One goal, one purpose, I can’t wait for March Madness

March Madness is awesome. It’s one of the greatest sports tournaments. Every year we start out with over 300 Division 1 basketball teams and in a couple of weeks we will be down to 32 then 16 then 8 then 4 then 2 and eventually a champion. It’s a fierce battle and often the most talented team doesn’t win. Anyone in sports knows it’s not always the most talented team that wins the championship.

A couple of years ago the NBA flipped when LeBron James, Dewayne Wade and Chris Bosh came together as a team, but this didn’t mean championships. You had three elite basketball players and two role players starting. There were major growing pains. In order for the team to win, somebody couldn’t be the star. You had to sacrifice for the overall goal, to win the championship.

Life requires sacrifice to accomplish goals. I absolutely love my kids and my family. In order to have a family and four kids, Hailee had to deal with four pregnancies. The ups and downs of morning sickness, all the good and the bad pregnancy brings on. She made a huge sacrifice in order for us to have the family we have today. I am extremely thankful for what she has done.

As a Christian we have to look at what is our purpose daily. Here are three different versions of the same verse, Ephesians 1:11.

In him we were also chosen having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conform. NIV

Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. NLT

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. The Message

We has a special meaning in this verse. It’s pretty distinct from a general we. This goes into the fact that now both Jews and Gentiles are untied through God’s blessings in Jesus. The word chosen in the NIV is a Greek word eklerothemen. This means to cast a lot or appoint or obtain by lot according to the Bible Knowledge Commentary. One cool thing, it’s the only time the word is used in the New Testament. Some people thought because they came from a faith background they were better set with God, this isn’t the case. God’s love was not for one group of people, it was for everyone, those who came from a faith background and those who did not.

Being in Christ allows us to be free and to have a greater purpose. I was angry and depressed even though I didn’t show it before having faith. I had trouble forgiving some of the people that treated me wrong. Through Christ, I am forgiven and I have the ability to forgive others. I can join with others in sharing this message. Every week I join together doing Campus Life with people from Assembly’s of God, Non-Denominational and Wesleyan Churches to reach people and teach about Jesus. We all come from different backgrounds but unite for one common goal and purpose, to share Jesus.

In order for a team to win they have to sacrifice. I am looking forward to this tournament and what could happen. I am extremely thankful for the sacrifice my wife made so we can have the family we have today. I also look forward to uniting with my fellow believers in Christ for the purpose of reaching more people for Christ. When you look at your life, what is your goal? What is your purpose? Maybe you need to change in order to move forward with where you feel your life is going.

Have a great day.

On a mission from God

Finding a purpose in life is difficult. You can hear stats saying over 80-90 percent of people

are in a job they don’t like. How did this happen? Why do people settle for a job they don’t want? If people spend 40-50 hours at a job they don’t like, why keep doing it? What’s the purpose? Life happens.

Life is full of mystery and a job isn’t just a job after a while. I don’t know of any kids that grow up and say I want to be in middle management or an accountant (Not that this is a bad job). Before we know it our life can be overtook. Whether it’s responsibility providing for a family, paying off student loans or a lack of direction. I think this is one of the problems I had with The Office, why would anyone watch a show about a paper company? It was tough to watch at first.  Finding a job with a purpose isn’t easy.

Since I realized I wasn’t very good at sports, I thought the next greatest thing was writing about sports. From 12-21, I did everything I could to be a sports writer. I remember writing a story, putting a ton of effort into it and it was in the paper the next day. I felt good about the story. That weekend I was hanging out with some cousins and one asked so you write anything I would have read lately? I told about the story that appeared a couple of days ago. He responded, “Oh, I read that, I didn’t realize you wrote it.” It’s funny now but disappointing at the time. I struggled with my purpose for a long time. What was my purpose? It was during this time I heard a sermon on priorities when God surprised me and called me into ministry. Purpose found. God has a purpose for all of us.

1 Corinthians 14:3…

“But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.^”

Another way this was put…

“But when you proclaim his truth in everyday speech, you’re letting others in on the truth so that they can grow and be strong and experience his presence with you.”

God’s word is beautiful. Sharing his word is a work of art. While talking about speaking in tongues in scripture he stops and says there is a greater purpose. When we use prophecy or as The Message puts it proclaiming his truth it is so much better because everyone can understand it. This proclamation includes giving people strength, encouragement and comfort. This is what God can do.

With God we can have a greater purpose. God can use us to strengthen, encourage and comfort other people. The word paramythian means consolation, it is the word used for comfort in this scripture. This is the only time the word is used in the New Testament. Whatever you do with your life, whether job, school, family or hobbies, God can use you to strengthen, encourage and comfort other people in your life. Who can you strengthen, encourage and comfort in your life today?

Have a great day.

Circumcision as an adult???

There are some areas of faith I am glad that progressed.

In the past it was the mothers whose faith you took after.

Paul ran into an issue when he met Timothy.

Timothy was a very godly man and Paul wanted him to take him on his mission trip.

There was a problem; his mother was Jewish while his father was Greek.

Why was this problem?

Circumcision.

While in the previous chapter we see where circumcision was not required for salvation (At this time a whole bunch of guys yelled Amen, jk).

Yet with Paul going and ministering to a group of Jewish people, they would always question Timothy because his mom was Jewish, but didn’t raise him in in faithful practices.

Paul had to do something in order to take Timothy with him.

Acts 16:3…

“Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was Greek.”

He had the faith of his mother and if he didn’t do this, it could severely affect their ministry.

Timothy made a huge sacrifice.

Looking up how long the process would take today, it says you aren’t able to do much for about three days and it slowly gets better but you are limited from certain activities for up to a month.

Ouch.

Timothy did that because he believed in this message and wanted to go on this trip.

It was a sacrifice.

What are some sacrifices you make your life?

Is it worth the cost?

Timothy did some amazing things in the Church and this was the start of his journey.

He did this for the gospel message and to go on this amazing trip.

I wonder where the Church would be today without this faithful person willing to make a sacrifice.

Anything worth doing is worth making sacrifices for.

Timothy went through some pain for the greater good.

What pain are you willing to go through for the greater good?

Have a great day.