Marc Estes

The times in which we live are difficult times. Many today have suffered significant loss. Millions of homes have gone into foreclosure. Tens of millions are unemployed. Multitudes are looking for help in finding their next meal. It is in times like this that many struggle with being thankful for what they “do” have, instead of being discouraged with what they “don’t” have.  I understand that this perspective is easier stated than walked out in real life, but I think we can all agree that there is something in our lives that we can be grateful for, if we just stop and look.

In her classic autobiography The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of the time she and her sister were forced to take off all their clothes during Nazi inspections at a death camp. Miss ten Boom stood in line feeling forsaken and defiled. Suddenly she remembered that Jesus hung naked on the cross. Struck with wonder and worship during that seemingly forsaken moment, ten Boom leaned forward and whispered to her sister, “Betsie, they took his clothes, too.” Betsie gasped and said, “Oh, Corrie, and I never thanked him.” Thanksgiving does not require bounty–just recognition of what our Savior has already done.

I don’t know about you, but when we compare our challenges to the circumstances in Corrie’s life, things just don’t appear to be as severe as we thought them to be. I think it is safe to assume, it is all a matter of perspective.

If you are in a stretching time and find yourself wondering what tomorrow might bring, why not take a few minutes and get alone with God. Take some time to reflect on all the wonderful things He has done for you. I promise you, it will brighten your day and give you the strength to move forward into tomorrow with a heart of thankfulness.

If you have a few minutes, Check out Corrie sharing her heart. Get a box of Kleenex, you will be inspired!

I heard a great story regarding the value the Word of God can play in our lives. It is worth the read!

A young man from a wealthy family was about to graduate from high school. The custom of this affluent neighborhood was the bestowal of a car once the student graduated from high school. The boy fully expected the norm would hold true for him as well. He had spent months talking about cars and looking at them with his father. Just a week before graduation this father and son found what appeared to be the perfect car. The young man was certain he would see the car in his driveway. Yet, when he opened his father’s graduation present it was a Bible. He was so mad that he threw down the Bible and stormed out of the house. He never reconciled with his father and remained estranged until the father died.

As the son went through his father’s belongings, he came across the Bible his father had given him years ago. He brushed off the dust and opened it. To his surprise and horror he found a cashier’s check between the pages of Scripture. It was dated the day of his graduation for the exact amount of the car he and his dad had chosen together. God’s greatest gifts are still found in the pages of Scripture, but we sometimes allow greed to destroy relationships and divert our attention elsewhere.

It is unfortunate that most of us see ourselves as a composite of all our failures. When we look in the mirror we may only see a divorced person, or someone who lost his job, or an overweight loner. Even though many of us can’t see beyond the failures, this is not the way God views us. As a loving Father, he looks past our failures.

Can you imagine a loving father introducing his children by saying, “This is my daughter, Meagan, who stained the carpet with grape juice when she was two”? Or, “This is my son, Myles, who broke a valuable vase last week.” If loving fathers don’t have a need to memorize their children’s failures, you can rest assured our loving Heavenly Father has no use for such memories either. When we accept God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ, he forgets our failures.

As a kid, I remember playing a game with the neighborhood kids called, “King of the Mountain.” The goal of the game was to step on heads and attempt to make your way to the top of a heap of bodies and remain on the top as long as possible. There was no consideration of those under you and it was inevitable that someone would always get hurt.  This innocent little game was only one of the many influences that enforced the secular approach to doing life.

This approach permiates most sectors of our society and is more formally known as, “survival of the fittest.”  It has become common place in our culture to, “look out for number one”  and do whatever it takes to get to the top, regardless of the expense of others around you.

Could it be that there is another perspective that should be considered? Is true fulfillment really found at the top of the pile, as the world so eloquently portray it to be? Is there another set of values that we should be pursuing that just might bring a higher level of satisfaction and fulfillment to our lives? Does God’s word have something to say about where we should  be investing our passions, energy and interest? Could it be that millions are giving their lives to climb to the top of the pile only to find that there is nothing of true value once they arrive?

One of the most meaningful, yet challenging books to me is Philippians. It is while in prison, that Paul begins to unveil his discovery of finding the revelation regarding his intent to journey toward the bottom of the pile. Paul opens his heart, shares from his life experiences admitting he had tried the “top of the Dog Pile” approach only to find it empty and worthless.

Phil 3:4-7 ( The Message Bible) “The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash–along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant–dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash.”

Earlier on in Chapter 2, he prefaces his conclusion by describing three simple, yet priceless nuggets regarding his perception of life’s journey to the bottom of the pile and uses Christ’s example regarding this true path to fulfillment.

