I was reminded today how small things can have a big impact. That impact can be either negative or positive. For me today, the little thing that made a big impact was a human voice. It wasn’t a particularly powerful or influential voice. It wasn’t loud and strong, but rather soft and, in the world’s view, rather insignificant. Someone said told me today how much they appreciated the work I was doing on their behalf. Wow, you would have thought I had just won a million dollars. How awesome it is when someone says “thank you!” Friends, let me encourage you to pay it forward tomorrow. Tell someone how much you appreciate them; that you love them, that they are doing a great job. You will reap a harvest of blessing when you use a little thing like your voice to bless someone. Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!
2 Oct
5 Steps to Success
At 56 years of age here’s where I’m at now and I imagine many of you are with me….I don’t need to be wowed by big ideas anymore. I just want simple concrete things that I can learn and incorporate into my life to make me a better person. I found some of those simple little nuggets of Biblical wisdom in 1Timothy 4:6-16. I have tons of notes written in my Bible from sermons, conferences, seminars, Sunday School lessons, etc. If I knew where these notes came from, I’d be more than happy to give credit for its authorship, but all I had in my Bible were these notes about the 5 Steps to Success. Read on and be encouraged friends! If you want to be successful, incorporate these five steps with fidelity.
- Right Direction – Think about your life right now. Is the direction you are heading going to get you where you should or want to go? If not, make a course correction. Get some more education; look for a different job but don’t settle for less that God’s best!
- Right Diet – You have to find balance in your diet. Feed your physical, spiritual and emotional body the right nutrients. If all three parts of you are healthy, then you’ll have taken a huge step toward success.
- Right Discipline – This is the noun, not the verb form of discipline. Train yourself to act in accordance with the rules. Engage in the activities, exercise and regime that will develop the skills needed to succeed. Just as you feed on the right diet, the right discipline dictates that you stay away from these success killers: fatigue, griping and grumbling, gossip, anger, bitterness, and lack of self-control.
- Right Desire – Here’s the question; why do you do what you do? Spend some time and write a personal and professional mission statement on that big question.
- Right Determination – Pay close attention to details; keep the main thing, the main thing. In your life and profession, what is the main focus? Figure it out and don’t forget it!
18 Jun
The Power of Music and Kristi Billington
I was reminded again this morning how powerful music is in our lives. 6 years ago, Casting Crowns had a song on Christian radio called “Lifesong.” It’s a terrific tune with a powerful message. We had introduced the song in our worship service at FBCSalado and the folks loved it. On February 24, 2006, our sweet friend Kristi Billington went to be with Jesus. One of the songs we did at her memorial service was “Lifesong” because it fit her perfectly. She really did live that song. Here are the lyrics:
Empty hands held high, Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I wanna sign Your name
To the end of this day
Knowin’ that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You
Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet
Hallelujah hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
CCLI Song # 4578839
Mark Hall © 2005 My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
This morning, while driving to work, I had my Sirius radio tuned to “The Message” and Lifesong come on. I sang that song as loud as I could and my thoughts immediately went to that service for Kristi over 6 years ago now. I remembered the emotions I had during that service; I remember what it sounded like in the beautiful building with 600 people singing it with us. I remember the expression on the faces of Rick, Meschill and Mattie Billington as we sang. We celebrated the life of Kristi Billington with Casting Crowns song, “Lifesong.”
In the years since, life has been a series of ups and downs. The downs were because I was not walking with the Lord and did not let my lifesong sing for Jesus. Fortunately, God is gracious and always lets his wayward sons come home. This morning as I was singing “Lifesong,” my thoughts were of Kristi and her family, the church at Salado, the kids from Salado High School and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor that rallied around the Billington family and finally how Kristi ministered to me today.
Her life, even though only 19 years in length, continues to have a profound effect on me and on many others I know. Thank you Jesus for allowing me to know Kristi Billington; Let my Lifesong sing toYou!
