Our theme for this month: “The Gift of Being Yourself”

Our Bible verse for today: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “It doesn’t have to be a job.”

Over the last several days I’ve told you a little about my personal story and how it was that I finally came to embrace my identity as the unique individual God created me to be. It turned out well for me. I get to spend my days doing something I truly love (being a pastor), and since our church is mission oriented, I still get to do some mission work too. It’s the best of both worlds for me. I sometimes joke when I’m handed my paycheck each month: “All this fun and they pay me too!” That’s why at 65 I chose to continue working rather than retiring. Someone once told me “Find something you love to do and then figure out how you can get paid for doing it.” Well, I have.

But the whole idea of discovering how God has wired you and then applying yourself to those activities doesn’t necessarily have to take the form of a job. Sometimes that’s not even possible. I’m in a pretty sweet situation now, but for many years of my life I simply had to earn a living so I could support my family. That’s true for many of you right now. Therefore for right now you might need to work at a job that’s not really what you want to be doing, and pursue your passion in your off hours. Or perhaps you’re retired and you don’t need to have a job at all. You can still search your heart, discover the things you truly love and for which God has especially designed you, and then apply yourself to those things.

After President George W. Bush left his job as President of the United States and went into retirement he looked deep, did some soul searching, and realized that he had always wanted to be an artist, creating art by painting pictures. So he took some lessons and discovered that he was actually pretty good at it. Since then his art has been featured in art galleries and on television shows, and he often gives away his paintings as special gifts to wounded warriors.

My wife Linda is in the retirement years too. She has a love for working with children and for arts and crafts. She has combined those two passions and now she spends much of her time designing and creating Christian-themed arts and crafts for children. She also plans and leads our Children’s Church and she orders, organizes, and sends large supplies of children’s crafts with me on my mission trips. Beginning in September she will also once again be serving as a Children’s Sunday school teacher.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 the Apostle Paul describes for us a simple and quiet life that is spent engaged in worthwhile activities that make a meaningful difference. Discovering how God has wired you, and then pursuing those activities, doesn’t necessarily need to take the form of a job. It simply means that you have discovered the activities that really bring you joy and a sense of fulfillment, and you are applying yourself to them for the glory of God and for the benefit of others.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Our theme for this month: “The Gift of Being Yourself”

Our Bible verse for today: “But his message becomes like a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones. I become tired of holding it in …” Jeremiah 20:9 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “If it’s in you, it’s got to come out.”

Yesterday I told you the story of how it was that I finally came to terms with the truth that God did not create me to be a singer, songwriter, or guitar player. And He certainly did not give me the ability to dance. Instead He wired me to preach, teach, and write. Once I embraced that identity, once I developed the gifts and put them to use, I found fulfillment and great satisfaction.

So, you would think I would have learned my lesson. But I didn’t. At one time I took a break from being a pastor and I went to work as the Vice-President of an international humanitarian relief agency. My job consisted primarily of planning relief missions to remote locations around the world, recruiting a team of medical and dental professionals to go on the mission, assembling the supplies and resources, coordinating with in-country partners, making travel and lodging arrangements, and then leading the team to the location.

Sounds exotic and exciting, right? And it was, to an extent. I loved the time actually spent on the mission field but unfortunately, that amounted to probably 5% of my time. The other 95% was spent in the office doing administrative work. To me all the planning, organizing, emails, phone calls, and so on was administrative grunt work, and spiritually for me it was dry as dust. I felt unfulfilled, unsatisfied, and dried-up. I missed being a pastor. I longed for the time in my study praying, thinking, researching, and writing. I missed preaching and teaching every week. I missed all of the counseling and coaching and helping people work through the issues of life. To me all of that is spiritually rich and deeply satisfying.

And so, I was wilting. I felt like the prophet Jeremiah who was supposed to be speaking the words of God but was instead keeping them bottled up inside – soon it became like a burning in my bones. I had to let it out. I found myself mentally, emotionally, and especially spiritually, unfulfilled and it was because I wasn’t using my primary gifts from God. I’m a pretty good administrator and organizer if I need to be, but that’s not where my heart is – that’s not the most important thing God has wired me for.
That’s true for some of you too. You’re spending your life doing the wrong things, things that God has not primarily created you for. Consequently, you’re not really happy, not feeling fulfilled and satisfied.

I encourage you to give serious thought to how God has wired you. Look deep into your heart and explore what’s in there. Don’t keep it bottled up. Sooner or later what’s in there needs to be let out and when you do, you will flourish and experience great joy. You will be doing the thing that God created you for. Listen to your heart.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Our theme for this month: “The Gift of Being Yourself”

Our Bible verse for today: “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to buildup the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Be who you are, not who you aren’t”

I’m not particularly good at receiving compliments. I like them as much as anyone (maybe I like them too much), but they make me uncomfortable. I get awkward and bumbling rather than receiving the compliment graciously. Sometimes when people compliment me on my preaching, teaching, or writing I jokingly dismiss it by saying “Yeah, but I can’t sing, dance, or play the tuba.”