1. Selfish ambition and fleshly pursuits will get you nowhere in God’s eyes. (Philippians 2:1-5)

 “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care– then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

2. Serving others before yourself is the real road to fulfillment. (Philippians 2:5-8)

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.  He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death–and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.

3. The degree you serve determines the degree of God’s honor in your life. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth–even those long ago dead and buried–will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.”

Before you waste another moment working your way to the top of the pile, you might consider living life another way. You just mind end up more fulfilled. Think about it!

Most people believe in some concept of God. Yet how we define God is as important as our belief in Him. Four percent of Americans today believe they are gods themselves. Another seven percent believe that God is the total realization of personal, human potential. (2) If that happens to be a belief system to which you ascribe, be prepared to accept the colossal ramifications of being bound by your own human limitations. On the other hand, if you believe that God is unchangeable (Heb. 13:8), unequaled (Isa. 40:13-25), infinite (1 Kings 8:27), all-powerful (Jer. 32:17), ever-present (Ps. 139:7-12), and all-knowing (1 John 3:20), there is a much better chance that you will reach your intended destiny with the assistance of an incredibly powerful God who is willing to lead you every step of the way.

It is also important to understand that He is a personal God. He personally loves you very much (1 John 4:8,16). He will always be truthful with you (Ps. 117:2). You can count on Him being merciful when you fall short (Lam. 3:22–23). He is also fair in every circumstance (Ps. 89:14), and thankfully, He is very patient (Exod. 34:6-7).

What a relief to know that there is a loving, personal God that is on our side, coaching us and believing in us. He is for you, not against you. He is your number-one fan. Understanding that God is a very personal God and that He possesses these unchangeable attributes brings added confidence that you can really make your life amount to something eternally meaningful.

Praying God’s Word is one of the most powerful acts a human being can initiate. When you activate the principle of prayer along with the promises of God, their is a synergistic power that is released in  your life.

Knowing that 2010 will bring us great surprises and opportunities, our faith must be secure in who God is, and who He promises to be in our lives. Here a great scripture to apply to your prayer life this  year. It is taken from Psalm 23 and outlines the seven characteristics of God, derived from the Hebrew names of God. Try if for a week, and see if you aren’t encouraged with a fresh perspective for 2010:

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my Shepherd…” -

Prayer -”Lord you are Jehovah Rohi, MY Shepherd, the one who cares and protects me in all that I face. Thank you for loving me and caring for me.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:1 – “I shall not want…”

Prayer – “Lord, you are Jehovah Jireh, MY Provider and you will supply my every need according to your riches and glory. I will trust in you to take care of my needs.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:2 – “He makes me lie down in green pastures…”

Prayer – “You are Jehovah-Shalom, MY Peace and you will give me the peace that passes all my human understanding and reasoning, despite what I see or feel.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:3 – “He restores my soul…”

Prayer – “You are Jehovah-Rapha, MY Healer, and you will restore my body, soul and spirit and make me complete in you. I believe this year to be replenished in You.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:3 – “He guides me in the path of righteousness…”

Prayer – “You youre Jehovah-Tsidkenu, MY Righteousness and you will guide me to do what is right in your sight in all that I do. Let me live a live of purity and integrity this year.”

* * * * * * * *

Pslam 23:4 – “Though I walk through the valley of shadow of death… you are with me…”

Prayer – “You are Jehovah-Shammah, MY Presence and I thank you that you are always with me and will never leave or forsake me. Whether I feel you, or not, I know you are by my side.”

* * * * * * * *

Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”

Prayer – You are Jehovah-Nissi, MY Defender, and you will alway protect me from the evil one. Lord build hedge around me today.”

I am often asked by young leaders, “What book would you recommend?”   Although, I am encouraged with their desire to expand their knowledge base with something more than an evening of Facebook conversations, I am reluctant to just give them a few hot titles.

What encouraged and strengthened me, may not have the same benefit to another person based on their season of life.  I am a firm believer that if you are going to invest 5-10 hours of your time to read a book, it should be a book that will have a lasting impact on your life.  Therefore,  you might consider a few questions before choosing a book to read:

1. Choose books that focus on an area of your life that needs improvement and development - A few questions you might ask are,  ”What areas of my life need the most attention?”  “What area of my life needs the most improvement?” “What skills should I develop to better myself, my ministry or my career?”

2. Once a subject is determined, take the time to research books on that subject. Ask those that excel in the area you looking at.  Conduct a search on a few book sites.

3. Once a book is chosen, research the author and investigate their background and education. Make sure they have the authority to be speaking about the subject they are writing about.

