Sunday, June 26, 2016

When You Don't Understand

when-you-don't-understand

Two of the most familiar verses in God's Word are Proverbs 3:5-6 which read:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
When you don't understand something that is happening in your life these words can be very encouraging. Oftentimes they can help us bring a new perspective to the stuff life brings. But sometimes the words in and of themselves aren't quite enough. Oh, how nice it would be if quoting Bible verses solves all the woes of the word! But I digress :-)

God's Word is powerful, no doubt. We should heed it's encouragements and divine insights. But we should also consider all that is happening so that we can best apply God's Word to the situation.

Here are a few thoughts related to this idea:


When You Don't Understand | Maybe It's You

Although we hate to believe it, accept it, or admit it; sometimes we are the problem. I know it's a crazy thought but some crazy stuff is true. Are you just being a problem child? Not being forgiving Hard-headed? Selfish? A block head? I realize that it takes real honesty and depth of consideration to deal with the idea that YOU just may be the problem. Time for some real integrity.

It may be true, just maybe, that you don't understand what's happening because you are not looking at that which will give you the undestanding. Yes, it is hard. But honesty, and Christian faith, dictates that you take a good look inside. Maybe, just maybe, you are just a tad responsible.

When You Don't Understand | Maybe It's the Situation

when-you-don't-understand
Of course it isn't you, right? So it must be the situation OR the other block heads involved in it. Yeah, that's the ticket. All kidding aside it just may be the situation that you don't understand. So if that is true then work on understanding it. Ask these questions:

  • Who/What is the situation about? 
  • Are the people involved really trying to be block heads? Not likely.
  • Has there been a simple miscommunication that needs to be clarified? Probably.
  • Can sitting down with the people involved for a few minutes solve the issue? YES!
  • Will taking a deep breath and getting your emotions in check help? Hmmm.
Lean not on your own understanding. Pray for wisdom and guidance then ask the questions above.


When You Don't Understand | Maybe It's Both

Most confusion involves more than one entity. When you don't understand something perhaps it is a combination of both you and the situation. Maybe there are block heads on both sides of the fence. This is likely true. As they say, "It's take two to tango."

Since this is likely the case then realize that there is no real need to be confused or in that "I just don't get it" state. Simply consider your fault/responsibility in the chaos and then seek to get clarity from the other side. It seems so easy, right?

Go for it!

When You Don't Understand | Maybe You Need to Sing

So often Christian people get in a less-than-positive situation (like being confused) and they run around asking everyone to pray and ask God to "fix" it. That's not always a bad thing to do. But considering James 1: 2-4 may bring a different approach to mind:

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I think these verses are God's way of saying, "Hey, I know it's tough for you right now BUT I have you right where I want you." Just maybe you are in the confusing situation because God wants to teach you something. I mean, seriously, if God always fixed everything how could we ever learn anything OR gain any strength?

Why not just pray and ask God to show you why you are in the situation. I think He will. Then you will want to sing. Right?

I trust these words have been a blessing,

Tony Guthrie
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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

When You Lose Trust in Someone

Have you ever lost trust in someone? Perhaps you lost trust in your boss, your spouse, your child, or someone else. I think we have all experienced loss of trust to some degree. When you lose trust in someone it can be a painful experience. Why? Because it is not something we expect. We grant trust to people because they have shown, through various means, that they are trustworthy. That trust is meaningful and precious.

I always tell my children, "I will always trust you until you show me you can't be trusted." I believe that showing them that I trust them before they actually "earn" it will make them want to live up to that trust from their dad. So far, that has proven to be the case.

Here's a few ideas on what to do when you lose trust in someone.

When You Lose Trust in Someone | Take Time to Reflect

when-you-lose-trust-in-someone
What I mean by taking time to reflect is to get away and try to gain perspective. Try not to panic because if you do you will not make wise decisions and you may damage the chances of restoring the relationship (assuming you want to). Think about how important the relationship is and has been. Keep in mind that we ALL make mistakes and poor choices. The person you no longer trust may have not been thinking clearly or was focused in the wrong places for all the wrong reasons.

