Tag Archives: Opportunity

Get in the Chase!

23 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by in Faith, Love, Need, Opportunity

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There’s nothing like a good chase.  Your senses spring into action! You feel alive!

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Brynlee and Ellasyn came over for a visit. They love to play chase and our living room is ideal because there are several circular options when determining the route of escape. As I chased them, they giggled and squealed with excitement. And I found myself laughing out loud with them.

What are you chasing? You are chasing something. Maybe it is money, pleasure, love, acceptance, fun, security, health, a dream, recognition, or applause.

Do you want an exciting fulfilling chase?  Chase love!  I Corinthians 14:1

Quit trying to figure out what you should be doing and start loving the ones you’re with!

Love meets the need of another. Do you see a need? Chase it!

7 Excuses to Stay Seated

  1. I’m too tired.
  2. I’m too busy.
  3. I’m just one person.
  4. I don’t have adequate resources.
  5. I need some down time.
  6. I don’t know which need to chase.
  7. I don’t really care about this.

3 Steps to Enter the Chase

  1. Commit to the chase.
  2. Stand up and take the first step.
  3. Chase whole-heartedly.

4 Truths About the Chase

  1. You will not be able to meet every need you see.
  2. You will not be able to meet the entire need.
  3. You will have to set priorities.
  4. You will have to set boundaries.

3 Results of the Chase

  1.  The chase will exhilarate you.
  2.  The chase will exhaust you.
  3. The chase will enrich you.

Experience the thrill of a full-out chase!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Live on Purpose

06 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Plans, Purpose, Reflection

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I thank God for you and I pray for you.  I want you to live life on purpose.  I want you to live life in such a way that it pleases God and pleases you.

Yet when I look around, I seldom see this type of living.

I see women jumping from one seemingly urgent task to the next.  I see women exhausted and spent.  I see women barely keeping it all together.  I see women trying to do and be everything.  I see women who feel like they have to justify why it is okay to sit down for a few minutes and do nothing.  I see women doing life but not living life on purpose.

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I want to encourage you to do life on purpose.  Why are you here?  What are you suppose to be doing?  What is your purpose?  If you can’t do it all, what should you do?  What should you let go?   How do you make your choices?  What guides you?  Do you feel like you are enough?  Who do you go to when you have a tough decision to make?  Do you feel like you are living your life in a way that pleases God?  How do you know?  What are you basing your opinions on?

The first step to living life on purpose is to acknowledge that you were made by God for God.

All things  have been created through Him (God) and for Him (God).  Colossians 1:16

That includes you.  Have you ever thought about God’s purpose for you?  He has one specifically designed for you – it even includes the number of days you will live.  If you find this hard to  believe, read Psalm 139:1-18.  It will delight your heart.

 

Don’t Miss the Opportunity!

24 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by in Children, Faith, Opportunity

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The volume and energy level in this house is about to increase dramatically.  The grandkids are coming to spend a couple days with Mimi & Poppi.  All the junk that had been thrown in the spare bedrooms has been taken care of.  The snack cupboard has been filled with lots of treats.  More water guns have been added to the pool ammunition.

convertible rideAnd Poppi has the convertible ready to go – one child at a time to a special treat destination of their choice.  And of course, Poppi might get lost along the way causing the ride to be longer.  And for the little ones, Poppi will be sure to point out the flying monkeys that he sees.

Having fun with our grandkids is the best!  I love their laughter. I love hearing their stories and jokes.  I love listening in on their conversations with each other.  I listen for my own enjoyment but I also listen for another reason.  I listen for an opportunity.

I have spent time this week thinking about each grandchild – their likes, their dislikes, their spirit, their personality, their concerns.  I have spent time this week praying for each grandchild.  And now I will listen for an opportunity to share my faith with each grandchild.  I’m not talking about sharing the gospel, or a Bible story or quoting a Bible verse.  I’m talking about a very comfortable, hardly- even noticeable opportunity where I can drop a little idea about doing life with Jesus into their bucket.

Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, had sincere faith that they shared with Timothy.  I want to share my faith with my grandkids.  This can be done a million different ways but one of the best ways is to simply share what God has done for me as I do life with Him.

Moms and grandmoms, the summer has begun.  Diligently look and pray for opportunities to share Jesus with your kids and grandkids.  Shape their thoughts. Make the most of this opportunity!  You’ll blink twice and the summer will be gone.  And if your kids are in school, someone else will be shaping their thoughts.

Hearts Before Hands

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Compassion, Help, Need

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Photo taken by my son, Matthew Rockwell, after the Nepal earthquake.  His compassion has moved him to form Nepal Grassroots Recovery.  Check it out on Facebook.

You have a tender heart. You see a need and take action.  You have compassion.

You have a closed heart. You see a need BUT take no action.  You lack compassion.

Why do you lack compassion?

  1. You don’t have enough time.
  2. You don’t have enough resources.
  3. You don’t know where or how to begin.
  4. You don’t want someone to take advantage of you.
  5. You don’t want to enable bad choices.

Are these valid reasons or mere excuses?

  1. The Good Samaritan stopped what he was doing and made time to help.
  2. The Good Samaritan used the resources he had available at the time.
  3. The Good Samaritan took the first step, and then another and then another.
  4. The Good Samaritan gave without thought of repayment.
  5. The Good Samaritan gave without thought of worthiness.

Compassion is first a matter of the heart.  Is your heart tender or hard?  When you see a need, do you desire to help?

You cannot meet every need you see.  If you think you can, you are not really seeing the people around you.  You have limited amounts of time, energy and resources at your disposal.  But that is not an excuse to do nothing.

Instead of thinking about what you don’t have, think about what you do have.  Are you generous with your time?  Are you generous with your resources?  or do you spend all your time and resources on yourself and your family?  If you’re not generous with what you do have, you’ll never be generous with what you hope to have.

An open heart leads to open hands.

It is never convenient to serve others.  It always takes time and resources.

So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12

I Desire Compassion

19 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by in Compassion, Opportunity

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I was recently asked to speak at Good News Bible Church about compassion.  As I contemplated what to say, I realized my concept of compassion was a little fuzzy.

Compassion feels like a warm fuzzy kind of word.  But what does the Bible teach about compassion?  Is it a feeling?  Is it an action?

Compassion matters to Jesus.  He would rather have your compassion than your sacrifice.  Jesus said, “But go and learn what this means:  I desire compassion and not sacrifice,”  Matthew 9:13

Seeing Precedes Compassion

  • Jesus saw

Seeing the people, Jesus felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited, like sheep without a shepherd.  Matthew 9:36

  • The Good Samaritan saw

But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion.  Luke 10:33

  • The father of the Prodigal Son saw

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  Luke 15:20

The first step toward a life of compassion is seeing.  Are you too busy to see?

Let me encourage you today to see the people who are all around you.  Lift your eyes up and look – really look!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too Many Choices! UGH!

12 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Change, Future, God's Will, Opportunity

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I love Bible studies where the discussion is honest, invigorating and thought provoking.  Last week, one of the young ladies expressed her struggle.  She asked such a wonderfully honest vulnerable question!, “How do I know if what I want to do is just something I want or if it is something God wants?”

Here are a few thoughts:

  • I do not know God’s will for your life.  But I do know He wants you to abound in the work of the Lord no matter where you are or what you are doing.  I Corinthians 15:58
  • I do know God has created you for His glory.  He has something for you to do that only you can do.  He has gifted you in a unique way for your unique purpose.
  • I do know that as you spend time in His Word, He will guide you and cause you to want what He wants.  He will work in you to accomplish His plan.  Philippians 2:12-13
  • I do know that God may use other believers to encourage and guide you.  But I also know that ultimately it’s between you and God.

