We choose YOU

We choose YOU!

I remember being on both sides of the coin when it came to selecting teams at recess!  Oh' to be chosen early!!!!  .... ....oh' to feel under valued as the last choice.... ..... ....

Let's go Acts 6 and watch a team being selected!

“the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:2-7 NASB

OBSERVATION

Let’s rewind a bit and pick things up in verse 1. ”1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them...” 

Why were the seven men selected?  Hmmm... there are a few reasons: 1) So that the ministry of the word of God would not be neglected. 2) So that the Hebraic Jews widows would not be overlooked in the food distribution. 3) So that others were empowered as leaders, released into ministry and so that no one would burn out.  

Let’s go Exodus 18:14-19 and look at this historical venture of selecting the right individuals in order to form an outstanding team. Exodus 18:14 “When Jethro (Moses father-in-law) saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.”

I love how Jethro throws down and shoots straight with Moses!  “What is this you are doing.... Why do you alone sit as judge.... What you are doing is not good.”  It’s not good for Moses.... It’s not good for the people who come to him... It’s not good all around... Why? You’ll only wear yourselves out. (vs17).  So why didn’t Moses see this?  Why don’t leaders today see this?  Who does a leader select?  What qualifications should an individual have?   What character traits should they have? .... ..... Let’s look at Jethro advice and go Exodus 18:19-23. ”You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” 

APPLICATION 

-Individuals are designed to fulfill certain roles.

Example#1: Moses’ design/purpose-prayer and ministry of the word.

Example#2: Jethro’s design/purpose-an understanding of leadership, passing on knowledge, and  application of duplication (aka: raising up leaders / making disciples).  Jethro saw the importance of  delegation and team structure for short and long term health (personally & corporately).

Example#3: Stephen’s design/purpose-service and care for 

Step#1: Discover how God has designed me.

Step#2: Discover how to operate within/out of God’s created designed. 

Step#3: Help others discover how God has wired them, and how to live life out of their unique design. 

God what are you saying to me today?

-Be the people’s representative before God.

-Teach individuals His decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave according to His word; so that, they will experience the life He design them for to the fullest possible degree.

-Look for individuals that are full of genuine faith and of the Holy Spirit (fruit of being filled with God’s spirit - “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23.

-Rise up/select capable men who fear God, trustworthy individuals who hate dishonest gain - appointing them as officials over certain amounts of people.

-Share the load so that NO ONE burns out.

What if I can’t find anyone?

-Create an environment were I can.

How?

-Small groups, community groups, devotional groups, activity/interest group, bible studies - aka: doing life with others, etc... 

PRAYER 

God, YOU continue to throw down and speak to me straight!  I love it!  Help me daily stop and learn from YOU!  Thank you for selecting me to be on YOUR team!  Now help me do for others what YOU have done for me!   Awaken my heart and those around me - to the reality that YOU really do meet us where we are at.  Open my mind and heart to YOUR salvation alongside others. Please increase my passion for YOU and YOUR desires.... transform my heart.... add to my character.... transform my mind..... add depth to who I am through YOU. Help me UNLEARN the things that hold me back and move forward with the courage, passion, and heart in which those that walked alongside YOU held fast to via knowing YOU. I LOVE YOU GOD!!!  Thank YOU for being soooooo FAITHFUL!!!! Help me be different today from all that I’ve learned from being with YOU.  Please help me have YOUR eyes to see those that are full of faith and of YOUR Spirit - selecting those YOU have chosen to be officials for YOU, YOUR kingdom, and YOUR purposes. In YOUR hands and at YOUR feet - Trevor

Your thoughts?

webservices@drinenfamily.org

Schooled by the UNSCHOOLED!

Schooled by the UNSCHOOLED!

“11Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.” Acts 4:11-14 NASB

OBSERVATION
I love reading Acts 4:13 as I find it inspiring and comical.  Let’s re-look at Acts 4:13. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” In other words, when those that were schooled saw the courage of Peter and John they realized that these two men were unschooled, ordinary men, they were amazed and took note who they hung out with.... ....  ....So, what about Peter and John made the bi-standers come to the conclusion they did? 

According to the text it was something they saw.... ..... it was, “courage!”  Okay, let’s pause and go Wikipedia: “Courage (also bravery, boldness, fearlessness, mettle, fortitude, or intrepidity) is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Courage is acting in spite of fear. "Physical courage" is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while "moral courage" is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.”

Peter and John’s ability to respectfully stand face to face before others while feeling the weight of social intimidation and fear.... ..... was and is something to take note of.  How did the bi-standers link their courage to them being unschooled?  In the midst of my questions I find myself chuckling and being INSPIRED!!!!

Hmm.... .... Even education has it’s boundaries of teaching certain things.  Peter and John were schooled by Jesus and the bi-standers were astonished their action.  Oh’ to be schooled by Jesus.... .... to do life while walking alongside Jesus.... learning from him.... .... watching his actions and reactions.... .... now there’s something to observe! 

