When I was in junior high a handful of us would have competitions in the weight room where two guys would face off holding five pound weights out in front of them straight armed to see who could outlast the other. As soon as one person’s arms dipped below level, there were the yells of victory and the agony of defeat. I remember the face off’s being surrounded by a lot of hype and people circled around watching. On a few occasions some of us junior high kids would challenge the high school football players, and on the rare occasion one of us beat them it was bragged about for the week.
I was reminded of this when I read the story of Moses and the Israelites defeating the Amalekites in Exodus 17:8-16. Moses had the staff of God that God had used as a sign to the Isrealites numerous times so that they would know that God had appeared to Moses and was with him as their leader. Moses had used the staff of God to part the Red Sea, make water flow from a rock in a dry and desolate place to name a couple of the miracles. When the Amalekites attacked the Isrealites at Rephidim, he told one of his leaders Joshua to take some men and go and fight the Amalekites. Moses stood at the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hands raised above his head. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands the Amalekites were winning. I remember trying to hold my arms up for a few minutes with the small weights, but I can’t imagine trying to do this for an entire day! And on His own Moses wasn’t able to do this. But God used the power of fellowship to see His miraculous provision through. Aaron and Hur moved a stone for Moses to sit on when he grew tired, and they stood beside him, one on one side and one on the other, to keep his hands steady until sunset. The entire day Moses had his hands lifted up to the throne of the Lord, recognizing the Lord as his Banner, and the Israelites were victorious.
Moses couldn't have done this on his own. This story shows us the importance of fellowship and accountability. There are sometimes that we need the help of others around us to support us in trying times where we are unable on our own. God intends for us to have friends that will stand beside us, remind us of God’s truth when we doubt, empower us in times when we are weak, and celebrate when things are awesome. Be intentional about meeting consistently with one or two guys that will help keep you accountable, be there in the trying times, and there to celebrate the great times as well.
Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
The Legacy of Brian Hanneman - An Example that Challenges Me Years Later
One of the great influences on my life has been Brian Hanneman and I want to share about the legacy that he has had on my life. Through his example I was shown what it means to live Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds; let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
I first met Brian at a freshman orientation visit to UNI the summer before my first year, and it was clear God had provided someone to encourage me in my walk with the Lord and empower me to live purposefully, meaningfully, and effectively. I was in a Bible study that Brian led my freshman and sophomore years at UNI. Over these two years I saw a true example of what it means to be a man of God and a great leader. Each week I was encouraged by the depth of understanding and command of the Word of God that Brian had. He led our study into great discussion and facilitated great questioning and conversation that led us into a deeper understanding of the Bible. The most prominent factor that sticks out in my mind from these two years was seeing him lead by example. He didn’t ask or challenge us to do anything that he wasn’t doing. He was disciplined in scripture memory in a way I had never seen, he was diligent and relentless about making sure to have time in the word and prayer each day regardless of how busy he was or how many things were on his plate that day. It was at this point I began to really dive wholeheartedly into scripture memory and experience the abundance that came from this. Scripture memory brought me into a whole new depth of understanding in the Word of God, and continues to be a foundational piece of my relationship with the Lord. I was encouraged by his example and was held accountable and empowered through his actions and his words. I also fought even more diligently for my time with the Lord each day, and stopped making excuses of being busy. While up until that point I had been seeking the Lord and spending time with Him on a daily basis, the result of this on my life was huge, and it gave me an example of discipline that encourages and challenges me to this day. I learned more about servant leadership in that time than I could have ever read about in years. Brian was never hesitant in recognizing his own faults or missteps, and always shared openly and honestly with the group about his journey. Being real and honest about these things showed a heart for accountability and brought forth an honesty in the group that was very powerful. Brian was also a man that sought to live a life of purity that would be honoring to God, and to his future wife. His example challenged me and many other men to remain men of character, honor, and integrity for our future wife.
To this day I am still challenged by the example he set in living a life for Christ. He is continuing to transform lives at the University of Colorado through the Navigators. All of this is a result of our gracious God and how He works all things for the good of those who love Him. It is for God’s glory that I share this story, and it is to him I give credit for putting influences such as this in my life that have made me the man I am today.
