22750.6 Take Out the Trash!

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22) 

“I could be very calm if I didn’t have to deal with all of these irritating people, especially my family!” Ever say that before? Because we live in a fallen world and each one of us has our own sin nature, when we get together there is going to be a rub. Put those multiple sin natures under the same roof and there will definitely be friction. Because your family is human, count on the fact that they are going to let you down or hurt you over time. How can you make things right? Take out the trash! Repent and confess! The only way to stop carrying the burden of those damaged relationships is to take them and give them to God. It is not about what they did to you. It is about how you have responded to them. What is your heart full of? Is it love, joy, and peace; or bitterness and anger? It is exhausting living with sin day after day. Anger and bitterness can leave you more fatigued than running a race. 

God tells us when we are weary and burdened to come to Him and He will give us rest. He wants us to cast our cares on Him and let Him sustain us. How fast can that change take place? In the time it takes to pray a simple prayer of confession. After you have confessed you will find your heart softened toward the other person and you will want to make things right between the two of you. With a clean heart you will be able to go in gentleness and humility and restore the relationship. Don’t go until you have taken out the trash.

In the New Testament, Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:1, Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 

Is there someone in your life with whom you are experiencing conflict? Maybe it’s a friend or a family member? Stop and pray right now. Ask God to show you the sin in your life. When He does, clean out your heart by confessing your sin to God. Then go to the other person and apologize for your part in the clash. Make your motive to please God not to make the other person apologize too. Casting your cares on God is between you and Him.

22750.7 Peace in Places and Activities

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

“I’m so worried.” “I am stressed out.” “I’m so unhappy.” “I’m afraid.” 

Why are Christians not in the least embarrassed over the absence of peace and rest in their lives? Too many have adopted the world’s thinking that they must find their peace in the world instead of Jesus. They think if they can just get on that long overdue vacation then they will be just fine. Or maybe if they just lived somewhere else where it didn’t rain so much, or it wasn’t so hot, then they would be happy. Or maybe they just need a different job, or a different family! Others try to keep their lives busy with activities so they won’t notice the emptiness in their hearts. 

Jesus gives us the formula for peace and points out where we often go wrong. He states that our peace is in Him. Jesus warns us that we will have trouble in this world; so why are we so surprised when we do? The kind of peace Jesus gives us is different from the peace the world gives. The world gives a temporary peace that can be destroyed by going home from vacation, or moving, or even staying busy. Jesus’ peace is not dependent on a location, a state of mind, an activity, or a circumstance because it comes from Him. He says, “My peace I give you.” That means if Jesus gives you His peace, there is not one person and not one thing that can take it away. Why? Because He has overcome the world. His peace is the only true peace. 

Are you content right where you are? Or do you feel that you need to be somewhere else to experience peace? Are you too busy to sit and spend time with God? What is the source of your peace? Take a moment ask God to give you His peace in the midst of your circumstances. Take a moment to look up the following verses and see Who is the source of peace and what it can do for you. 

Isaiah 26:3-4 

Philippians 4:6-7

Colossians 3:15

22750.8 Pursuing Peace in Things

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man enquired. Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Matthew 19:16-22)

Have you ever met a rich miserable person? Have you ever met a person who has the finest house, car, clothes, and country club membership that money can buy, yet is still not happy? Many of us get pulled into the lie that we need to continue to acquire bigger and better things to be happy. Look around and you can see that it doesn’t work. Some of the unhappiest people are the wealthy. We might find a temporary thrill in the moment of purchase, but how long does that last? Is the joy still there when the new car has a dent? 

Jesus knew that money and possessions would be a stumbling block to us and gives us a story to learn by. His words to a rich young man to sell all and give it to the poor was to show that this particular young man had a problem with loving money. It had become his god, and Jesus was shedding light on this young man’s idol. Unfortunately, like many, the young man held on to the money and walked away from Jesus. 

What place do money and possessions hold in your life? Do you shop when you are mad? Do you eat when you are sad? Do you feel like you have to have more or are you content with what you have? How much is enough for you to be satisfied? Prayerfully ask God to show you if “things” have become an idol in your life. If they have, hand each one of them over to Jesus and exchange them for His peace. Don’t hang onto something that can be broken, lost, or stolen; those items just aren’t worth it!

