Tuesday, July 28, 2015

When God is Silent

Silence has its benefits at certain times. When you're studying, reading for enjoyment, trying to sleep, when the kids have finally left for school :-) ... and at other times as well; silence is a good thing. It is never beneficial or enjoyable, however, when you feel as though you are getting the "silent treatment," especially from someone important to you.

I am a communication guy. To me, without talking and sharing we cannot know the thoughts and feelings of another. When someone will not speak to us we can experience a number of feelings from anger, rejection, and loneliness. Rarely are we comfortable during times when we are not communicating normally with a significant someone in our lives.

Obviously I am telegraphing my introductory comments. You know from the title of this post that I am going to say, "It's even worse when you feel that God is being silent toward you." :-)

Many of us have experienced times when it seemed that God was not speaking with us. Perhaps we are used to receiving daily inspiration and instruction from Him as we study His word. Maybe it is commonplace that we get a sense of assurance or direction from Him as we pray. We may even receive direct communication from our pastor's sermons or from a Bible teacher.

But what if you have seemingly slipped into a season when you sense nothing from the Lord. This can be quite frustrating if you are used to having regular communication from Him.

I am no expert in this area but I can share a thought or two that a loving seminary professor gave to me many years ago. I had gone to see him because I felt I could hear nothing from the Lord at that time. He said to me that there may be two reasons God is silent in my life.

Something May Need to Be Confessed

wait upon the Lord
He said that sometimes we can possess a sinful trait that we don't even realize is "sinful." Sin is always birthed from selfishness. My desire at that time was to preach. I wanted to preach in churches every Sunday and I was getting no opportunities to do so. It dominated my thoughts and mind. I was frustrated and somewhat angry at pastors for not inviting me. I was even a little disappointed with God because of it. After all, He had called me to preach ... so shouldn't He get me some churches? This was my mindset.

To me, that desire didn't seem like sin. But in reality, it was. My thinking was that it couldn't be sin because I was simply wanting to honor my call. But the desire to preach was not the sin. The frustration and anger I felt because I was not getting opportunities was the sin.

I needed to confess the anger and frustration. I needed to wait upon the Lord. I wasn't hearing from the Lord because He was waiting for me to return to the place where I trusted everything to Him. This is what I did.

If God is silent in your life right now it may be because there is something you need to confess. Maybe you are like I was and don't believe certain things you desire are actually selfish. But even if they are good desires, they can actually possess a selfish aspect. My desire to preach was both God-honoring and selfish at the same time. Reflect on that for a moment. Let that sink in.

There is a second reason God can seem silent. The good professor told me that ...

You May Be Running Ahead of God

Timing is everything. When I was a pastor it was not uncommon for loving church members to come to see me with a ministry idea. Some of the ideas were simply not well thought out. Others were actually really good. But that did not mean I endorsed them immediately. In spite of how good the idea was, the timing was not right for the church.

when God is silent
This may be the case with you if you are not hearing from God right now. You may have some things in mind that you want God to sanction and honor. To you, these ideas are really beneficial to others. So, you may have a ministry idea, a spiritual goal for one of your children, a career thought, an investment idea, etc. But God is not saying much. Well, you may be running ahead of God. The timing is not right; yet.

I know. It's hard to wait and be patient when YOU have such a GREAT idea (emphasis intended). But God's ways are not always our ways and His thinking certainly supersedes ours.

As I said, I am no expert here. So, let's allow God to share a thought or two:

Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

The good professor told me that God may be preparing me for something else other than what I was hoping for. He told me to put my ideas aside and quit trying so hard to move the heart and hand of God. He said, "wait upon the Lord." He may be preparing to blow you away with something far greater than what you'd like.

I trust this has been a blessing to you.

Tony Guthrie


Saturday, July 25, 2015

When Life Hurts

We all hope that life would be a wonderful song and dance. We'd prefer that each day be filled with laughter and joy. I know that you can easily think of really good days where everything went well and the day was filled with smiles and enjoyment.

But such is NOT life every day. I am sure you know what I mean, Life can hurt sometimes. There are days when circumstances cause emotional, physical, or even spiritual pain. Sometimes the pain comes and remains for what seems like an unending season. I know people who believe they wrote the book on how to possess pain. For them, it seems that pain is just the continual reality of their lives.

