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31

Mar

2017
 

Let’s Get Good with Good

By Pastor Steve Kelly / Books /

(Adapted from The Accent of Leadership by Steve Kelly)

 

In order to fully understand and receive God’s favor, you must become “good with good”.

Over the years, I have noticed that for many people, learning to be “good with good” can be challenging. What do I mean by “good with good”? From my perspective, learning to accept material blessings without apology or embarrassment is an indicator that you have learned to be “good with good.”

Many Christians approach favor and blessings with a shyness or even guilt. But God has great gifts for us. In Matthew 7:11 we read, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

God wants to bless us. He will give us good gifts because He is a good Father. I learned how to be good with good early on and it’s changed my life – and if you struggle with accepting God’s blessings, it will change your life too. I was insecure and felt inadequate. I grew up in an environment that reinforced the idea that “poverty was godly” and that having nice things meant you thought you were better than other people. Well, I had just gotten married to the girl of my dreams and I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility and the feeling of “it’s too good to be true.” I was so afraid I would do something to mess it all up. And in that moment God spoke to me in such a clear and audible way. He understood what I was going through.

Being good with good isn’t about your preferences. It’s not about your comfort. It’s not about what is convenient for you. It’s about other people. Until you learn to embrace all that God has for you, you cannot fulfill the work he has called you to. When you aren’t doing what you are called to do you are missing out on a unique and distinct job of reaching certain people.

The necessity to be good with good goes far beyond our public lives, however. It’s not just about where we work and the friends we have or even the gifts we receive. It’s about our walk with God. When we have faith to ask God to bring blessing for ourselves and others, it demonstrates maturity. Something I often say to my church is that faith is an internal redemption, not an outward cosmetic improvement process. Faith requires adjustment. It requires stepping out. It requires being good with good. When we are good with good we receive favor and are open to a greater opportunity to give to the vision and mission of the local church.

What steps can you take today to be good with good? Take a moment to pray and receive His best for your life. You are worth it and the people in your life are worth it, and the continuing work of the local church is worth it.

3

Mar

2017
 

Chapter 1 – The Accent of Leadership

By Pastor Steve Kelly / Books /

Chapter 1 – The Accent of Leadership

(adapted from The Accent of Leadership)

Have you ever traveled abroad to a culture completely different from your own? If so, you may have experienced difficultly understanding a restaurant menu, adjusting to the cuisine, or had trouble remembering what side of the road to drive on. These things can all be expected from someone who is visiting a country that is not their own.

Did you know that if you are a Christian, you are visiting a land that is not your own? The Bible says that as Christians, our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20 NIV). This is a reassurance to those who find themselves dissatisfied with the troubles of this world, and those who feel out of place, like someone visiting a foreign nation. We ought not to be ashamed of our heavenly citizenship, but should try to behave as someone who is proud of their heritage. This chance to be a part of God’s family is a privilege, and sets you apart for His plan for your life.

When you speak, do your words reflect the fact that you are not “native” to this earth? Just as hearing a foreign accent causes someone to stop and wonder where that person is from; as Christian leaders, the way we speak should spark the same curiosity in people. Your accent should signify that you are a citizen of another place. With this awareness, we are reminded that we are first and foremost citizens of heaven and that this loyalty should come before even the country we call home. I’m not encouraging you to not be patriotic, but I am reminding you that our eternal home is heaven, not America or Australia or whatever country you call home. God’s ways transcend the barriers of language and the variables of culture. When you speak with an accent of leadership, you have the power of heaven available to you.

In the same way, Jesus spoke with power and authority, and people noticed. The Gospel of John tells a story about a time that guards were commanded to arrest Jesus, but upon hearing him speak they were left dumbfounded saying, “No one ever spoke the way this man does” (John 7:45-46 NIV). The Bible records that wherever Jesus went, crowds gathered. People were drawn to the way He spoke, because it was unlike anything they had ever heard before. Though the comparison is inadequate, just as my Australian accent is noticeable among a room full of Americans, Jesus’ words stood out.

