Its Time to Move!

Knock Knock 

I love a good story that makes me contemplate life. In Glasglow, Scotland a man went out for a few drinks with his friends. After a great night he called a taxi to transport him to his parent’s home. The man walked in the front door, grabbed a drink from the refrigerator then fell asleep on the couch. A few minutes later one of the homeowners found the unknown man on the couch and were frantic. The man had in fact gone to his parent’s house, however in the two years since he had seen or spoken to them – his parents had moved. Ultimately the woman called her husband who transported the barely coherent man to a local supermarket after posting the drunken man’s picture on Facebook. Luckily someone recognized their drunken friend from the post and retrieved him.

This is an absolutely crazy story that is very accurate for many people.

Keep following me.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11(NLT)

“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

How does this all relate?

We all have a past that others want to remain present.

After two years of distance and silence the man in our story, motivated by circumstance, returned to what was familiar. Yet, the inhabitants of his familiar way of living no longer lived there.

You can’t answer your old door while living at your new address. 

Just because you have actually moved on doesn’t necessarily mean your friends, exes, and even your habits received the memo or chose to read it.

When is it time to move on?

1.   You stopped growing or learning. 

Every day gives way for new experiences and learning opportunities. If you aren’t motivated to get better you need to get motivated to get moving. Seek to be in a job, relationship, friendship, or way of living that challenges you to grow. Does being there make you better? Does knowing them push you to learn? If you are coasting you will eventually run out of wind. Growth takes work and effort. 

2.   Your new goals don’t allow time/opportunity for your old ways

The bible teaches that you can’t put new wine in old wine skins (Luke 5:37). The old skins cannot handle the potency of the new wine. Your goals should cause you to evaluate what you do to get there. It is challenging wanting to save money and wanting the daily convenience of fast food or the latest gadgets. Something has to change. 

3.   There are no more options

There was a time I was ready to move on and someone dear to me asked a life-changing question, “Have you done everything to make it work?” If you haven’t super glued, counseled, waited, prayed, tried, brought in an expert, stood on one foot while holding your hand in the air – keep trying your options. If you can wholeheartedly admit that you gave your all and it still doesn’t work, take the green light and go. 

How do we move on?

“Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6: 11)

Recognize, remember, and put this in your notes – EVERYONE HAS A PAST! And that’s where it should stay.

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter with the understanding that its listeners had a past yet he affirmed their positive future. The crazy part is that he also knew that everyone wouldn’t catch it. There are people that will hold on to negativity in the presence of positive possibilities.  Be someone that believe in the change maker and have the boldness to move.

Three tips to help you move on.

1.   Allow your future to overshadow your past. 

The glow of your future should out shine the glimmer of your past. One light will wash out the other. 

Scripture says you were cleansed. There is a difference between bathing and showering. When you clean up in moving water – the dirt can’t stay with you. 

God doesn’t want to just wash your past off of you – He wants to wash it away. 

2.   Instead of reliving it – release it!

When you choose to take responsibility for your feelings and not give authority to others - you will move. Many of us want our offenders to acknowledge that they have mistreated us. What if they don’t? You don’t need their permission to pack your stuff. Constantly reviewing what hurt you will never heal you. Ever.  

Choose to let go even if they don’t.

1 Corinthians 6:11 is proof that through God you were made holy. That means you were set apart. God has pulled you away so that you won’t have to go running back.

Here’s a fun thought. Use caution when imploring others in your packing and moving process. Some people just want to go through your stuff and others will cause more damage than help. Simply put – pack with care and consult a professional for best results. 

3.    Find your right now joy and learn to be good.

Live in the present. When you dominate your mental space with what is best for you now, there is no room to worry about what happened then. Find what you lost when you believed your joy hinged on someone or something else. Be good. Maybe it’s a southern thing, but when we say, “I’m good” – it has a bunch of meanings. But, in the end it means I’m ok in my own space. Say it with me, “I’m good.”

If you struggle to block someone or certain groups on social media, block yourself! Delete the app and learn to love you again without checking to see if they care. Take a social media sabbatical. Delete. Breathe. Move.

Then, as a way to complete the moving process, forgive. Forgive what they did but you don’t have to forget. Your forgiveness does not require restoring the relationship….

The final part of 1 Corinthians 6:11 says that you were made right or justified. Similar to the classic animated movie The Lion King, it means you have been marked. God marked you as one of His own and placed His signature on your heart’s stitches. Speaking the name of Jesus allowed the Spirit of God to do His work removing your past, restoring your heart, and establishing His relationship with you. God knows about your past and He sees your great big wonderful Future. There is new place prepared for you – move on.