Here's a silly question: Ever hurt? Ever had someone or a circumstance cause you pain? Of course you have. Each of us handle those pains differently. For me, if the pain is intense enough my reaction is to flee from it. I leave the environment thinking it will remain behind me. But I have discovered it just goes with me ... every time. As a matter of fact, when I flee I seem to ponder the pain even more. I feel alone and afraid ... but still my instinct is to run.

We all handle our pain differently. Some people hide their pain under intense anger. Others turn to alcohol or drugs. Some withdraw.  Others put on a show that all is well in their life. It's just a mask.

What is the better course when facing a painful day or season of circumstance?

Pray

healing the hurt
Of course you knew I would suggest that. But truly it does help. Prayer is simply talking to the Lord. And please, don't pray this way: "Lord take this away." James chapter 1 tells us to consider it joy when we face trials. James says these painful times can actually be used of God to teach us to possess perseverance (endurance). So, the prayer should be: "Lord, what are you trying to teach me in this situation." Ask the Lord to make you a better Christian person because of it. Try to find the joy in the pain. And joy comes from knowing that the Lord is working in your life.

As weird as it may seem, the painful situation you find yourself in may be exactly where God wants you right now. Why? So He can move in your life in beneficial ways. So, don't ask the Lord to take the pain away. Ask him to show you why He is allowing it. The silver lining may be more obvious than you realize.

Ask Forgiveness if Necessary

If the painful situation involves another person, then ask them to forgive you (even if it is their fault - and we know it is ALWAYS their fault) :-) Seriously, nothing begins the healing process quite like asking for forgiveness. Of course you know that some people can't find it in their heart to forgive. Some people, I have discovered, just want to be angry. They tend to make themselves angry. This is their modus operandi. Not much can be done with these kinds of people.

But most people do have that soft spot that will eventually allow for forgiveness. Just ask them to forgive you and then do an act of kindness for them. Usually this will produce a very positive result. If it doesn't then you can have peace that you have done all you can do and the issue is with them, not you.

Pain does not exist in an environment of loving forgiveness. In fact, it cannot.

Get to a Happy Place

when life hurts
Now this may not get rid of the pain but it certainly can serve as a way to move it from the forefront of your thinking. Happy places can be anything of distraction and enjoyment. Reading, watching a favorite movie, taking a drive, visiting parents/grandparents, going to the driving range and smashing some perfect drives over 280 yards :-) ... whatever!

Temporarily removing yourself from the painful situation tends to ease the heaviness so that when you return it doesn't seem quite as bad.

Remember Better Days

Life is full of seasons. Many of them positive and happy. When life hurts it is easy to focus on the current season. But pondering and processing the pain will only maximize it's destructive affect.

The better approach is to realize that the current pain is simply that: current. It is a season. Seasons have a beginning point and an ending point. The pain will end. So, rather than dwell on the pain, reflect back on a better season. God gave us the ability to remember for beneficial reasons.

So, take out a picture album and walk down memory lane. You will find yourself smiling as you remember people and events from a better time. Then connect with an old friend on Facebook and talk about how it was back then. Talk with them about the fun of those days This is sure to produce laughter and enjoyment.

Looking back will help you realize that as you look forward you know that the end of the current pain will soon be in view.

Turn to Caring Friends

when life hurts
Please, when life hurts, don't block out the people who are closest to you. And when they ask you what's wrong, please don't say: "I don't want to talk about it." The most useless and meaningless sentence in the English language is: "I don't want to talk about it." You need to talk about it. With a friend for sure BUT especially with the person(s) that may be involved in the painful circumstance.

Talking about it gets its out there. There is no more wondering on the part of the friend or the adversary. This way the air can begin to be cleared and normality can resume. If you are just talking about it with a friend they will likely remind you that all is not bad in your world. You have special friends who love you. And when you know you are loved, truly, you can handle just about anything.

I hope this has been a blessing to you.

Tony Guthrie

Please leave your comments below. I would love to hear from you.

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Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The Hopes of a Christian Friend

As I have shared before, we all want and need good friends. In every arena of life having people to share things and experiences with just makes life so much more enjoyable. Certain people (our friends) simply meet many of the needs of our lives.

If I were to ask you to reflect back over your life and remember certain friends it wouldn't take long for a smile to form on your face. These people may not be as involved with you as they may have been at one time, but there indeed was a time when you were pretty thick. Social media sites, like Facebook, have made it possible to reconnect with friends long removed by time, distance, and/or circumstance.

