“Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.”
Matthew 6:33 (NCV) If you want to live a truly balanced life, you can only look at one person in all of history as your model: Jesus. When you put him at the center of your life, your life will be more balanced. Think of your life like a wheel. The center of the wheel is a hub. All of the spokes of your life (which represent your relationships, your family, your career, your goals, and so on) come from that hub. We all build our lives around some sort of hub. The question is, what will be your hub? Will it be your family? Will it be your career? Will it be money? Or will it be Jesus? How do you know what you’re building your life around? Take a look at whatever you think about the most. That’s what is driving you. The center of your life is critical to developing a balanced life. A solid center leads to a solid life. A weak, flimsy center leads to a weak life. When people tell me their lives are coming unglued, it usually means one thing: They have a faulty center. Something other than God has taken priority in their lives. Not only does the hub create stability, but it also controls and influences everything else about your life. Whatever you put at the center of your life will also be your source of power. The power of a wheel always emanates from the center outward—never the other way around. Make Jesus the hub of your life, and he’ll provide the stability, control, and power you need. The Bible says, “Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well” (Matthew 6:33 NCV). When you choose to put Jesus at the center, all the other areas of your life—from your family to your career to your goals—will find balance in him. He will direct your life, empower it, and give it stability.
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“You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”
Mark 12:30 (NLT) One way to look at today’s verse is to focus on loving God with all your talk, all your feelings, all your thinking, and all your behavior. God shaped you to be primarily a talker, a feeler, a thinker, or a doer. In Mark 12:30, the Bible says, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (NLT). Talkers love God with their hearts. Feelers love God with their souls. Doers love God with their strength—their bodies. Did you know you can also love God with your intellect? Thinkers love God with their minds. When you’re developing and strengthening your mind, it is an act of worship. Thinkers love Bible study. Psalm 119:97 says, “How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long” (CSB). People who are thinkers fall in love with the Bible when they become believers. There is no other book in the world like it! It has the answers to life’s questions, including: Why am I here? Where am I going? What is the purpose of life? Does my life matter? What’s the past? What’s the future? Where did I come from? We need thinkers because the world needs consideration. Somebody has to be thinking through complex issues and the implications of what the rest of us are doing. We need people who think through tough problems and then bring solutions to the table. That’s why we need scientists, writers, philosophers, and innovators. But thinkers have to be careful to practice humility. The Bible says, “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom” (Proverbs 3:7 NLT). Why? Because God is God, and you are not. Humility is a choice. Not once in the Bible are you told to pray for God to humble you. Instead, you’re told to “humble yourself before the Lord” (James 4:10 ICB). It’s a choice. Humility is something you do to yourself. Nobody else can do it to you. Other people can humiliate you, but they can’t make you humble. In essence, humility is total dependence on God. It’s not denying your strengths; instead, it’s being honest about your weaknesses. Thinkers also need to be careful to practice what they know. If you know it, then do it! James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (NIV). Whether God has made you to be a talker, a feeler, a thinker, or a doer, you can rely on his Word as your manual for life. He created you, and he knows the best way for you to live. That’s why he wants you to do things his way! You can trust him! “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32 (NLT) You cannot fathom your full potential—only your Creator can. Only God, the one who made you, knows all you are capable of being. Your parents, your spouse, your friends, and your boss only get a glimpse of your potential. Only God knows what you’re truly capable of. Most people live for the approval of others. They spend all of their time worrying about what others think of them. Your life has been limited by replaying tapes in your head of people who have lied to you—even if they didn’t mean to. They’ve told you that you can’t do something or that you’re not good enough. You’ve played these tapes over and over in your mind. But they’re lies! The people who made those statements about you have no idea about your potential. To know your real potential, you have to talk to your Creator. Only he knows what he can do through your life. And only he can unlock that potential. How does he do it? Jesus says in John 8:31-32, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (NLT). God’s Word will unlock all you’ve been made to do and be. Through it, you’ll be able to do things you never thought possible. How do you do that? First, learn God’s Word. God won’t unlock your potential until you actually open the Bible and learn it. You won’t unlock potential by osmosis. You’ll start to do it by learning what the Bible says. Second, accept God’s Word. The Bible has to be the authority in your life. You may not like what you’re reading, but—if you want God’s best for your life—you need to accept what it says as the final authority for how you live. Third, obey God’s Word. You can’t just learn God’s Word and accept God’s Word. You have to do what the Bible teaches. You don’t get blessed for the parts of the Bible you know. You get blessed for the parts of the Bible you do. You were made for much more than you ever imagined. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!” (CEV) Open up God’s Word, and get ready to do what only God can imagine. “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son."
