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Understanding is a very important quality. It’s ability to discern, or separate. That of comprehension, critical thinking, reason, and even belief.

Also, understanding has a sincere spiritual reality. It’s something that is granted by God. Therefore, to attach simple definitions doesn’t quite do it justice.

However, I find three words that help clarify this idea of “understanding.“ Let me give you these words, and explain them.

1. Instruction
2. Perspective
3. Trust

Instruction is simply knowing what to do (and not to do). It’s having the right information. Yet, instruction only empowers, if it is acted upon. Understanding, is not merely an intellectual practice. Rather, it is a diligence of doing that which is right, and/or best.

Perspective is simply how things are seen, or perceived. Things like time, chance, and mortality. Perspective is built upon instruction. Because instruction alone isn’t full understanding. For instance, instructions doesn’t always guarantee the anticipated outcome. But with perspective, we begin gain clearer understanding of how things actually work.

Trust is simply the ability to have confidence. Trust is critical to understanding. Having instruction and perspective without trust may breed cynicism. But with trust can know that all things will work out as they should. Trust lifts us from meaninglessness, and gives us hope for doing.

In conclusion, the best I know to describe understanding would be in a formula.

Understanding = Instruction + Perspective + Trust

And by the way, here are wonderful resources to consider these words, in context:

• Proverbs (Instruction)
• Ecclesiastes (Perspective)
• Job (Trust)

Today is the opening day of IAF Conference 2020! It’s an exciting time for church around the nation to gather for Worship, Fellowship, and Training.

The theme of our Conference, “Focus,” is intended to set a precedent for the Event, and all the members of the Fellowship. But what does that mean?

My personal opinion is that focus is synonymous for the following: attention, clarity, vision.

Attention

Attention has all to do with giving notice, and being noticed. As a Conference member, I will need to do the following:

• Give/Get attention to Christ, for Christ, and His Kingdom
• Give Satan a clear declaration that he does NOT get my Focus, nor will he (my focus is The LORD)

Clarity

Clarity is about getting clear. It’s about seeing things with Percision, not distractions. When we have clarity, we get creativity, concentration, consistency, And so much more

Vision

Without this, “people perish.” It’s imperative that we are looking towards the future. Expecting God to be who he says he is in to accomplish what he has declared. in order to experience the this as reality, we must see it by faith.

Conclusion

I’m excited about this gathering. God uses these moments to project us, direct us, and ultimately prepare us for the road ahead.

It’s gonna be a great time of connecting with phenomenal people, experiencing spiritual renewal, and gaining insights for the mission at hand.

Let’s get focused!

I’ve heard habits and disciplines used interchangeably, but pondered their distinctions. After some reflection this morning, I’ve concluded the following:

Habits happen in spite of us. Disciplines develop because of us.

We all have those habits that we are not sure when we started them or why we do them. And we continue them without conscientious effort. They just happen.

Disciplines, on the other hand, require us to bring them forward, and keep them going. That is, disciplines take the combination of effort and commitment to exist.

Here some helpful questions I came up with, while thinking through the significance of knowing this concept.

1. What are the habits I must stop, because they fail to serve me?
2. What are the disciplines I want/need to develop?
3. Why do I want these changes?

Personal development is very simple.

To be better, you must get better.

To get better, you must do better.

Therefore,

When you do better, you get better.

When you get better, you become better.

So here is the hidden truth. This chain of events is built on consistency.

Leadership guru, John Maxwell, says “consistency compounds.”

Or another words, improvement creates momentum. The more you consistently do, the greater impact/return you will receive. Takes time and patience, but chained together brings significant change.

So let’s take some advice from Snapchat. Let’s start some streaks. How many days can we go, in a row, with certain habits and achievements? What change would happen in our lives if we could pull this off?

See! It’s simple. It’s just not easy. But it makes all the difference in the world. And it’s worth trying over and over until it sticks.

Let’s do better, to get better, to be better. 😊

Do you ever hesitate to do simple tasks? For whatever reason, you feel inclined to pause. Not major life decisions. Just simple things. Simple tasks on a to do list

If so, you’re being attacked. That enemy: Procrastination . It’s the single most successful productivity killer around.

It’s almost an unexplainable feeling that happens when you set out to complete tasks in your day. You tell yourself, “not now.” Or, you say, “I’ll do that later.”

Though there are appropriate times to do for an action. We deep down know that we’re not postponing the task. We’re setting ourselves up to leave it incomplete.

Do this enough times, and you will feel overwhelmed by the amount of things left undone. And worse, lacking confidence to catch up. After all, you’ll probably just “do it later.”

This will sound so stupid and simple. But hey, let’s “keep it simple stupid!“ 🤣

When procrastination hits you, call it out, and do the task anyways. Make the call you don’t want to make. Write the email you don’t feel like writing. Upload the post you didn’t want to create. Whatever it is, do it anyways!

Done enough times, you will not only build the muscle of doing, but gain the confidence of completing.

So whatever it is you’re avoiding, finish this blog, and go do “that“ thing anyways. 😉

There are moments in your life that action is not only required; it’s unavoidable. With that, comes a fear that asks, “how will I be perceived?” Put another way, “will I receive unnecessary judgment, as a result of this action?”

