Just Continue That Thought...

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"It’s all about the theoretical becoming experiential."

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Location 945). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. I at the age of five on a Sunday morning in my Grandma Williams’ church in Fairview, Oklahoma asked Jesus to come into my heart. It was a very real experience even though I was very young. Now I asked Him to forgive my sins because I knew that was a part of the process but at five I was not a great sinner. So for many years forgiveness was theoretical until I went through what I call my three year jerk time. After asking God to forgive me it was more than a theory it was an experience. I realized what it meant to be forgiven. 1 John 1:9 (NIV), “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” became very real to me. I like how Mark puts it. “When you first read a verse of Script...

"God cannot give up on you. It’s not in His nature."

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Location 866). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. I wish we were like that. But as Mark says, “We give people political labels, sexual labels, and religious labels. But in the process, we strip them of their individuality and complexity. Prejudice is pre-judging. It’s assuming that bad stories end badly, but Jesus is in the business of turning bad beginnings into happily ever afters.” I understand the complexities of living today. I understand our fears but perfect love casts out fear and we get that love from God. I understand our fear of homosexuality but God sees past their sexual orientation to the individual. What about other races? He created all races. What about the political parties? Did you notice that communal living was the preference of the early Christians? Giving it all into on...

"He wanted all the benefits without any of the commitment."

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Location 780). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. That is so true in so many areas of our lives. We want all the benefits that our job gives us but we don’t make an all-out effort to do what needs to be done. I mean if they ever asked us to work on Saturday we would tell them, “That isn’t fair.” We expect them to sacrifice but not me. What about being in a relationship? So many want the benefits without the commitment. If you really loved me you would give me this but no way do I want to get married. What about church? I love the pastor and his sermons. The music is great. I love our building but, no way do I want to become a member or tithe, or serve. I want the benefits but not the commitment. What about friendships? We want them to jump whenever we need them b...

"If you aren’t willing to begin at the beginning, God cannot use you."

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Locations 704-705). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Back when I was in college studying to be a Minister I worked as a custodian in a middle school. I was married and I needed to work to help with our expenses. Now I knew a lot of other young preacher boys who also worked as custodians but they thought they were so much better than their job because they were called of God. I looked at it a bit differently. I looked at that as a part of my calling and learning and I did my best to be the best custodian I could be. That attitude carried over into my ministry. I appreciated what I learned as a custodian. I know of some kids who get married and their expectations are that they should have what their parents have, a big car, a big house and they get deep in debt. They don’t want to start at the beginning. ...

"You won’t find God in the past."

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Locations 623-624). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Such a good thought. Mark says, “His name is not I WAS. His name is I AM. He is an ever-present help. And when we cling too tightly to what God did last, we often miss what God wants to do next. God is at work right here, right now.” That is so good. And we do that. We so many times live off of the experiences of our past but there is something new that God wants to do in and through us today. There are lessons to be learned from our past but they must be lived out today. Your past is past. God is the God of the present. What is it that He wants to do in you today? Oh you may have had a great weekend but that is over. " This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." I was t...

"He cannot give back what you do not give up."

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Location 536). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. I hear so many people talk about their rights. I have my rights. They don’t have a right to do that to me. But the truth is God wants us to give Him all our rights but He then gives them back to us as privileges. If we would get what we rightly deserve then we would never have anything. But for what our sins did to Him He takes what we give Him and He gives us back grace. We don’t have any rights for what our sins did to Him. What about your relationships? I don’t deserve how they treat me. I am their parent/child/ spouse. I should be respected. But the truth is God gave them to you to minister to their needs not for them to minister to you and your needs. Give them to God and then God can use you to be what they need you to be ...

"God always delivers what He conceives if we are willing to go through the labor pains."

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2013-09-24) from his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Locations 473-474). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. There are many young couples who would love to have a child but they don’t want to give up what they have. She maybe has to quit her job and they won’t be able to make it. And all those sleepless nights or that pain, all that pain. There is a price to be paid to have children but as a father and a grandfather, it is soooooo worth it. What about that dream that God has for you? It is really exciting. You really want it but do you? I had a dream, a God given dream. There was so much pain involved in it. I gave 15 years of my life for it. They were great years but difficult years. Now my human side of the dream did not happen as I perceived it but God used it to hold me steady so that His plan would be worked out in my life and in my ...