Whatever

The fourth chapter of the Book of Philippians may best be known as the chapter that houses the "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13 verse, yet the verses leading up to this more well known verse should serve as an encouragement to us as we traverse in and out of each day. In this chapter, I've labelled as the "Whatever" chapter, Paul describes how he has learned to deal with every adversity that life has thrown his way and what he has learned to do that allowed him to move forward, praising God "whatever" happens each day. 

Verses 6-7 are also often quoted verses telling us to not spend our days worrying about what is going on in our daily lives, but instead to present our troubles to God and we will receive a peace beyond our understanding. Sounds easy enough right? In other words, if we just pray, our troubles will vanish and we will be strolling through the daisy fields of life content that God is removing all of our worries and concerns. Well, I just don't believe that is what God is saying at all. To get the full gist of what Paul is proclaiming in chapter 4, you have to read on to see how Paul used prayer and petition to God to overcome and withstand the adversities of this life. 

In verses 11-12 Paul describes how he has learned to be content when he is in need, and how he has learned to be grateful when he has what he needs and also thankful when he is in desperate need. Full belly or empty stomach, overflowing bank account or dead broke, Paul states that he has learned how to be content through his relationship with Christ. (Phil. 4-13). Being content when life is tough isn't that easy, yet I firmly believe that Paul had reached that place through the art of not looking at the bad that was currently impacting his life, but instead, by placing his focus on the positive and good, his thoughts did not sink to pity or shame, but instead Paul's thoughts moved towards a glimpse into what is possible through God and His love. 

Paul shares the secret to being content in the "whatever" verses of chapter 4. What Paul suggests is that we have to adopt a different outlook on life. Instead of looking at every situation through the lens of "Why did this have to happen to me?" to a perspective of "How can I use what is happening in my life regardless of what it looks like on the surface?" That is tough, it is a challenge to see a health crisis as an opportunity, but it isn't the crisis that is the opportunity, it is more your perspective and what you do as a result of the crisis that will impact your life and the lives of others. The key to a different mindset is found in verses 8-9. "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Whatever, no matter what, whatever is going on in your life, think on these things and God's peace will prevail in all situations and circumstances. What we give our attention to determines our perspective on life. Focus on the adversity and you will only see adversity, focus on the promise of a life eternal where there will be no more adversity and you will experience hope.

When we put things in a different perspective from the world's view, what we begin to see isn't the challenges, but instead we see the opportunities that our challenges present. I often share a quote from one of my historical heroes Winston Churchill that goes like this, "The pessimist sees the challenge in every opportunity, while the optimist sees the opportunity in every challenge he faces." How is that possible? I believe it starts with the mindset that Paul provides in Philippians 4. If we focus our time and energy on things that are true and worthy of being thankful, our mindset will experience a shift towards Paul's way of thinking. When the world wants to tell you that you shouldn't have to be dealing with whatever it is you are going through, remember the words of Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". Whatever it is, Gods got it! Amen. 

Coach Carter

The Hammer

 During one of my recent devotionals, the speaker noted that our words are like a hammer. When I think of a hammer my mind races to memories of my own father. Joe E. Carter was a builder and the evidence of his work still exists today in our home town, where he and his crews built close to 100 homes during the 60's and 70's. The houses he built have served as homes for thousands of families over the past 50+ years, and most likely will serve as homes for generations to come. His hammer provided safety, security, and a sense of belonging in our community. Just as a hammer can be used to provide the aforementioned assurances, unfortunately that same hammer can be used to tear down and destroy with one fatal blow. 

The devotional speaker I referenced above compared the words we speak to the power of that hammer. Our words can be used to build up and encourage or our words can beat down and destroy a person's sense of worth. Many times our words are said without considering the potential damage that they may cause. It is our responsibility to choose our words carefully, we make the choice of the outcome, building up or tearing down. The question you have to ask yourself today is "Do I build up or do I tear down with the words I speak each day?"

 Proverbs 18:21 warns us that "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit". Just as in our example of the contradictory uses of a hammer, our words have the power to provide encouragement and a sense of security, (build up), or we can use our words to tear down and destroy (death). Sadly, today I feel that many of our neighbors are using their words with the power to destroy and far fewer folks are building others up with their words. The good news is we are in control of our tongues and we make the choice of what impact our words will have on others. I want to encourage you to be a builder of hope and peace, not a demolition expert destroying others with the words you speak. 