Christian service
A few nights ago my daughter texted a photo to me. She had found an old fake magazine cover with a picture of me and my best friend at the time, Jerry. The photo was taken circa 1979 at Liberty Land theme park in Memphis Tennessee. Jerry and I were both into professional wrestling at the time (Why? I don't have a clue). Jerry and I were tighter than any two friends could have ever been. But life moved us in different directions and only recently have we re-connected via Facebook.

We know what we want and need from our friends. But do you ever ponder what you really want for them? I assume that if you are reading this blog then there is a good chance you are a Christian. Of course Christians haven't cornered the market on friendship. All people understand the value of others in their lives. But Christian people strive to love their friends from a biblical perspective.

I think it is safe to say that all people want the best life offers for their friends. But Christian people think somewhat like Paul did when he wrote:

For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:8-11)


It is clear to see that Paul wanted two things for his friends. (1) He wanted to be with them. But he wanted to be with them "with the affection of Christ Jesus." Jesus' kind of affection was to show compassion. So, Paul wanted to be with his friends so he could demonstrate compassionate love to them in the same way Jesus did. He wanted to serve them and minister to them.

Christian service
How often do you desire to actually serve a Christian friend? Yes, we can be buddys and hang out together. But do you think about ways you can serve and minister to them in real and practical ways? The hope of a Christian friend is to be able to discover ways to serve others.

(2) Christian friends hope that their friends will grow deeper in their love, understanding, and service to the Lord. Paul prayed that his friends would grow in Christian love so ...

that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment...

Paul knew that growing in the love of Christ causes one to understand (discern) the Lord more deeply. He also wanted them to grow in love so that they could see the excellency of serving the Lord and others themselves. This way little blame could ever be leveled against them.

Christians hope they can find ways to serve and bless their friends in the same way Jesus blessed the people he ministered to. They also hope their friends will grow more deeply in love with the Lord each day so they too can see the blessing that comes from blessing others.

I trust this has been a blessing to you.

Tony Guthrie

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Saturday, July 18, 2015

The Test of Fellowshipping Friendship

There is no doubt that God placed the need and desire for fellowship and friendship inside of us. We need other people in our lives. He also told us to love one another. It's interesting that God never said, "Like one another." He didn't require liking because it is simply not possible to like some people. Of course I never understand it when someone doesn't like me. I always think to myself, "What's wrong with them?" :-) But I digress.

bearing one another's burdens
Personality types and beliefs systems of other people simply clash with ours on occasion. So, we may not "like" someone. I think it is important to note, however, that not liking someone does not equate to hating them or wishing ill-will upon them. What I mean is that there are some people in the world and in your realm that you'd prefer to spend less time with. There's just something about them that simply rubs you in less-than-positive ways.

But God still says to love others. This includes those you may not like. Loving others shows itself in many ways but one way that stands out is serving the needs of others.

Yes God has placed that desire for friends and fellowship in us. So, after reading "It is only right for me for me to feel this way about you all because I have you in my heart ..." (Phil. 1:7a) I wondered what happens that causes us to have certain people in our hearts. What causes us to desire fellowship with others (for a definition of fellowship, click here). Paul obviously had great love for the Philippians. He even gives us clues as to why he had such a special place in his heart for them ... they had been there with and for him in the trials of serving the Lord.

So, I considered the concept of fellowshipping friendship and it's attributes. I also considered the people that have demonstrated these attributes toward me and I toward them. Here's a few "tests" that came to mind.

Bearing One Another's Burdens

Burden-bearing is a biblical concept that, at least in my opinion, rarely shows itself ... even among Christians, The idea of burden-bearing is simple and direct. It is NOT well-wishing. It is NOT hearing of the struggles of a friend and saying to them, "Wow, I am so sorry. I'll be sure to pray for you."

what is koininia
Burden-bearing involves rolling up the proverbial sleeves and lending a hand that helps. Yes pray, but DO something too. Okay, Okay! I know what you may be thinking, "We can't meet all needs or help in every situation." But does that mean that we should get a pass on every burden? There is always something that can be done.

Isn't the church supposed to be a burden-bearing center? I believe Galatians 6:2 says "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." The context of the verse has to do with someone who is carrying the extra heavy burden of falling to sin. The church is mandated to walk with them and restore them. There is nothing about consequences, judgment, or punishment ... just restoration. What better way to bear the burden of sin than by forgiving and restoring the one who committed it?

