Category Archives: Family

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July 31, 2014

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Christian Life, Family, Leadership, Pastoring

Thriving or Surviving

By Tim Reese

The song Thrive by Casting Crowns includes the lyrics:Casting Crowns wrote 'Thrive'

“We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives
It’s time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive”

In life and ministry I have often found myself just surviving when overwhelmed by life’s demands, a need for personal spiritual growth, family responsibilities, ministry needs, and a changing workplace environment.

All too often it seems as if I am just trying to survive-to balance all life’s demands, to keep my head above water.  When I heard this song I could not help but think of my own life and wonder why I do not feel like I am thriving. Are we really made to thrive?  As I wrestled with this for a few days, God began revealing to me that we are! In 1 Peter 2:16 God says “Live as people who are free…as servants of God”.

Thrive: to grow or develop well.

We need to keep the definition of thrive in mind. It is not a feeling or status in our culture but rather a status with God. When we look at Jesus’ life, we can see that He thrived and did not try to just get by. We cannot say that we have more on our plate than He had. With family turmoil, social turmoil, and the knowledge on the upcoming sacrifice for the world’s sins, He really did have the world on His shoulders.

So how do we thrive? Here are three suggestions.

1.  Listen to God and others. For me this is a learned task that I am still learning. A lot of stress in this life can be decreased if we would listen to God and those around us. This helps us work through life situations by not trying to take on problems by ourselves, but by praying and listening for God’s direction. All too often we talk at God and not with Him. We also need to listen to those around us. For example: when my wife has a problem I feel the need to fix it. (Often without listening to her actual needs, I am already ahead of her and assessing the problem that I think she needs “fixed”.) Jesus says in John 18:37 “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” An important part to thriving and not just surviving is to hear what it is that God wants us to say or do in all situations.  We also need to be listening to those around us to see what they need and how we need to respond to them. Whether that is with our spouse, kids, co-workers or fellow brothers or sisters in Christ, we must listen.

2. List your priorities. A way to reduce anxiety and to thrive is to prioritize our life. What’s most important? “The Enemy of the best is the good. ” -Jerry Rice. As pastors and leaders within the Church it is easy to become so busy with many “good” things that we become God's Word makes it plain that we are to thriveoverwhelmed and miss out on God’s best calling for our lives.

Listening to God’s Word shows us what should be our first and second priorities in Matthew 22:37 & 39 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” God says that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we are not loving ourselves and are neglecting our needs and our family’s needs because we are so busy loving everyone else then that is neglecting what scripture teaches on how we are to lead our lives. When we put those two highest on our list of priorities then we will be in a mindset to follow God’s perfect direction in all other areas of our lives. Thus, being able to grow (thrive) in Him.

3. Live life accordingly. In order to thrive, or to grow and develop well, we must live both in God’s promises and in His perfect will.  We see just as God promised Joshua that He would not leave or forsake him, so we can trust that He will also be with us! We are NOT alone and we need to cherish and trust that promise. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that whatever we do, do all to the glory of God.  In all situations in our lives if we are going to thrive, then our aim must be to glorify our Creator and Savior! Without that we are not going to grow and mature as God desires.  He has plans for all of us. The question is:  Are we listening for God’s guidance in those plans? Are we making God’s plans a priority?  And are we living out those plans?

When we look at the world’s definitions of thriving, (big house, nice car, good paying job) we will always fall short and be discontent with our lives. The world’s definition is a moving target.  When John D. Rockefeller was asked the question, “How much money is enough?” his response was, “Just a little bit more. ” This will be our answer as well if we are living by the world’s definition of thrive.  As Christians, we will be frustrated with God because in our eyes we aren’t thriving like we think we should. In reality, God reveals how He wants us to thrive in 1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation”. God wants us to be with Him! How much more thriving could we need?  God created us to be in a thriving relationship with Him. Are you trying to just survive this life on your own or thrive in an intimate relationship with your Savior?

Originally from central Illinois Tim Reese came to Christ at White River Youth Camp after moving to Southwest Missouri. He and his wife have served in youth ministry at Nixa General Baptist Church since 2011.

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May 20, 2014

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Christian Life, Family, Leadership, National Missions, Pastoring

Be Encouraged

Every once in a while as a pastor I see people doing their best to fight the good fight and honor God, yet the enemy just keeps attacking.  Maybe recent weeks have been very trying for you.  Maybe you are facing obstacles that seem insurmountable.  Maybe you feel like giving up.  I just wanted to take a couple of sentences and encourage you with a few thoughts.

Psalm 23:4 states, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (NIV)

Although I cannot explain all that may be happening in your situation, I can tell you that God’s promises are true, and that He is with you guiding your steps.  I want to encourage you to stay focused and not give up.  God’s plans for your life are bigger than you could ever imagine, and you will never have victory without a battle.  The truth is, the tougher the battle, the sweeter the victory.

I challenge you to expect greater things from God.  Never give up on His promises.  But also remember as you do, the enemy will relentlessly pursue distracting you from God’s plan for your life and your church.  Don’t give up!  Don’t give in!  Fight the good fight!

-Carl

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May 8, 2014

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Christian Life, Family, National Missions, Pastoring

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Big Rocks: 10 Ways to Keep Priorities in Order

By Carl Nichols

Leading a church that meets in a portable facility, is in the middle of an initiative to build a permanent home, is dreaming of and planning for our first satellite campus, and being highly involved in a national church planting movement means I am often asked,  “How do you keep priorities in order?”  Recently at Relevant, we took a hard look at the way we live our lives and attempted to push people to get out of the hamster wheel of life. The challenge was to take a step back, put everything on the table, and allow God to manage your schedule. This is something my wife Julie and I have worked hard at over the last few years, and I thought I would share a few principles with you.  Watch the illustration below and then read the 10 principles to help you keep your rocks in the right order.

Ten “Big Rock” Principles

  1. God is first priority. This has to be true in every part of our lives. Our time. Our relationships. Our family. Our finances. If he’s not first in all of them, he isn’t first in any of them. The Gospel is not a pick and choose gospel.
  2. Priority determines capacity.  If I know what my big rocks are, then I can prioritize them accordingly. There has to be a time when we empty the jar and start all over.
  3. Values determine priority. One of my mentors once said, “When you have clearly defined your mission and values, 80 percent of all decisions are already made.” We have a family covenant that includes our mission and values that we weigh everything against. This takes time and effort to develop.
  4. The important must trump the urgent.  It can be difficult not to live in the moment and do the easy thing when things get a little hectic. Having clear values helps keep first things first.
  5. Never underestimate the power of any decision. Sometimes small, insignificant decisions really have a much larger impact than first realized. Before making any decision ask, “How much is this going to cost me over time?”
  6. Every family member has a voice. I care what my wife and children enjoy and value, and those things have become a part of our family covenant
  7. Nothing is off limits. Nothing. Nada. Nil. Zero. Naught.
  8. We think counter-culturally. Generally, when culture tells us one thing, the Scriptures teach us another. We evaluate everything based on our biblical worldview. Some examples of these things include our decisions to homeschool, give 30 percent of our income away, and pay cash for everything.
  9. I only have one life to live. That’s it. When it is over, it is over and I can’t get a mulligan. It passes much faster than I am happy with!
  10. I will answer to God for it ALL. We’ve come full circle. This is the premise for the previous nine!

Ephesians 5:15-17 – “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”