4. Go to www.amazon.com and read the reviews and comments on the book.

5. Read the table of contents and sample chapters offered on Amazon as well.

6. If you are an avid reader, you might consider purchasing a Kindle. This great new device allows you to search through over 300,000 books and download your choice within a few seconds. You can download sample chapters, read them and determine if the book catches your attention before purchasing, all in your recliner. The cost of books are also about 40-60% cheaper than the bookstore price.

During 2009, I have spent a great deal of time ingesting books that deal with our culture and their perception with the church today. As an executive pastor at a large church in Portland I feel the responsibility to understand those we are trying to reach and how we might position ourselves to be more effective in reaching people for Christ. Although these books may not fit the season you are in personally, these would be my top picks for 2009:

Understanding those we are attempting to reach recommendations:

• Preaching to a Post Modern World               By Graham Johnston
• UnChristian                                                By David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
• The Shape of Faith to Come                        By Brad Waggoner
• The Seven Faith Tribes                                By George Barna
• Lost and Found                                           By Ed Stetzer
• The Quitting Church                                     By Julia Duin

Connecting to those we are reaching recommendations:

• First Impressions                                         By Mark Waltz
• Lasting Impressions                                    By Mark Waltz
• Fusion                                                         By Nelson Searcy
• No Perfect People Allowed                             By John Burke
• Multi Site Churches                                      By Scott McConnell           

Before we even start our post discussion today,  pause for a moment and ask yourself these questions: “Do I love my local church?” “How passionately involved am I in both serving and supporting my local church?” Hopefully, these questions are more of an encouragement than an exhortation.

What if we were to ask Jesus the same questions today? “Jesus, do you love the Church?” Scripture answers that one quickly, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25, TNIV). Next question: ”Jesus, how passionately are you involved in serving and supporting the local church?” Again, Scripture answers, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25, TNIV).

It seems pretty clear. Jesus died for the church, and He also lives, always interceding, for her. Jesus loves the Church. As a young boy at the age of twelve, Jesus’ parents thought He was lost, so they went on a massive search to find him. Three days later they found Him. Where? In the Jewish Temple! He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49, TNIV). His answer states the obvious. Why would you even consider looking anywhere else but in the Temple?

On many occasions Jesus referred to the Church as His bride. I have been to many weddings in my life, perhaps hundreds. While the crowd stares at the beautiful bride walking down the aisle, my eyes are set on the groom. Oftentimes he is crying, overwhelmed with emotion, as the love of his life walks down the aisle to be presented to him. As an illustration to help us attempt to comprehend Christ’s love for the Church, God compares it to a man’s love for his bride. In his book, Stop Dating the Church, Joshua Harris says, “Is it possible that God didn’t get His inspiration for loving the church from marriage, but the one reason He created marriage was to illustrate His love for the church? God invented romance and pursuit and the promise of undying love between man and woman so that throughout our lives we could catch a faint glimmer of the intense love Christ has for those He died to save. What a passion He has for His church. The strongest argument I know for why you and I should love and care about the church is that Jesus does.”

Many interpret the passage of scripture in Ephesians 5:22–33 to be Jesus speaking about the Church (big ‘C’ Universal), and I would agree with them. But this must also be interpreted in context to the components that make up the big ‘C’ Church, which is the small ‘c’ local church. Jesus loves His Church, and He loves every local church. We are to love it the same!

Reasons Why We Need the Church

We are not only to love the church, but we really need the church! Rick Warren says, “A Christian without a church home is like an organ without a body, a sheep without a flock, or a child without a family. It is an unnatural state.”  Without a local church, our lives are incomplete. You may have needs that aren’t being met through your local church, but God intends for it to provide the following needs:

• An environment of spiritual growth.
• An atmosphere of God’s presence.
• A place to belong to a genuine community.
• A family to help meet your needs.
• A place of covering and protection.
• A place for accountability and safety.
• A place for wisdom, direction, and counsel.
• A place to make a difference.
• An opportunity to pour your life into others.
• A safe atmosphere to raise families.
• A place to give of finances, time, and energy.

I was reminising about our last trip to Kona, Hawaii and came across a picture of a plant growing up through the volcano lava field. I thought it was a great analogy of how God can bring new life out of trials and tragedies that come our way. We all have faced, or will face trials. God can use everyone of them for our good.  

There is purpose to our lives, greater purpose than happiness alone. Throughout our lifetime, God will allow or divinely place circumstances along our journey that will put us face to face with certain issues we are to resolve. How we respond to these trials is of the utmost importance. Charles Swindoll says, “I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.”

The Bible substantiates this point in 1 Peter 4:12: “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner” (MSG).

