Keep in step!!

Here is your stone!! "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:16, 25 NIV). Walk by and keep in step! We don't need to try and get ahead of God, but to understand where we are and to know we can look right beside us for guidance. Too often we desire to plan out the journey, know all the stops, and where we will be at all points. Truth is that as we plan, we can easily be pulled in the wrong direction. Keep in step and enjoy that He is right beside us!

Exit Strategy.

Here is your stone!! "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). How often have we felt we were in a spot, made the wrong choice and regretted it later? It's not because there wasn't a way out, just not a "wait out". Believe!!

See the steps of Vision!

Here is your stone!! "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction." (Proverbs 29:18 NIV). God thank You for this word today!! We have to dream, have a vision and allow it to be one that brings glory to Him. When we fail to look and see the things that God is doing in our lives, we fail truly grow and go. Have a dream or vision? Allow God to grow it with you, in His time, but continue to stop and see how He is growing you today!! What is He showing you right now when you think He is not doing anything at all. Make sure you look at every step of the way.

Action Drives Direction.

Here is your stone!! "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."" (Isaiah 30:21). Action drives direction. Do we find ourselves wondering about waiting to hear from God on what our next step will be? Is our walk suppose to be a runaway chariot with God pulling us where He wants us? No how would that tie back to obedience? Christ walks with us! When we move, He directs! Stop waiting and start moving!

Making some change.

Here is your stone!! "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy," (Ephesians 2:4 NIV). Great wealth!! Rich in Mercy!! Imagine if more of us were in search of the wealth of mercy and not wealth of the world. Has your wealth made that type of change? Live it out. This isn't something we can look at others to do, it's a personal wealth growth!

Most High Gear!

Here is your stone!! "For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" (Romans 5:10 NIV). What a powerful and humbling experience it is to grasp that Jesus shed His blood and died for us, and to recognize that daily, but there is more: ".. how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!". Remember that the message of Christ did not end at the cross, it kicked into the Most High Gear!! God calls us to Live out our faith, not sit back and relax. Live It Out!!!

Don't Lord it Lead it!!'

Here is your stone!! "Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.". (1 Peter 5:3 NLT). How often have we said we are trusting God for big things? Big change, Big opportunity, and Big Vision! Truth is that He has already started that, He placed you where you are today! Your flock may be in different places, but YOU are the Leader!! Go and make it happen!! Be the LEADER!!!

Initiation - Invitation

Here is your stone!! "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10 NIV). Initiation. God pursues that relationship with us. We can't forget that. The God of all things initiates a relationship with a failing group of people. Think about that, He sent Jesus for you and I. Knowing that many would still not follow, but to give us an option. Are there people in your life that your relationship has been lost? Are you waiting on them? Or following the example that He has given? Your initiation may equate to His invitation!

Give in Give UP

Here is your stone!! "I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” (Luke 5:32 NLT). It begins with our realization of our failures and understanding that we are not in control or perfect. When we finally give in, then we finally give UP. Allow Christ to step in. Give Him the control. As a father I know that I am nothing without Christ. I also know that every decision can scar generations to come. We must Lead as Dad's to change generations ahead. This Father's Day, give your children (no matter what age) a generational boost! Happy Father's Day.

Supply and Command

Here is your stone!! "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today." (Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV). Simply put, it ain't about you. There is no TRUE greatness that was not determined by God! Producing wealth, does not mean money, it could be a by product, but not a focus. I praise God for the amazing wealth He has provided me. I have an amazing Godly wife who I am crazy about and 4 children who bring a special joy into my life! On top of that, I serve a King that loves me even at my weakest times and when I mess up. On a scale of 1 - 100 I may be a 70, thank You Jesus for making the other 30 and giving me eternal life!! Are you remembering your wealth? Don't wait for the value to be determined by its lack of availability. God supplies us what we need and commands us to Love. Let your life be about His Supply and Command.