Romans 8:29 (TLB) Jesus is the only perfect human being who ever lived. He was God in human form and lived a perfect life. Jesus showed us exactly what it means to be fully human. That’s why God wants you to learn to think like Jesus, act like Jesus, and value what Jesus does. God wants you to grow up and become more like Jesus. You’ve probably spent a lot of time trying to determine what you want to do in life. But God is far more interested in who you are than what you do. You’re not taking your career to heaven. You are taking your character. The Bible says, “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son” (Romans 8:29 TLB). God’s plan has always been for you to become like Jesus. It was God’s plan from the very beginning, even before Adam sinned. The fruits of the Spirit are the perfect picture of who Jesus is and how he acts: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT). So how does God produce this kind of fruit in your life? He puts you in situations that are opposite of the fruit he’s growing in you. It’s easy to love people who are lovely; God will teach you love by putting you around unlovely people, so you have to learn love. During periods of grief, you’ll learn joy. You’ll learn patience when it’s tested. God wants to build character in your life. You might want the process to be quick and easy, like a vending machine. A vending machine gives you what you want immediately, but much of what it offers is just junk that will harm you in the long run. How God works is the opposite of a vending machine. It’s slow and sometimes difficult, but over time it will build strong character in you. Remember that growing up spiritually is a lifelong journey. Be patient. The Bible says, “God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again” (Philippians 1:6 NCV). You can count on that promise! “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son . . . We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him."
Romans 8:29 (The Message) From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like his Son, Jesus. God announced this intention at creation: “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness’” (Genesis 1:26 NCV). In all of creation, only human beings are made in God’s image. It’s a great privilege—and it gives you dignity. What does it mean to be made in God’s image? It’s one of those concepts that’s too big to fully understand, but here’s some of what it means:
But there’s a problem: The image of God in you is incomplete and has been damaged and distorted by sin. So God sent Jesus on a mission to restore the full image that you—and everyone else ever born—have lost. What does the full “image and likeness” of God look like? It looks like Jesus Christ! The Bible says: “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son . . . We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him” (Romans 8:29 The Message). The Bible says Jesus is “the exact likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT), “the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15 NLT), and “the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV). People often use the phrase “like father, like son” to refer to family resemblance. When people see my likeness in my kids, it pleases me. In the same way, God wants his children to bear his image and likeness. The Bible says you were “created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24 NLT). Live like an image bearer today so that when people look at you, they’ll think of how much you’re like your heavenly Father! “We shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature."
Ephesians 4:13 (GNT) Discipleship is the process of becoming like Christ. It’s a journey that will last a lifetime! This is how it works: Every day God wants you to become a little more like him. As the Bible says, “You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you” (Colossians 3:10 NCV). Today people are obsessed with speed. But God is more interested in strength and stability than swiftness. You might want the quick fix, the shortcut, the on-the-spot solution. Maybe you’re looking for a sermon, a seminar, or an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptation, and release you from all growing pains. But real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving. Growth is gradual. The Bible says, “Our lives gradually [become] brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18 The Message). People often build their identity around their defects. You might even tell yourself you can’t change, saying, “It’s just the way I am.” The unconscious worry is that if you let go of your habit, your hurt, or your hang-up, you won’t know who you are anymore. This fear can slow, or even stop, your growth. So how do you let go of those old habits and grow to be more like Christ? How do you conform your character to his? By developing Christ-like habits to replace those old habits. Your character is the sum total of your habits—and habits take time to develop. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind, showing kindness without even thinking about it. You can’t claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest. A husband who is faithful to his wife most of the time is not faithful at all! Your habits define your character. There’s just one way to develop the habits of Christ-like character: You have to practice them, over and over, until they become part of your identity. And that takes time! But over time, you—and the people around you—will see the difference. As Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 GW). “[Jesus] looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name! ‘Zacchaeus!’ he said."
