Today’s featured song comes from the son of youth pastor. While Chris McClarney was forced to move several times as a child due to the volatility of youth ministry, he now resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and children. One of my favorite Chris McClarney songs is Speak to the Mountains. Chirs’ lyrics remind me that God is bigger than my troubles in life.
But seek ([z]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([aa]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [ab]taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble, Matthew 6:33-34.
In the chorus of Speak to the Mountains, Chris sings with conviction of his belief that nothing is impossible with God on your side. I just wish I wasn’t shaken by the daily trials that I face in life. Perhaps, the more I listen to Speak to the Mountains I will be motivated to stop panicking and begin to trust in the Lord with all my heart and soul.
As a son of a former immigrant to the United States, I was raised to be frugal. My grandmother taught me to appreciate everything that you have. As I grew up in Delaware and began to learn from my teenage peers, I was encouraged to try to make things happen. Through dedication and hard work, I was initially successful in making things happen until I became a middle-aged white man.
And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn ([a]a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted. 8 Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; 2 Corinthians 12:7-8.
Prior to the internet, people were forced to use a rolodex of phone numbers as a means to social network with all the individuals that you know. Back in these days, making it happen took weeks, months, and even a year on occasion. Yet, modern day technology gives the desperate, eager, and motivated a vast social network to make all your dreams come true. Yet, for me, I wasn’t able to find a new job.
But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and[b]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [c]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [[d]in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful [e]in divine strength), 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
The apostle Paul writes about a troubling time in his own life in the passage above. Paul was suffering from a physical ailment that he blamed on the Devil. Nonetheless, when you can’t make it happen in your own life, turn to Jesus in your own weakness. According to Paul, the more desperate you become in life, the stronger that Jesus can become for you. Therefore, lean on Jesus when you’re not strong and needy.
Depending upon the leader, pastor or speaker at your church, you may or may not be inspired by a sermon. The book definition of inspiration is the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something. Thus, as you sit in chairs, pews or watch socially distant at home, the message will move you to act, put you to sleep or cause you to reflect upon a certain aspect of your life. According to an individual who attended the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus urged his followers to put his words into action via practice.
So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock. 25 And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great and complete was the fall of it. When Jesus had finished these sayings [the Sermon on the Mount], the crowds were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His teaching, Matthew 7:24-28.
After being an eye witness of another miracle by Jesus, the disciples were sent by boat to cross the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. However, during the night a squall churned up the waves, making it nearly impossible to cross. While this storm was brewing, Jesus decided to take a shortcut, walking across this body of water. Despite their close relationship with Jesus, Peter was the only disciple who wanted something more than just a message. Perhaps motivated by the feeding of the 5000, Peter took a step of faith.
Then He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent away the crowds. 23 And after He had dismissed the multitudes, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was still there alone. 24 But the boat was by this time out on the sea, many furlongs [a furlong is one-eighth of a mile] distant from the land, beaten and tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch [between 3:00—6:00 a.m.] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright. 27 But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I Am! Stop being afraid! 28 And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. 29 He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus. 30 But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]! – Matthew 14:22-30
Once outside the boat, Peter began to actually walk, stepping over each incoming wave. According to Matthew, a strong gust of wind caused Peter to become afraid. This fear took Peter’s eyes off of Jesus, turning his attention toward his circumstance, the storm. Subsequently, Peter began to sink beneath the crashing waves. Although Peter’s faith failed, he was the only disciple willing to get out of the boat. While no one likes to be embarrassed, if you want something more than just a message, practicing your faith means be willing to risk failure daily.
The word constantly refers to a continuous act, repetitive in a persistent manner, over and over again. Meanwhile, prayer is a solemn attempt for help, requesting God’s assistance, hoping and wishing for a quick response. When you put the two together, this cry of the heart often touches souls, inspiring others to join.
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers, Acts 1:14.
Whenever you talk to someone for the last time, emotions are stirred, causing some to tear up. Yet, others may be moved by this last conversation, motivated to act or do what you promised. Thus, in the hours and days following Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the stage was set for a unified movement. Known as a concert of prayer, those close to Jesus felt an urge to participate in a prolonged period of prayer.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise, James 5:13.
I must confess, prayer is something that doesn’t come naturally to me. In fact, if I don’t write my prayers down into a journal, I find myself distracted, with my mind wandering in circles. Nonetheless, in those rare occasions in which I have prayed continuously, the results have been amazing. Prayers were answered, healing occurred and lives were transformed. Therefore, don’t settle for an average life. Rather, call out to an extraordinary God, constantly in prayer, waiting for the Holy Spirit to arrive on the scene.