It is hard to forgive, especially if the pain you feel and experience is intense. But this is exactly what God wants us to strive to do ... as He forgave us. I was intensely hurt by my boss a few years ago. I wanted to lash out and return the pain to him 10-fold. But God reminded me of his loving grace toward me. I reflected and decided to walk away with grace and integrity.

When You Lose Trust in Someone | Take the Initiative

As much as you may want to run away from the situation or cast the person completely out of your life, the relationship just may be worth restoring for many reasons. Take the inititive (even if you come off as angry) and approach the offending party. Give them a fair chance to explain themselves and ask for forgiveness. Honestly listen to them. They may actually bring some perspective that you have not considered. They actually may not have intended to hurt you and cause you to lose their trust. Remember, people aren't perfect. Reflect on some of your bad choices in life. As Jesus said,
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

When You Lose Trust in Someone | Don't Play the Victim

Don't ever allow yourself to be the victim. You are so much better than that. Reach down inside yourself and find the strength to work through it for your own peace of mind or in the attempt at reconciliation. To use a Tennessee word, "wallering" around in self-pity and playing the victim only makes you look weak and needy.

Be strong and determined. This person is only one of many people in your life. Show the person that you have lost trust in that you will survive and endure. Focus on the other people in your life who love you and bless you.

When You Lose Trust in Someone | Walk Away with Grace 

when-you-lose-trust-in-someone
As I shared above there may be times when it is best to simply walk away with your head held high and your integrity in check. Lashing out in an attempt to return pain to them is the last thing God wants you to do. Remember that God said, "Vengeance is mine." Let God handle this person His way. You may be surprised at the turnaround He brings.

As I shared, I so wanted to hurt my former boss. I could have quite easily. But the pleasure would have been momentary. I looked inside myself and up above to heaven. The best move was to graciously walk away. Yes, I still feel betrayal and some anger. But each day gets easier and I actually pat myself on the back for being able to simply walk away.

I trust these words have been a blessing,

Tony Guthrie
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Monday, June 13, 2016

The Heart of God's Grace

I remember watching the mini-series Jesus of Nazareth as a teenager. Of course at the time I wasn't very knowledgeable about the Bible or biblical things. I didn't know that Hollywood took some liberties (for dramatic affect) with some of the biblical texts they made scenes from. Whatever liberties they took, I have discovered, were somewhat minor.

I rushed home every night to watch it. Obviously this was long before VCRs, DVRs, DVDs, etc. If you wanted to watch a show in 1977 you needed to be in front of the television when it was scheduled to come on. I was sitting right in front of the set when it came to Jesus of Nazareth. I thought (and still think) that of all the "Jesus's" in Jesus movies that Robert Powell was the best Jesus. To me, he captured the essence of the Lord. But really, how can we ever know, right? To me the movie is still the best of them all.

In the scene below Jesus is trying to reason with the Pharisees. The discussion is about their adherence to the Law (the Torah) and why they love it so much. Jesus is trying to clue them in on the fact that God loves mankind, fallen people, and sinners far more than the dusty law. He was trying to educate them on God's grace. Since he couldn't convince them with his logic, he demonstrated the heart of God's Grace in the scene.



Grace means that no matter who you are, where you've been, what you've done, who you've been with; you matter to God. He loves YOU ... period.

Some Christian people try to make the New Testament the "New Old Testament." They get bogged down on law (rules, regulations, obedience, etc.) Of course grace does not mean that one can live in any way one wants. It does not mean that we can throw caution to the wind and purposely live in a sinful way. But honestly, any person who has truly received God's grace has no desire to live in rebellion. True believers desire to walk in faith and righteousness. They will have no need to be forced into obedience.

