Want wisdom? Read this.

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20
Luke 9:7-27
Psalm 72:1-20
Proverbs 12:8-9

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 12:8 (CSB) "A man is praised for his insight, but a twisted mind is despised."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our verse for the day tells us that there is a kind of man (or woman) who is highly praised by his peers. It's the person with insight.

Well, the logical question is: "How can we get this insight?"

Here's a list (not comprehensive) of 5 things that God typically uses to increase our deep understanding/wisdom:

• Praying for wisdom (James 1:5-8)
• Developing a biblical mind through daily, substantial Bible study (Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 2:2-3)
• Listening to those who are wise (Proverbs 1:5)
• Being observant of the lives and experiences of those around you or that you can read about (Proverbs 1:6; Romans 15:4)
• Going through a wide range of personal experiences and learning from them (Psalm 119:71; Luke 22:32)

While God can give us wisdom for an important decision in a moment's notice, He typically develops wisdom in us over a long period of time. Much of it happens when we put ourselves into a position to learn from Him.

So, do you want to be a man or women of insight? Then partner with God in doing the things that are most likely to increase wisdom.

Enjoying God from our youth

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23
Luke 8:40-9:6
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 12:5-7

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 71:5-6 "For you are my hope, Lord God, my confidence from my youth. I have leaned on you from birth; you took me from my mother's womb."
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The Psalmist spoke of his incredible plight. While he was now old and was praying that God would not abandon him in his weakness (God would never do such a thing!), he acknowledged that His relationship with God went all the way back to his early childhood.

I hope that you have had this experience. I hope that you have had the privilege of getting to know and enjoy your God since your childhood. If not, you can make that possible for your children. If not your children, you can work to make it possible for your grandchildren.

Being exposed to God early in life and being reared in a family when the Lord is loved and served essentially sets the tone for the rest of one's life.

Why our marriages matter

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32
Luke 8:22-39
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 12:4

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 12:4 (CSB) "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a wife who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The verse for today is from a guy's perspective. If Proverbs had been written by a woman, it would have said, "A husband of noble character is his wife's crown, but a husband who causes shame is like rottenness in her bones."

I suspect that you realize that many marriages end in divorce and many that remain intact feel like their spouses are "rottenness to (their) bones."

That is so sad especially in light of the fact that Ephesians 5:22-33 tells us that our marriages illustrate the Gospel to a lost world. Our marriages should reveal how Jesus sacrificially loves us and we trust and respect Him so much that we gladly follow his leadership.

A marriage that has any "rottenness" in it is doing harm to the Gospel!

As a follower of Jesus, we don't have the luxury of coasting in our marriage. It takes work. It takes sacrifice. It takes humility. It takes communication (talking AND listening). It takes God's Word. It takes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

All of this and more is required to have the kind of marriage that shows a lost world the Gospel. But, if we do the work as God blesses, we will come to realize that we benefit. We will come to see that our spouse will be "(our) crown." That means that it is a very powerful force within our lives to give us value and joy.

So, NEVER, EVER use the "D" word in your marriage. Divorce is simply not an option for Kim and me. I've told her that if she ever leaves me, I'm going with her.

Instead, do the hard work of marriage building. God will be glorified, the Gospel will be illustrated, and you will get the joy.

The Story Behind the Lord's Supper

Recently, I presented a 50 minute message telling the story of Jesus' final week. (I didn't plan for it to take that long but the gracious folks at Westside were staying with me.) I hit the highlights as we prepared to observe the Lord's Supper at the conclusion of the service. But, it is also extremely relevant as we approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

One way to lighten your mood

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22
Luke 8:4-21
Psalm 69:19-36
Proverbs 12:2-3

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 69:30 "I will praise God's name with song and exalt him with thanksgiving."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Life can get tough. Sometimes, it can seem as if it will swallow you alive.

Financial burdens. Stresses at work. Relationship problems in the family. Church discord. On and on this list could go.

If we aren't careful, we will settle into a low-grade discouragement.

