What limits you???

  What or Who limits you...? By limit, I'm talking about who you are, what you do, and how you go about expressing your who and what. Question: what is the type and source of their power to be the definer of your limits and who you are? How did they attain this power... through might? through expertise (ability, intelligence, talent, etc.)? through you giving the power over you - to them? Perhaps the question should be phrased in the plural... do many people have power to limit you in various areas of your life? 

  My questions still remain - who authorized the power and are you aware that you granted it, because ultimately it is always our choice to grant the power? No one but us have the power over our character, our attitudes. I would suggest that too many times we have given away our rights because of (fill in the blank) and aren't even aware that we did it. That is, until we attempt to assert ourselves. Now how do we respond to our limitations? Fight? Give in? Do we attempt to reassert ourselves? 

  Perhaps the 'limits' are legitimate, at least in your eyes. Are they? Do whoever or whatever limits you have the legitimate right to limit? Why? Again - why?! Other than the Lord, who would have the authority and right to limit you and who you are and are becoming. Is this becoming a circular argument? I don't think so. I think that too often we are preempted or seduced into believing that we are less than who the Lord has made us to become. We blithely and blindly accept the restrictions and never walk into what has been prepared for us.

  The Word tells us that we have been made: "...to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..." (Ephesians 2:6) which is certainly not a limitation. Paul prays a powerful prayer for us all in Ephesians when he says:

     "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
      from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He 
      would grant you (us) according to the riches of His glory to be 
      strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man..." (v. 14-16)

This is no mere impartation, this is the power of God in us (4:14-16). 

     "...that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried
      about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the 
      cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting but, speaking the truth in love,
      may grow up in all thing into Him who is the head - Christ - from whom
      the whole body, joined and knit together by which every joint supplies..."

You are limited only by what you limit yourself. You are the Lord's hand in the world in which you live. You are able. You are...

Strength

[The following is an article that I wrote for the church newsletter. Since only one of you would have seen/read it, I thought I'd share and expand it. Part of the reason for providing this is that I think the 'subject matter' is relevant for all of us to consider, to resolve (?). ] 

  Do you have ANY conception of exactly how strong you are? Are you also aware that you are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses cheering you on? You are, both, you know. But are you tapping into the source of your strength? Do you sense those witnesses behind you urging you to believe in you and in who you are becoming? All this is true. No fairy tale. Truth.

  And the greatest gift to realize is that you have the enabling Source, The Holy Spirit, residing in you. I sometimes wonder if any of us truly appreciates the work of The Holy Spirit and that, at the precise moment you accepted Jesus as your Lord, He came to live in you. Again, truth. Evidence? It all is scriptural: John 14:16,26 and John 16:7 are two of the most dramatic statements by our Lord about the Holy Spirit - who He is and what He does. The Lord's words reinforce the reality that we aren’t alone and that the power residing in us is mighty and lasting... and real.

  When Jesus spoke those words to His disciples, it wasn’t only for the 11 – if was to all His disciples. Let me say that again – to ALL, which includes you and me from the moment we accepted Jesus as our Lord. You don't 'feel' it? That doesn't negate that this happened. I believe that part of the problem is that we don't understand what the Holy Spirit does? What is the work of the Holy Spirit? He is our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby (AMP). What is your need? As part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is working in the world today in each of us. Whether you call Him that still small voice or use Him as your check about what you are doing... His work is now. So what, exactly, is stopping you from being God's Ambassador? What, precisely, is stopping you from being all that you are capable of becoming and doing? You can. You are able. Your decision???

  What if you make a 'mistake'? Don't worry - you will. Mistakes happen. Fear of making them should never rule. Remember: 1. the Lord has it covered and 2. He will always make a way of escape (1Corinthians 10:13). The fear should never stop us because fear is not of the Lord (2Timothy 1:7 and if this scripture isn't enough for you - Google 'fear is not of the Lord' and you'll discover 33 other verses about fear and anxiety to remind us that God is in control). 

     "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him,
      and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with
      my song I will praise Him." (Psalm 28:7)

Your task is to trust in the Lord, go to Him with your situation, and praise Him for His hand on your life. You really do have the strength.
     

