Identification: Becoming the Best You, pt. 1

The old man is crucified. We either identify with the “old” person or the “new person”
We are created in Christ for good works which God ordained beforehand
Identity is the basis of influence. We are shaped by forces and personalities with which we identify. Your “new man” is your best “you.”
Colossians 3:10, …And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”
Our entire existence owes to divine identity. “Made in the image and likeness of God.”
Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

7 Facts About Your God Given Assignment

And Jesus said unto him, “No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Jesus Rose! You Can Stand!

1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Bountiful Benefits of Grace

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

The Joy of The Lord is Your Strength

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Neh. 8:10
These words were born from the experience of Nehemiah leading people out of "comfortable captivity" in Babylon and Into the word and purposes of God in their own land.
Regardless of how blessed you become in this world, do not forget that true joy comes from doing God's will. The Hebrew word for "strength" means "protection" and "safe harbor."
Having more is sometimes a lure to become complacent and captive to comfort. Nehemiah was the King's cupbearer. He was an important man in Babylon. But this was only a form of "comfortable captivity" which he refused to dwell in. Doing God's will, even when it is uncomfortable, brings strength and safety.
Joy and strength come from making a difference in the lives of other people.
Go out and start building or rebuilding a wall today! #joyandstrength #nocomfortablecaptivity

How to Be Better at Everything

The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-9) is all about principles of increase. It is about understand conditions that lead to increase and becoming better. Two ways to be better: 1) Let your light shine 2) Hear well

The Nicodemus Factor | Spaces & Places

John 3:1-8 | Nicodemus was not so much looking for Jesus as he was looking for a change in his space. He was not content or satisfied with his place in life. He was looking for something different and something better.

The Best Things. The Best Plan. | Kingdom Best Practices

There are a lot of things to do in the world. There’s a lot of things to believe.
God’s kingdom is the best thing. God’s will is the best plan.
Matthew 4:16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Following Jesus makes you better.
God’s kingdom is like light that shines. It is always the best and brightest light. I’ve told you many times that one of the first things we were told in art school was to discard dim lights and buy bright lights.
Daniel 3:24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.
Nebuchadnezzar could not rule in his domain until he understood that “Heaven rules” (God’s domain or Kingdom). Dan. 3:26, “…Your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.
Definition of best: Of the highest quality, excellence, or standing: the best work; the best students. most advantageous, suitable, or desirable: the best way, most productive of good :  offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction
Definition of 'Best Practices: A set of guidelines, ethics or ideas that represent the most efficient or prudent course of action. Best practices are often set forth by an authority, such as a governing body or management, depending on the circumstances. While best practices generally dictate the recommended course of action, some situations require that such practices be followed.’
Kingdom best practice:
Following: Proverbs 16:20, Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Praying: Philippians 4:6, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Caring: 1 Corinthians 12:24 But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
Serving: Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Giving: Prov. 3:9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase
Honoring: Romans 12:9, Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord
Preaching: Luke 9:6, So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Humility: Philippians 2:2 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

The Best Things. The Best Plan. Vision for 2014

"...Your kingdom come, your will be done, In EARTH [in me, in us, in my community and world] as it is in heaven!" Matthew 6:10

Going to the Next Level | "This Place of Grace"

Going to the Next Level, Part 3
This Place
Romans 5:1 (NLT) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love" ~ Romans 5:2 (NLT)
Your perception of “Your place” or “position” greatly affects your understanding of how God is working in your life. It also affects how you handle situations in your world.
Grace is that place: “Grace in which we stand.” The word he uses for introduction is prosagoge. It is a word with two great pictures in it.
1. It is the regular word for introducing or ushering someone into the presence of royalty; and it is the regular word for the approach of the worshipper to God. It is as if Paul was saying, "Jesus ushers us into the very presence of God. He opens the door for us to the presence of the King of Kings
2. It is the word for the place where ships come in, a harbor from a storm or long journey.
All this sounds good, but how does it help you deal with your difficult circumstances? Remember that when Paul wrote this, it was difficult to be a Christian in Rome. Paul himself faced very difficult circumstances.
The process of standing in your place and grace:
FROM:
Tribulations/Troubles: The Greek word doe trouble thlipis means “Pressure.” There are situations that press upon you.
TO:
Perseverance/Endurance/Fortitude: The Greek word for endurance is hupomone means more than endurance as in “hanging in there.” Hupomone means the spirit which can overcome the world; it means the spirit which does not passively endure but which actively overcomes the trials and tribulations of life.
In the 17th Century, Beethoven was threatened with deafness at the age of 26. Losing one’s hearing is tragic for a musician. Beethoven showed hupomone or fortitude by continued to compose and write great symphonies. He used devices such as an ear horn. He even placed in head on the piano to faintly hear and feel the notes.
TO:
Character: The Greek word for character is dokime. Dokime is a picture of metal which has been passed through the fire so that everything impure has been purged out. In your place of grace when trouble meets with fortitude, you emerges from the battle victorious, stronger, and purer, and better, and nearer God.
TO:
Hope
Two people can deal with the same situation. The difficulty can drive one of them to despair. For the person who dwells in the place of grace, the difficulty only drives him to triumphant action.
"I do not like crises," said Lord Reith, "but I do like the opportunities they provide."
Here is a strange statement: When you change, your circumstances will begin to change.
Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.