My question for you today is, do you speak with the accent of leadership? Do your words and actions reflect a different culture than what is around you? As Christians, we ought to speak like we’re from another kingdom. Our words ought to carry weight. Words have power, and when spoken with an accent of leadership and a touch from heaven, they have the authority to bring life to even the most hopeless situations.

 

22

Feb

2017
 

PRAISE HIM

By Pastor Steve Kelly / Books /

PRAISE HIM

(adapted from Prosper: Live with Generosity, Live in Blessing by Steve Kelly)

Have you ever found yourself in a difficult situation? Perhaps someone around you misled you and you found yourself in a challenging financial position. Maybe it was your own decision that led to a tough spot. Regardless of how you arrived in a difficult situation, the real question is how do you get out? How we react to tough times is the crucial element in overcoming and becoming more of who God wants you to be.

It is crucial that in every circumstance we face, we keep Christ at the center of our lives. This begins with our praise. When we praise Him, we keep our eyes on Him. When we complain and whine, we take our eyes off Him. We can either focus on Him or we can focus on our troubles, but we cannot do both.

I’m not encouraging you to neglect your real responsibilities or bury your head in the sand. That would be foolish. What I am encouraging is to praise Him – to offer a sacrifice of praise. Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) reads, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”

Professing His name in the midst of stormy times (and sunny times) means speaking life, abundance, hope, fulfillment, and peace of God to your situation. Declare your agreement with God in praise, and you will prosper, even as your soul prospers. In the midst of all sorts of difficulties this week, month or year, are you still praising God?

17

Feb

2017
 

RESPONSIBILITY EQUALS REWARD

By Pastor Steve Kelly / Books /

(adapted from Prosper: Live with Generosity, Live in Blessing by Steve Kelly)

Every decision we make has consequences. Some decisions don’t require much premeditated thought. Decisions like what to wear, what to eat, whether you fill up your car with gas before or after work…

All of the above are necessary considerations, but aren’t particularly life-altering.

Other decisions, however; have major consequences and therefore require more reflection and consideration. For example, where you attend college, who you marry, if you join the military, or where you attend church. Each of these decisions has a major impact and influence the course of your life. While each of the consequential choices is serious and important, the most important decision you will ever make is the answer to the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?”

The decision to accept the Lordship of Jesus and become a Christian is more important than any other because asking Him to take over your life and serve Him completely has a direct influence on all other decisions. Once He is your Lord and Savior, you defer to His will and His call. No longer do you live for yourself, you live for Him, which means you live for others. When Jesus died for us He took the responsibility of our choice, death for sin, on the cross. We now have the great and exciting responsibility to think generationally and to take responsibility for reaching those around us and helping them prosper in their faith.

The best part about taking our responsibility from Jesus is that we get to share in His eternal reward. We get to be a part of His redeeming work on Earth, and we get to live with Him forever in eternity. As Christians, our responsibility equals incredible rewards. Not only do we have the privilege of sharing Christ with others, we get to see them prosper as the love of Jesus radiates from our live and our decisions, giving others hope and a better future in God.

9

Nov

2016
 

Your Destiny is Your Decision

By Pastor Steve Kelly / Books /

(adapted from Choose: Your Daily Decisions Determine Your Destiny)

 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. – Joshua 24:15 (NIV)

When Joshua declared these words to the people of Israel, he was exercising his power to choose. He was also responding to God’s revelation to His people that the realities of life and the consequences of our decisions really were up to us.

In Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV), God tells the Israelites, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life…”

Choosing the Lord is choosing life.

Our daily choices really do matter, because each choice we make has the potential to add life, or take it away. In order to choose life and decide our destiny, we must create the framework for our decision-making losartan potassium 100mg. Do we do what comes naturally? What feels good in the moment? Or do we based our choices on God’s word and promises?

If we prioritize God’s word and actively participating in His church, we will build a solid foundation that informs our choices. In every decision we make, if our heart is filled with faith to hear God and hold fast to Him, we will choose life.

May I encourage and challenge you today? Take some time this week to prioritize things in your life. Write out a list of unfinished goals or aspirations, and add a couple actions that will take you in the direction of God’s best for your life. Which will you choose? This day, and every day, choose life.

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