Tag: Truth

Vision

Today’s a new day! As we start this new week, let’s take some time to talk about vision.

“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” ~Proverb 29:18

Vision is the ability to see God’s plans concerning our future. Vision is revelation that gives life meaning, value, direction, significance and purpose. Vision holds endless possibilities of what could be and what should be. Without vision there is nothing that keeps our lives on track and we end up wondering through life with no purpose. Author and Educator Helen Keller once said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” If our vision is compromised, it’s like a boat with no rudder. We will aimlessly wonder around with no direction.

When we have clear vision it gives us the ability to imagine what our future might hold. Vision gives us the ability to dream big dreams. Living with vision gives us hope to make it through the tough days and moments in life. Vision inspires the depressed and motivates the discouraged. God created each of us for a purpose. Within that purpose is our vision for life. I believe purpose is knowing and understanding what God created us to accomplish in life, and vision is when we conceive it in our minds through faith and begin to live it out. Vision is a glimpse of our future that God has designed just for us. ~OC

Today’s Prayer:

Dear God, I pray you would bless each of us with vision and a purpose that can only come from you. I pray all of this in the matchless and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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Boldness

Today’s a new day! ~OC

“This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” ~Ephesians 3:11-12

What a wonderful privilege, that we can approach God with confidence. We are not begging servants, but we are His children.

Because of what Jesus did on the cross and through His blood, we have the right and the joy of stepping into His presence. Do not hesitate, come boldly and with confidence, His arms are wide open.

PRAYER: Dear God, may we know more of Your presence in our daily lives. May we have the courage and the boldness to approach You at all times and in every situation. In Your powerful and matchless name we pray. Amen.

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No Limits

Today’s a new day! There are no limits to what God can do when you’re planted exactly where He has called you to grow. Where you plant yourself matters. ~OC

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Never Give Up

Today’s a new day! I think most people do not like to be uncomfortable. Most people do not like the hard moments in life. Most people do not like to be burdened or inconvenienced. Yet, in the tough moments in life, God never calls us to give up. Instead, He calls us to keep on pushing and trusting Him, even in the most difficult moments.

As a former marathon runner and someone who has been walking through a crazy beautiful health journey for over twenty years, I am used to being uncomfortable. I am used to the hard moments in life.

As I have walked through the tough moments in life, here are a few lessons I have learned:

Never give up on your prayers.

Never give up on the people God has placed in your life.

Never give up on your dreams.

Never give up on yourself.

Never give up when you face hard times or failures.

Most importantly, never give up on God.

The beautiful thing about God and his amazing grace is that He never gives up on us. He calls us back even when we decide to stray away and do things on our own. God is always there waiting for us with open arms. Remember, every battle we will ever face was defeated on the cross when Jesus gave his life for us.

I am not sure what type of season you’re walking through at this moment. Maybe you have been praying the same prayers over and over for years, but they seem like they will never be answered. Don’t give up.

I want to encourage you to never limit God and put him in a nicely decorated box. Allow Him to work through you and never give in to those temptations to give up.

Looking back on all of my marathons, I am so glad I completed each of my races and never gave into the temptation to quit. Based on my health, those marathons were never easy on my body, but each taught me about overcoming and to never give up.

I believe our faith and life journey is like a marathon, it’s not promised to be easy, it’s going to be hard and full of twist and turns, but our finish line and reward in eternity is far greater than anything we could ever imagine.

So today, keep pushing, keep fighting and never give up. ~OC

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” ~2 Timothy 4:7

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Walk With a Limp

Today’s a new day! As I continue to walk out my faith journey, I have experienced wilderness moments on more than one occasion. Those moments when life just beats you up. During those seasons, I am always reminded that I am not God. During the tough seasons in life, I am thankful that God still wants to have regular face to face encounters with me. He wants to hear about my thoughts and concerns. God desires to hear from us and to speak to us. As I continue to walk this journey called life, I am often reminded that my thoughts and opinions cannot compare to the divine, sacred and loving wisdom of our amazing Savior.

As I continue to walk out my faith journey, I no longer walk straight. No, these days I walk with a limp. A beautiful reminder of everything God has brought me through. The struggles I have overcome. As I write this post, I am reminded of the quote by well-known Christian pastor and author, A.W. Tozer, who wrote, “Beware of any Christian who doesn’t walk with a limp.”