I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance, Mark 8:2-3.
The concept of a food bank can be traced back to the days of Pharaoh under the leadership of Joseph. Serving as the Secretary of Agriculture and blessed with visions of a coming drought, Joseph rose to second in command of Egypt developing a surplus of food to prepare for seven years of famine. Humanitarians of the past inspired the creation of the world’s first food bank in 1967, founded in the United States and now there are several throughout the globe.
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them? “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, Mark 8:4-5.
However, there is one person who can be credited as the original food bank. Jesus was constantly observant of others, thinking of their well being. This mentality motivated Jesus to get his twelve disciples involved in this process. Like any selfish person, they wanted to pass the buck, letting someone else provide assistance. Pressing the issue, Jesus asked a simple question, “what do you have to give?”
The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over, Mark 8:8.
Today, countless needy people exist wherever you may live. Unfortunately, most that possess the means don’t have the ambition, drive and time to reach out to souls who are hungry and thirsty. I’m just as guilty as the next person, distracted by my own wants and needs. Despite this reality, we all have something give. Therefore, the next time you have some spare change, time or resources to share, follow in the footsteps of Jesus who is the original food bank.
Whether you’re brushing your teeth, combing your hair or shaving, mirrors reflect the grim reality of physical features. Every minor imperfection is magnified, leaving a spirit of disappointment hovering over hearts, minds and souls who have let their bodies go. As I looked at my expanding waist line the other night, one thought reverberated in my head, “I can’t wait another day to act!”
Gone are the days of high metabolisms as bad eating habits show up quickly. In the meantime, the freshman 15 has led to the married 25, resulting in the lazy 50. When your eyes are opened to a crisis of weight, you have 3 options: accept it, continue in a state of deny or be motivated to make drastic changes. As for me, I’m somewhere between accepting and action, praying for the discipline for success.
Luke 14L28 suggests that everyone should consider the cost before making any decision. Whether you’re contemplating a career change, diet or move, you have to weigh the pros and cons. Although I haven’t developed a concrete plan, exercise and giving up soda is a good place to start. Regardless of the obstacle standing in your way, don’t wait another day or else the additional calories may be too much to overcome.
There was a time in my life when I was highly motivated, eager to reach my full potential. Unfortunately, I now experience periods of apathy, not caring how productive I am on my days off. Like a malaise, time ticks away while reclining in my chair. Before I can snap out of it, another day is flushed down the toilet.
While watching a reality show last, Jon Taffer, host of Bar Rescue, reached out to a family owned business in Staten Island, New York. Initially successful, three brothers let their establishment become inundated with a motley crew of bikers. In desperate need of an intervention, Jon uses tough love to convict this family of their inadequacies. When push comes to shove, you either need to stand up to face your fears or your dreams will be flushed down the toilet.
If you find yourself heading in the wrong direction, accountability from a co-worker or friend is essential to stay on track. Proverbs 27:17 suggests that accountability sharpens those who engage in and practice it. Therefore, if you don’t want another day to be lost to idle time, get involved now by meeting a friend in need. Unless you do, there’s a good possibility that another day will be flushed down the toilet.
The fast pace of life can cause individuals to overlook the obvious. In a rush to keep up with the bills, stress has blinded me from an important biblical truth. According to Jesus, one of the things you should pray for on a daily basis is protection from evil, Matthew 6:13. The outline what Christians refer to as the Lord’s Prayer or Our Father suggests evil is a by product of giving into temptation. Perhaps this might explain the apostle Paul’s warning in Ephesians 4:26-27.
Whether you tend to follow directions, live on the fence or like to play the role of a rebel, evil is on the other side of the door called temptation. Good intentions don’t mean a thing unless you walk with the king, 1 John 2:7. Words are meaningless without action as many, me included, need a heart transplant to our feet from evil, Psalm 51:10-11. If anyone thinks you can walk in the dark and just turn on the light whenever you want is fooling yourself. Compromise will derail souls, convincing minds to believe in lies, 2 Corinthians 614.
If there as anything communities, families or schools can do to create a hedge of protection is to ask God to deliver us from evil. However, this must be combined with the James 5:16 principle as confession lays a foundation for spiritual change. God doesn’t honor lukewarm prayers. Rather, by putting your heart, soul and mind into prayer, cry out to the Lord, believing your prayers will be answered, Matthew 21:21-22. May the Holy Spirit fill you with perseverance to stay motivated to fight this unseen battle, Galatians 5:16-18.
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