Serve people in and through their burdens, My closest friends are the ones who have shown the trait of burden-bearing. They have lifted me up, carried me, helped me, listened to me, and loved me in meaningful, practical ways. Yes they have prayed. But my true friends have done something tangible to help. I have done the same for them.

Forgiving One Another

People blow it. I blow it. You blow it. All God's children blow it. Ever blown it? Ever needed forgiveness because you did? True friends forgive. They don't punish, hurt, make you pay a price, or cast you out from them. They forgive even as Jesus did. Jesus forgave even when we deserved no forgiveness. Am I making the point?

Encouraging One Another

encouragement to others
Paul said in Ephesians 4:29 to "let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Without boring you with all the Greek implications and yada, let me just simplify it for you. Say only good stuff to others. Encourage them. Use words to build them up rather than tear them down. This is the idea of edification.

I know people, as you do, who have mastered the tear down. They say hurtful and senseless things to and about others. They seem to get their kicks by doing so.

But my best friends always edify and encourage me. They know me well. They know my weaknesses and faults but they do not focus on them. When necessary they may point out a flaw. But again, only when necessary. Most of the time they simply build me up and encourage me with words of wisdom, support, and grace. I like to think I have done the same for them.

This is fellowship.

I hope this has been a blessing to you.

Tony Guthrie
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Friday, July 17, 2015

The Source of Confidence

How much confidence do you have in accomplishing personal goals? Many people have dreams and hopes related to career, finances, relationships and so on but do not have a deeply embedded confidence that they will actually realize those goals. As I have noted before, it really isn't the accomplishing of the goals thats the issue. It's in setting them. If you can actually set a goal (a purposed goal) then the accomplishing of it becomes quite easy.

having no confidence
I have always been surprised at how many people have no confidence in themselves or their ability to reach a goal or realize a dream. They focus on all the reasons why they can't accomplish it rather than all the reasons they can. They suffer from what David Schwartz dubbed "excusitis" in his book The Magic of Thinking Big.

In actuality these good people have a good dream or goal; they just rely on the wrong foundational source for accomplishing it, They have no confidence because they look at themselves and their abilities/circumstances, But if they believe their goal is a purposed goal (see my discussion of "purposed goal" here) then accomplishing the goal becomes so much easier because they believe the goal is part of the reason they exist.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil. 1:6

Paul says that he is confident (or reliant) of a simple fact: The good work of carrying out the gospel message through the Philippians will continue and be completed through God Himself ... "he who began a good work will complete it ..." Paul says he can rely on this fact because it is God who gave it and began it. He says it will be God Who sees it through.

being confident with goals
Now I don't know about you, but that fact encourages me. If God is the author, planner, and actual productive aspect of my goal(s), then how can I not be confident? If I see a goal as something God Himself has given, shouldn't I rely on the fact that it will be realized? Shouldn't I exude confience and expectancy? Shouldn't that knowledge cause me to encourage others to discover their own God-given purposes and set God-directed goals?

How can you have anything but confidence if you truly believe God is behind the goal? So go ahead, trust your instinct and set the goal. Believe it was God-given and allow confidence to flow through you.

I have a friend who set a goal to start a church in an area already saturated with churches. Denominational leaders told him that it would be a futile effort because so many churches existed, They encouraged him to go some place where fewer churches existed. But my friend believed that God was directing him to start the church right where all the other churches were. The denomination offered no monetary support, He had no money, no resources, no people, no anything. Well, that's not quite true, He did have a goal. A goal that was God-directed.

After three years of hard work his church was averaging almost 250 in Sunday attendance, The denomination took notice and then offered support.

What is your purposed goal(s)? A ministry? A business? A new home? Stronger relationships? To publish a book? What?

Paul believed God was behind the efforts of the Philippians. The impact of that church is now part of Christian history.

I wonder what might happen if you believe that God is behind your efforts.

I hope this has been a blessing.

Tony Guthrie
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Thursday, July 16, 2015

I Thank My God for You

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your [c]participation in the gospel from the first day until now. Phil.1:3-5

As children it was instilled in most of us that we should be thankful. I am sure that your parents, as mine did, told you to be thankful for what and who you have in your life. It is easy to look around and see people who seemingly enjoy more of the "better" things of life. Maybe they possess better health, stronger financial benefits, and a better income situation. Maybe their family life is better, or, so it seems.