So, how do we work to lift our mood? If we are waiting on our feelings to lead the way, we will almost certainly never feel like doing it. We've got to defeat the problem in our mind and let our emotions follow behind.

Our verse for today gives us exactly the kind of actions that will lift our mood.

Psalm 69:30 "I will praise God's name with song and exalt him with thanksgiving."

"I will" - It's an act of the will. You simply chose to do what you may not feel like doing - but do it anyway.

"praise God's name" - That means that you are reflecting on His character and speaking of how wonderful He is.

"with song" - God has made us musical creatures. We generally love music. Our culture has been blessed with so many songs of praise - so pick one and sing it. And sing it from your heart.

"exalt Him" - That means that you are lifting Him up. Now, let's be clear, God is already highly exalted. Nothing we do can "lift him up." But, too often, He is not highly exalted in our minds. We don't acknowledge His greatness. So, we need to acknowledge it and recognize that He is sovereingly reigning over all things. He's got it under control.

"with thanksgiving" - Just Google the relationship between a grateful heart and a happy heart. Studies show that these two go hand in hand. You want to be happy? Learn to be thankful.

God isn't shown to be the wonderful God that He is when His followers are walking around with an upside down smile. But, we don't want fake, plastered smiles either. Praise the Lord and exalt Him with a grateful heart and the smiles will naturally follow.

Are you stupid?

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20
Luke 7:36-8:3
Psalm 69:1-18
Proverbs 12:1

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 12:1 (CSB) "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

While we will agree with the truth of this Proverb, we realize all too well that getting disciplined or corrected isn't pleasant. We don't like it when someone else sees one of our weaknesses and points it out.

That's our sinful heart, pure and simple. It's pride.

As difficult as it is to receive discipline and correction, the only way we can learn and grow to be what we need to be is to have folks who are unafraid to tell us the honest truth. They tell us what they see and they love us enough to confront us. At least then we will know what areas to work on.

We need people that will be honest with us. And we need humble hearts to receive the correction.

Are you open to discipline and correction? If so, good for you! If not, according to the Bible, you're stupid.

So, which one is it?

God's affirmation when I doubt

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25
Luke 7:11-35
Psalm 68:19-35
Proverbs 11:29-31

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 7:28 "I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Have you ever had some doubts about your faith? I mean some serious doubts? Like, does God really exist? Or, does trusting Jesus really save me? Or, is the Bible really trustworthy?

Sometimes, if we have these doubts, we may keep them securely tucked away in the corners of our mind. We wouldn't dare let others know. Why? Because "good Christians" don't ever have such doubts ... or so we think.

In Luke 7, we read that John the Baptist sent word by way of his disciples to Jesus to ask if He was truly the Messiah. In Matthew 11:2-3, we come to understand that this happened while he was in prison.

"Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples and asked him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'" (Matthew 11:2-3)

So, John has been imprisoned. He had previously been telling people that the Messiah was coming and that Jesus was the Messiah. And like in Matthew, we read in Luke 7 that he's having some serious doubts.

We might not be surprised if Jesus responded by saying something like, "Oh, you of little faith." Or, "How in the world can you doubt Me when you were recently telling others that I was "the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world"?

But, Jesus doesn't do that. He knows that John is discouraged and confused as he sits in a prison cell. He's wanting confirmation that his beliefs are not misplaced. And he brings his questions to Jesus.

What does Jesus do? He reminds John the Baptist of who He is and what He has done (Luke 7:21-23). This evidence would bolster John's faith.

Further, as John's disciples were leaving to bring these words back to their imprisoned teacher, Jesus lavished praise on John the Baptist, probably so that the disciples of John could hear these words and encourage their teacher (Luke 7:24-28).

"I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John..." (Luke 7:28)

This is an important truth, friend. Are you going to have doubts from time to time? Sure. But, an even more important question is, 'What does God think of our doubts if we are genuinely on a pursuit of truth?'

All we need do is look at how Jesus responded to the doubting, discouraged John the Baptist. Jesus didn't rebuke him. Instead, He provided him with some answers and evidence and then He encouraged him.