The Heart of God's Grace | An Example from Matthew 11


Back in 1996 I was in a seminary class called The Work of the Pastor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The professor was Jim Shaddix. Dr. Shaddix opened the class by teaching us about how to grow in our relationship with Jesus. He noted that if we were to be effective pastors then we would need to learn from the Lord Himself. We needed to get in the yoke with Jesus and walk with Him daily. Dr. Shaddix based the lecture on Matthew 11:28-30.

If you read these verses you simply can't help seeing the grace of God that is all over them and contained within them.

  • Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden ~ The weariness and weight came from trying to live up to the standards of a burdensome law
  • And I will give you rest ~ That's the heart of the good news ... Rest from the burdens of laws and religious standards. We are not saved through our efforts of righteousness but through God's gift of grace once we express our faith in the Lord.
  • Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me ~ This is what Dr. Shaddix stressed for us in the lecture. Learning the love, compassion, and service of the Lord is to be our focus. Jesus loved everyone ... with the heart of His Father's grace.
  • For I am gentle and humble in heart ~ Does this sound like someone who is trying to force laws and standards on us?
  • For My yoke is easy and My burden is light ~ Jesus was sharing that living under God's heart of grace is far easier and far less burdensome than trying to live up to religious standards. 

The Heart of God's Grace | What People Need


It is my conviction that too often God's people feel inadequate in their faith walk. Too many ask themselves, "Why can't I live consistently in my walk with the Lord?" They have been told by too many pastors and teacher's that they HAVE to live in a certain way in order to prove/demonstrate their faith. But I am convinced that faithful living is NOT demonstrated when we feel we HAVE to pray, witness, tithe, attend church, read our Bible and so on. I believe that a true believer will do those things because they want to. Their thinking is that "doing" righteous things is the least they can do. 

Heart of God's Grace
In Romans 7:13-25 Paul made it clear that he always wanted to serve the Lord faithfully; but didn't. It is his "want" that we should focus on. Nowhere in the passage does he condemn Himself because he didn't "do" acts of righteousness. He simply acknowledged the struggle of his desire to serve the Lord and his indwelling sin. He had a broken heart because of this struggle. He says in verse 17 that "It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." He acknowledges that even as a wretched man God still pours grace upon him. Read Romans 8:1 slowly and carefully, 

In my opinion God's people need to remember the Heart of God's Grace. They need to get in the yoke with Lord, learn from Him, and love all people as He did. Those that do this because they want to are in the right position. Those who try to do these things because they feel as though they have to are truly in a sad state.

Forced obedience is meaningless. Obedience out of a sense of desire is the result of God's Heart of Grace. 

Blessings,
Tony Guthrie
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Friday, June 10, 2016

Redeem the Time NOW!

15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ~ Ephesians 5

redeem the time
We have all heard those potent words before: "Redeem the time," "Seize the day (Carpe Diem)", "Today matters," and so on. Ephesians 5 is a potent chapter that begins with the mandate to follow the example of God Himself. Immediately following that we are encouraged to live the purest life possible. Then, if those mandates aren't "heavy" enough, Paul adds the idea of being wise and not wasting time on foolish things. He literally says for us to make the most of every opportunity we have to live like God, to be pure, to let love shine, and to make our lives matter for the Lord

Redeem the Time | Look Inside 

What is on your heart and mind today? Seriously, what consumes you? If every thought is about you and your concerns and needs then you need to step back away from yourself and really look inside. Ephesians 5 opens with this concept of being like God Himself. God gave Himself up for us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. He thought of us ... those He wanted to bless. It is an easy cop-out to think only of yourself. What happens though when you and I stop focusing on "us" and start looking for ways to bless others. Looking inside ourselves helps us see our tendency to be just a bit too self-focused. Here are a couple of biblical thoughts:

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ~ Philippians 2
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ~ Luke 6:38

Redeem the Time | Look Outside 

Where is the opportunity that is before you? The opportunity to bless, help, and encourage is outside of us. The desire to bless comes from within ... so the looking inside step is very crucial. But once that is settled, if you really look for it, there is opportunity all around you to make a difference.

