Haters Gonna Hate

Luke 6:32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them… But love your enemies and do good to them… Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the most high... Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Last night I was chatting with a friend who had a really hard day. He’s about to receive a promotion that he’s been working on proactively for the last 6 years, but two others who were passed over have been on a tear to tarnish his reputation. He reached out to one of them to try and reconcile, offering to buy a coffee and asking if there is anything he could do to make amends. Despite having no working experience with my friend, and no relationship or basis to make a judgment, the overtures were flatly refused. The more we humble ourselves, the more God raises us up. And the more God raises us up, the more we have a target on our backs. The enemy wants to take down those whom God will use powerfully for His Kingdom. Naturally, people around will get jealous. But rather than viewing these people as obstacles to be overcome, the bible says we are to treat them as opportunities to act like our Father. Anyone can love those who love them back, but loving haters uniquely expresses the love of God. It also happens to build up our treasure where it matters, in heaven. Lord, I often groan when people come against me, but if I truly have an eternal view I would laugh, pump my fist, and love on them. I pray that you will align my perspective to yours. You loved us when we didn’t love you back. Thank you for your sacrifice, and the gift of relationship. In your son’s name, Amen.

Dreaming Big

Matthew 7:9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Elaine and I are taking an online leadership class offered by Danny Silk at Bethel Church. The other day I went through the module on dreams, which impacted me greatly. My key takeaways…

1. Dreaming affirms our identity: We are created in the image of the greatest dreamer, God himself. It is actually in our nature to dream.

2. Dreaming is our responsibility: In Matthew 7, Jesus tells us that we must ask, seek and knock. If we believe in a good father, we must dream big.

3. Dreaming furthers our security: Proverbs says that when hope is deferred your heart becomes sick. Dreaming is actually good for us.

Pastor Danny encouraged us to write down 100 dreams to activate what God has in store. I’m going to start on that today.

God, you’re so amazing to dream up the universe. I pray that I will come more into line with your heart as a dreamer because it’s what you desire for me. I love it when my son dreams big, and how much more so is that true of you when I commit the desires of my heart at your feet. Thank you for speaking, and please help me to be bold in writing out these 100 dreams in the days ahead. In your son’s name, Amen.

Are You Ready?

James 4:14 "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."

In the last 2 days I’ve had 2 close friends whose fathers passed away somewhat unexpectedly. They both lived full lives, and were very much loved by those around them. But it’s reminder that life is short, and we should really be living for eternity. In Crazy Love, Francis Chan recounts a story of Stan Gerlach, a successful businessman, who was well known in the community. “Stan was giving a eulogy at a memorial service when he decided to share the gospel. At the end of his message, Stan told the mourners, ‘You never know when God is going to take your life. At that moment, there’s nothing you can do about it. Are you ready?’ Then Stan sat down, fell over, and died. His wife and sons tried to resuscitate him, but there was nothing they could do—just as Stan had said a few minutes earlier. I’ll never forget receiving that phone call and heading over to the Gerlach house. Stan’s wife, Suzy, was just arriving home. She hugged me and cried. One of her sons, John, stepped out of the car weeping. He asked me, ‘Did you hear the story? Did you hear? I’m so proud of him. My dad died doing what he loved doing most. He was telling people about Jesus.’ I was asked to share a word with everyone gathered. There were children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. I opened my Bible to Matthew 10:32–33: ‘Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.’ I asked everyone to imagine what it must have felt like for Stan. One moment, he was at a memorial service saying to a crowd, ‘This is who Jesus is!’ The next, he was before God hearing Jesus say, ‘This is who Stan Gerlach is!’ One second he was confessing Jesus; a second later, Jesus was confessing him! It happens that quickly. And it could happen to any of us. In the words of Stan Gerlach, ‘Are you ready?’" Chan, Francis. Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (pp. 48-49).