Friend, don't ever let Satan cause you to wallow in defeat when you struggle with some aspect of your faith. He would love for nothing more than to convince you that you have disappointed your God. Nothing could be further from the truth! God will compassionately meet you where you are at and help you during that time. 

I think we really need to reflect on how much our God loves us even when we don't feel lovable!

Becoming like Jesus

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 6:40 "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

So, when we repent of our sins and self-rule and trust in Jesus to save us, what is our goal? Simply put, to become more like Jesus.

That's where the verse for today comes in. Our desire should be to be "fully trained" so that we can "be like (our) teacher."

How can we become like Him? We've got to spend time in the Bible - plenty of time. We've got to not only read it but study it. We've got to ask God's Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds so that we can see the truths He wants to reveal to us. And then, we must have an ongoing commitment to make whatever adjustment to conform our thinking and behavior to Scripture.

If we are truly saved and are following Him, this isn't an option. It is what we were called to do.

Are you spending daily time in God's Word?
Are you studying it and depending upon God's Holy Spirit?
Are you making the adjustments to your thinking and behavior?

Be happy when you are mistreated

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Luke 6:12-38
Psalm 67:1-7
Proverbs 11:27

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note ​— ​your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

We like to be liked, don't we? We like it when others say kind things about us.

But, it can feel like a dagger has been thrust into our spirit when we hear that someone is slandering us. The last thing we feel like doing when we hear such reports is to "rejoice" and "leap for joy." Yet, Jesus has told us to do this.

But, there are a couple of qualifiers:

First, the bad things said about us must be "because of the Son of Man." That simply means that if we are to rejoice when bad things are said about us or done to us, it needs to be because of the seriousness with which we take our life with Jesus. 

Maybe we are slandered for refusing to watch a movie with our friends that has content that the Lord says is wrong.
Maybe we are slandered for leaving the conversation of a group that is telling dirty jokes.
Maybe we are slandered for standing up for the truths of the Bible in an academic setting.

Being treated badly and slandered is a cause for joy ONLY if it is "because of the Son of Man."

Second, our joy comes from the fact that "(our) reward is great in Heaven." In other words, the Lord is taking note and will reward us when we arrive at our heavenly home.

Within the human heart is a longing for justice. Often, we may feel as if life isn't fair. Well, friend, that longing for justice was put in our hearts by God. And justice will be done on the Day of Judgment. When the Lord sees us treated unjustly, He will make it right when we stand before Him. He will reward us for those times that we were unfairly treated.

So, follow Jesus with reckless abandon. If others slander you or mistreat you for your walk with the Lord, an act of injustice. That just means that you will be rewarded all the more when you stand before Jesus.

Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note ​— ​your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets."

One reason why repentance is so important

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 36:1 - Deuteronomy 1:46
Luke 5:29-6:11
Psalm 66:1-20
Proverbs 11:24-26

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 66:18-19 (CSB) "If I had been aware of malice in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. However, God has listened; he has paid attention to the sound of my prayer."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

One of the truths that we believe about God is His omnipresence. That means that He is completely everywhere at all times. The Psalmist acknowledged this attribute of God in Psalm 139:7-12.

In believing this about our God, we also come to some other logical conclusions, one of which is that since God is everywhere, He hears everything that is said. There is no place, even in the deepest, darkest parts of the universe, that someone can whisper a word that God doesn't hear it.

Yet, in our verses for today, we are told that there is a scenario in which we can speak and God won't listen. Notice that it doesn't say that He doesn't hear our prayer - it's just that He's not listening. He hears the words but He's not going to do anything about it.

What would cause Him to ignore our prayers? The awareness of unconfessed sin!

If we desire to have a prayer life in which God hears and answers, one of the stipulations is that we stay "confessed up." When we sin, we run to the cross, fall on our knees, and repent (admit our sin and resolve to not do it again).

I'm definitely a work in progress. I definitely have sin struggles but I also desire to stay "confessed up." As a result, God periodically answers my prayers.