My 6-year-old son loves to tell jokes and I love to hear extra corny jokes! His favorite goes like this:

Knock. Knock.

Who’s there?

Banana.

Banana who?

Knock. Knock.

Who’s there?

Banana.

Banana who?

Knock. Knock.

Who’s there?

Banana.

Banana who?

Knock. Knock.

Who’s there?

Orange.

Orange who?

Orange you glad I didn’t say banana!

Maybe someone or something has kept coming back to you and knocking because you gave the anticipated results. You consistently answered, open the door, or gave what they expected. It is my prayer that right now God speaks to you and pushes you to stop falling for the banana and when that old thing comes knocking again – orange you glad you won’t be available.  

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Hidden Heroes!

Shout out to the side kick!

The world is full of heroes. Unfortunately, many of those heroes have not only masked themselves but also their abilities. I’m not talking about the individual bitten by a radioactive arthropod, the immortal man with an adamantium skeleton, or the lady who snatches abilities with a single touch. These individuals have the ability to do natural things in a super natural way yet they still shun their power. 

Superheroes are today’s most popular entity. Whether it is a television show, movie, cartoon, or Sunday lesson, there are superhero stories everywhere. One of my absolute favorite movies about superheroes is called the Incredibles. First released in 2004, this movie follows a family of superheroes in a town where superheroes were forced to hide their abilities.  To be honest, I think that same town exists all over the world. The difference is that no one is forcing our heroes to hide. They are either avoiding the opportunities to use what they have or they are using just enough of their abilities to avoid the spotlight.

The heroes are you and I – the everyday mom, dad, boss, employee, teacher, student, and friend individuals. 

You see, no one dreams of doing just enough. Dreams are comprised of the extraordinary, the outrageous, and amazing. Yet, these types of dreams will never be achieved through mediocre efforts. We were made to be super!

The notable boxer and now actor Mike Tyson said, “I'm a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds.”

That is what I call “all or all” dreams. Dreaming without doing was not an option for Mike Tyson. If Mike fell he never failed because Mike grabbed everything his hands could hold. 

It’s give all and learn all. 

Give everything you have and learn everything you can in the process.

Recently I was reviewing a classic bible story about a young guy. In fact, he was a superhero even though he wasn’t the main hero. This guy was more like the trusty sidekick that handed the superhero their tools. Everybody has a part in saving the day. 

Remember this, the morning’s sun and the evening’s stars are both stars – they just shine at different times but they both provide light. 

Our unlikely hero was young and not as known yet his time to shine shows up in John 6:1-14.

Jesus has just fed 5,000 plus people with great Gospel teaching and now they are physically hungry. How can one man feed many in one evening with one meal? There are several miracles in this story, but I want to focus on the little superhero that gave his all. 

John 6:9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

1. Young does not mean incapable. 

The bible teaches us that age does not always denote maturity (1 Timothy 4:12). You may be young in age, new to the company, a newlywed, or fresh out of school but you have something that everyone needs. Don’t allow your youth deter you from making grown decisions. 

History tells us that the young boy in our passage could have been there as an onlooker but quite possibly he was there selling food. 

One of the youngest American millionaires is a pre-teen by the name of Mikaila Ulmer. At 11 years old she founded Me & the Bees lemonade, a national product sold in Whole Foods and other retailers. The delicious lemonade is made from a unique recipe that includes flaxseed and local honey. 

Her company’s mission is ‘Beelieve’. It’s a simple yet profound message to dream big and do big things always!

So, how does a little girl take the refuse of a lemon and make a business and a young boy take scraps and make a mass meal?

Use what you have and trust your creator. Not only does God order your steps, He authors your purpose.

2. Value is relative to the provider

John 6:9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

ü Barley was considered coarse meal for animals – horses and camels

ü The fish was portioned fish – like larger catfish nuggets

Although the items were deemed unsatisfactory to the disciples and insufficient for the crowd, the boy saw its value and Jesus knew its potential. 

Why would the little boy sell something no one would purchase and why would Jesus accept something He could do nothing with? The creator or provider determines the value of a resource. Stop allowing broke individuals determine your worth.  People who are broken spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or otherwise will always undervalue what isn’t’ theirs. 

Why do we look at what we have created as just average? Someone wants what you’re providing. And when your sells have waned or plateaued that is when you engage a greater distributor.

You have exactly what Jesus needs.