Luke 19:5 (TLB) For all of Zacchaeus’ life, he’d been ridiculed and rejected, first for his appearance and then for his sinful life. It’s what he’d come to expect from everyone—until Jesus changed everything. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, a Jew working for Rome. He gathered more taxes from the Jewish people than Rome required so he could get rich off of the excess. Zacchaeus was taking advantage of his own people! But here’s what happened when Zacchaeus met Jesus: “[Jesus] looked upat Zacchaeus and called him by name! ‘Zacchaeus!’ he said” (Luke 19:5 TLB). Jesus not only looked at Zacchaeus. Jesus also showed that he knew him by calling Zacchaeus by name. Imagine the shock Zacchaeus must have felt! How did Jesus know his name? The name Zacchaeus means “pure one.” But that’s the last way most people probably would have described Zacchaeus. He was a corrupt government official; he was anything but pure. But when Jesus called Zacchaeus by name, it was as if he was saying, “Hey, pure one, I’m coming to your house today.” Jesus was affirming what he knew Zacchaeus could be, not what Zacchaeus was on the surface. God does the same for you. He not only knows where you are; he knows who you are. He knows what you’re going through, why you’re going through it, and how you feel about it. He knows you better than you know yourself. He cares about you personally. You may be afraid to get close to Jesus because you think he’s going to scold you for all the things you’ve done wrong. But Jesus wants to affirm you for who he’s created you to be. He wants to let you know how much he loves you. The Bible says, “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16 NLT). When Jesus stretched out his arms and the soldiers put nails through his hands, your name was already engraved there. When you get to heaven, there will be no scars on anyone except Jesus. He’s going to have those scars for eternity to remind you of how much he loves you. Through those scars, it’s as if he says, “Do you think I could forget you? Not a chance! This is how much you matter to me.” “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 (NLT) Did you know that you are fully capable of becoming exactly who God made you to be? You are not incompetent. You are not a nobody. God says you are fully capable. In fact, every believer in Christ is a priest: “You are royal priests . . . As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT). What are you supposed to do as a priest? God says, “I am sending you . . . to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18 NLT). The PEACE Plan was created for every believer around the world to serve in the following ways: Promote reconciliation and plant churches, Equip ethical leaders where there’s corruption, Assist the poor where there’s poverty, Care for the sick where there’s disease and illness, and Educate the next generation where there’s illiteracy. Because Christ lives in you, you are fully capable of doing these things. Your capability is not based on your own human power. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (NLT). And 2 Corinthians 3:5 says, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God” (NIV). But many people live with a gnawing sense of insecurity. They don’t feel capable. Why do people feel this way? One reason is that they’re still believing negative things people said to them years ago. But those things weren’t true then—and they aren’t true now. Here’s what is true about you: You have God’s Spirit inside you, you’re a priest, and you can do everything through Christ’s strength. In him, you are fully capable. “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”
Matthew 6:26 (NLT) You are extremely valuable to God. He even said in Isaiah 43:4, “You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you” (ESV). Why are you so valuable to him? One, you are valuable because God is your Father, and you are his child. The Bible says, “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” (Matthew 6:26 NLT). Two, you are valuable because Jesus gave his life for you. The Bible says, “You have been bought and paid for by Christ, so you belong to him” (1 Corinthians 7:23 TLB). The fact that you belong to God adds incredible value to your life. When you go to an auction, things that once belonged to famous people often cost much more. It could be an ordinary jar, instrument, or a pair of shoes. But if it was owned by a famous musician, athlete, or president, the value goes up. Would a rock star’s guitar be worth more than someone else's guitars? Of course! You see, common things can have great value, depending on who the owner is. But value doesn’t depend only on who owns something; it also depends on what somebody’s willing to pay for it. There's a story about a girl who was kidnapped. She was the daughter of a very wealthy and influential king. This king put the word out: “Any price will be paid for her return. She’s the king’s daughter.” You are the King’s daughter or son. You are God’s child. The greatest ransom ever paid was paid for you by Jesus Christ. Jesus came to Earth and suffered for you. God exchanged his own Son for your salvation—for your freedom. Christ gave his life so that you could have eternal life. If you want to know how valued you are, just look at the cross. The cross proves your value. If someone has ever told you you’re worthless, they’re dead wrong. You are not worthless. You are priceless. And you are infinitely valuable to God in Christ. “Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come."
2 Corinthians 5:17 (GNT) Ultimately, your identity is based on your choices. Here are five winning choices you can make that will help determine your destiny. 1. You can choose to get healthier. Instead of bemoaning the fact that you don’t have an Olympic body, find ways to increase your energy, lower your stress, get more sleep, and have more power. Psalm 119:73 says, “Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands” (NIV). Improving the controllable factors in your life helps you reduce the impact of the uncontrollable factors. 2. You can choose to deepen relationships. The fear of rejection prevents connection, and the only way to get rid of fear is to do the thing you fear the most. Learn communication skills, replace bad relationships, and reach out and risk connecting with someone. “Let love be your highest goal!” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT). 3. You can choose to trust God, no matter what happens. “I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him” (Psalm 34:1 GNT). Work to get to the point in your life where you can say, “I praise the Lord, no matter what happens.” That is a confidence that you won’t find anywhere in Hollywood, on Capitol Hill, or on Wall Street. That is a confidence built on a relationship with God! 4. You can choose what you think about. Throughout the 20th century, scientists believed the adult brain could not be changed. When the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner proved that you can rewire your brain, science finally caught up to the Bible: “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2 NLT). Your self is created by your memories, and your memories are created by your mental habits. Feed your brain with the truth of God’s Word. 5. You can choose Jesus as your Savior. We're not just talking about Jesus saving you from your sins. We're talking about letting Jesus be your Savior every day. Letting Jesus save you gives you the power to follow through on the choices you make. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come” (GNT). You get to choose how much God blesses your life. It is never too late to change. When you make these five winning choices, God gives you a winning hand. |
AuthorTaken from Daily Hope by Rick Warren. Categories
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