you!

How can you experience this forgiveness?

• Acknowledge that you’ve walked away from your Father.
• Walk away from your sin and where it has taken you.
• Step in his direction.
• Receive His mercy and grace.

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Why I Do What I Do: “Mimi”

I love our church.

My job as a pastor at New Life is pretty gratifying to begin with. It’s got its’ challenges, but as a general rule I get to do what I love to do. Sometimes I get a crystal-clear reminder of why I do what I do. This week “Mimi” was the reminder.

The precious girl in pink, seated in the middle of the stage, is “Mimi”. I have known and prayed for her since she was an infant. She has a tumor that is effecting her eyesight, among other things. The treatment includes a year-long course of Chemotherapy. This little girl is brave, but she also gets scared while undergoing treatment. I would too.

Recently I was casually chatting with Mimi’s Grandma and learned that her Chemo was preventing them from attending KidStuf. It pained my heart to hear that this little girl couldn’t come. I knew how much she loved the fun, hope and joy she experienced at KidStuf.

When I told my friends about the challenges this little girl was facing, they decided to invite her to dress rehearsal. The result is that Mimi, her sister and her Grandma got to a front-row seat to KidStuf as our special guests. Afterwards, Miss Leah, one of our phenomenal actors, presented Mimi with a gift basket including a tiara and an autographed KidStuf T-shirt. Her eyes lit up with wonder.

Finally, we gathered together and did what we do best. We prayed over this child. We prayed for healing. We called on God to bless and touch her body. We believe it will happen.

I get to be part of an amazing group of people who are lazer-focused on the mission of “Knowing God and Making God Known”. I can’t think of a better reminder of our mission than the wide-eyed wonder of a precious child. To see so many compassionate people, all pouring themselves out in love, reminds me why I do what I do.

The post Why I Do What I Do – “Mimi” appeared first on Joe Wickman.

Why Should I Study the Bible?

Lots of people ask me, “Why Should I Study the Bible?”

Great question!

Let me toss a couple of questions back to you:

• Do you want direction for your life?
• Do you want protection from sin?
• Do you want protection from temptation?
• Do you want to become like Jesus Christ?

“The One Minute Apologist” offers “Credible answers to curious questions”.

You should really check out their videos. They offer some simple resources that are incredibly straightforward and helpful.

Today they tackle the question, “Why Should I Study the Bible?”

1) “It gives us direction in life.”

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

2)  ”It protects us from sin.”

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)

3) “It protects us from temptation.”

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He used Scripture to refute Satan. (Matthew 4)

4) “It will help you to become like Jesus Christ.”

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

What about you?

• Have you ever asked the question, “Why should I study the Bible?”
• Are you living in the power of the resurrection?
• Are you becoming more like Christ?

I hope this helps you take some next steps in discovering all God has for you in His Word.

I you like this video, check out The One Minute Apologist.

• Watch all videos on their YouTube Channel

• LIKE them on Facebook

• Follow them on Twitter

• Get their podcasts on iTunes

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Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the true test of our faith.

Easter Sunday is easy. All we have to do is get the kids out of bed, get spiffed up, act nice for a couple of hours, and eat a big meal. Ok, maybe it’s not easy. But it’s a lot easier than living out a “new and living way” on a cold Monday morning.

Once the joy of celebration passes, we’re launched back into the day-to-day grind of life. The spiritual high of gathering with others to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus quickly fades. Monday hits hard. We’re confronted with all of the dreary realities of life. We don’t feel so “new.”

Questions turn into doubts as we walk away from worship services and into the week.

• How do we live out new life in Christ on Easter Monday?
• Shouldn’t I be feeling different if I’ve been made new in Christ?
• Is what I experienced yesterday real if I can’t live it out today?

All good questions.

If you had an incredible day of worship and celebration yesterday, that’s great!

Here’s how to live out new life in Christ daily.

Keep Walking.

Faith in Christ is not a sprint, it’s a long journey. There is no character in the Bible who walked around from one happy experience to the next, never experiencing frustration and failure. It’s just not realistic.