I encourage you today to press on and press in, living a life that leaves a Legacy that will bless generations and nations.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
I first met Brian at a freshman orientation visit to UNI the summer before my first year, and it was clear God had provided someone to encourage me in my walk with the Lord and empower me to live purposefully, meaningfully, and effectively. I was in a Bible study that Brian led my freshman and sophomore years at UNI. Over these two years I saw a true example of what it means to be a man of God and a great leader. Each week I was encouraged by the depth of understanding and command of the Word of God that Brian had. He led our study into great discussion and facilitated great questioning and conversation that led us into a deeper understanding of the Bible. The most prominent factor that sticks out in my mind from these two years was seeing him lead by example. He didn’t ask or challenge us to do anything that he wasn’t doing. He was disciplined in scripture memory in a way I had never seen, he was diligent and relentless about making sure to have time in the word and prayer each day regardless of how busy he was or how many things were on his plate that day. It was at this point I began to really dive wholeheartedly into scripture memory and experience the abundance that came from this. Scripture memory brought me into a whole new depth of understanding in the Word of God, and continues to be a foundational piece of my relationship with the Lord. I was encouraged by his example and was held accountable and empowered through his actions and his words. I also fought even more diligently for my time with the Lord each day, and stopped making excuses of being busy. While up until that point I had been seeking the Lord and spending time with Him on a daily basis, the result of this on my life was huge, and it gave me an example of discipline that encourages and challenges me to this day. I learned more about servant leadership in that time than I could have ever read about in years. Brian was never hesitant in recognizing his own faults or missteps, and always shared openly and honestly with the group about his journey. Being real and honest about these things showed a heart for accountability and brought forth an honesty in the group that was very powerful. Brian was also a man that sought to live a life of purity that would be honoring to God, and to his future wife. His example challenged me and many other men to remain men of character, honor, and integrity for our future wife.
To this day I am still challenged by the example he set in living a life for Christ. He is continuing to transform lives at the University of Colorado through the Navigators. All of this is a result of our gracious God and how He works all things for the good of those who love Him. It is for God’s glory that I share this story, and it is to him I give credit for putting influences such as this in my life that have made me the man I am today.
I encourage you today to press on and press in, living a life that leaves a Legacy that will bless generations and nations.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
My Name Is What?
A little while back I was teaching our Young Adults class at church and as people were trickling in I was talking with them and catching up. We had a couple new people join our group, and as I was making conversation with them I was trying really hard to remember their names. It seems it takes me at least a couple times meeting a person to remember their name, and I was determined to not forget their names. After we had a brief conversation I realized I hadn’t yet put on a name tag. I went over and filled out a name tag just before we started the class, all the while trying to remember the names of the people I had just met. What I came to realize after the class had ended was that I had put one of the new peoples name on my name tag! And no one said anything through entire class! I couldn't believe it! Coming to that realization amongst a group of friends was embarrassing and hilarious all at the same time. We laughed for a while.
I had been focusing on the names of the new people in the class to remember them and make them feel welcome, and the object of my focus came out in my actions without thinking about it.
When no one is around, in those quiet times in the morning, driving to and from our destinations, during workouts, the times where we are alone with our thoughts, the object of our focus is the true test of our character.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
It is the focus of those times that emerge out in our daily lives, whether we are aware of it or not. Let’s be men of character who set our focus on the things above that will bring life, joy, and true freedom.
Joshuua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
I had been focusing on the names of the new people in the class to remember them and make them feel welcome, and the object of my focus came out in my actions without thinking about it.
When no one is around, in those quiet times in the morning, driving to and from our destinations, during workouts, the times where we are alone with our thoughts, the object of our focus is the true test of our character.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
It is the focus of those times that emerge out in our daily lives, whether we are aware of it or not. Let’s be men of character who set our focus on the things above that will bring life, joy, and true freedom.
Joshuua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
A War Won But A Battle Still Waging
The Civil War spanned four years and, cost our nation 600,000 lives. When the confederacy finally collapsed under the attack of the Union’s force, slavery was abolished and the difficult reconstruction process began. The war had dire effects on the men and women of our nation, and while the war was over, many battles waged for the unity of our nation, the guarantee of rights, and the abolishment of slavery. It was a long process of our nation coming to the results of that war, living in accordance to the new laws that were put in place. Years went on and still pockets of people and communities held on to their side, even though the war was over and they had lost. While the events took place to change a nation, the battles still waged on years afterward to see the result of what had already been attained.