Actually, I never wanted to play the tuba, but I did want to sing, dance, play the guitar, and write songs, and I spent many years trying. I took guitar lessons, I wrote songs, I sang songs, and yes, I tried to dance.  Unfortunately, I can’t dance two steps without tripping myself, and when I sing, I sound like a sick frog; my songs are silly and my guitar playing is mechanical and stiff (the boy’s got no rhythm).

I spent many years of my life trying hard to be someone I wasn’t (and feeling diminished because of it). Finally, I got it through my thick head that although God didn’t bless me with music ability and rhythm deep down in my soul, he did give me other talents and abilities which He wants me to focus on and use – He gave me the gifts of preaching, teaching, and writing. As one of my mentors (Pastor Eugene Peterson) used to say, “My artistic medium is words, written, and prayed, and preached.”

God has enabled me to write, preach, and teach. So rather than lament the fact that I can’t sing, dance, or play the tuba (and embarrassing myself in the process of trying), I focus instead on the things God has equipped me for, and I get great joy from doing so.

How about you? Are you spending a lot of time and energy trying to be someone you aren’t, someone God never intended you to be? Deep down in your heart what are the activities that bring you the most joy, the things you are passionate about and good at? As was noted yesterday, that’s a pretty good clue as to how God has wired you.

Don’t waste your time trying to be someone you’re not. Just be you. More about this tomorrow.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Our theme for this month: “The Gift of Being Yourself”

Our Bible verse for today: “Better one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “Humility and humor are wonderful virtues.”

Yesterday I told you about my old friends Dick and Jean DeGrow. Dick and Jean were two of the most relaxed, settled, and serene Christians I have ever had the pleasure to know. They were truly comfortable with themselves and with each other. Part of the winsomeness of their personalities came from the fact that they were both humble and they each had a wonderful sense of humor. But it was self-deprecating humor – they directed it mostly at themselves and at each other. They told jokes on themselves and they teased each other in a good natured way.

In terms of humility, Dick was an especially good example. He was a former Pastor but at 74 years old he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and custodian in our church. One day I was in my office writing a sermon and Dick was at the church cleaning and emptying trash. At one point he stuck his head in the door and asked, “How’s my Pastor today, is there anything I can do for you?” I looked at him, smiled, and asked, “Dick, why do you serve as the custodian here? You’re a retired Pastor. You don’t need the money, and I could easily get someone else to do this. Why do you do it?” He looked at me and said, “Pastor, I would rather clean toilets in the house of the Lord than be the CEO of a big company.” Then he smiled and said, “You have a nice day” and he shuffled away to do the cleaning.

In terms of humor, Dick and Jean were hilarious – always cutting-up and always teasing each other. I mentioned yesterday that Dick loved his ice cream. Eating ice cream was a nightly ritual that he never missed. Once Linda and I were visiting with them, just shooting the breeze and enjoying each others company. At one point Dick mentioned to Jean (as he was eating ice cream) that he needed to buy some new pants because his old ones were getting a little tight. Jean told him that if he would lay-off the ice cream his old pants would fit just fine. Dick responded that eating ice cream was a spiritual discipline and it was helping him to get ready for heaven. Skeptical, Jean asked how eating ice cream could be a spiritual discipline and how it was getting him ready for heaven. Dick then informed her that in heaven ice cream is good for you and it’s broccoli that has all the calories! (I’m not sure how Dick knew that but he was a very spiritually mature man so I trust his insight!)

Humility and humor are endearing qualities in a person’s personality. When we’re able to be humble and when we easily engage in good-natured humor it’s a clear sign that we don’t take ourselves too seriously and we have learned to relax and lighten-up.

May you be humble and humorous today.

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

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Our theme for this month: “The Gift of Being Yourself”

Our Bible verse for today: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “There may be some things that do need to change.”

I know a young man who has a dark personality. He always has a serious and even stern look on his face. When you talk to him it quickly becomes obvious that virtually every comment he makes is in some way negative or critical. He finds fault with pretty much everyone and everything, and he is happy to tell you about it. As a result, people are put off by him and he has few friends or close relationships. He really does need to change the way he interacts with people. He needs a change of heart. He needs Jesus.

I know another man who has the worst personal hygiene I have ever seen in someone who was not actually homeless (although this guy certainly gives the appearance of being homeless). He clothes are always dirty, his hair is rarely combed, his beard is scraggly, he has body odor and bad breath, and he seems to take delight in being offensive. This man too has few friends or close relationships. He really needs to clean himself up.

When we consider the issue of “The Gift of Being Yourself”, a person could understand that as a license to be sloppy and lazy, or as an excuse to not make any effort to improve in areas that do in fact need improvement. But it doesn’t mean that at all.

I found it interesting that Robert McGee chose to begin his Bible study “The Search for Significance: Build Your Self-Worth on God’s Truth” by quoting Psalm 139:23-24 (above). The reason he did that is because before we breath a deep sigh of relief, relax, settle-in, and enjoy just being ourselves in Christ, we need to first honestly give God the opportunity to show us the things about ourselves that really do need to be changed.