Being thankful to God
But my parents reminded me that things are not always as they seem. People may indeed have their "act" together outwardly and on the surface. But many people make it a point to not reveal all that is actually happening behind the scenes.

When I was a pastor it seemed that most of my counseling sessions involved people who put on a good front. No one would have concluded, from outward appearances, that these individuals would have the first care. But many of them did. Some did to a degree that surprised even me. 

My point is simple. Be thankful for YOUR life and circumstances. Be thankful for the people God has brought into your life. Never wish you were someone else or that you could change places with them. I would have never dreamed that comedian Robin Williams would have had any issues. He had it all or so it seemed. 

In the passage cited above Paul makes a statement of thanksgiving for some special people God had brought into his life. He says that he thanks God for them and joyously mentions them in his prayers. Why? Because they proved themselves faithful and true in a joint effort with him. They worked with him to carry out the gospel message. 

If you look around and really consider it closely, I am sure that you will realize that God has brought some special people as blessings into your life. Obviously we all have some people and circumstances that are not "blessings." But even so, God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). 

Take today and consider the blessings of the people that God has brought into your life. 

Say out loud, "I thank my God for them!"

You will find a sense of peace after you do.

Blessings, 

Tony Guthrie
tuthrie1961@yahoo.com
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Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Think on These Things

"Think on these things"
"...let your mind dwell on these things.

Among my favorite required textbooks in seminary was Fisher Humphreys' Thinking About God. It is a basic treatment of Christian theology. Humphreys wrote the book with the novice or uneducated Bible student in mind. It is a simple read but does a great job of laying a foundation to build upon in one's theological quest.

The title, Thinking About God, grabbed my attention. That's what "theology" is ... thinking about God. Theology is simply the study of God. So, seminary students enter theology classes in order to study, learn about, and THINK about God. Who He is. His nature. His attributes. His heart. His plan for mankind. And so on. 

In Philippians 4:8 Paul penned the following:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there by any praise, think on these things.
When you consider the verse you simply must ask:

What is true?
What is honest?
What is just?
What is pure?
What is lovely?
What is of a good report (reputation)?
What has virtue and is worthy of praise? 

You may consider a lot of "things" that fall into the camps of truth, honesty, purity, and so on. Paul wrote these words just after he explained that the bickering in the Philippian church was doing damage to the work of the gospel. So, he told them, "Hey, don't think about the things that cause you to argue. Think on the things that unite you as a church and bless you as an individual." It was part of Paul's formula for overcoming bickering and getting the church re-focused on the ministry.

But I have always taken the verse and it's implication one step further. I have to credit Fisher Humphreys' book title for leading me to do so. Thinking About God.  Really, what is the source of true, honesty, justice, etc? The better question is: WHO is the source?

When considering the verse I believe we should ask:

WHO is true?
WHO is honest?
WHO is just?
WHOis pure?
WHO is lovely?
WHO is of a good report (reputation)?
WHO has virtue and is worthy of praise?

God. Only God. The God of the Bible. The God of the Christian church. So, when you "think on these things" shouldn't you think about God? Shouldn't we think about our God of truth? Our God of honesty? Our lovely, loving God? Shouldn't we consider the implications of these wonderful attributes?

I often wonder if our lives, circumstances, and daily affairs would be easier to face and handle if we thought on the things that define our Heavenly Father.

Food for thought?

I trust this has been a blessing to you.

Tony Guthrie
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Sunday, July 12, 2015

Yelling Sin Out of Me?

god's grace
When I was a kid attending church with my mom, brother, and sister I always thought the preacher was mad at us. Pastor Joe was one of those hard-liner preachers that pounded the pulpit as he yelled about our sins. He seemed angry and the subject of hell fire was among his favorites. When you're 8 years old you don't really know what sin is. But after listening to his sermons week after week I was able to put the pieces together and conclude that Brother Joe just wanted us to live righteously. Even at that age though I wondered why he felt he needed to yell us into submission.

In my teen-aged years I wanted nothing to do with church. I thought they were all the same. I had heard so many times what a worthless pile of sinfulness I was from pastor/preachers that I just didn't want to hear it any more. It seemed that to live right, in the preacher's mind, one had to be almost perfect.  I knew I was a sinner. I knew that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for my sins. I knew the basic stuff of Christianity. I just didn't want to attend church and get yelled at. I mean, if the gospel means "good news," then why the anger, threats of hell, and pulpit pounding? I rarely heard anything about the side of the Lord that compels me now: love, mercy, and especially grace. 