A couple of days ago, my oldest son showed obvious signs of fatigue. Between school, his obligations to the high school band and academic team, his part-time job at Wendy's, and a few other things, he's burning the candle at both ends. Yesterday, before he drove to work, I prayed with him. I asked that if God desired it, that business would be slow and he could come home early. (That rarely ever happens.) He was supposed to work until 10PM but he walked in the door at 8:30PM. When I said, "Zach, this is what we prayed for!", he smiled because he knew that God had answered our prayer.

If you want God to hear and answer your prayers, you don't need to be perfect. If that were the standard, no one would ever receive an answer to prayer. You just need to be pursuing holiness and staying "confessed up."

If you haven't been praying as you ought, why not renew your passion to pray to the God who listens and answers.

Psalm 66:18-19 (CSB) "If I had been aware of malice in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. However, God has listened; he has paid attention to the sound of my prayer."

God is listening. Are you praying?

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 65:2 (CSB) "All humanity will come to you, the one who hears prayers."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

When we think of prayer, we may tend to think of only our responsibility. We realize that the Bible commands us to pray and we are riddled with guilt because we aren't praying as much as we know we should.

Well, if we only think of our responsibility, the practice of prayer will become lifeless. It will be stripped of it's sense of awe. Ultimately, we will not find it easy to have a powerful prayer life.

But, our verse for today reminds us that all humanity will come to God (in prayer) because He is "the one who hears prayers."

That's beautiful, isn't it? God hears our prayers! He's listening!

In fact, in the book of Revelation, we see something else that is incredible. Through the Apostle John's eyes, we are able to sit in on a Heavenly worship service. Jesus takes the scroll and a worship service erupts!

But, notice what the twenty-four elders are carrying as they participate in the worship service ...

Revelation 5:8 (CSB) "When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

Did you get that?! The sweet aroma from the incense in the Heavenly worship service is ... OUR PRAYERS! God places such high value on our prayers that He uses them to create a fragrant aroma in Heaven!

So, do you know what we need to be doing today? Praying! Let's spend time on our knees, talking to "the one who hears prayers."

Denying self - following Jesus

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 32:1-33:39
Luke 4:31-5:11
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 11:22

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 5:11 (CSB) "Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him (Jesus)."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The verse for today is a beautiful and powerful word picture.

For those involved in the original story, it meant that they gave up their fishing aspirations. They gave up what they knew and what they had planned to do the rest of their lives. They gave it up because they couldn't be fishermen and follow Jesus at the same time, so they gave up fishing and followed Jesus.

For us, it is a clear reminder of what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus. To fully follow Jesus, it means that we give up good things in order to gain better things.

Luke 9:23 (CSB) "Then he said to them all, 'If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.'"

Did you get that? Jesus said that if we are to follow him, we must do as the disciples did. We must abandon things. 

What specifically must we abandon? Self! In order to follow Jesus, we must regularly say 'no' to any desire that we have that does not originate in a desire to follow and glorify Jesus.

But, in so doing, we will find the greatest joy. It doesn't mean that life will be easier. It simply means that we will be living a life of eternal significance and developing greater fellowship with the God who loves us.

Someone who regularly denies themselves, submits to Christ's authority, and follows Him realizes that there is incredible joy in doing so. 

Are you following Jesus?

Enjoying God

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 30:1-31:54
Luke 4:1-30
Psalm 63:1-11
Proverbs 11:20-21

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 63:1 (CSB) "God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalms is a book filled with emotion. The authors express negative emotions such as their frustration that arise from doubts, bears, anxieties, and unanswered questions.

But, the biblical authors are just as likely to express positive emotions such as love, passion, joy, and so much more.

In our verse for the day, we see the Psalmist filled with joy and passion. He realizes that his God has always meant for us to enjoy Him. And the Psalmist is painting a very powerful word picture to express just how much he wants to experience and enjoy his God.

Psalm 63:1 (CSB) "God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water."

It's almost like the Psalmist is a child desperately wanting to barge into a candy shop to satisfy his craving.