When we talk about God (the Potter) molding us and shaping us into the people He wants us to be, what we’re talking about is change. Things about us are being changed. But that change is not magic and it doesn’t come about entirely by God’s effort alone. He involves us in the change. He shows us the things that need to be fixed and then we have to get busy making those changes. We have to actually do the things necessary in order to cooperate with God in this process of transformation.

So begin by being open before God and asking Him to search you and know you. Ask Him to reveal to you any offensive ways, short comings, or attitudes that need to change.

You don’t need to please other people, but you do need to please God. God knows what things about you are just fine, and which need to be changed. Be open before Him and ask Him to show you what needs to change.

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Our mailing address is:

Our theme for this month: “The Gift of Being Yourself”

Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry, but rather what is inside the heart – the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Don’t be phony”

You may remember from the first devotional in this series when I told you about the man I saw who was decked out in what I called “The Cleveland look”. He was wearing red and white plaid pants, a red polo shirt tucked in, a white patent leather belt and white patent leather shoes. It was a very unique look. Nobody else was dressed like that, but he didn’t seem to care.

That’s an example of someone who evidently was not easily influenced by the opinions of others and therefore dressed the way he wanted to, rather than based upon what other people might or might not like. On the other end of the spectrum are those people who are heavily influenced by what they believe other people think, and who try hard to gain their approval (sometimes to the point of absurdity). I’m thinking about the 60 year old bar fly with the poofed-up hair, way too much make-up, and the skin tight mini skirt. She’s 60 but trying hard to look 30, hoping that some man might find her attractive.

I think also of the 50 year old insurance salesman who, on the weekends, gets on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, dressed in black leathers, fake earrings, a large skull and bones necklace medallion, chains draped around his waist, and a fake motorcycle gang vest with the name of a phony gang on the back (The Bad Boys Gang). People like this guy, and the lady in the previous example, aren’t comfortable with who they really are and they’re therefore trying to pretend to be someone they’re not.

In his book “The Gift of Being Yourself” David Benner writes, “There are many false ways of achieving uniqueness. These all result from attempts to “create” a self rather than receive the gift of “my self-in-Christ”. But the uniqueness that comes from being our true self is not a uniqueness of our own making. Identity is never simply a creation. It is always a discovery. True identity is always a gift from God.

One of the best tools I have ever discovered for helping people to understand, appreciate, and embrace their God-given identity is the short Bible study “The Search for Signficance: Build your Self-Worth on God’s Truth”. It’s a wonderful study that helps us to understand, accept, and be happy with who we are in Christ. I’ll share some insights from that study with you in coming days.

The truth is that we don’t have to imitate other people, and we don’t have to try to be something we’re not. God is in the process of forming us into the individuals He wants us to be, and that will always result in the best you there can be.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Our mailing address is:

Our theme for this month: “The Gift of Being Yourself”

Our Bible verse for today: “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “You are in the process of being sanctified by God.”

When we talk about simply relaxing and enjoying who you are and of being comfortable in your own skin, that’s a lot easier to do if  “who you are” is someone who really has something going on, someone who has a reason to feel good about themselves.

On the physical side of things, it helps if you make an effort to take care of yourself. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, and change your underwear everyday and you will probably feel a lot better about yourself than if your clothes are dirty, your teeth are green, and the birds have built a nest in your hair. Take care of yourself.

But what really makes a difference in how we feel about ourselves is the change that God works in us spiritually. Theologians refer to this as “the process of sanctification”. “Sanctification” is a fifty-cent theological word that simply means “to set apart and make holy for sacred use”. As a child of God you have been “set apart and made holy for God”.

Sanctification occurs in three stages. At the moment of salvation you are set apart for God by the Holy Spirit. Then throughout the rest of your life God molds you and shapes you – transforming you spiritually into the person He wants you to be. Then one day in heaven you will be fully sanctified and you will be the person you will be for the rest of eternity.

The more you cooperate with God in the ongoing process of sanctification now, the more spiritual transformation you will experience. And the more spiritual transformation you experience, the more settled, serene, and content you will be. God is in the process of molding and shaping you into that person. All you need to do is cooperate with Him. The more you apply yourself to the basic disciplines of the Christian life such as prayer, Bible study, group worship, memorizing Bible verses, acts of service, etc, the more you will be placing yourself in a position before God whereby He can continue to change you into the spiritual person He wants you to be.

If you want to become increasingly comfortable with yourself – more satisfied with who you are and with who you are becoming, the ongoing process of sanctification is your ticket. Nothing will have a deeper or more profound impact on you than being transformed spiritually by God. Yesterday I wrote of how I admire people who are quietly confident with their identity in Christ – people who know they have nothing to prove to others; people who are serene, settled, confident, and content. Well, this is how they became that way. They are sanctified in Christ. They have been transformed.

Sanctification is such an important topic that we will need to continue thinking about it tomorrow, because there is nothing you can do that will have a greater impact on how you feel about yourself than fully cooperating with God in the transformation He is bringing about in your life.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

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