Power to Change » goals

Your Choice: Jerusalem or Babylon

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:51:44 +0000

“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.‘” (Revelation 17:1-2)

This is the time of year for planning and resolutions, though many will be broken by now. But, it is also a time for an overall trimming of the sails of life and aiming in the direction of the desired port. Where are you going? How do you plan to get there? What do you expect when you arrive?

A number of ancient cities are known for their character. Babylon stands for evil and is described in Revelation 17. The angel took John into the desert and introduced him to an earthly Babylon in the form of a reigning prostitute. Later the angel takes him to the eventual heavenly Jerusalem.

Sometimes when I read or watch the news I am convinced that we are living in a state of Babylon. It seems all we hear in terrorism, domestic abuse, corporate greed and the list goes on. Babylon represents the godless world system, obsessed by political power, religious seduction and self-centered affluence.

Each of us every day is pressured through the media and elsewhere to join in dancing the “Babylon shuffle.” The pressure is great in contemporary society. The prostitute is the perfect symbol of the godless system lurking all around us.

Love is reduced to a price tag. The joining of body parts is not the joining of lives, yet her attraction and allure are undeniable, for her trade is not sexual but rather commercial and even spiritual.

John moves beyond Babylon in Revelation 21: Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

It doesn’t get any better than that. So as we focus on our resolutions and living out this year, let us focus on and aim to Jerusalem. Let’s not be seduced by the clamoring and twittering of Babylon.

Question: The choice is yours. To which will you point your actions and focus throughout the coming year…… Jerusalem or Babylon?

Red Flags During Engagement

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:10:59 +0000

What are some red flags that should cause an engaged person to be concerned?

Momentary Pleasure

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:00:07 +0000

Need help praying for others? We would be happy to pray with you.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

There are all sorts of ads on television and on radio. Frequently, when it gets down to the fine print, the announcer speaks so fast that you can’t keep up with him. Why does he speak quickly? He’s reading the part the company would rather you didn’t hear. The important message: Buy it now.

Satan makes the same presentation: Don’t worry about the future; you can have immediate fulfillment now! The strength of Satan’s temptations is that worldly things are available immediately. You can have them – for a price – and they will provide temporary gratification.

The Enemy doesn’t bring up tomorrow. He invites us to forfeit our future by demanding immediate fulfillment of our desires. There is nothing you or I “must have” now that is worth stepping out of God’s will or losing the privileges and opportunities He has prepared for us. God has a plan for our lives, and there is absolutely nothing that can compare with His will, His purpose, and His goals.

Our relationship with God is the most important aspect of our existence. No experience at any time in our lives compares in the slightest with knowing Him. Yet every day, because we must “have it now,” we’re tempted to choose what Satan has to offer.

We sacrifice our future when we make irrevocable decisions during times of emotional weakness. Jesus Christ can help us face any temptation or trial Satan can throw our way. The Lord is there for us, and He will never leave us or forsake us.

Question: How does the enemy tempt you? How can you see the enemy using your weaknesses against you, and how does knowing this is occurring help you to prepare for his attacks?

What Really Matters in Life

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:00:45 +0000

Spend some time thinking about what really matters most in life: Try one of many online interactive studies.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” With slides of his CT scans beaming out to the audience, Randy told his audience about the cancer that was devouring his pancreas and that will claim his life in a matter of months.

Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon, as has the book he wrote based on the same principles, celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. Sadly, Randy lost his battle to pancreatic cancer, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all, for generations to come.

As I read his book, I found it inspiring and causing me to think about what I would say under a similar assignment. Throughout history people have tried to determine what really matters in life. Socrates said it was knowledge; Aristotle said self realization and Epicurus said it was pleasure. I know that for me it is a moving target. What mattered to be in my younger years and especially before I became a Christian are totally different from what matters now.

Years back, I would focus on the material things….Power, position and possessions. But now my focus is on family, faith friends and relationships. As Paul said to the church at Corinth, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Randy’s last lecture was like that. It was a one of a kind lecture that made the world stop and pay attention. Knowing he had only weeks to live, he said “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”

As I read his book I thought, what wisdom would I impart to the world if I knew it was my last chance? If I knew I was going to vanish tomorrow, what would I want as my legacy? Randy’s lecture was not about dying; it was about living…. living a life that really leaves a legacy and one that makes a difference for the better in the lives of people left behind. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment because “time is all you have…and you may find one day that you have less than you think.” It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.

The older I get, the more I realize that it’s the little things that count, but little things can move mountains when they inspire and motivate people.

Lord, help me to focus less on this life and more on the life to come.

Questions: What is priority in your life today? Does God fit into your dreams for the future?

Aligning Yourself with the Right Markers

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:51 +0000

Looking for some solid guideposts? Take our study Golden Nuggets from Philippians to learn how to live in a construction zone and where to find lights in a dark world.

“So we fix our eyes not on what’s seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18) .

I was on my way home. The airport below was covered in a dense fog. As the pilot began his descent, all of a sudden, he pulled up and aborted his landing attempt. In order to explain what had happened, he came on the PA system and announced that he was going to begin his landing procedure again. At the last minute, he had not been sure whether he was lining up with runway markers or street lights! I still wonder if he was serious in his explanation…

In the foggy patches of life, sometimes I wonder if I’m lining up my life with the right markers. It would have been tragic if the plane had landed on a city street or highway by mistake. In the same way, I think it would be equally disconcerting if I come to the end of my life and realize that I have aligned myself with the wrong values and goals.

I once heard someone say that there are only two eternal things that matter, God and people. The best plan for life is to align with these, in terms of investing time and energy. Where is your life headed, to an airport at the end of a runway, or onto a highway where there is oncoming traffic? Are you investing in the right things, being guided by the best markers that will bring you to a desired destination? How is your life lining up? Are you fixing your eyes on what is eternal?

Questions: Where is your life headed? Are you fixing your eyes on what is eternal? What are your values and goals?

Striving for Success

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:23:26 +0000

Success has always been a driving force in Rick’s life. With everything that he has attempted he strived for the best. But after hearing a quote from Chuck Colson, he starting questioning, What wall is he leaning his success against? Are you climbing a ladder of success to only find that its leaning against the wrong wall?

Gifts And Talents

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:51:48 +0000

We all have gifts and talents and God uses them to accomplish his goals. All we have to be is open to being used. Are you open? Are you ready to be used by God?

Related:
Want To Get Involved?

Checking Off A List

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:48:55 +0000

Do you have a long list of tasks that need to be checked off in order to feel like you accomplished something? Can you put aside your goals to make time for things that matter like spending time with your children? With the passage of time will you look back and still remember the things you accomplished or will the memories you make with your children be the lasting legacy?

Achieving Success

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:21:41 +0000

Cam had his life all planned out. He had goals set out but years later he wasn’t achieving the status he was aiming for. He was faced with the question “Do all these things really matter/” What would your answer be? What do you consider success?

Related:
Is This The Life For You?

Afraid Of Failure

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:05:05 +0000

Do you try to be the best at everything? We all set goals and get disappointed when we don’t achieve them. But we are more than our achievements and failures. Do you base your identity on how much you achieve or fail?