Be encouraged today friends! Randy
5 Sep
Bare Feet and Burned Lips
The Hall of Fame prophet Isaiah knew what it meant to have bare feet and burned lips. He recorded a confrontation with the Lord’s angels in best seller, chapter 6. “Then I said, “Woe is me for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away your sin is forgiven.” Isaiah 6:5-7.
So I’m thinking “Wow!, if this great man of God was having some issues with personal holiness, then maybe I’m not so bad after all.” Of course this is flawed thinking because all of us have holiness issues, right? Just about the time I think I’m on the right track, I find myself face down with a mouthful of mud and grit. So how do we do this holiness thing? When the scriptures tell us to “be holy as God is holy,” who do we see about that?
Here are a few things to ponder.
Realize what is making you unclean. God sent his angel to put the burning coal on Isaiah’s lips. Obviously the prophet had a problem with his tongue. Maybe he would curse, speak untruths, or would use perverse speech. Maybe Isaiah had an anger problem and he would lash out at the people around him. You know where you need cleansing, so today, ask the Lord to bring on the coals!
God initiates the cleansing. Isaiah wasn’t looking for God when he had the vision of the Lord seating high on his throne. This was God letting Isaiah get a little glimpse of heaven! It was God who knew Isaiah needed cleansing to prepare him for the work ahead. Only God is holy and only through Him can we find cleansing.
We are cleansed for a mission. Isaiah had a big job ahead of him. In verses 8-12 of chapter 6 he gets his marching orders and realizes that without the cleansing of the Lord, then he would be ill-equipped for the mission.
You only get clean when you get real close to God. Isaiah’s personal space was invaded by an angel carrying a hot coal! God will draw you to himself even if He has to take extreme measures to get you there!
Many thanks to Jon Walker and his 2007 devotional on this subject.
Be encouraged today friends!
10 Jul
Psalm 23 – The Psalm of the Shepherd
In the original languages of the scriptures there are several names for God….Elohim, Adonai, Theos, Kurios, Despotes, Pater and Yahweh or Jehovah. Jehovah meaning “I am the one who is……!”
There are 9 words that describe Jehovah’s role in our lives:
In Genesis 22:14 He is Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Provides; In Exodus 17:1 He is Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is my Banner; In Judges 6:24 He is Jehovah Shalom – The Lord is Peace; In 1 Samuel 1:3 He is Jehovah Sabbaoth – The Lord of Hosts; In Exodus 31:13 He is Jehovah Maccaddeschcem – The Lord your Sanctifier; In Jeremiah 23:6 He is Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness; In Exodus 48:3 He is Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is There; In Isaiah 17:6 He is Jehovah Elohim – The Lord God of Israel, and;
In Psalm 23:1 He is Jehovah Raah – The Lord my Shepherd
On Sunday, September 1, 1996 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Temple, Tx, Pastor Darryl Dunks preached a sermon on Psalm 23. The following five-point outline is his with my own personal thoughts as to how God has used and is using this psalm in my life.
Psalm 23 teaches us that there are five things we can know and experience about, Jehovah Raah, the Lord is my Shepherd.
- Psalm 23:1 tells us that we have a person to encounter…”the Lord is MY shepherd.” We can know the Lord in a personal way. As a young boy, I had an encounter with Jesus Christ and gave my heart and life to Him; I became a born again believer. Throughout my life, I’ve tried to be testimony of the inner change that took place after I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. You too, can know Jesus as guide, protector and constant companion.
- Not only do we have a person to encounter, but we have a providence to expect. Providence is defined as …”the foreseeing care and guidance of God.” He knows what we need and when we need it. Verse 2 says, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for His namesake. I know, in a very personal way, the providence of God. He has seen me through some very dark days and is my constant guide every day!
- Psalm 23:4 teaches us that we have a presence to experience. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear NO evil; for Thou art with me. Thy rod and staff, they comfort me.” The good shepherd protects His sheep. With the rod, he protects his sheep by fighting off the wild beasts that would try to get at the sheep. With the staff, He gently guides His sheep to food, water and protection. Throughout my life and especially these past two years, I have known the protection and guidance of the Good Shepherd.