This may be a good time to do a little self-reflection. Are you currently enjoying your God? If not, have you experienced Him so powerfully that He is your all-consuming desire? Do you at least want to enjoy Him?

Even though there are aspects of religion to Christianity, it is a relationship at its core. God wants you to enjoy Him.

Why not spend some time today asking God to do whatever He must in your life to get you to a place where you can enjoy Him?

Pour out your heart to God

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 28:16-29:40
Luke 3:23-38
Psalm 62:1-12
Proverbs 11:18-19

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 62:8 (CSB) "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

As a young Christian, I believed a lie about my prayer life. I thought that 'mature' prayers focused on others. It was the prayer of an immature Christian that focused on themselves. 

Or, so I thought.

When I went off to college, I spiraled into a serious time of discouragement - depression, really. And as I tried to work my way through that difficult time, I wanted desperately to feel loved and accepted by God. 

Yet, He felt a million miles away. When God's Word told me that Jesus called me His friend (John 15:15), it felt like that truth applied to everyone else except me.

... and then I re-read the book of Psalms!

The book of Psalms provided a powerful paradigm shift for me. I saw the Psalmist being completely real about his questions. I saw him opening up his heart to the Lord and not holding anything back. I realized that the Psalmist said things that I wouldn't have dared say in my own prayers because they sounded too harsh or even disrespectful.

... and yet He basked in God's love for Him.

And then it hit me! God knows my heart anyway. So, why not tell Him everything! Why not follow the Psalmist's example and be completely open and honest about what's going on in the privacy of my heart. Tell Him of my fears, my questions, my concerns, my doubts.

Or, as the Psalmist said in today's verse: "pour out your hearts before him."

One reason we are rarely completely honest with our family and friends is because we fear that we will be rejected. They will hear what is going on inside of us and then pull away from us.

So, we don't pour out our hearts. We keep it private and hidden wishing we could be accepted in light of who we truly are, struggles and all.

But, in prayer, God WANTS us to "pour out (our) hearts." He won't pull away. In fact, as we "pour out (our) hearts," we realize that He will forever remain "our refuge." 

Be honest with the Lord. Tell Him everything that is going on inside of you. Realize that He knows it already ... and still loves you more than you could ever possibly imagine. If you are His child, there is absolutely nothing you can do that would cause Him to love you any less.

So, be honest with Him in your prayers - as honest as the Psalmist was. And then bask in the fact that as you are becoming more like Jesus as the years pass by, you are dearly loved by your Heavenly Father through it all.

On wings and spiritual things

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 26:52-28:15
Luke 3:1-22
Psalm 61:1-8
Proverbs 11:16-17

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

"I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:4 - CSB)

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

King David was belittled when he was young. When the prophet Samuel showed up to anoint the next king of Israel, David's own father expressed doubt that his shepherd-boy son could possibly be the next king. When David was sent by his father to check on his brothers in the Israelite army, he was ridiculed by his own brothers when he said someone should go out to defeat Goliath.

But, we know what happened to Goliath. We also know how David courageously expanded the Israelite nation and its influence through military exploits. He proved that his trust in his God enabled him to experience victory after valiant victory.

However, in the recesses of his heart, David struggled just like the rest of us do. He had his moments of doubt. He felt the pangs of injustice. He periodically wondered why God seemed like He was a million miles away. (Just read the Psalms. David poured his heart out often and we get to see that he was much like us.)

That being the case, David needed a place of safety - just like us. He needed place where he could feel secure, a place where he could run when things got out of control - just like us.

Well, he found that place. Listen to what he wrote:

"I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:4 - CSB)

The "tent" was the tabernacle, the place where God met with His people. It was the place of worship. David realized that ultimately this was his place of shelter. He wasn't running to a massive, rock fortress. He was running to a tent because that was the place where His God resided.

But, he didn't just run to the tent. He ran into the tent (metaphorically speaking) and took "refuge under the shelter of (God's) wings." Just like a baby bird finds comfort from the storm under its mother's wings, so David found comfort under the protective care of his God's 'wings.' He realized that nothing could happen to him unless it got past God first. So, in that, he found comfort.