Dear Friends, our world does not need more people screaming from the rooftops and declaring that their opinions are the only ones that matter. No, we desperately need more limping Christians, who have walked through the wilderness and encountered God in a powerful and life changing way. We need more Christians walking with a limp, who are more passionate about helping those individuals who are currently walking through their own wilderness experience and who are less concerned about their own opinions.

I believe as we look at today’s headlines and the world around us, we need to stand up and speak out for what is right—to seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. I also believe these days are ones to walk with a limp in humility, kindness, love and grace. I pray we will spend more time seeking God’s purpose for our lives and less time screaming that our opinions are the only ones that matter. Today, I pray we walk with a limp. ~OC

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Dear Men of God,

Today’s a new day! My apologies to all the ladies today. The following post is geared towards men and the importance of men having solid friendships with other men.

Today, I write from a position of painful experiences. Today, I believe God is calling me to be transparent as I share the following message.

I have tried for years to be involved in Christian men’s groups. Unfortunately, most have never produced much fruit. Several have caused pain, loss and mistrust. Even with that said, I am still open to being part of a Christian men’s group. But not one that is more concerned about a man’s social status in society than they are about the man’s heart. Not easy to find. I definitely do not want to be part of any men’s group that preaches we need to be a man’s man in the likeness of John Wayne.

In a society that celebrates rugged individualism, Christian men are often left searching for and craving connection, but unsure how to or where to find it. Men, the Bible calls us to community. In Ecclesiastes 4:9, we read that “two are better than one.” Yet so many men are struggling to forge deep, meaningful friendships with other men. I am one of those men.

The consequences are real. Loneliness among men are at their highest rates in decades. Loneliness can lead men to make some poor choices, which can ultimately lead to brokenness.

I believe for men to be better husbands, fathers and friends, we need to be surrounded by not just mere acquaintances, but by brothers who sharpen each other “as iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17).

The Bible is full of scriptures that tell us that we are all created for relationships. Even men. In Genesis 2:18 we read, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” While often shared at wedding ceremonies, this verse actually speaks about our need for companionship. Jesus himself modeled friendship, calling his disciples “friends” (John 15:15).

For Christian men, friendships should not be a distraction from our faith but a cornerstone of it. Men, we need to be surrounded by other Christian men offering accountability and encouragement.

Yet men often pursue other gods—careers, social status, or some type of hobby before seeking out true friendships.

True friendship are a beautiful gift and I believe, an important part of living a life that honors God. In Proverbs 18:24, we read those life changing words “a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” a bond that mirrors Christ’s sacrificial love. Such friendships require intentionality and spending quality time together. And not being afraid to leave the shallow end of conversations and dive into deep, sometimes hard conversations. True brotherhood is also about laughing together and enjoying life.

Men of God, the stakes are high. Loneliness and brokenness are stealing our peace, our joy and our witness. But I believe true brotherhood, rooted in God’s love, can restore each of us. ~OC

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The Joy Robber

Today’s a new day! The Challenge for the day is: Stop comparing yourself to others.

Living a life of comparison is tiring and a big fat lie. When we look at someone else’s life, all we usually see is the surface. We usually do not see what is behind that amazing smile or what we consider a perfect life.

When we compare someone’s outside appearance with our current situation we do them and ourselves a disservice. Living a life of comparison is hurtful to everyone. I am convinced that comparison is one of the biggest joy-robbers and dream-destroyer in a person’s life.

The Joy Robber wedges its ugly self right in the middle of what God is calling us to do: write a book, apply for a new job, go on that mission trip or start a Bible study. Nothing will kill a dream faster than looking at the life of someone who’s already living your dream, then believing it’s too good for you.

When we compare ourselves to others we forget the value of our own lives. We forget that God created each of us in a unique and beautiful way. There is only one you.

If we truly want to live a life full of joy and purpose, we have to stop comparing ourselves to others. Life is not a competition. Life is so much better when we’re living out the gifts and talents God has given each of us. When we’re living out our purpose and not trying to be someone else.