- We have a person to encounter, a providence to expect, a presence to experience and also a peace to enjoy. Verse 5 says, “Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed by head with oil; My cup overflows.” God as a gracious host provides all that we need. I can testify of how God has always provided every need for Pam and me.
- And finally we have a promise for this life and place to enter. Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” There’s the promise for this life of goodness and lovingkindness, and we have the promise of the place to enter as we dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The only way that you can have the promise of goodness and lovingkindness for this life and life eternal with God is if you give your life to Jesus Christ.
Be encouraged today friends,
Randy
28 Jun
The Great Lie of Tolerance
”Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” John 14:6 (NASB)
The city of Eugene, Oregon boasts that it is one of the most liberal, tolerant cities in our country. See the sections under “community” and “anarchy” at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene,_Oregon
They celebrate their tolerance! However, this week the city council of Eugene, Oregon decided that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before city council meetings is divisive and they would no longer recite the pledge. Can you imagine? Yes friends, the Pledge of Allegiance is now being described as divisive. From the city that describes themselves as a seat of tolerance, comes the ultimate act of intolerance.
I began thinking about this politically correct tolerance movement and what God might think about it. As I read the scripture, I have come realize that God is NOT tolerant. Throughout scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, there are examples where God did not allow His people to stray far before He brought down His wrath. He is not a tolerant God. The ultimate act of His intolerance is shown in whom He allows into heaven…”Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” God will not allow non-believers into His heaven.
Let’s not allow the “tolerance” police to dictate what we allow in the public sector. We are blessed to live in this great country. Yes, we have challenges but when the “tolerance” crowd seeks to impose their belief system on us, we need to push back! Let’s be intolerant of the “tolerance movement!” The citizens of Eugene, Oregon need to stand up to this crazy city council and demand that they give honor where honor is due.
It is so great to live in the great State of Texas where every school child recites the Pledge of Allegiance every school day! Let’s keep it up!
Be encouraged today friends! Randy
27 Feb
The Worship Minister…..Performing or Ministering?
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires: and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NAS)
For the one who calls himself a worship minister, the conflict between “performing or ministering” has been a topic of discussion and possibly a source of conflict for many years. During my years of ministry, I too struggled with this conflict. What I have compiled here are my thoughts about the “performing or ministering” conflict. Additionally, I’ve included statements by others who have given clear and concise thoughts on the subject. Very little comment is given to the statements; I think they stand on their own. My desire is that those of you who may be struggling with this conflict will receive some clarity and help you make the jump from performer to minister. Or, if you really want to be a performer, not a minister, then maybe these statements will help you decide that ministry is not for you.
A performer’s first thought is that it is all about the music; a minister’s first thought is that it is all about the message.
A performer rehearses and worries about the results; a minister rehearses and prays that God will bring the results.
A performer’s desire is to draw an audience; a minister’s desire is to draw souls.
A performer’s first thought is to impress his audience; a minister’s first thought is to reach his audience.
A performer showcases his gift, a minister showcases the Giver.
A performer makes certain he is adequately compensated; a minister, while compensation may happen, realizes that the ultimate compensation is eternal.
A performer seeks to establish worldly connections; a minister seeks to establish Heavenly connections.
A performer will make sacrifices for the good of his career; a minister will make sacrifices for the good of the ministry.
A performer’s motto is “The show must go on!” A minister’s motto is “God’s truth must get through!”
A performer will love performing because it puts him in the limelight; a minister will love performing because he can direct the limelight to the Savior.
A performer’s greatest reward comes from men; a minister’s greatest reward comes from God.
A performer will give up everyone to gain what he wants; a minister will give up what he wants to reach everyone with the gospel message.
A performer’s mission is to showcase his music with perfection; a minister’s mission is to show his audience the perfect Savior.
