Called to be Uncomfortable

When God calls us to something, we have to understand that it’s not always a place of comfort, it’s often times opposite of that, it’s very uncomfortable.  Just look at the Bible and you will understand this more deeply.  Almost, every single person God used, was called from a place of comfort to discomfort in order to grow His kingdom.

Following up on Andy’s message yesterday, Pride can lead us to believe that God would only call us as Christians to have it easy

-to always have enough financially

-to have all the material things we want

-to only be around like minded believers

-to only have our faith, and not have to get in an uncomfortable situation where we must share it with others

-to be where we want to be at all times

Some of this can go hand in hand with God disciplining us like a Father should His child.  Some of it could be very big happenings in life (job change, move, relational), some very small (taking an opportunity to pray with someone, joining a bible study, serving more at church).  No matter what, when you recognize you have been called to a place of discomfort thank God that He is using you, disciplining you, talking directly to you, drawing you closer to Him, trusting you….and the hard part ACT ON IT! Be bold, be courageous, be a MAN IN THE TRENCHES FOR THE KINGDOM! Jesus was called to a place of total discomfort and he did it all for us so unselfishly.  Nobody on this message is Jesus, and nobody will be called to die on a cross….put it all in perspective and understand that God wants us to be uncomfortable at times, because it’s His way of using us to Grow His Kingdom.  PLAY THE MAN!

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

DLP

The Catlayst of Sin

Good morning, men!

This previous Sunday, I was able to sit in the main gathering at our building for the first time in quite a while. Due to family circumstances, and Sunday youth teaching obligations, I had missed 3 consecutive Sunday’s. First of all, let me say that just sitting there, between my wife and some good friends of ours was refreshing. Men, if you don’t attend regularly, find a place to plug in!

Secondly, the sermon itself got me thinking. At one point, Jared said something along the line of “pride is the catalyst of all sin.” I am paraphrasing, but think about that for a minute. Put it to the test. Think back to the last time you messed up. Where was pride in all of that?

I immediately thought back to the previous day. We were in Memphis, the schedule wasn’t going as planned, I felt like my wife wasn’t helping with navigating or decision making, and the whole thing was just taking too long. I was hungry, tired, and wanted to get home to my couch. Pride. My situation matters more than those around me. So, I became cranky, short, and basically awful to Sarah. We spent the only full day we had between two business trips to Dallas not fully connected, and it was on me.

My challenge this morning is to examine your life for places where pride opens a door for sin to creep in. Does pride make you lazy (yes that can happen), does it make you create idols (think money, cars, clothes), does it make you angry (guilty more than I can imagine)? We all suffer from this, so when you take this mind set, don’t beat yourself up. Remember that Jesus died on the cross for that exact pride that hinders you and loves you despite it. Find a way to identify pride when it creeps in and put others before you, just as Jesus did.

Have a blessed day, men!

M.I.T.T. ~ Runyan

Picking up the Cross

Good morning men. This past Sunday at church we had a great sermon that talked about what happens when we follow Jesus. 

The road gets rough. 

Wait, what? Yup. Jesus never promised it would be easy. However, he did promise that it would be difficult 

2 Timothy 3:12 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 

The world leaves alone those who do not follow Jesus and life is easy. But what does Christ say about being persecuted? 

Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 

As brother Gary stated on Sunday, you will join the ranks of Paul, Daniel, Joseph and so many others. Your reward will be great in heaven. We are here for the long haul men. This world is just a short term stop for followers of Christ. Have a blessed day men and know that when it gets rough, you are truly blessed. Rejoice! 
M.I.T.T.

Let’s talk about faith

“We became Christians by faith in Jesus, we stay Christians by faith in Jesus, and we grow as Christians by faith in Jesus.” -J.C. Ryle

Where does our faith come from?

• God calls & sends his people to preach the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ
• Faith comes from hearing the word of Christ

Romans 10:14-17: 14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

What is faith?
From the Christian Research Institute:
(http://www.equip.org/bible_answers/what-is-the-biblical-definition-of-faith/) :  “First, the Bible defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Thus, in biblical vernacular, faith is a channel of living trust—an assurance—that stretches from man to God. In other words, it is the object of faith that renders faith faithful.

Furthermore, faith is the assurance that God’s promises will never fail, even if sometimes we do not experience their fulfillment in our mortal existence. Hebrews 11 underscores the fact that we trust God to fulfill his promises for the future (the unseen) based on what he has already fulfilled in the past. Thus, our faith is not blind, but based squarely on God’s proven faithfulness.”

Hebrews 11:1-3: 1Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for. 3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Living and standing in faith – Trusting in who Christ is and living in Him and for Him through the power of the Holy Spirit

1 Peter 1:6-9: 6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Romans 5:1-4: 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^a have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^b boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we^c also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Colossians 2:6-13: 6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Men in the trenches, our God is faithful even when we are not. The object of one’s faith is what matters most, not the faith itself;  It is not about who has faith, or how much faith we have, but WHO we place our faith in.

Lamentations 3:22-23: 22The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Using God’s Words

Isaiah 59:21

21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.

Good morning. Pastors, this verse should make you feel prepared for not only every single you give, but every word you speak at a hospital, at a funeral, at a wedding, in a counseling session or any other situation in not listing. 

This should comfort all of us, not just our brothers who are pastors. He speaks of the words He puts in our mouths. I can tell you that I have been in situations where my words were guided by God. I were coming out of my mouth, but they were His words. I’m sure many of you have experienced that, as well. 

To me, the best part about today’s verse is that there is no pressure on us to have the perfect words in any given situation. God says this is His covenant. Your part is to use it. 