So, friend, when life gets chaotic where do you run? Where is your hiding place? If, to find comfort and make sense of it all, you run to anything but God, then that 'thing' you run to is your 'god.' 

Why not determine to develop your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Spend time listening to Him in His Word and speaking with Him in prayer. Consciously look for Him in the moments of your days. Let that relationship become so real that it becomes a natural reflex to run to Him when life gets tough.

You'll be glad you did.

4 areas in which you need to grow

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 26:1-51
Luke 2:36-52
Psalm 60:1-12
Proverbs 11:15

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 2:52 (CSB) "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

It is interesting that Luke, a doctor, is the one who mentions how Jesus grew. It would seem that doctors, who are interested in health, would focus on such things.

But, Luke doesn't simply make a general statement about Jesus' health. He is specific and gives us the four areas in which Jesus grew:

• "wisdom" (mental)
• "stature" (physical)
• "favor with God" (spiritual)
• "favor with man" (social)

Fantastic! We've now got a list of the areas in which Jesus grew. This is transferable! We can use the same list to focus on our own growth.

So, let me ask some questions to get us focused on growth in these areas:

Mental

What are you doing to grow your mind? What books are you reading in order to learn? Is there a new skill you need to learn?

If there was one thing that you could learn that would have a profound, immediate impact on your life, what would it be? Why not consider reading up on that or visiting with someone who can help you.

Physical

What are you doing to take care of your body (God's temple - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)? What are you doing to take care of your body so that it can remain healthy? Are you eating the right kinds of foods and only the amount that you need? Are you exercising? Do you have regular check-ups?

What new habit could you develop that would have an immediate, positive impact on your health?

Spiritual

How are things between you and Jesus? Are you submitting to His authority over your life? Are you reading and obeying His Word (not just the parts you agree with)? Are you regularly repenting of sins and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing? Is there something that Scripture commands that you need to begin doing (or stop doing)?

Social

Are you pleasant to be around? Do people tend to trust you and hang around you? When you meet someone, do you spend more time listening or talking? Do you value each person you meet and see them as someone created in the image of God? Are their some social skills that you need to brush up on?

I have only provided a few questions for each area and they may not be the right ones for you. But, they will get you started. Just make sure that you are progressing toward health in each of the four areas in which Jesus grew: mental, physical, spiritual, and social.

Pastors Essentials Seminar

I got back home a few hours ago after an incredible time at a Pastors Essentials training conference. I wanted to recount a few of the highlights while they are fresh on my mind.

Last year, Todd Gray asked if I wanted to attend a conference that would help hone some specific pastoral skills and I said, "Yes!" He then sent my name to Lifeway. The nineteen other senior pastors that attended this 3-day training opportunity with me had also been recommended by someone with contacts at Lifeway.

Four months ago on November 15, I received 4 books. Included was a letter saying that to prepare for the seminar, I needed to read each book and be familiar with its content. Receiving those books was extremely exciting to me for at least two reasons: 

1) I had just received four FREE books! It was like Christmas a month early! 

2) I had originally questioned how intentional and beneficial this seminar would be ... until I got the books with instructions to read them before showing up. It felt like a Doctor of Ministry course. It was going to be intentional and intensive and I LOVED it!

As I read the books and continued to receive correspondence over the next few months, it became clear that this seminar was about how to make disciples. Yet, it wasn't going to be superficial. Twenty senior pastors were going to go deep into the subject defining exactly what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, how to make Jesus-followers in a church context, what leadership skills are necessary to achieve those goals and so much more.

Dan Garland teaching about discipleship

A couple of days ago, on Monday, I showed up just before 1 PM at the Lifeway Plaza in Nashville. We were met by Dan Garland who was the one (I think) who "birthed" the Pastors Essentials seminars. He is the Director of Pastoral Ministries and Church Consulting at Lifeway with more than 22 years of Senior Pastor experience. It was quickly apparent that his heart was for pastors and to help them improve in the area of leadership and making Jesus-followers. I realized that I was in for a fun ride!