Paul thought Apollos should come to Corinth to encourage the believers.  But Apollos said ‘it was not at all his desire to come to Corinth now but that he would come when he had opportunity.’  1 Corinthians 16:12

Here are a couple of questions:

  1. What do you desire to do?  Does it agree with the clear truths in God’s Word? If so, do it and enjoy it!
  2. What opportunities do you have right now?  Make the most of them!  And don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities!

Most importantly, relax and believe that God is working in you, through you, with you and for you!  He is doing that right now and He will continue to do so!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Many Kids Do You Have?

06 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Children, Gospel, Love, Opportunity

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How many children do you have?  I’m not talking about your physical children.  I’m talking about your spiritual children.

Paul said to the Corinthians, “I became your father through the gospel.  Imitate me.”

The Lord gives opportunities to each of us.  The opportunities the Lord gives me will be different than the opportunities He gives you.  Don’t waste time comparing opportunities! Seize your own God-given opportunities and ‘father’ someone through the gospel.

This responsibility can feel overwhelming.  That’s why I love the fact that the results are not our responsibility.  The results are the Lord’s responsibility.  It is His work.  Only He can change hearts.  We simply seize the opportunities that come our way, share the gospel, and trust Him to do the rest.

So today, pray for opportunities!  Then when they come, seize them!

Remember opportunities are people! People that need the love of Christ.

I Corinthians 3 & 4

 

 

 

Good Gracious!

13 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by in God's Word; Bible, Grace, Words

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Let your speech always be with grace,… so you will know how you should respond to each person.  Colossians 4:6

The word grace in this verse is referring primarily to the way we speak. If we want to maximize the opportunities we have to share God with others, our speech must be gracious.

  • Gracious speech lifts up  –Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25
  • Gracious speech is healing –A soothing tongue is a tree of life.  Proverbs 15:4
  • Gracious speech is persuasive- Sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Proverbs 16:21
  • Gracious speech builds up – ... Such a word as is good for building up according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.  Ephesians 4:2

Jesus spoke with grace and people “were wondering at the gracious words that were falling from his lips.” Luke 4:22

Jesus speaks to me with grace every time I read His Word.

  • His words lift me up.
  • His words bring healing.
  • His words persuade me.
  • His words build me up.

His words are wonderful!  So how can I share them with my friends?  How do I start the conversation?

Ask this simple question.

“Do you mind if I share something with you that has really helped me in a similar situation?”

Talking girlsBe genuine.  Be honest.  Share the comfort God has given you with your friend.  Let your heart guide you.

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Proverbs 16:23

Pray for wisdom and trust God to guide you.  But for goodness sake, have courage and speak up!

Negative Nellie! Debbie Downer!

12 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Opportunity, Words

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file000561944270As my friend and I were leaving the restaurant, she smiled and said,”Boy, were we a couple of Negative Nellies tonight”.  And she was right.  We had just spent the last couple of hours talking about the events that had occurred in our lives over the past year. It had been a difficult year for both of us.  Serious health issues, financial issues, work issues, and family issues including the loss of our mothers.

Walking to my car, I felt disappointed in myself.  How had I let the conversation end on a negative note?  Why hadn’t I brought God into the conversation?  Looking back on the evening, I saw so many missed opportunities.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.  Colossians 4:5-6

Why hadn’t I brought God into our conversation?  It was time for an honest evaluation.

  • I didn’t want to be seen as a weird religious nut.
  • I didn’t want to be seen as a know-it-all.
  • I didn’t want to minimize her difficulties with a ‘pat answer’ from the Bible.

So I said nothing.  But this is also unacceptable.

I want to express my love for my friend but even more importantly, I want to share God’s love with her.  I want to support and encourage her, but even more importantly, I want to share God’s love and encouragement with her.

Making the most of an opportunity only happens when we let our speech be seasoned with grace.   So how do we do this?

Let’s talk about this in more depth tomorrow.  God’s Word has the answers.  It always does!