Do You Get Me!?

The fear of judgement is real and is a huge cause for inactivity. But why? Because we are afraid of being taken out of context. We’re afraid people will not “get us.”

It’s Always a Risk!

I love this quote by Pastor Francis Chan. He says:

Sharing the Gospel puts you at risk of being misunderstood.

As a Pastor, I completely and clearly understand what he is saying. In fact, this is a truth. Regardless of what you do, you will always be at risk of being misunderstood. Not necessarily because your wrong. But because everyone must process life through the lens of their own experience and world view.

What Should I Do!?

Because this is true, you’d do well to take confidence is who you are, live out your convictions with care and compassion for others. Accept that you don’t control people’s narratives; only your own.

You have a job to do. You have a gift to present. You have a message to share. Take courage and do well!

P.S. Avoid haters and refuse their judgment. Remember, judgment isn’t necessarily an indication that you are wrong. It may just mean that what you have is not for them.

This morning‘s reading included the passage concerning the prodigal son. For your reference, it was Luke 15:11-32.

Before reading this post, Be sure to read the passage!

Who stood out to me today was the son, who did not leave. He was angry because the father celebrated the return of the prodigal son. In his mind, he had never been celebrated with such grandness. And he stayed!

The father kindly reminds this son of two things.

First, the son has always been with the Father. And for that, all that the Father has belongs to the son.

Second, the celebration is not tied to the prodigals activities; it’s tied to his restoration. “He was once dead, but now is alive. He was once lost, but now was found.“

Here are my thoughts:

1. Expect prodigals to come home.

If the father is waiting in expectation, why would we not!? They will come to their senses, and they will return home. Expect it!

2. Root for the Prodigal.

The return is already difficult enough. There is guilt and shame. Don’t add condemnation. But prepare for celebration and Thanksgiving!

3. Remember, you are blessed for staying.

The son overlooked the blessing of being in the fathers house. The significance of never leaving. Everything that was the father’s, was the son’s, as well. Never forget that!

4. See the bigger picture.

The son was blinded by jealousy. All he could see was a grand celebration for someone, whom he deemed unworthy to receive such festivities. What he missed was the point. The celebration was never because the prodigal deserved it. It was because of the Father‘s love and mercy.

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Sidebar, I can’t help but think of this wonderful song every time I read the Parable of The Prodigal. It’s by my family, The Livingstons. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

What is your life really worth? Depends. What are we talking about? Are we talking about your bank account? Are we talking about your human worth? How about the skills and knowledge you possess?

Maybe it depends on who’s asking. How valuable our you to your spouse? Your kids? Your relatives? Your church? Your job? The list goes on and on.

Let me start by saying that you certainly have an intrinsic value by the grace of God. You are a prized possession to the Lord. Not because of who you are. But because what he did for you. Committing one self to death for another screams value! That is the sound of Calvary.

However, I want to clarify. This is meant to address the value that you possess to bring to the rest of the world. What is it? How are you valued by others?

It’s really simple. Your value is measured by what, and how much you “add” to the lives of others around you. Do you make them better? Are you someone they can rely on? Do you offer a great service? Do you add joy to their lives?

So what’s your value? It’s what you have to offer others. Identify it. Work on it. And be generous with it!

Today’s thought was inspired by our daily ready plan at church. Here’s the passage:

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 

³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 

⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 

⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42 ESV

If you are like me, you probably see a lot of yourself in Martha. There is always plenty to do and worry about. And when these things distract us, we begin to get judgmental and feel sorry for ourselves. This is a bad combination!

Regardless of what all we want to work on, or worry about. Jesus assures us that there is only one thing that is necessary. And this is revealed in Mary’s choice.

That is, she chose to be with the Master. Hearing His Teachings. Taking time to tune out all the noise around her and to focus on Him. Jesus said, “this will NOT be taken away from her.” In other words, it was not a waste of her time; it was an investment of her time.

Take this how you will. But in my opinion, we have this same choice today. We can be distracted by every thing undone around us. Or be at peace in the Master’s presence.

Jesus assures us elsewhere in scripture that worry has ZERO benefit:

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Matthew 6:27 ESV

So why do we do it? I think we do it as an attempt to be in control. If I’m worried about it, I’m being “responsible” for it. However, worry has nothing to do with responsible. It’s an unnecessary step in the process that can turn into a distraction, and a life-suck.

So do yourself a favor today. Avoid the unnecessary troubles of worry. Choose the “good portion.” Choose what will be an investment.

That is being with The Master. That IS the “only one thing that is necessary.”

I hear from a lot of people who don’t want to start things, because they’re afraid they are not good enough. They’re not “worthy” of participation.

Let me put your worry to rest. You are NOT good enough! That’s right! You’re not good enough, right now. And no one is.

You don’t have to be great to start. But you do have to start to be great.

Les Brown

Anyone you consider great has been in your shoes. The only difference is they started. And in my opinion, made the following statement an anthem.

“Make you first your worst.”

In other words, it’s ok to start off “not so great.” Just make sure every time after that is better than the last. Make sure you never fall back to, or beyond your starting point.

Get started. Stay focused. Get better.