We had another speaker that afternoon (Mark Dance) and we finished around 5 PM. After that, we were loaded up in a couple of vans and taken to The Loveless Cafe for supper. It was incredibly delicious! It also provided a great time for the members of our group to get to know each other. (It was incredibly generous of Lifeway to cover our hotel costs and take care of all of our meals. It was essentially an all-expenses-paid event.)

Allan Taylor teaching on Sunday School and leadership

The next morning (Tuesday), we were back in the room for our second day of training at 8 AM. Dan Garland started us off and then Allan Taylor took over. Allan is the director over the Sunday School department at Lifeway (I think I'm right on this). I prepared for what I thought would be a boring, hour-long talk. Boy, was I wrong! Allan provided a lecture that lasted for well over a hour. From what I could tell, it looked like everyone wished that he could have kept going. He provided some incredible information, provided insightful and personal illustrations, and made us wish he was on staff with us. 

We grabbed some food in the Lifeway Cafe and came back to the lecture room to eat. During lunch, Doug Akers provided some great insights on how to gather and interpret data on a church and the community in which it resides. Originally, I thought this might be a boring segment, too. But, once again, I was wrong. Doug made the numbers come alive as we saw how to learn from them so that we could be prepared to make better leadership decisions.

Then, we embarked on a four hour segment that felt like we were trying to drink water out of a fire hydrant. Some Lifeway leaders led in lectures on strategies to disciple children, youth, and adults. We were also made aware of a multitude of resources that we could utilize to help people grow as Jesus-followers and disciple-makers. 

Went with 4 books (that they gave me) and came back with more!
Pastoring is essentially a call to study.

One of the benefits of attending a training seminar at our denomination's publishing company is the fact that we were given a box full of books. As the seminars progressed, more and more books and resource material were placed on our tables to take home and enjoy. It was like Christmas in March!

At 4:45 PM, the lectures finished for the day. As I looked around the room, all of us looked brain-dead. It was good stuff but we were overwhelmed. But, the day wasn't over. We hopped back into the vans again and were whisked off to The Spaghetti Factory about a half mile away in downtown Nashville. Once again, it was a great time to enjoy some delicious food and the company of the men who had the same calling upon their life as I did.

Eric Geiger teaching on leadership

On our final morning together (Wednesday), we showed up to the lecture room at 8 AM. After Dan spent a few moments with us, he turned it over to Eric Geiger who spoke to us for about an hour. He is one of the Vice Presidents of Lifeway, wrote three of the four books we were required to read before showing up to this seminar, and gave an incredible lecture on leadership. As he spoke, it became obvious that much of what he was saying had been included in his book "Designed to Lead." I plan to re-read that book.

Philip Cooper giving a presentation as our time together came to an end

We concluded our time together with a leadership strategy project and presentation. It was fun to finish up our time together in this way.

The guy standing in the picture to the right is Philip Cooper. When I saw him on Monday, I thought he looked familiar. But, I couldn't place where I had seen him. As we talked during supper, I discovered that he had attended Mid-America Seminary in Memphis when I did and had graduated the year before I married Kim. It was great reliving some memories from our time at that seminary 20 years ago and what God has done since then.

To conclude, I am incredibly grateful to Lifeway for making this trip possible for pastors. Some guys would have never been able to financial swing it (or justify it) if Lifeway charged what this conference was worth. It is incredibly generous of the leadership in Lifeway to make training trips like this possible.

My pride at being a Southern Baptist only increased as a result of this trip. While we've got our squabbles and disagreements, we've also got an incredible organization that is doing a wonderful job. As I visited NAMB headquarters last year in Alpharetta, Georgia and then as I visited Lifeway this year, I am amazed at how much our denomination does for the Kingdom. May God continue to bless us as we honor Him and seek to spread the fame of His name.

Here's the Pastors Essentials team with Dan Garland in the center (brown jacket)