The same thing happened when Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. He was the atonement for our sins, fulfilled the prophecies as the Savior of mankind, and took the punishment of death for our sins so that we could be united with God for eternity. The war was won with Christs sacrifice and resurrection, He purchased all of humanity back from the separation from God because of our sin. Salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ in our lives is exactly the same as the war being won, but there is still a battle that wages on. Just like after the Civil War we were a new nation with new principles and laws and standards, but it took a time for those things to come into fruition. The war is won in our lives when we ask for forgiveness for our sins and accept salvation. We are made new in the likeness of Christ.
Colossians 3:9-10 “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Paul had amazing revelation to this in Philippians that shows us the worth of our actions and good deeds in comparison to the riches of Christ. In Philippians 3:1-11 Paul explains that by the standard of the Law he was the best of the best. As best as he could he did all the right things and was in a high position as a Pharisee and had done everything he possibly could by the Law to merit God’s approval. But he realized that it still wasn’t good enough, and he considered all of those things a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus (Phill 3:8), so much so that he had lost all things and considered it all less than garbage, in comparison to having a righteousness that comes from faith in Jesus Christ, rather than trying to earn merit in good deeds. Only one trespass of the law warrants us sinners, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But Romans 3:21-24 lays out the exciting promise that we hold on to, “But now righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”
Even Paul said that he did not consider himself to have taken hold of becoming what he had been made, but he was pressing on toward the goal to live up to what he had already attained, because he had been made pure and free from the bondage of sin through faith in Christ. He did this by forgetting what was behind him and straining toward what is ahead (Phill 3:13). Let us leave the junk and the baggage of our imperfections and mistakes in life behind, right wrongs where they need to be, and press on toward the goal. It is an exciting adventure to come into understanding of who He has already made us to be.
While the war has been won, there is still a battle for our hearts daily. We still have many faults and imperfections, but we continue to press toward the goal, with our eyes fixed on the prize, so that we may become who God has already made us to be. We are never disqualified. Let us never lose sight of the hope that God has called us to. Christians are far from perfect, but we are forgiven for our trespasses so that we can enjoy a life of abundance and an eternity with God.
The same thing happened when Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. He was the atonement for our sins, fulfilled the prophecies as the Savior of mankind, and took the punishment of death for our sins so that we could be united with God for eternity. The war was won with Christs sacrifice and resurrection, He purchased all of humanity back from the separation from God because of our sin. Salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ in our lives is exactly the same as the war being won, but there is still a battle that wages on. Just like after the Civil War we were a new nation with new principles and laws and standards, but it took a time for those things to come into fruition. The war is won in our lives when we ask for forgiveness for our sins and accept salvation. We are made new in the likeness of Christ.
Colossians 3:9-10 “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Paul had amazing revelation to this in Philippians that shows us the worth of our actions and good deeds in comparison to the riches of Christ. In Philippians 3:1-11 Paul explains that by the standard of the Law he was the best of the best. As best as he could he did all the right things and was in a high position as a Pharisee and had done everything he possibly could by the Law to merit God’s approval. But he realized that it still wasn’t good enough, and he considered all of those things a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus (Phill 3:8), so much so that he had lost all things and considered it all less than garbage, in comparison to having a righteousness that comes from faith in Jesus Christ, rather than trying to earn merit in good deeds. Only one trespass of the law warrants us sinners, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But Romans 3:21-24 lays out the exciting promise that we hold on to, “But now righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”
Even Paul said that he did not consider himself to have taken hold of becoming what he had been made, but he was pressing on toward the goal to live up to what he had already attained, because he had been made pure and free from the bondage of sin through faith in Christ. He did this by forgetting what was behind him and straining toward what is ahead (Phill 3:13). Let us leave the junk and the baggage of our imperfections and mistakes in life behind, right wrongs where they need to be, and press on toward the goal. It is an exciting adventure to come into understanding of who He has already made us to be.
While the war has been won, there is still a battle for our hearts daily. We still have many faults and imperfections, but we continue to press toward the goal, with our eyes fixed on the prize, so that we may become who God has already made us to be. We are never disqualified. Let us never lose sight of the hope that God has called us to. Christians are far from perfect, but we are forgiven for our trespasses so that we can enjoy a life of abundance and an eternity with God.
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