Entries from April 1, 2006 - May 1, 2006
Leave No One Behind
Proverbs 27:10 says, “Do not forsake your friend;” Ecclesiastes says, “If one falls down, his friend can help him up.” And my favorite, Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” A friend loves at all times! Don’t give up on people. No matter what they are going through or how they are treating you, resolve that you will love them at all times. And not that bogus kind of “I’ll love you from a distance” stuff we invent to make ourselves feel better about ditching people. I mean real, keeps-no-record-of-a-suffered-wrong L-O-V-E, love! Jesus left a powerful challenge to His disciples. “Greater love has no one than this, than that he lay down his life for his friends.” I want to be a lay-down-my-life kind of friend. I challenge you to be one too.
Scott Bane
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EmailEyes Focused Outward
Without even thinking about it, we often have a way of turn people away and turning people off to the Good News. Being Outward Focused means learning more about connecting with people who don’t yet know Jesus. It means opening yourself – being yourself – and finding ways to allow the Jesus within you to reach out and touch people. If we make an effort to love, serve and show kindness to all kinds of people, as often as possible, I think the Holy Spirit will lead us to the people that He’s been wooing to Jesus.
Behind Enemy Lines (Part 2)
We can’t figure God out, friends. We’ve got to desperately reject living as though we do have Him figured out. Sure, we know that His plans are for good and not evil. We know that He loves us and that His desire is that none should perish – but we don’t have God figured out. I know you must have comments on this subject. This is the mystery that He’s intentionally made a part of all human existence. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has placed, “eternity” in our hearts. I’d like to hear your take on all this… don’t worry about trying to sound deep or “spiritual.” Just open up the “eternity” in your heart and let’s see what pours out.
Behind Enemy Lines
What does “enemy territory” look like to you? It could be your job, or it could even be your family? Have you ever felt like you’re being sent into hostile territory again and again? I think this is the way Elijah was feeling in 1 Kings 19, when he collapsed under a tree and begged God to just let him die. “It is too much, Lord,” he prayed. I bet you’ve been there too. It is too much! The Lord mixed a precise formula of rest for Elijah... But then do you know what God did…? He sent His man back in. What will it take to get us to “get back in there?”
Dominate Your Space
Patience is the power to control your own mind, your own will and your own emotions in the midst of any situation. I think this is what controlling your aggression and dominating your space is all about. Have you ever “lost it?” Emotionally…? Or in your thought life? If it ever happens, it has a degenerative effect on everyone around you. I’ve caught myself snapping at my wife or my kids because of some battle I’m losing with my own thoughts. My failure to possess my soul – dominate my space – ruins their day. I don’t want to make this sound like an effort of my power or ability, though. Remember, patience is the fruit of the Spirit. Dominating your space is about yielding more and more of yourself (your soul) to the Holy Spirit’s leadership.