When I became a pastor I determined that I would never be a yelling preacher who pounded the pulpit and threatened hell. But, I did find myself constantly talking about how my members weren't living righteously. I may not have screamed and yelled, but I focused mostly on how they were NOT living rather than encouraging them to build on the things they did in righteousness. My sermons were all about how and why to live "right."

Romans 7
Honestly, I didn't enjoy preaching that way. I often felt unclean after I came down from the pulpit. I felt like I had badgered my people. I mean, who was I to cast such stuff toward them? I had my own issues ... big ones. I knew I was saved but I myself struggled with daily righteousness. And you know, I am sure Pastor Joe did as well. 

Reading Romans 7 in the late 1990s gave me a renewed understanding of God's grace. I get so annoyed at preachers and teachers who try to tell us that Paul was talking about his past. The entire chapter (and those prior to it) is clearly in the present tense. Paul did not say "Let me share how it WAS for me." No, he was talking about how it was at that present moment for him. Theologians who try to say that Paul was talking about his past life are simply trying to superimpose their theology on the Bible rather than draw their theology from the Bible.

Look at these awesome words:

15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[d]a slave to the law of sin.

Preacher's talk so much about the sin we "do." But notice that Paul said that it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ... Wow! He says in his heart and mind he wants to serve the Lord and live as righteously as possible BUT in his flesh he is still in bondage to his sinful nature. He cries out and asks who can deliver him from the turmoil of his life. Then he praises Jesus for having already done so.

Yes, I know. Many reading this will tell me that I am saying that we are under grace and still in our sinful nature and therefore we will just live without conviction. Good try. But Paul's burning desire from his spirit was to give all he had to the ministry. He burned with the desire to spread the gospel to all nations and peoples. True Christian people will possess that same desire. Admitting that sin still indwells us is not the same thing as saying that sin controls us so we may as well give in to it. 

Consequences of sin
The passage is about GRACE. It reminds and teaches us that the work of the cross accomplished it's goal. So many people think that Jesus died for sin. They believe that he died on the cross to free us from sin. The truth is, though, the purpose of the atonement was to pay the price for sin: past, present, and even future. Now my friends, THAT is good news. 


I have said MANY times that I believe the first few verses of Romans 8 should actually be the last few of Romans 7. "There is therefore NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Paul just admitted that he had been delivered even though he does the things he hates (sin). He acknowledged that it is really not him committing the sin, but his fleshly nature. He praises Jesus for delivering him from the consequences of his nature. There is NO condemnation. Why? Grace. Undeserved favor.

I am a worthless pile of sinfulness. So was Paul. So are you. But the gracious good news is that if you are in Christ Jesus ... there is no condemnation. If God doesn't condemn you then why do those yelling preachers? 

Blessings, 

Tony Guthrie
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What Failure Is

Everyone wants success in life. Whether it is in their careers, personal lives, on the playing field or golf course, whatever/wherever. I have been fascinated with the concept of success all of my life. If I have read one book on the subject, I have read them allThink and Grow Rich, How to Win Friends and Influence People, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People .. yada yada, the list goes on. Do they all say basically the same thing ... yes, no, and maybe. Same concepts, different verbiage.

success in career
They all say, in one way or another, that true success is reserved for the go-getting, purpose-driven, goal-setting 5%. From what I have seen, this is mostly true. 95% of people never truly reach their personal idea of "success." They may reach a version of it but not truly what they had hoped or intended.

I have wondered, though, if not reaching what one imagined as success automatically makes them a failure. I think that if you ask most folks who exist in the 95% if they would consider themselves a failure, they would so "no." They may say, "Well, I may not have accomplished everything I set out to do, but I am fairly content with where life has taken me."

I think that if you ask them, "Have you ever FELT like a failure?" then the answer would be quite different. I believe even the 5% know that feeling. Perhaps it was that terrible feeling that motivated them to never feel it again. Perhaps it was that feeling that drove them to the success they now enjoy.

I think 100% of us know what feeling like a failure feels like. I certainly do. In fact I would argue that I can describe it better than anyone on the earth. I don't think I am a failure but I have felt like one in every stage of my life. I have accomplished a lot. I have earned 4 degrees from Bachelors, 2 Masters, and a Ph.D. (Bully for You Tony!). I have authored a couple of books, started a cleaning business, wrote music, preached over 2500 sermons, spoken before the Georgia House of Representatives, baked a few cakes, and so on. But I don't tend to focus on these "successes." I, like most people, tend to set my gaze and thoughts on the things I don't accomplish.