APPLICATION
Their unprecedented courage came from doing life alongside Jesus.  So, what was Peter and John viewpoint on Jesus?   Let’s go verse 11, “11Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Courage + passion = a contagious faith in the midst of reality only comes from spending time with Jesus!
Let’s go one step deeper.  Courage, passion, and a contagious faith come from knowing / being with Jesus - okay!  Let’s go salvation.... According to the text salvation comes from Jesus.  So, what then does it mean to be saved?

PRAYER
God, help unSCHOOL my mind and help me make time to learn from You daily!  Awaken my heart to the reality that YOU really do meet me where I’m at.  Open my mind and heart to YOUR salvation. Please increase my passion for YOU and YOUR desire.... transform my heart.... add to my character.... transform my mind..... add depth to who I am through YOU. Help me UNLEARN the things that hold me back and move forward with the courage, passion, and heart Peter and John held fast to via knowing YOU.- Trevor

Thoughts?
email me: webservices@drinenfamily.org

A lesson on discouragement from Moses & Nehemiah... God’s cares!

A lesson on discouragement from Moses & Nehemiah... God’s cares! 

 

“9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor. 10 Then the LORD said to Moses, 11 “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country.” 12 But Moses said to the LORD, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?” Exodus 6:9-12 NASB

OBSERVATION

Man, if I was an Israelite under the oppression of Egypt for YEARS... ya, I’d be discouraged.... maybe even to the point of serve depression!  Hmm... discouragement seems to be a disease unique to human beings -- especially, those who have been oppressed for an extended period of time like the Israelites in Exodus 6.... eventually everyone gets it - even those doing good things. I’ve battled with various levels of discouragement within my life and in my career.  

Okay let’s take things back to the text and ask some questions: First, what are some things that have caused discouragement here in Exodus 6 and in my life?

Cause - Oppression: When others exercise their authority in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner I’m candidate to experience discouragement. For me this state of being oppressed, and the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, and anxiety.

Cause - Fatigue: When I’m oppressed, I’m a prime candidate to be infected with discouragement. My defenses are lowered and things can seem bleaker than they really are. This often occurs when I’m halfway through a major project and I’m tired.

Cause - Frustration: When unfinished tasks pile up, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. And when trivial matters or the unexpected interrupt me and prevent me from accomplishing what I really need to do, my frustration can easily produce discouragement.

Cause - Failure: Sometimes, my best laid plans fall apart -- the project collapses -- the deal falls through -- no one shows up to the event. How do I react? Self-pity? Blame others? As one man said, "Just when I think I can makes ends meet -- somebody moves the ends! That's discouraging!

Cause - Fear: Fear is behind more discouragement than I'd like to admit. The fear of criticism (What will they think?); the fear of responsibility (What if I can't handle this?); and the fear of failure (What if I blow it?) can cause a major onset of the blues.

What are some cures for discouragement?

APPLICATION 

Let’s go Nehemiah 4 and see what he taught about defeating discouragement in the midst of facings multiple causes:  Rest. If I need a break -- I need to take one! I’m more effective when I return to work. If I’m burning the candle at both ends, I’m not as bright as I think! Sometimes I need to reorganize my life - discouragement doesn't necessarily mean I’m doing the wrong thing. It may just be that I’m doing the right thing in the wrong way. My personality requires me to try a new approach - shake things up a little. Remember God will HELP - if I ask Him. He can give me new energy. Theres incredible motivating power in faith. Today I need to resist discouragement - fight back! No one is forcing my to feel bad. Hang on! Do what's right in spite of mt feelings. No feeling lasts forever.

PRAYER 

God, awaken my heart to the reality that YOU really do meet me where I’m at.  Holy Spirit open up my heart to Jesus Christ!  Make YOUR desires mine.... transform my heart.... transform my mind..... Thank You for faith, grace, and Your mercy - I’ve done nothing to deserve anything and You’ve extended me everything - Thank you - Thank you for really hearing my hearts cry!  Although, I don’t understand Your timing - Thank you for being faithful. Help me walk in faith in the midst of my current reality! Trevor

Your Thoughts? 

email me: webservices@drinenfamily.org

In the midst of my shortcomings... God does hear!

“11 Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you.... ....13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:11-14 NASB

OBSERVATION

I’ve wondered at various times if God was really concerned about me.  Does he really see my misery, hardships, and turmoil?  Does God celebrate alongside me?  As I read Exodus 3-5 I found myself laughing, wincing with doubt, and walking in Moses shoes.   Let’s go verse 11, “Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’’ “Who am I....”  “Who am I....”  

Who am I, that God should extend His faith, grace, and mercy to me?  What have I done to earn / deserve His favor? I like Moses see my shortcomings, weakness, and faults....

Let’s go verse 13 “Moses said to God, Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” Let’s go Exodus 4:1, “Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?”  and then Exodus 4:10, “Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

I love Moses questions!  It so me!!!!  Questions, doubt, struggle, etc.... Leah often asks me, “Trevor why are you so quick to believe in others and not yourself?“ Hmmm.... personal doubts.... I like Moses can see my shortcomings, weakness, and faults soooooo clearly....

Let’s go Exodus 4:11-13 and 18 “11 The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” 13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.....  18 Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Let me return to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive.” Jethro said, “Go, and I wish you well.”