Do-ing 'My' part

  I believe everyone has a specific and personal 'my' part  - opportunities and responsibilities in two specific contexts. One - in our partnership with the Lord, and two - in terms of our specific role and gifting in the body. Our first 'assignment' is to discover our specific part so that we can be fruitful and operate in all that's necessary to accomplish our role. This brings up, in terms of the latter point, one sometimes huge problem. The problem can be summed up in one phrase - being who we have been designed to be not who we think we should be. 

  This first context is real - Partnership? Absolutely. God has chosen to work through us in our world. He could have chosen to act by fiat, but He gave us the authority (which we all too quickly gave to the devil) and responsibility for the world (Genesis 1:26). Can you get your head around the fact that the Creator gave us the authority to care for the world? That's why I believe we are in partnership. We messed up this relationship because of our sin, but the Father always had a plan to redeem us and bring us back into relationship - through His Son, Jesus. If God loves us this much to bring us back into relationship with Him, then why won't we believe and act on this?

  Reality says that there is no possibility for us to resolve some of the problems and issues we face in this world by ourselves. God has given us access to Him to help. I would contend that God never intended for His creation to 'go it alone'. When Genesis talks about God and Adam walking together in the cool of the morning, that imagery is awesome! And it is God who brought the animals to Adam to give them names (Genesis 2:19) - goodness! But even greater is His plan for our redemption and restoration. 2Corinthians 5:17-21 provides us with understanding that we are now, have been made righteous (in right standing with God, a gift that is ours when we accept Jesus as our personal Lord). We are called His workmanship in Ephesians (2:4-10) - another statement on partnership.

  In terms of point two - our specific role: I sometimes think we need to have this scripture, 1Corinthians 12, etched in our minds and continually before our eyes so we cease our erroneous thinking and acting. Paul starts out chapter 12 by saying, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant." And proceeds to tells in verses 4, 5, and 6 WHO is our source - ... the same Spirit... the same Lord... the same God. There is no issue of what is the most important understanding, who is the source, the relationship among the 'who', etc. He says in verse 7, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." So why is it that certain gifts are coveted more than others? Or why do we try and function with a gift that isn't part of our gifting? Paul furthers this argument in verse 13:

     "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members
      of that one body, being many, are one body..."

Verse 14 reiterates this teaching and summarizes this by indicating Who it is that makes the decisions in 18 - "God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleases." Verse 25: 

     "...that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members 
      should have the same care for one another."

Bottom line: "Now you are the body of Christ and members individually." (v 27) Paul ends this discourse by saying (v 31) "But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way." This leads to one of the most quoted books in the Bible, 1 Corinthians chapter 13 - the 'Love' chapter. This chapter defines and describes what love looks like and does. This should be our goal, our mindset in all our thinking and action. This is the pinnacle of Be-ing and Do-ing.
     

Life is an assignment

  Did you ever consider that you are on assignment? That there will be opportunities for growth and learning that will lead you to a promotion? True that. I believe that the sole caveat to this is you, me. We are the ones who choose this mindset, or not. You really can't choose growth or promotion without first choosing commitment to a student's (learner) approach to life and its experiences. 

  At times this may feel like you are being asked to go where no one has gone before. Probably not. But even if this were true, you would never be alone, you would have the Lord with you in this adventure. However, the reality is that it is only you that's not been 'there'. And, if you are asked to go to (fill in the blank) then a new-for-you learning is waiting. It makes no difference if others have been (wherever) and though you can learn from their interpretation and understanding of their learning, yours may or may not be exactly the same. The point is that You are in a learning mode and it is your determination as to how to incorporate this into your 'who you are'.

  But never assume. Simply because something is before you doesn't always mean that you are supposed to walk into ... Never forget that your enemy would love to derail you, even for a short time. How to know? Simple. Ask the Lord, He will never tempt you. Again, how to know? For me, another clue is if I feel a sense of peace - this is my guide. If fear is the feeling this is not from the Lord. On the other hand, the devil will use this both to tempt/challenge us to continue or to stop us from proceeding. Which is his intent is of lesser concern than how you what you do!