Ok, what is the point Tony? This is a blog post, not a novel, so let me share what true success is, at least in my opinion. (Blog posts are supposed to be short, right?)

Failure is: a lack of a purposed goal

Failure is not having a purposed goal. Period. The late Earl Nightingale famously said, "The problem with people is NOT in accomplishing goals. It's in setting them." He meant that we typically accomplish a goal we have set and believe is a part of our life's purpose. It is not so much the goal, but the REASON, the PURPOSE, or the WHY for the goal. The real question is: Why do you want to accomplish it?

It is no good to say, "I want to write children's books." You must add, "because I believe I can bring joy to the lives of children" (or something similar). The goal is NOT the book, but the joy the book brings.

Those working on doctoral dissertations have to learn that the dissertation is not about some broad subject like skin cancer. If they write a paper on skin cancer it would basically be about what it is and what causes it. That's been done to death. But a purposed dissertation makes a viable contribution to it's field of research. So, one writing on skin cancer should have the goal of writing on skin cancer in children ages 5 to 12 in order to determine possible causes and provide possible treatment options. It's much more specific.

This is what a purposed goal looks like: "I want to write books for children of preschool age in order to help preschool teachers make a better impact on the formative values of these children."

Failure is: a lack of determination

career success
Determination is essential to success. When you have a goal and begin working toward it, you will face obstacles. Things will not continuously go smoothly. Murphy's law is what it is. But those who truly have a purpose (a WHY) that under-girds the goal will press on, with determination, because they believe the goal is ultimately a part of their life's purpose.

If you have a goal but obstacles and challenges cause you to throw in the proverbial towel, then that "goal" was something you never truly considered part of your purpose. Determination will drive you no matter what you face if you truly believe the goal is a part of who you were born to be. The 5% will tell you that their success is connected to their purpose and therefore they were determined to live it out.

Failure is: not understanding that success is in the journey

Success is your reality when you realize that you are moving toward a purposed goal. When you take action everyday toward the accomplishment of your goal, well, you are now a success. Ask anyone you consider successful and they will tell you that "getting" to the goal was more rewarding than "realizing" the goal. This is why soon after a goal is accomplished most successful folks soon set another one. The journey, their quest if you will, is what get's them up in the morning.

For me, this blog and others that I have, is a part of the process of moving toward a destination (a goal). Writing, posting, marketing, informing, studying, and planning are parts of this enjoyable process. Moving toward a goal makes me feel that I have a renewed purpose. It will be the same for you.

Most "failures" think that the accomplishment of a goal makes them successful. This is why so many quit when they are striving to reach a goal. Obstacles and challenges cause them to quit. They need to realize that success is in the journey itself, not in the destination. Waking up knowing you have something to work toward makes the day more meaningful.

Failure is: Making excuses and placing blame

I get so tired of hearing all the excuses and blame people place on their lack of success. There is such a "victim" mentality in the world. People blame their heritage, parents, ethnicity, race, socio-economic status, the weather, circumstances, other people, and on and on and on. The reality is, though, that people of every race, ethnicity, heritage, geographic location and socio-economic status have become some of the most revered and successful people in the world. They were just determined to define their own lives.

Rather than make excuses because your circumstances aren't perfect, USE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES as your vehicle toward success. I know a man who came to work for my dad's construction company in 1982. At the time I was working there too. He was 18 and desperate. He was an orphan, poor, uneducated, and had a significant speech impediment. One day he and I were out working in the hot summer sun on a paint job. He was working hard and perspiring. He looked at me and said, "One thing is for sure, THIS is NOT how I am going to live the rest of my life!"

He told me he was going to finish his education and make a difference. With no money, family, or help he set out to change his life. I lost touch with him until recently. Today in his late 40s he has earned a college degree and works with troubled teens in juvenile delinquency. He invests his life into each kid and has helped to get many of them on the right track.

Does he earn huge money? I doubt it. But he had a goal that he accomplished. He made his goal his passion. He didn't make excuses for what he didn't have. He simply took his goal, put action behind it, and pressed on in spite of the challenges.

Stop making excuses.

I trust this has been helpful to you,

Blessing,
Tony Guthrie

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