The Book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, considered to be the wisest man to have lived prior to the birth of Jesus, and throughout his contribution to the Bible, Solomon constantly speaks to the constructive/destructive ability of our words. At least seventeen times in Proverbs, Solomon shares his wisdom on the topic of the impact of our words, and the message found in Proverbs 12:18 serves as a standard bearer for how Solomon felt about the hammer our words have the potential to be. "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." 

Choose to build people up with your hammer. Reconstruct what is broken in your world with your hammer and make the choice to firmly hammer love and truth to a world that so desperately needs  reconstruction in our hearts. Choosing to use your hammer to destroy may only take one fatal swing, so guard your words, think of others and the impact your words will have, and listen more than you speak. In doing so, your words will build safe and secure dwellings just like the homes my father constructed so many years ago. 

Coach Carter

What You Search for You Will Find

 Henry Ford is quoted as having said, "Whether you think you can or think you can't you are right." The perception of what we believe is powerful, our thoughts dictate our opinions, and our opinions shape our beliefs. Where Henry Ford remarked on our state of mind in the realm of fortitude and perseverance, Pastor John Maxwell has stated that "What you search for you will find." In similar fashion, the power of our thoughts and mindset create for us our unique vision of reality. In the world that we live in today it is easy to get bogged down by television and social media, but at the end of the day what is it that you are looking for in the people you share your time with each day? What state of the state are you seeking? Much like the old saying you are what you eat, I'd like to offer that you will find what you look for each day. 

In Matthew 7:3-5 Jesus tells His disciples (we are His disciples today), "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Ask for things that will glorify God and they will be given to you. Don't sit around and wait for things to be handed to you on a silver platter, go knock on some doors and those doors will open, and in context with today's message, if you seek you will find. So the question is what are you seeking? Do you want to see the bad in the world? Do you want to see the worst of people in your day to day journey? Is your daily goal to see just how many people can do you wrong and make your day a bad day? My friend, just as Jesus shared, if you seek those things you will find them. Now, do I believe Jesus was directing us to find the bad in the world? Not at all, but the directive fits both ways, whatever it is you are seeking you will find it. Look for bad, it is there. Look for the good in this world and it will become increasingly obvious that it is here, and if you seek it, you will find it!

At times we look through jaded lens, at other times we place things under a microscope, and still other times we perceive things through a one way piece of glass, never realizing that if we were to stand in front of a reflective mirror we might just see the exact thing we disdain. During another portion of the Sermon on the Mount in the same truth, teaching lesson, Jesus questioned His disciples and the crowd who had gathered, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3. Too often we want to be the judge and jury when it comes to people we share life with or situations that we encounter during our day's journeys. Personal reflection is a skill I have had to invest a significant amount of time and effort in, and when I say it is a challenge, it truly is, but just as Jesus so poignantly shares, many times we only want to see the speck in others when we have a plank of our own. As a matter of fact, preceding Jesus' directive regarding the speck and the plank, Jesus shared a pretty direct message, "Judge not lest ye be not judged" Matthew 7:1. 

Do you see grey clouds and thunderstorms or do you see a vital rain shower that provides nourishment regardless of its initial impact? Do you see a dirty, disheveled homeless vagrant, or do you see a person who is downtrodden, bound in hopelessness who needs to see Jesus through you today? Is the world stacked against you, or are you going through the very things you have to go through to become the person God purposed you to be? Whatever circumstance you are engaged in today one thing is abundantly clear and absolutely true, what you search for, you will find. 

Make the decision today to start self-reflecting more and begin the process to see the good in the world instead of focusing only on the perception of what is bad. As hard as it may be to realize, there is a purpose in the "bad" of life. It is my opinion and I'm sticking with it, but I do not believe in coincidences. God has a plan for each and every person on this planet. You have to make the conscious decision to seek the good and ultimately see the good in this world we all must live. Just as the DJ says on one of my favorite radio stations, WCQR, "There are a lot of good people in the world we live in, but if you can't find one today, be one!" I encourage you today, seek the good and you will find it!

