KINGDOMablaze

I came upon a concept recently about how powerful the Word of God can be in our lives.  The concept has to do with “unlearning.”  As with some computer systems when they become infected with a virus, our minds can also have some infected files in them.  This might include the files of fear and misconceptions that keep us from discovering and living up to the rest of our potential.  Unlearning is harder than learning because it is harder to get “old thoughts” out of our minds than it is getting “new thoughts” into our minds and this is where faith comes in.  This is why we read, study, meditate and apply Scripture to our lives.  We are literally upgrading our minds by downloading the Word into our minds.

It works on the same principle of defragging your computer – it optimizes performance.  When we read the Word of God (and practice our Christianity) our brains are being rewired in alignment with the Word.  The way to face and conquer our fear is by reading the Word and applying it to our lives.  Remember – the only God ordained fear is the fear of God.  When was the last time you defragged your mind and downloaded some Scripture to face and conquer the fears you are dealing with?

I read recently about the concept of “joyful uncertainty” and realized I may need to adjust some of my thinking.  I have been on my own as a small business owner since Memorial Day 2005 and (for me) it was a very gutsy move – one full of risk and uncertainty.  Up until that time I had always counted on a regular paycheck to meet our needs and wants.  As it turns out – I have reflected on and second guessed myself often (especially in today’s economy) and I am thinking maybe there are some business owners (who have a belief in Jesus) that are struggling with similar thoughts.  I am reminded in Scripture of what Jesus says in Matt 6:25 …”that we are not to worry about our life.”  I should have my head and heart around this by now – the reason I do not is because we (like you) have hit speed bumps and potholes along life’s journey.  A verse that I have grabbed a hold of and hung on to lately is John 16:33…”In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  I am really grateful for is His patience in developing my character.  How about you?

I came across a passage from Scripture recently from John chapter 12, verse 21: “Sir, we would see Jesus.”  I had heard about this verse from a very close pastor friend of mine in Wisconsin many years ago.  He had the words taped to the podium so that anyone who was a guest speaker would see those words and be reminded that the people in the audience are looking to “see Jesus” and I know this because I was a guest speaker for him once.  This is one of those verses that pops into my thought life every so often especially when it comes to treating or responding to people both friends and family and clients or customers.  It really pops into my mind especially when those I really don’t know at all have come across my path.  The reason this is important actually comes from another thought that supports this verse – “you’re the only Bible some folks will ever read.”

People are searching for answers today – more than ever.  They are watching our every move and listening to our every word – especially our young children and grandchildren.  Would a stranger see the Jesus in you that you profess to know?  How are you treating others?  Are the words that come from your thought life followed by your actions Christ-like?  Does any of this apply to your business prospects and client relationships?  Look in the mirror–who do you see?

Recently I had a need to look at the family calendar hanging on the kitchen wall – you know the calendars you get at the mall around Christmas time.  I was looking at some dates for a project I was working on.  I know that my wife always takes time between the holidays to mark up the new calendar (update it) and so I knew I would find what I was looking for.  What I did not realize or what was a surprise to me was all of the ‘stuff’ that she has so meticulously recorded on the calendar every year – the good, the bad and the ugly.  It is all there – from all the years we have been married including the births of all the kids and now grand kids, the marriage dates of all of the kids, when we bought a house – when we lost a house, when I started a new job – when I lost a job.  Everything was there.  It just surprised me how she captured our 40 years together on just 12 pieces of paper.  This is our life – our legacy with all its blessing and burdens.

The reason I bring this up is that I was reading in a book recently about how the Hebrew people were encouraged to pass along their history to the young ones growing up.  Not so much to remember all of the ‘bad’ stuff that they had to endure but to help them remember how many times God had intervened in their lives and how He came through for them.

How is it with you?  Do your kids and maybe grand kids know about you and your life and how much God has done for you?  Do they have something they can look forward to?  Think about it – then pencil something in for yourself to reflect upon and share with ohters later.