I have a good friend named John. It seems that all this man does is look for people to bless. He finds people and strives to bless them. He blesses me. And here is the best part: as he blesses, he is blessed. I believe, check that, I KNOW that when we take the focus off of ourselves and make the most of every opportunity to bless others we ourselves will enjoy the best of blessings.

Redeem the Time | Look Ahead

redeem the time
The time we have today is to be used to imitate God, serve others, and enjoy the blessings from doing so. But living only for today is not wise. Paul added, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise." Part of wise living is knowing that tomorrow will be here ... tomorrow! The service and love we share today is laying the foundation for how we will enjoy life tomorrow and on into the future. 

How do you see your future? Look ahead. Visualize it in your mind's eye. See what serving others today will do for you tomorrow. Ah yes, this will motivate your actions for today. Making the most of today will reap blessing for today but lay the groundwork for a blessed tomorrow.




Redeem the Time | Look Above

This is the easy part of our drive to redeem the time. Looking towards heaven and remembering that the life and love you have are gifts from God Himself. "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." ~ Colossians 3:2

As we look above we can't help but sense God's presence with us and feel His love for us. We will remember that He has created us for His purposes. Look above!

I trust these thoughts have been a blessing for you.


Tony Guthrie

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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Becoming Above-Average

Jim Rohn was (and is) one of the men who inspire me. He was certainly far above average in life and career. He noted that before he was as successful as he became he was a man of many excuses. He blamed his lack of success and accomplishment on whatever came to mind. It is humorous to hear him share his list of "reasons" he wasn't successful. The video below is worth the 8 minutes it takes to view it.


In a recent article on Success Magazine's blog Rohn is credited with his five ways to begin the process of becoming an above-average person. Rohn said:

“Develop an above-average handshake. A lot of people want to be successful, and they don’t even work on their handshake. As easy as that would be to start, they let it slide. They don’t understand,” he says. “Develop an above-average smile. Develop an above-average excitement. Develop an above-average dedication. Develop an above-average interest in other people. To have more, become more.”

Becoming Above-Average: Handshake

This is basic stuff but many people miss it. Handshakes from both men and women should be appropriately firm. Not a vice-grip or a limp fish. Firm enough to show confidence and expectation. When shaking someone's hand look them squarely in the eye and respond appropriately to their comments. Easy enough?

Becoming Above Average: Smile

becoming above-average
The people of this world need smiles more than ever ... so give them yours. Smiling conveys what everyone wants: happiness. If people see you smiling they wonder what you have going for you and will be interested in discovering what that is. Smiling should never be fake. A true sincere smile gives you a big advantage in human relationships.

Becoming Above-Average: Excitement

Very simply, if you aren't excited about what you are doing professionally then find something you can be excited about. BUT usually there are many reasons to develop excitement and enthusiasm for the work you do. If excitement has waned then you probably have lost focus. You may be focusing in all the wrong places. Go back and watch Rohn's video again. What are you blaming that is killing your excitement?

Becoming Above Average: Dedication

Be dedictaed to excellence in everything you do. Be excellent in family relationships, business negotiations, recreational activities, and your service to your church, company, and/or customers. Remember these awesome words from Philippians 4:8. These words motivate me to excellence.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Becoming Above-Average: Show Interest in Other People

People care primarily about one thing above everything else; themselves. Take advantage of the fact that most people love to talk about themselves and what is going in their lives. Show real interest in other people. Be sincere in this. If a person sees that you are truly interested in them and their wants and needs, they will likey reciprocate.

I hope these words have been a blessing.

Tony Guthrie

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The Heart of God's Grace

I remember watching the mini-series Jesus of Nazareth as a teenager. Of course at the time I wasn't very knowledgeable about the Bible ...