So today, make the decision to start living out the life God created just for you and stop comparing yourself with someone else. Make it a great day! ~OC

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No Limitations

Today’s a new day! As most of you know, I am using a walker these days to assist me getting around. The last two weeks were tough, as I went through multiple test and treatments at the hospital. As I was sitting here thinking about everything that’s been going on with my health the last few weeks, I had to stop and give God praise. You see, the enemy thought he got the best of me because of my limited ability to get around and having to deal with two weeks in the hospital. But the truth is, my limited ability to be get around does not effect my ability to continue serving God. Never allow the enemy or anyone else to shackle you with their limitations. Keep your eyes focused on God and finish strong. ~OC

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Heaven

Today’s a new day! As I continue to walk this crazy beautiful health journey, I sometimes think about the day I will actually see Jesus face to face. Of course, I hope that day is somewhere in the distant future, but thinking about that day brings me peace, comfort and hope.

I have noticed over the years, that so many Christians look forward to spending eternity with Jesus, but do not want to leave this earth to do so. They do not want to leave their loved ones. I understand that more than you know. Yet, during my long health journey, my suffering has compelled me to yearn for the relief I will find in the presence of my Savior. As I continue to walk through this season of health issues, I hang on to the hope that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. And in His presence, I will find fullness of peace and joy.

From threats of wars, division, health issues, and tragic accidents suffering is real. But as Christians we can rejoice while suffering. We can know and have confidence that suffering and death are not the end for us. We have an assurance of more. So much more. We have the hope of eternal life. And that’s what we have to hold onto when we’re suffering. My friend, if you’re currently walking through a season of suffering, know that God is with you. He has not forgotten about you. I encourage you carry the hope of heaven in your heart, knowing that God will deliver you in due season. Until then, keep living out your purpose and being a difference maker right where God has you planted. ~OC

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Lessons Along the Journey

Today’s a new day! As I spend the week in the hospital receiving treatments and recovering, I have been reflecting on my long health journey and many hospital stays. The lessons learned over the years are many. Here is one that came to my mind this week. ~OC

As I have run this crazy beautiful health journey, I have learned to set myself free from impossible expectations. To let go of my own agenda and not allow anyone to force their agenda’s on me. I have learned to let God do His thing while I learn to rest in Him. To lean into His promises and asked, “God what do you want me to learn from this health journey and how can you use me as I travel this road?”

The life lessons that God wants to teach us through the storms of life can be life-changing. Learning to release my own agenda was only the first lesson for me. I thought my plan was a good, even a God-honoring plan, but it turns out that God had a different plan. A plan that included chronic health issues. A plan for me to be a missionary at medical appointments and hospital visits. A plan that I never would have chosen for myself. But even in the pain and struggles of this health journey, I have learned a second lesson that I believe we would all be better off by learning.

The lesson is this: God is working everything out for our good in life, even when might not believe it or cannot see it.

Now, let me just say that this lesson is a hard one to believe when your life is filled with medical appointments, hospital stays and a crazy amount of pain. If you’re having a hard time believing it today as you read this, let me encourage you with the following words from God’s own heart:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

I confess that in some areas it has taken me years to see the good that God can bring out of a situation. Sometimes our heads must choose to trust when our hearts cannot muster up the courage to do so. And that brings me to the next lesson I have learned.

Sometimes, God allows us to experience broken bodies so that we can realize we have an even greater need—a broken heart. A broken heart that needs Him. If we will let Him, God wants to take our broken hearts, and pour His love in. That is part of the “good” that He wants to work for us in the scripture verse above. He wants to heal our brokenness, and in so doing, bring good out of it. And then, as only God can do, He wants to work through us to show a world of hurting and broken hearts that He can do the same for them. That is part of what He means when He says that we have been “called according to His purpose.”

God actually has a purpose for us. No matter how broken our lives feel, God has a purpose for each and every one of us. God can take broken people and use them for His greater purposes. All He needs from us is a willing heart.

Maybe you feel your life is too messed up for God to accept. The truth is, God desperately wants us to turn to Him in the middle of our big old mess and lift our hearts and lives to Him.

As I continue to run this health journey, I have learned that all God needs is a willing heart. Because if you are willing, even though you may feel like you are a mess, God will honor whatever faith you can muster, and take your brokenness and turn it into something truly beautiful.

So today, I pray the following for each of us:

Dear God, I pray that You will take our pain and brokenness and use it for Your good. I pray that You will use our “I can’t “ situations to show us what You can do and want to do in our lives. God, we thank you for hearing our prayers today. It’s in Your powerful and matchless name we pray. Amen.

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