What is your plan for 2014?

This time of the year is a time for reflection and moving forward in a new year.  A lot of people make resolutions to change in the new year!  Mark Batterson in his new book, All In, writes, "You are only one decision away from a totally different life. Of course, it will probably be the toughest decision you’ll ever make. But if you have the courage to completely surrender yourself to the lordship of Jesus Christ, there is no telling what God will do. All bets are off because all bets are on God." What is that one decision you need to make? What is your plan to change?

In order to make the changes you need to make, you need a plan.  I'm not talking about a fad diet or a get rich quick scheme.  I'm talking about a intentional plan to change.

Here are some great resources to help you develop your plan to change.

This is a free e-book by Stephen Blandino to help you develop your personal growth plan.

http://stephenblandino.com/personal-growth-plan

Other Books:

Go! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution by Stephen Blandino

Ready, Set, Grow! by Scott Wilson (Great book for leaders to teach them how to help their teams grow!)

Developing the Leader within you by John C. Maxwell - Classic book on personal development!

Change before you have to by Rob Ketterling

Healthy Living:

http://www.fitpastors.com - A brand new ministry by my friend, Ricky Van Pay, that assists pastors and others on their journey to a healthy lifestyle.

Make 2014 the best year it can be! 

The Best Christmas Gift You Can Give

Do you struggle finding the right gift for that special someone? Gift buying can be a frustrating experience unless you really pay attention to what those around you want or need. 

I love Christmas.  I love the sights and the sounds and the beauty of the season.  Most of all, I love it because it is the time of the year we celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus.  So, what do you give someone who has everything....who owns the cattle on a thousand hills....who created the world? Simply put, God desires that we give ourselves totally to him.

Recently, I read this journal entry from Jonathan Edwards in Mark Batterson's new book, All In.  On January, 12, 1723, Edwards wrote this profound dedication to the Lord in his diary.  I hope it challenges you to give God complete control of your life this holiday season.  It is the best gift you could give our Savior.  He fully gave his life for us so that we could fully give ourselves to Him.

"I made a solemn dedication of myself to God, and wrote it down; giving up myself, and all that I had to God; to be for the future, in no respect, my own; to act as one that had no right to himself, in any respect. And solemnly vowed, to take God for my whole portion and felicity; looking on nothing else, as any part of my happiness, nor acting as if it were." - Jonathan Edwards

Batterson, Mark (2013-09-24). All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Locations 2292-2295). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

Making Tough Choices

This last month in youth, I have been speaking about the choices we make in life. Wouldn't it be great if we all had a personal Bible that told us exactly what to do and when to do it.  For example, in John 73:23, it would say that in the year 2009, you were to accept this job offer or go to this school  Unfortunately, we don't have that, but there are some questions that can help us in our decision making process.

1. What does the Bible say? The Bible is our guidebook for living.  It helps to discern what is sin and what is not.  It trains and corrects us.

2. What do we feel God speaking? The Holy Spirit gives us direction.  Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) “⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.”

3. What is the wise thing to do? Ephesians tells us to live as those who are wise, not as those who are unwise.  Andy Stanley has written an excellent book on this subject called "The Best Question Ever." In those times, we don't know what to do, ask what is the wise thing to do?

4. What do wise people say? There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors.  What do those who have made similar choices have to say? What do Godly people say? What do your Pastors or other church leaders say?
I hope this helps give you a filter for making tough decisions in life.

Books I'm Reading This Month

The older I get the more I enjoy reading.  Some of the books I read are required reading for a Men's Bible Study group I'm a part of.  Our Pastor will share books with our staff from time to time to help us grow as leaders.  There are some books that I read because the subject captivates me.  There are also books I read simply because I enjoyed previous books by the author.

Here are the books I've read this month.

1. All In - All In is a great book by Mark Batterson.  It declares we are only one decision away from a different life.  This book takes a journey through scripture as it challenges the reader to go All In and allow God to have control of your life so you can fulfill your eternal destiny.

2. Under Cover by John Bevere - Every believer needs to read this book.  In America, we have a democratic view of Christianity.  Christianity is the Kingdom of God with Christ as the head of the church.  This book will challenge your Americanized concept of the Kingdom of God.  It is powerful.  I am reading this book as a part of our Men's Bible Study group.

3. How to help your Pastor succeed by Dave Williams - This was an easy read that gives great advice to help you help your Pastor achieve the vision God has given him for the church.  It shares some real practical advice in the areas of Spiritual Warfare and Encouragement.

Why did I say that?

Have you ever thought to yourself "Why did I say that?" Yeah, I have to. Unfortunately, there are times in life when we say things that we can't take back and wish we could.

I wish there was a filter like a TV Guardian for our mouths.  Only this filter would not only block out curse words, it would also block out anything that was not pleasing to God or edifying for others.  

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) "29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Our words should benefit those that listen and be uplifting to others according to their needs.  Unfortuantely, we do not have a filter that will do that automatically.  However, we have the Holy Spirit.  We can bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  

One of my favorite scriptures is a prayer.

Psalm 19:14 (NLT) "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

God, may the words of my heart and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you. Amen.

Life is a lot like......Fantasy Football

I am a football junkie.  I love this time of the year.  About 15 years ago, I discovered Fantasy Football.  At times, it is aggravating.  At times, it is exciting.  I've been in a couple of leagues for over ten years with groups of friends.  It has helped me to stay connected to guys that I may not have stayed connected with otherwise.

One thing for sure about Fantasy Football is it is unpredictable.  Every summer, publishers release their Fantasy Football predictions for the upcoming season.  Teams are drafted based on the rankings of these so-called experts.  Experts can't predict mid-season trades like the Trent Richardson deal.  Experts can't predict injuries to top level talent like Doug Martin.  Experts can't predict huge turnarounds like the Kansas City Chiefs or huge flops like the Atlanta Falcons.

Life is unpredictable.  We never know what is around the corner. Our guest speaker last Sunday said people are in three stages of life.  They are either going into a trial, in a trial or coming out of a trial. We all face trials and struggles in life.  In John 16:33, Jesus promised that we would have trouble in this world, but He also gave the disciples assurance that He had overcome the world.

James 1:2-4 (NLT) "2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

Whatever life throws at you, let it be an opportunity for you to grow in your faith.  Ask God to shape you through the trial you are in.  You may be in a trial, but you soon will be coming out of it.  Don't give up!  

  

Happy Birthday Mackenzie!

7 years ago, November 13, 2006, God blessed Sasha and me with Mackenzie Alexis Posey. She is a smart, loving and creative child.  She keeps us laughing. She loves music, art, softball and gymnastics. She is learning the word of God through Junior Bible Quiz. I love to hear her creative prayers.  

In his book, Praying Circles around Your Children, Mark Batterson profoundly writes, "Make sure the heavenly Father hears about your kids daily!" He discusses praying scripture over your kids.  

Here are a few of the verses that I pray over my girls.

1. Luke 2:52 (NLT) "52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people."

I pray that my girls will be like Jesus and grow in wisdom, in stature and in favor with God and all people.

2. Ephesians 5:15 (NIV) "15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,"

I pray that my girls live as those who are wise not as those who are unwise.  I want them to have wisdom in their choices and in their relationships.

3. Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT) "9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you,we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,"

I pray that God will fill my girls with the knowledge of His will, that they would live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way, that they would bear fruit in every good and grow in the knowledge of God.