God gives us spiritual “mountaintop” experiences so that we can gain clear vision. He allows us to enter into His presence in worship, in community, in serving Him in ways that blow us away. But that’s not where we live every hour. We are given these experiences to clarify our vision and strengthen our faith. We remember them as we walk down from the mountaintop and into the valley.

I once heard a wise man say,

“We can see the clearest on the mountaintop, but all the fruit grows in the valley.”

Easter Monday offers a chance for us to walk with Christ into the mundane parts of every day life. If you do, He will infuse your day-to-day with new life.

Put Feelings in the Back Seat

I love it when my feelings reflect my faith.

But let’s face it, our feelings should not be running us. We should be running them. If our feelings are in the driver’s seat, then our faith is following them. We need to switch the order.

God is God whether the sun is shining of the rain is pouring down. If I only follow Him on sunny days, I’m going to shipwreck my faith and my life.

Scroll through these Biblical examples:

• Would the Jews have been freed if Moses only obeyed God when he wasn’t afraid?
• Would Jesus have gone to the cross if He only submitted to the Father when He felt like it?
• Would the Gospel have been spread by Paul if he quit every time he was beaten?

Maybe it’s time for you to grow up spiritually and start living in newness of life whether or not you feel like it.

Live Out New Life one Moment at a Time

This is a process. Yes, you have been made brand new. Completely.

But now you enter into, or continue, the process of discipleship. Consider Jesus’ 12 closest followers. For three years they followed him, observing and participating in his ministry. Miracles. Teaching. They had a front row seat. What happened at the end of these three years? Crisis came and they scattered. One of them betrayed him. Another denied him. They all fled.

That doesn’t have to be you. You’re way ahead of those 12 guys. Why? If you are in Christ, then you have the Holy Spirit!

So now you can move forward confidently. Take it one moment, one decision at a time. If you resolve to honor God with every move you make, you will find yourself moving in a godly direction over time. The supernatural power of new life in Christ will be fleshed out in your day to day reality.

• Your Monday through Friday will be made new.
• Your relationships will be made new.
• Your work will be made new.

It’s yours for the taking. Decide right now that you’re going to walk in the power of the resurrection moment by moment. Easter Monday is your opportunity to test-drive the promise of new life in Christ.

More Encouragement:

1. How to Have a Miserable Monday

2. Running on Empty?

3. Work is (not) a Four-Letter Word

The post Easter Monday appeared first on Joe Wickman.

“Who was Jesus?” It’s a simple question.

Poll: Who was Jesus?

Thanks for taking a second to answer. Please be honest. It’s 100% anonymous. Your answers will help me continue to shape the writing I’m doing here on the blog.

Of course, if you’re willing, feel free to voice your opinion more thoroughly in the comments.

Have a great day!

– Joe

Don’t miss my comments about the “Who was Jesus?” poll results!

Enter your email on the top of the page and I’ll send it to you.

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Dreams are Goals with Deadlines – Joe Wickman

I’m fat.

Well, I’m fatter than I want to be. I have been for some time.

Saturday I’m running a 5K. It might kill me.

I hate running. I have never run a competitive race. But I finally decided that I hate being fat worse than I hate running.

I also knew that if I didn’t make a concrete deadline, injecting motivation into my workouts, I would quit as soon as it got tough. The terrible idea of running 5,000 meters was enough to get my sorry butt out on the road. I downloaded the free Couch to 5K app on my iPhone, and off I went.

The first day of running brought a violent snowstorm. I thought, “Really?” If I hadn’t committed to a terrifying goal, I would have packed it in right then and there. But the deadline looming just weeks ahead forced me to put one fat foot in front of the other. Off I went for my first run.

You know what’s funny though? I’ve been out of shape for along time, hating every minute of it, but I haven’t done anything about it until recently. I hate being chubby, out of breath and tired. I love feeling fit and having energy to spare at the end of a day.

So why did it take me years of feeling like crud before I did something about it?

I have a bunch of excuses:

• I have 4 kids.
• My job keeps me busy.
• I’m trying to write a book.
• I love eating cheeseburgers. It’s like a hobby. (and yes, this is my favorite website)

Well, maybe that last one is just a matter of self control. But isn’t it always?

Here’s what I realized: I am the only one responsible for my own health. I have to determine that it’s important enough to improve.

But wanting to change isn’t enough.