  Another clue for me is to assess (typically quickly) me in the situation - am I minimally prepared spirit, soul, body? am I equipped? Though it may be a new learning situation, what is it I already know that will aid me? Is there any other resource available for me to utilize to assess? It isn't necessary for us to always 'reinvent the wheel' when it comes to our methodology in our learning - we can apply the understandings we've already learned. Simultaneously, don't get caught in what is your primary basis as your only method to discover the new discovery - be brave enough to think and act outside the box. You may discover more about yourself in the process.'Assignments' appear to be the primary procedure used to help us grow, that give us the information on what we know. 

  I do believe that all of us are given assignments for our lives that when we act on whatever our level of understanding happens to be, that this is enhanced and enlarged (Psalm 119:32,Isaiah 54:2). For me, if I don't test my beliefs, if I don't allow my understandings to grow then I inhibit myself from being stretched to what I can know, what I can do, who I can be.

Motive

  Do you know and understand your motives for why you do or don't do, say or don't say (fill in the blank)? Or do you simply go blithely through your day without thinking about your why... your motives? It you are a Christian then you have a foundation for your motives. Whatever you are doing... Wherever you are doing 'it'... Whenever you choose to Do... there is always the opportunity for an intentional purpose for your actions and words and you have a manual (Bible) to help you 'judge' you according to those scriptural standards.

  I realize I've talked about motives before but I tend to think that most of us don't give sufficient attention to motives - our whys and how we express them. Too often we choose to ignore their importance or don't dismiss the reactions to what we've just said/done with a, 'that's not what I intended...'. Really! Then why did we not choose to be our attentive and intentional self and to choose to not follow through with those words/actions?  If you aren't aware of your motives then it's because you choose this 'blindness'.

  Part of my reason to discuss this subject yet again is to help all of us realize that our motives are very important. One reason is that You have a ministry because you are a missionary in your world. There should not a question about who you are, Whose you are, what's available for you to Do. Where's your hand? Who's at your hand? What will you choose to do about this? Will you be a responsible person to seek that all understand? Yes, I've been accused of asking too many questions. Guilty. Your point? It's always our answers to all the questions the that tell us who we are and what we believe. More important, in my world, is that our actions prove the answers to the questions.

  Period: you need to know why you do what you do and you need to know if how you express your why presents what you want understood. Actually, it's as simple as that... and just as complex. How we 'own' our own motives and choose to be our better self is always in our control. We may not have control over all the various aspects in our world, but we can always be certain of our why... what we are doing and saying. Motives indicate our character - which is who we are.

I'm Sorry...

  Do you mean it? Are You sorry? Do you drop the 'I' and toss out just the one word...sorry? Exactly what are sorry about? That you got 'caught'? That you were wrong? That the other person(s) misunderstood? That someone's feelings were hurt? That the ramifications from your words or actions caused harm? What? A different question is - do apologies spring quickly to your lips? Do you find yourself apologizing even when the problem/issue isn't of your making? Do you know why you are apologizing? Is it merely to placate (whomever) and attempt to move on? Or?????

  Saying you're sorry isn't enough. Feeling sorry isn't enough. Both are a beginning, but it isn't enough. Actually the only true test, the only way to see and know that you (or the other person) truly are sorry is changed lives. If you truly are sorry then you have an obligation to change - it's not a suggestion or an option. But if it is only words, then why bother speaking them? Divert attention? Bottom line is... How do you view apologizing and Why do you do it? Is your attention to 'own up' to your responsibility? Do you plan on changing your thinking and behavior?

  Webster defines apology as: "a statement saying that you are sorry about something: an expression of regret for having done or said something wrong." Yes? And... Remember that you may not have done something 'wrong'! Again, in my world, expressions of apology need clarifying - it isn't a blanket. Examples: "I'm sorry you feel...", "I regret that my (words/actions) were interpreted...", etc. There's a context for the apology so both you and the other person understand the point of the apology. Splitting hairs? No. Because in some instances, you may not plan on changing your thinking or behavior, but you are sorry the other person doesn't understand why you believe as you do.