Being a hero for others is a matter of using what you have to be a help to others. It isn’t the well-worded speech, the massive sum of money, or even a miracle antidote – it is the timing to give your best when it is needed.

3. Will you give it all?

John 6:9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Every little bit that the boy had produced everything the crowd needed and more.

If we are going to trust Jesus to help us find/show love we can’t give him a piece of our heart…

If we are going to trust Jesus to help us launch our/other’s dreams we can’t give him partial authority…

If we are going to trust Jesus to heal emotions we cant hold back a portion of our issues…

The boy gave everything that he could carry to Christ and took his hands off. He emptied himself, for others, through Christ and was rewarded with abundance. 

What are you holding back from the great multiplier? 

When you give everything – anything is possible.

Our little boy became a great hero with his little food that he put in Jesus’ great hands. Will you be a hero today? You can have the supporting role and still be important 

• Robin still got credit with Batman
• Everyone loves Chewbacca
• Donkey made Shrek cool

God will be glorified from your willingness to give!

Stop hiding who you are and what you can do with the help of Jesus.

Lastly, a great theologian named Dr. Davenport challenged me to review the numbers in this passage. 

The boy had 2 fish and 5 barley loaves. Together those equal 7. Biblically, the number two signifies man or division and five is the number of grace. Yet, when separation meets grace we have wholeness – the number seven. Even more exciting is the 12 baskets that remained. Most would assume that the 12 baskets represented the disciples and overflow for His followers. Twelve is also the number for government. God’s grace in the midst of great need and division will bring wholeness and He, in that moment and even today, will establish Himself anew in government. 

#JustWhatHeNeeds #AllThat #HeroInMe

Just a Word!

Just a word 

My two year old rode his first roller coaster this summer and it was hilarious!  Roller coasters are kind of like a right of passage for my thrill seeking family. As we climbed the first hill, he smiled with excitement. His smile rapidly morphed into a scream as the ride dipped, turned, and sped around its course. Afterward, he looked me directly in the face and said, “Let’s do it again daddy!”  I think we rode that coaster 10 times! We spent hours at the park riding, eating, and just enjoying the day. Just about to leave my son broke down crying in an inconsolable fit. The only accepted solution was to head back to kiddie land for a few more rides.

How many times can you tell your kid, “This is the last ride?”

The final final ride he got on was the rotating strawberries. It slowly ascended into the air and then gradually descended while rotating. 

All of sudden the park became deafening silent. Every sound from every automated machine, game, and ride ceased.

My heart launched into my throat as my son yelled, “Save me Daddy” while suspended several feet in the air.  I could not reach him with my hands but I knew my words would get to him.

“Be calm…daddy won’t leave you. I will make sure you get down safely!”

What do you do when you can’t physically reach someone in need? How do you help an individual you can’t hold?  Can you imagine wanting to save someone you care for but having to wait for someone else to solve the problem?

The Gospel of Matthew chapter eight reveals the story of a Roman officer who crossed Jesus’ path. The officer was absolute in his intentions with Jesus. He had a sick soldier that only Jesus could heal. The officer was not concerned with how well he himself knew Jesus but rather the fact that he knew Jesus had healing authority and his soldier needed help.

My favorite part of the story is Matthew 8:8,“The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.”

The officer understood that a touch from Jesus could fix it all but even if Jesus could not reach him physically – the strength of his statements would do the work. 

My friend often says, “Words mean things” and I often tell my child, "Use your words."

When we speak the Word of God…

When we live the Word of God…

When we exercise the Word of God…

When we stand on the Word of God….

Whatever it is that is opposing you has to fall in submission even if you are seeking and speaking a word for someone else’s healing.

I argue that the soldier's healing took place in two parts:

1.    The moment the officer cried out “Lord” – Romans 10:13 says salvation is for everyone that calls on the name of the Lord.

2.    The moment Jesus said “Go” – If Jesus says it – that determines it. 

So how do you reach someone you can’t touch? 

If you understand that a phone can connect people that are continents away how great is the connectivity of prayer. A call to Jesus can meet anyone at the point of their need. When you can’t fix it physically do it audibly.

Your prayer goes quicker than your presence. 

Before the park’s maintenance team arrived, there was a level of calm in my son’s rotating strawberry. He was in the strawberry with two other terrified children. The difference was that my son could hear his father’s voice. And, when my son called on his father, he received enough comfort to share his peace with them. 

After nearly 40 minutes suspended in the air, the park’s maintenance staff arrived at the ride. The strawberries completed their decent and the boys rapidly exited the ride like nothing had happened. 

There is something about a word that provides supernatural peace and healing…

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