Not all life experiences are meant to be bad. There are times (hopefully many) when God allows us to experience His goodness through His favor and blessings. Maybe you were mentored by a great man or woman of God, and that experience played a role in shaping you. Or you might have attended a great college or university, and that experience helped shape you into who you are today. Maybe you were raised in a wonderful family environment, founded upon a solid foundation of biblical morals and values. These are some of life’s most positive experiences. The bottom line is that God intends to use every life experience, whether good or bad, to shape you into a person that is fully able and prepared to fulfill their purpose. Over the years, I’ve developed a working definition of what I believe a life experience is:

“Life experiences are certain events or seasons that God directs or allows for you to acquire knowledge, character, and understanding that can be used to benefit you and others in future situations and ministry opportunities.

Day after day, we will face trials, tragedies, and triumphs that we can’t control. We can allow these circumstances to bury us or choose to step up and shake it off. The choice is ours for the taking.  I suggest we allow these life experiences to help us make sense of who we are and where we’re going.

These life experiences are only a part of our entire design and are intended to be the refining and strengthening agent of our other components. The previous four chapters have defined the four major components that are placed in our lives by our Creator. Passions, spiritual gifts, talent and abilities, and personal makeup are woven into the fabric of our lives. Life experiences are different in the sense that they are external factors that are placed in our lives by God to refine us. This refining process works to develop godly character in our lives as well as to place us in certain experiences that further shape us into a God-shaped vessel, perfectly crafted for our purpose. After a while, we begin to see that easy isn’t necessarily synonymous with good and difficult isn’t necessarily synonymous with bad. Sometimes the tough experiences have the greatest refining effect in our lives.

Here are a few benefits to consider next time you are going through a difficult Life Experience:

                • Make you more like Jesus (1 Pet. 4:12–13).

                • Give you compassion to minister to others (2 Cor. 1:4).

                • Draw you closer to Jesus (Ps. 34:18).

                • Create a greater dependence on God (2 Cor. 1:9).

                • Make you a stronger person (Rom. 5:3–4)

                • Are tools used in fulfilling your purpose (Gen. 50:20).

                • Promise you a better life (Heb. 12:11).

                • Give you a better perspective on life (Duet. 8:4-5)

                • Make you more humble (Heb. 12:10).

                • Achieve eternal glory (2 Cor. 4:17).

How refreshing to know that God has taken great interest in our lives! We haven’t been left alone, but have been set on a course to accomplish great things during our lifetime. He guides us, directs us, disciplines us, challenges us … all because He loves us. Our responsibility is to set our sights on our purpose, to not lose heart, and to never give up.

As I sat down early this morning in my office, I couldn’t help but to take some time to think about what I am thankful for. Afterall, it is Thanksgiving morning and it is a day where we all stop, eat food, watch football (go Cowboys), take some naps, and oh by the way, reflect on all the things we should be thankful for.  If you are anything like me, it is easy to allow life’s problems, pressures and enticements to illuminate the things I DON’T have instead of being thankful the things I DO have.

Yet, like most every other early morning in my office, I must stop again, put my attention on God and His goodness and thank him for all He has done for me over the years. In a matter of seconds, the thought of what I have become and what I deserved floods every pore of my being with gratefulness toward Him. If I had never received anything else, but Jesus Christ as my Lord, I would die a happy man. But in addtion to that incredible gift, I have been given the most wonderful wife, godly children and precious grandkids which all are overwhelming gifts from God.  I am thankful for my pastor, my church and the wonderful privilege to serve as a leader in building His kingdom; a calling far beyond what I deserve.  I am thankful for my health, I am thankful for my finances, I am thankful for food in my refrigerator, and the roof over my head. I am even thankful  for my Ford Explorer (or ”Exlploder”)  with cloth interior, nineteen dollar rims and vinyl bumpers in the garage.

It is amazing that when you dwell on what you DO have and begin to thank God for all He has done,  it makes all those things that you DON’T have grow strangely dim.  Maybe that is why Paul shared this secret from his life, so that we too wouldn’t live a life of sorrow, but one of great joy. He said, “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18) He was a guy that definitely knew how to give thanks in everything, regardless of his circumstances.  

I read a quote early this morning from a man named Matthew Henry (1662-1714) who is remembered today for his commentary. During his lifetime he was known for his gratitude. Once, while walking down a street, he was robbed. The thieves took everything of value. Later that night, Matthew Henry wrote the following in his diary: “I am thankful that during these years I have never been robbed until now. Also, even though they took my money, they did not take my life. And although they took all I had, it was not much. Finally, I am grateful that it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.” True gratitude can be found in more places than we often look. (By the way, cool hairdo! We will leave the outfit alone.)

As you face this day, stop for a few minutes, get alone in a quiet place and begin to thank God for everything you DO have. You just might be surprised and have a better day.  If you are interested in learning more about what Thanksgiving Day really is all about you will want to check out a cool site on Thanksgiving.