For those of you who may be struggling with the “performing or ministering” conflict, consider these verses and allow them to guide you. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires: and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NAS)
Realizing the truth of all of the above, ask yourself the question I sometimes ask myself; “Why do secular performers so often seem more cooperative and willing to sacrifice, excited about their performance and its results, and eager to do whatever it takes to be successful that we who together have the greater calling to minister?”
Loved ones; aspire to ministry. And once you’ve consciously made that decision, minister with your whole heart.
Be encouraged today friends! Randy
26 Feb
Morning Prayer
This prayer was written by my friend, Pete Stebbins of Salado, TX on August 22, 2004. He shared this prayer with our Thursday morning mens prayer team at First Baptist Church in Salado. I’ve carried this in my Bible ever since and read it most mornings when I have my Bible reading time. I thought it would be good to share with you all. Many thanks Pete!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for blessing me. I ask that You fill me with the Holy Spirit and that He be my guide today. Please rearrange my schedule as necessary to involve me in Your Mission and Your Word.
Remind me to watch for the opportunities You provide to get involved in Your work. As I receive Your grace and love, allow me to pass some along to each person I contact, and to be a blessing to each.
Help me “abide in You” throughout this day. Allow me to set a Christian example in all I do. Hear my requests……This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Be encouraged today friends! Randy
23 Feb
Job vs. Ministry
Some people have a job in the church.
Others involve themselves in ministry.
What’s the difference?
If you do it just because no one else will…it’s a job!
If you do it to serve God…it’s a ministry!
If you quit because someone criticized you…it’s a job!
If you kept on serving in spite of criticism…it’s a ministry!
If you’ll do it only so long as it doesn’t interfere with other things…it’s a job!
If you’re committed to staying with it, even when it means letting other things go…it’s a ministry!
If you quit because no one ever praised or thanked you…it’s a job!
If you stay even though no one notices your efforts…it’s a ministry!
If you do it because someone else said it needs to be done…it’s a job!
If you do it because you sensed God saying it needs to be done…it’s a ministry!
It’s hard to get excited about a job.
It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry!
An average church is filled with people doing jobs!
A great and growing church is filled with people involved in ministry!
Be encouraged today friends,
Randy
17 Jan
Tips for a Powerful New Year – Part 2
We’re going to spend a little time over the next few days to think about how to have a powerful new year….not a successful new year; not a good new year; not a happy new year, but a powerful new year! I’ve had this list on my computer for 5 years and never shared it with anyone. I don’t know who wrote this list, where I got it or who sent it to me, but the comments under each point are mine. It’s my hope and prayer that something you read here will encourage you to work toward a powerful 2011. So here we go with the second installment of 40 Tips for a Powerful New Year.
Be encouraged today friends,
Randy
35. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will so stay in touch. Here’s the lesson for today. Pick up the phone and make that call. There is a friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker, or school friend that needs to hear from you today. Perhaps your friendship or kinship has become strained by a disagreement or distant because of the years but that’s no reason not to make that contact. Stay in touch!
34. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful. Our lives and homes are full of junk! Get rid of it. If you haven’t looked at it in several years then throw it out, give it a way or sell it! When you downsize, reduce the clutter and clean things up, there is greater clarity.
33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. Envy is a demon! No matter how beautiful you are, what you do, how much money or things you have, there is someone in this world that is more beautiful, has a better job, more money and stuff. Here’s the reality; if you have a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in and food to eat, you are among the world’s richest persons. Be thankful for what you have and learn to be content.
32. The best is yet to come. The reality of it is this; if you are reading this blog, you have lots left to give. If you are drawing a breath, then your best days could be ahead of you. If you are in the twilight of your life, your age and life experience are priceless. There is someone who needs you, your experience and wisdom, so share it!
31. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. On those days when you feel like staying home, just know that someone needs you! The devil’s main job is to make you irrelevant. If you don’t get up, dressed up and show up, that is exactly what you may become. Don’t let the devil win! When you show up, things are supposed to get better! You are needed, wanted and relevant!
MORE TO FOLLOW………..
Be Encouraged Today 