  Personally, I think apologizing can be far too unthinking and mindless... merely words spoken to ease the situation. I really don't have problems apologizing, just context-lessly. I want others who are affected by what I did or said to know precisely what I am apologizing for and why. There is less room for misunderstanding in the future, especially when the thinking and acting won't be changed. If your reaction to this discussion is - who cares? Then I'm sorry your sensitivity to take the responsibility for the reactions to what you do or say is cavalier... at least in my world of interactions, this would be my interpretation.
 

Does Life get in your way?

  The question is... Does your life get in the way of your living? By that I mean - is your life so full, so busy that you don't have any time for... living? Yes, I am specially defining both 'life' and 'living'. These are extremely important concepts and questions and no, this isn't word games. My opinion is that we are missing the joys of living because we are too involved with our life. Stop for a moment and remember a time when you were fully involved in whatever was happening and you felt such an intense... satisfaction? How long ago was this time? Perhaps the question should be - is this valuable to you? Sufficiently so that you will begin to create opportunities for (fill in your blank) to be repeated?

  Responsibilities or the lack of our acceptance of them will always influence our day. And while they should influence, should they rule? 'It depends' is the usual answer. However how we define, determine, and decide what 'responsibilities' are, those we need to be committed to is the issue. Specifically, definitions, primarily by operational adjectives - Living: intentionally alert, fully engaged, based in your personal standards, fruitful, growing and learning - Life: the observable results from your living, good and bad, effective and counterproductive.

  If those 'definitions' appear unspecific - probably true. The point is that YOU need to appreciate the observable and operational components in your definitions - it can't be only those mind thoughts. The reason is that it is very difficult to make changes without knowing what the results, ramifications from what 'Life' and 'Living' means for you. Our lives, whether or not we acknowledge this, is our lifelong learning lab. We can choose how we respond to the stimuli that impacts our lives. But we don't live in a cocoon. Thus, we can grow from our learning or stubbornly refuse... to our own detriment.

  I wonder why it seems to be that we tend to shoot ourselves in the foot when it comes to our own living? We tend to also defend our status quo rather than to reach for our best. Living seems, in my world of definitions, to be defined in terms of 'stretching' ourselves or to venture outside the box in order to continue to become all we're intended to be and do. This was not said in criticism or condemnation - it tends to be what is. However, once we are aware of what is happening, how we are living then we can choose to expand our living and experience a more vibrant (individually defined) life! I hasten to add that this will never occur outside a relationship with the Lord. He is the One who will encourage and empower us to... live.

In case of emergency...

  What's your reaction or approach? Predetermined plan or a 'fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants?  Are you the 'fix it', whether or not you know what 'it' is? Assess? Do nothing (comparable to hoping it will just go away)? Seek someone who is an 'authority' to help you? What? Maybe none of those approaches is your particular 'plan', so do you know what is? This is the point - emergencies seem to be a fact of life for all of us, and depending on the focus of the emergency - what's the plan?

  As important as the 'what' of the plan is whether there are any other people that need to 'come along side'. And again, I do realize that the issue/focus of the emergency can dictate the 'who' you may need to help you. But, do you have others to assist... or do you feel you can handle it alone... or do you feel that no one has the time to help (even when you don't check)? Any and all of those may prevail, the point here is - what typically happens? Who is typically with you? Actually... do you ask for help?

  Crises do not have to grow from emergencies, though they often do. An emergency may start out relatively simply and grow into crisis proportions, especially if we don't address the underlying issue that initially created the emergency. However, most crises are always emergencies - needing to be resolved quickly and efficiently, sometimes with little grace. Undeniably though, most people face emergencies at some point in their lives - some prepare for the possibility, some don't, and some end up facing one so quickly that they don't have time to prepare. Granted, a great deal of emergencies don't necessarily need to happen when you begin by taking the step of critical thinking - option planning and recognizing possible ramifications from taking a particular action... or not.

  I would suggest that the majority of people think last of the person who will be of the greatest help, regardless of one's plan. For we who consider ourselves Christians, this too is often our reality. Never sure why we do this... Whenever we see an emergency or crisis looming or find ourselves in the emergency, turning to the Lord to seek His guidance should be our first thought, rather than an in the midst of the trial 'hail Mary' prayer. The only thing stopping us from beginning with the Lord rather than attempting to pull in Him at the last moment is us. We should be training ourselves - scripture tells us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and to put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10).