Praise you in the storms

Here is your stone!! "...Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?...."(Job 2:10 NIV). Knives, spears, and blades are not sharpened without a rough edge to rub against it. Why is it that we Praise in the good and question in the Storm? Without the challenges we can't grow. I saw a note this morning that said "A skilled mariner is not created through calm waters.". How often have we told our kids, "Get back up and keep trying!". Are we living that same way? Are we expecting life to just be a bit easier? Can you praise God during the storms? Live this out!!

Picked

Here is your stone!! "For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you," (1 Thessalonians 1:4 NIV). Wonder how we should know that we are ready to serve? Not only are we on the greatest team, but the most powerful chose us. God has chosen you!! How will we show our gratitude and passion today?? Live out it out and share the excitement and passion!!!

What if everybody did that?

Here is your stone!! "And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia." (1 Thessalonians 1:7 NIV). Several years ago, we read our children a book "What if Everybody did that?". The book explains the result of things like not picking up after yourself, or not taking care of yourself, etc., as a way to show importance of personal responsibility and consequences. As I read this scripture I began thinking the same. What if I was the model of a Christ centered server, husband, and father? Would my life example be the one I would say is model? How would it look? What about you as the model? Are we living as examples or samples?

Building Blocks

Here is your stone!! "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love." (2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV). God has provided building blocks for us to work with daily. He knows that when we accept His Son into our lives, we will still have growth. We may even find ourselves beginning over and over. It's not called our walk for nothing, it's about continual growth until we reach His kingdom. Begin taking steps today.

Whatcha Got?

Here is your stone!! "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:12 NIV). Is your life one that others watch and desire? Is there a difference in your kids? Your marriage? Your attitude? Your speech? The lost are always seeking the answer, some may be more assertive, based on where they are in God's plan. Will others see you this week and tell you have the Truth, the Answer, & the Way? Live it out.

Head or Heart

Here is your stone!! "Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves," (Mark 2:6 NIV). I know, odd verse to pick out. Challenge is that it follows the story of the 4 men tearing a hole in the roof in order to get their friend to Jesus. These guys had head knowledge,"thinking to themselves", they could share verses all day. Did it matter? We can all sit back and learn and think for ourselves, but I want to be one of the four. ACTION!! GO and do something!!! We must have an understanding of God's word and grow in it daily. But in the end no one is going to find Jesus just because WE have knowledge, we have got to lead somebody. Know that the lost person you see, has probably heard the scriptures before, but have never seen it lived out. Are you wanting to just learn it or live it?

Fully Stocked

Here is your stone!! "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost."(Isaiah 55:1 NIV). No need will be forgotten. He is fully stocked with ability to provide it all. Our task - seek Him. Will you seek Him out?!

All day His Way.

Here is your stone!! "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9 NIV). Jesus gives us a great deal of specifics, teaches us through His word, His walk, and Our relationship. What are we doing with this info? Are we ready to do this today? All day - His Way!! Live it out!!!

4 D

Here is your stone!! "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (Ephesians 6:18 NIV). It is about 4D dedication, diversity, determination and delivery. We have to be READY. He hears and delivers and we must believe. Who and what are you praying for today?

Problem solved.

Here is your stone!! "They all ate and were satisfied," (Mark 6:42 NIV). I challenge you to read the verses that are just before these, Jesus feeds 5000 with bread and fish. How did He approach it? He assesses the situation, delegates to gain insight, separates the problem into smaller pieces, sees what He has to work with, and He gives thanks. I read that this morning and my first thought is how did that food last. It's not about the food. It was how Jesus, in one sitting changes the perspectives of what 5000 people thought they needed to be content. Hasn't He performed the same with with us? The world can not provide what we need. He can!!

Represent

Here is your stone!! "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV). Ambassadors? Do we really get this? Dictionary.com defines ambassador as: 1. A diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative. We are of high ranking and all sent to our world to "Represent". Are we? Do we? It's not about doing nothing. This is expected. It is a privilege and an honor!! Represent. Live it out!!