Coach Carter

There Ain't No Free Rides

 In the Gospel of John 16:33 Jesus shares this comforting message with His disciples, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Why did Jesus feel the need to share this with His band of early followers? Was Jesus forecasting pain and suffering? Why wouldn't Jesus just cover the disciples with a special blanket protection plan that would ensure they did not face hardship, medical issues, challenging situations, or even persecution to the brink of death? He could have, but look at the life of Jesus himself. Yes, Jesus was fully God, born of a virgin, a man who lived a sinless life, and what was His reward here on earth? As Jesus was sharing this message with the disciples, He was also preparing for what was inevitably coming, His arrest, undeserved humiliation, cruel torture, and then death on the cross. Why did God allow this to happen to His Holy Son? Well, if this conversation had been held between Jesus and His disciples in today's vernacular, Jesus may have said something like this, "Guys, just because you follow me doesn't mean that you get a pass on the pain and suffering of this world. In this world you are going to have to deal with medical conditions, relational devastation, unthinkable circumstances, and possibly unbearable situations, because their ain't no free rides. But, hang in there, because just like I, the Son of God, have been given a bad deal to bear, you are not alone and I will be with you through it all!" Jesus did not face the cross alone, nor did His disciples, most of whom suffered cruel, inhuman deaths while in service to God. But through it all they were not alone and that truth is the same for us today. There ain't no free rides, but there is a reason for that and that is what we are sifting through today. 

What was Jesus sent to this earth for in the first place? In the Book of John we are told that Jesus was sent to this world to save the lost and provide a path to salvation for mankind. (John 3:16). Jesus didn't receive a free pass, He knew what was going to happen before He was ever sent to this world, and He willingly accepted His called purpose. Jesus knew there was a much bigger purpose than what His human existence could accomplish, but He would be required to endure the cross. Did Jesus want to be beaten, tortured, humiliated, and then painfully nailed to a wooden cross to die an excruciating death? Jesus was flesh and bone, of course He did not want to endure that type of treatment, but because He was also fully God, He did it as a sacrifice for you and for me, so that we would have a path to eternal life with Him in Heaven. 

So, what does that mean for you and for me? Jesus suffered for us, Jesus died for us, and Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven where He rules at His Father's right hand. He did that so we can have a pathway to that same eternal life in Heaven, but He did not die on the cross so that you and I would receive that golden ticket to bypass pain and suffering. Remember what Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble...", but just as in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, we are not alone, He the triune God will be with us through it all and just as Jesus Christ overcame the cross, you and I will overcome whatever trials, tribulations, and other hardships that we face and endure. 

You may be thinking that you are enduring something that you shouldn't have to endure. You may have been born into circumstances or conditions that seem completely unfair and possibly unbearable. You may have suffered a loss or numerous losses that make you question how your life could have a positive outcome or impact on you or on anyone else for that matter. Wouldn't it be nice if your life was paved with gold and you had a silver spoon to eat each meal along the way? If we believe and we proclaim that we have given our lives to serve God, and if Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, then why would we have to suffer here on this earth? 

For me the answer is in direct correlation to today's post title. There ain't no free rides. "In this world you will trouble.", basically Jesus was saying troubles are part of the plan. Troubles are part of your plan. Your plan has a purpose connected to it and whether that purpose directly impacts you or if your purpose is for the benefit of someone else or a full directory of others, God foreordained you to encounter trouble. The promise is not that you will be trouble-free, but instead the true promise of John 16:33 is that you will not face your trouble alone and the good news is that Jesus overcame the world and so will you and I. 

Today, you may be sitting in a nest of hornets with a landing pad of vipers at your feet, you may be suffering through pain, loss, or the results of bad decisions in your life that make you feel like you can't endure another day. I have not walked in your shoes nor have you walked in mine, but what I would say today is this, each day you have a choice. You can wallow in your despair of which Jesus warned us we would face in this life, or you can turn to Christ who promised He would not allow us to face those challenges by ourselves. Either way, regardless of the choice you make, there ain't no free rides. So, why would you choose to face life's challenges alone? God is there, He always has been and He always will be. Amen. 

Coach Carter