  Emergencies, crises will happen but our emotional reaction as well as our intellectual mindset can determine how we will exit this 'event'.

  

In word...

  only? Does this describe you? That you are (fill in the blank) in word only, that your actions belie who you say you are, really are, and what you truly believe. This is not said accusatory, it's asked as a question... and for some of us - a wake up call. This also begs the question of - why? Why would you be a person that is no more than a shell, an undefinable mist, or a mask? Why would you not act according to what you say?

  If, what you are saying, is not what you believe why give a false impression. Or are you the type that 'is' whatever the people around you advocate? This is a good operational definition of spineless. Why would you ever assume that definition of who you are and what you do? You are far more than spineless and witless. Unless you truly believe what is being said - why would you ever want to give that impression? Maybe I'm sounding a bit harsh but I really try and abide by a Shakespeare character's comment - "...this above all, to thine own self be true." This may be slightly paraphrased but the point is made. I must admit that I do enjoy the irony that it is spoken by a bit of a fool. And no, that isn't an oxymoron.

  Being true to your beliefs and willing to act on them do go hand-in-hand. It makes little difference if you adhere to (fill in the blank) and then don't stand by your belief. If you are silent when your belief is attacked... what are you? A Hypocrite? Silence typically is construed to mean agreement. Or, do you 'use' the 'explanation' that you don't want to be the cause of dissension or conflict? This is never a good reason. Plus, if you do voice your opinion you don't need to be aggressive about your point but present it as your belief and give your rationale - you may provide a reason for others to rethink their position.

  There is absolutely no justification for being the type of person who speaks only and never acts on what they say they believe. How do you really know what it is you do believe? How would someone observing you know what you think and do if you don't act on your beliefs?  Perhaps I'm asking the wrong question... do you care that you are congruent? That what you say is what you are and do? Your decision... but it is always a character question.
  

You... in the midst of 'noise'

  As a Christian living in today's world (and no, not everything is totally good or bad) I am daily reminded that what I see, read, hear influences what I think and do and as a result... who I am. This 'observation position' is something you develop, I don't think one is necessarily born with this frame of reference. The next step, after 'knowing' what is occurring, which must come with a large dose of understanding, is what and how we respond to our world, I don't think it's an ignore-able nor an unknowable. And I also believe there is no insignificant response to what we see and know. It's true - you are on display... at least to some. And there is no such thing as a no-ripple.

  Many times what we see is in direct conflict to what we know. Now the dilemma of what do we do and how do we react to theses dichotomies that often result in conflicts. Again, ignoring is not an option. Each day we are challenged about who we say we are and how we go about interacting with the attendant challenges, opportunities, and conflicts. This is never easy. A very quick example: you try to be faithful to who the Lord is developing you to become. Faithful is a strong reaction and foundation. Therefore, it is the one area that will be challenge the quickest. We really do need to be alert because the challenges are not always seen as 'wrong'. They can equally be times to confirm or refine what we believe and think. Maybe not the best approach but not necessarily wrong. Our society seems to be greatly marked by equivocation, compromise, and a foggy memory (spelled l-i-e) 

  How do you determine fact, fiction, real, imaginary - right, wrong? How can you be and act consistent? What standard will you apply to your decisions and actions? I do tend to be a black and white type - if it 'is' then you can't simply ignore, you must deal with 'it' and the ramification from your actions. These are difficult questions and sometimes emerge so quickly that we can become blindsided. I do believe that as long as we act based on our knowledge and understanding, that we act faithful to who we are. The problems come when we attempt to 'hedge' our responses - that really isn't truthful, it's self-preservation even before we know if we need to do this. 

  Obviously, being true to who you are does not always result in acceptance by others - but at least they know where you stand and Whose you are. You also don't have to wonder what you've said and to whom - your consistency marks you. Living in our world with all the noise, various opinions, clamors to influence what we should believe and do isn't always easy... and can become extremely wearying. However, the alternative is not enticing and certainly not less stressful. Be you. Do what you believe. If you're 'wrong' you can always change... but being tossed by every wind will only leaves you dizzy.