I’ve always had the desire to be healthy. I’ve dreamed about it. But I haven’t followed through on that desire.

Do you know why?

I never set a deadline.

Deadlines are wonderful things. They force our brains to work backwards. They start at the end goal and reach back to where we currently are. From there, we can divide up our big goal into tiny, single-step increments. As we execute on each step, we eventually begin gaining ground.

Once we get under way, moving in the direction of our goals, hope begins to build. Even though we’ve only taken a step or two, we know we’re making progress.

Bottom Line: Goals are Dreams with Deadlines.

Without a deadline, a goal is just a fantasy.

I’ve been running 6 weeks now. I’ve also been doing push-ups since New Year’s Day. I haven’t lost a single pound yet. But my body is changing. My energy level is changing. I’m not sitting still.

I’m working toward a goal. After I achieve this one I’ll pick another.

• What do you dream about accomplishing?

• What has bothered you for a long time?

• Have you done anything about it?

• Maybe it’s time to make that dream a goal.

Pick a deadline and get to work.

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Books of the Bible

The books of the Bible can be confusing.

There’s 66 of them. 39 in the Old Testament, 27 in the New. That’s a lot!

And some of them just have, well, weird-sounding names.

• Habakkuk?
• Zepheniah?
• Philemon?

Sometimes I think, “My mouth can hardly pronounce them. How am I supposed to remember where they are?”

• Have you ever heard your pastor say, “Open up to 2nd Opinions, chapter 3″ and wondered, “Where the heck is that?”
• Do you get nervous every time you look up a verse?

I used to geek out about that too.

But then I learned this song.

That’s right. A song. I didn’t learn the books of the Bible by some heroic act of the will. 15 years ago I found a song that I dug. I listened to it over and over. I ended up learning the books of the Bible, in order, by accident.

Now every time I’m hunting for an odd reference, I have a song playing in my head. Sometimes I even hum it a little. Now you know.

Here’s the song that helped me learn the books of the Bible (by accident):

The Value of Learning the Books of the Bible

God’s Word is “sharper than any double-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12) But a sword doesn’t do much good if you can’t get it out of the sheath, much less swing it. At best it’s a blunt object. The more time you spend with God’s Word, the greater your comfort level will become. Take it one step at a time. You’ll pick up on the details bit by bit. Just keep picking it up.

For More Bible Help:

1. How To Start Your Day Strong

2. Why I Love this Bible App (and you should too)

3. Why I’m Reading Less of the Bible

4. How You Can Read Less of the Bible

The post How To Learn the Books of the Bible appeared first on Joe Wickman.

“A Praying Life” by Paul E. Miller

I just started reading, “A Praying Life” by Paul E. Miller.

It was recommended by a trusted mentor, so I’ve been looking forward to diving in. If the introduction and the first two chapters are any indication, I’m going to be recommending this book to a lot of friends.

Here’s a quote from chapter two that blew me away:

We keep forgetting God is a person. We don’t learn to love someone without it changing us. That is just the nature of love that reflects the heart of God. Because God’s love is unchanging, the second person of the Trinity, Jesus of Nazareth, now has a scarred body. The Trinity is different because of love.

Wow.

“God is a person.”

Not a human, like me and you. But He is a being. He is not an idea. He is not a concept. He is a person. You can’t have a relationship with an idea. But a person you can know, and you can be known by them.

“The Trinity is different because of love.”

Are you kidding me?

This profound thought penetrated my heart and mind in an instant. If there’s anything I think of when I think of God it is, “unchanging”. The theological term for it is “immutability”. Yet this God, whose character is unchanging, subjected Himself to physical change on the behalf of those he loved.

God. Changed. His love drove Him to take on the punishment that was due to me. He opened Himself up, took the blows, died and was raised. For me.

Nice opening salvo, Mr. Miller. I look forward to tracking through the rest of the book.

Want to read along? Drop the $10 and grab a copy of the book yourself. Buy it here. (I do not get a cut.)

Read Quotes from Paul Miller’s “A Praying Life”, and other great prayer resources, here:

• “How NOT to Pray” Twitter

• “How NOT to Pray” Facebook

• “How NOT to Pray” – The Book

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