APPLICATION 

Okay, I like Moses can make all this excuses I want..... Man, I just need to, ‘stop!’....  how!?! 

God I need YOUR help on this one....  Action steps for today: 

1. Help me put one foot in front of the other following You via faith as I holdfast to Your word.
2. Help me always remain THANKFUL as You are concern about me.
3. Help me worship You in faith, love, and obedience.

Let’s go, Exodus 4:31, “...they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.”

In the midst of my shortcomings... God does hear!

Your thoughts?

Trevor Drinen

www.drinenfamily.org

www.newhopewindward.com

CONTROL FREAK!

Control Freak!  

Ya, I just called myself and YOU a CONTROL FReaK!  

LET IT GO!

These are the three most powerful words you can tell yourself.

As you go through your day, pay attention to your thoughts. Pay special attention to moments when you start feeling negative thoughts. When you’re stressed, depressed, worried, anxious, angry, etc.

How often do those emotions happen for you every day?

How long do you dwell on these things? Do they get you off track or sometimes ruin the rest of your day?

In our hyper-connected, always on, need-to-be-productive-every-moment world, there are hundreds of things we want to influence and change every day.

We burden ourselves with too much. We expect to change too many things every day. We try to be in control of everything around us.

That desire for control works against us.

Negative emotions come from wanting to change things we cannot.

The next time you feel bad about somthing, examine your feelings and the situation. Really shine some light on the emotion. Ask yourself why this thing has power over you. Why is it so important?

Then, ask yourself: “what would happen if I let this go?”

What if you gave up wanting to control this thing? 

Would the everyone come to a stand still?  

Would the world end?

You probably have nothing to lose and everything to gain by letting go. The world won’t end. People won’t die. Your friends won’t abandon you.

You’ll simply feel better so you can move on.

Moving on is the important part. That’s how you let new doors open. 

You can only become your best self by letting go and moving on.

Letting go truly has magical powers. I DARE you to give it a try.

A few quotes from people wiser than I am:

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.”
-Chinese Proverb

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try, the world is beyond the winning.” -Lao Tzu

“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” -Alexander Graham Bell

Control is total limiter when it come to areas of our faith!  

How?

Trust.....

Jesus invites us to follow Him... ya, that means LETTING GO and letting Him direct our ways. 

So when it come to our faith we need to lean into Jesus - Letting Go of our CONTROL FREaK nature and holding fast to Him and His ways!

-Trevor Drinen 

email me: webservices@drinenfamily.org

Spiritual Check UP

Today’s reading: 1 John 1 NASB

SCRIPTURE
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10 NASB

OBSERVATION

If I was to see a spiritual doctor what questions might be asked?

Looking back on your relationship with Jesus Christ, has there been / are there times in which you loved and submitted to God’s truth and Word? Are there times where you want to go right, but the truth of God is telling you to go left, and you choose left over going right because you knew it was what God wanted? Or do you delight in doing what God commands?  Do you love the truth? Do you trust the truth? 

Hmmm.... I am willing to say that my weight is a little off and my temperature is a little high.... I’m in need of a spiritual doctor... aka a savior....

So, how do I see a spiritual doctor? What do I need to setup an appointment with Jesus?

APPLICATION 

1. Time: ten (10) to thirty (30) minutes
2. Bible
3. Notepad, Paper, CPU (doc), or journal
4. Pen

Okay, I can make all this excuses I want..... Man, I just need to, ‘stop!’.... God I need YOUR help on this one....

PRAYER 

God, awaken my heart to the reality that YOU really do meet me where I’m at.  I confess that I don’t always believe that and I wrestle with separation from my old ways.... I can’t do this on my own.... help me have a greater desire for YOUR ways that my desires....God, to often I walk alone.... Holy Spirit open up my heart to Jesus Christ!  Make YOUR desires mine.... transform my heart.... transform my mind.....It’s not in the list of things I’m not going to do anymore or the list of things I’m going to do - Help me trust and understand YOUR ACT... YOUR SAVING GRACE.... YOUR SALVATION!!!!  Please, make my heart alive once again to the reality of Christ.... His birth.... His death... and how that transfers to me!  Holy Spirit please do that.... as I once again see this is an issue I’ll go around and around with!  God a questions running around my mind is, “What if YOU don’t?”  Help me keep asking, keep seeking.... Help me daily position myself under YOUR gospel and under YOUR grace until YOU give me the YOUR gift of FAITH.

Bottom line God: My trust needs to be in that YOUR affection for ME is based on Jesus and what HE has done on the CROSS (PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE)  God, help me NOT return...walking down the path of secret sin - help me NOT play the game where I’m like, “Well let me just go on a long stretch of not doing it, so when I do confess, I can confess it like it’s in my past.” -or- “Let me just come out with half of it but not all of it in the hopes that that little bit of shame will be enough.” Today, I see the need for confession and repentance.... Help me find the place YOU have of grace and mercy verses being stuck in my religious pride.....

- Trevor

Thoughts? 

email me: webservices@drinenfamily.org