Have a great week in the trenches. Be exceptional at being you. 

Love,

Yancey

Stand Firm and Be Strong … In Your Grace

1 Corinthians 16:13

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Ephesians 4:7

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Good Morning!

Yesterday’s message really struck a cord with me. I’m around kids every day that do love money, that do only love themselves (likely because no one at home has taught them about love nor have they shown them much), they commonly use the Lord’s name in vain and so on. 

These verses came up and they were perfect.  We are all going to come into contact with the people who feel like they are entitled to those actions because they think God doesn’t exist or He hasn’t done anything for them. That happens regularly to me. 

When you encounter this, remember these people aren’t mad at you. They are mad at the world. I encourage you to remember what Jesus said about the people mistreating him while he was hanging from the cross, dying and in excruciating pain. He said to forgive them for they know not what they do. I don’t know that I would have had that kind of grace in that situation. 

We have to stand firm and be strong in our faith. We also have to stand firm and be strong in our grace. Many times an act of grace will remain with someone a lot longer than a continuation of what they’re normally used to. It will be good for you, as well because the likelihood of regret following an action is a lot lower when grace is used. 

Please notice I didn’t say give in. Stand firm and stand strong in your faith knowing you must also stand firm and stand strong in your grace. 

Have a great Saturday in the trenches and be exceptional at being you. 

Love,

Yancey

Family Friday 9/15: Lovers of Themselves

Good morning, men!

Last night I was reading through 2 Timothy, a book written by Paul as he was nearing his death in Rome (beheading by the emperor Nero). 

In Chapter 3, Paul warns Timothy of “perilous times” to come, filled with men who:

* love themselves

* love money

* boast / are full of pride

* disobey their parents

* are unthankful

* are unloving

* lack self-control

Many of us have children. When I read this passage, two things happened. I thought about people in our society today (who are glorified) that exude these characteristcs. I purposefully didn’t include an image, as to not influence your brain, but I am sure those descriptors brought some faces to mind for all of us.

Secondly, I thought of my boys. We all fail. No one can raise perfect children. But I do know this…..if I sit passively by, as a father, and allow the world to develop these things in the hearts of my children, I am failing them as their dad.

Last night at dinner, a guy who works for my company and I talked about how we discipline our kids. Both of us share a similar philosophy, and admit that as young parents, we have absolutely nothing “figured out.” What made the conversation so refereshing was listening to another young dad who was willing to stand his ground, have standards, and be willing to dig in and fight for the heart of his daughter.

Paul’s almost 2000 year old warning to Timothy still rings true today. Beware of those who serve themselves and fail to glorify God. As leaders and fathers, it is our calling to make sure those we influence have a clear understanding of how these traps serve only our selfish desires and not a loving Creator.

Have a blessed day, men!

M.I.T.T. ~ Runyan

I Just Need To Do This

I was very proud this last Sunday, my wife had made the decision to be baptized full submersion, at an event where there were over 100 people and I would estimate roughly 30 baptisms.  As the preparations were taking place, my 8 year old son Andre, looked up at me and said “Dad, I’m doing it too”, and I replied “Why? What does it mean to you Andre?” His answer “it means new life!”

Andre has a heart for God, and there really is no question about it.  He isn’t afraid to share it.  In fact, last night he was reading the Bible to about 5 kids or so that he plays with.  They were blairing Mercy Me and Big Daddy Weave while reading the Bible to one another.  I promise you I never did that as a child.

But, one thing Andre said as he waded into the water this last Sunday really stood out.  The Pastor asked him if he had anything to share and why he had made this decision, and Andre said “I just need to do this.”

My son is right, we just need to do this! Baptism is one thing, but his evangelical heart to share God with others and not be afraid of a public display of his faith in God is also so important….I’m not telling everyone go out today and get baptized (though it is something to pray about and consider) what I’m saying is when Andre said “I just need to do this” it perfectly aligned for me with what the Pastor at our church had said that morning in church that hit me in the heart.  “if you had the cure for cancer, wouldn’t you be eager to share it with everyone!”

Well, men, you have something better than that, you have the Doctor of all things, the King of Kings, the maker, the Great I am, and in this faith you have the hope that only a believer can see, the hope of eternal life!  Share it with all!

WE JUST NEED TO DO THIS

“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

M.I.T.T.

dlp

What Prayer Is

Good morning, men!

Today I want us to look at the purpose of prayer. I feel as if many people in our country see prayer as a preventative measure…..almost like a pill you take every day to keep a horrible disease away. “If I pray hard enough, maybe my kids will be healthy…hopefully I won’t get laid off…..I think my marriage may have a chance.”

First of all, let me say that there is nothing wrong with asking God to protect those around you from strife or to bless the people you love. However, if that becomes the PRIMARY REASON for prayer…..we are missing out!

Prayer offers us the opportunity to have an open and honest conversation with a benevolent and all-knowing Creator. I remember having my socks blown off two years ago when I heard a pastor talk about being openly angry with God. 

The ability to converse with our Father also gives us space to go to Him when life doesn’t turn out the way we want it to. I heard it said the other day, “The main purpose of prayer isn’t to prevent the storm…….it’s to get us through it when it hits.”

This morning, I want to challenge us ALL to do two things:

1. Go to the Lord today in conversation, not as a prevent defense (Texas A&M showed us how poorly those work against UCLA, anyway).

2. Find time in your prayer life to just be quiet and listen. Leave space for the conversation to be two sided.

I hope all of you are safe and well, in light of the recent weather. Have a blessed day, men!

M.I.T.T. ~ Runyan