22750.9 Peace and People and Jesus

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Can you think of a person who has a calming influence in your life? Would you say they give you peace? What would happen if that person moved away or died? Would you lose your peace? It is very easy to find relief from our problems by talking things out with another person. We all know people that are a real pleasure to be around. We feel peaceful in their presence. People naturally gravitate to those people that make them feel good. Friendships can be deeply gratifying. So, what is wrong with finding our peace in people? The answer to that question is, “People are human and will fail you.” No matter how hard they try, people are not perfect and they cannot be there for you all the time. When we look to others to be the source of something only God can give, undue pressure is placed on that relationship. People are a god-given gift, but they are not designed to be the source of our peace. 

Where can we find a lasting peace? In God, the perfect source of peace. The peace that we are talking about is best defined as, “The tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God is content with its earthly state, whatever that is.” The apostle Paul tells us that “God gives peace at all times and in every way.” God is the author and giver of peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is always available and will never run out of peace. He has all we need. When we look to Him to be our source of peace, we can approach all other relationships with joy and peace. We can ask for their needs to be revealed since our own need has already been met by our faithful God. 

Are you dependent on another person for your peace? Maybe it’s your spouse, children, parents, or friends. Have you tried to be someone else’s source of peace? Get rid of the unjust expectations you have of people who simply do not have what you need. Ask yourself, “Do I really believe that peace comes from God?” Trust God today and you will overflow with hope, joy, and His perfect peace.

22750.2 Help! What Should I Do?

Blessed is the man…(whose) delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

You are in a crisis. You need to make a decision, and fast. The question pops into your mind from the WWJD bracelet you are wearing…What Would Jesus Do? How can you know what Jesus would do when you don’t have time to go look for your Bible and research the issue? 

When a crisis hits and you need to make a wise decision, you need to have God’s Word in your heart. Only then will you have a godly reservoir of information to pull from to make the right choice. You can’t pull any information out that you don’t put in. If you want to make wise godly decisions then you need to be filling your mind with wise godly words and thoughts at the beginning of each day. We call that meditating on the Word of God. One way to meditate on God’s Word is by memorizing it. 

Many godly men and women from the past have said that what has helped them most in their lives has been meditating upon and memorizing scripture. Dr. Brandt states in his book Heart of the Problem, “Even now, forty years later, I still consider Bible memorization the single most important aid in my Christian life and in my counseling.” 

If you want to follow God’s guidelines for your life, then you need those guidelines in your head. Waiting until you are in a crisis is not the time to start memorizing scripture. 

Start today by picking one scripture verse that has meaning to you. Write it out on a 3×5 card and carry it with you. Office supply stores often have 3×5 cards in a spiral-bound pack that you can use to keep your verses together. Look up words that you don’t understand. Discuss the verse with others. Read the verse out loud until you can say it from memory. Put it aside for a few days and see if you still remember it. Review your cards regularly and you are on your way to having a mind that is filled with the wisdom you need to make godly decisions in a crisis!

22750.1 What Is Your Measuring Stick?

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) 

What do you measure things against when making decisions about what is right and wrong? Everyone has something that they use or someone they consult with to help them decide if it is right to do something. Politicians use popularity polls to direct their campaigns. Actors and actresses use the box office to measure their success. Corporations make decisions based on the upward or downward turn of the graph line on a profit and loss report. Many people make important decisions based upon the popular opinion of their friends or the media. 

All of these situations can vary depending on many factors. Opinions vary. Times and places vary. Sometimes the same source will even change its mind concerning a topic and give the opposite advice at a later time. How is a person supposed to come to a good decision?

Many people are living miserable lives because they are confused about what guidelines to use for their life decisions. However, God gives us a measuring stick that is unchanging, the Bible.

God tells us that the written Word that He has given us is “God-breathed.” That means that the Bible is inspired by God. 

Timothy goes on to tell us how valuable God’s inspired Word is to us. It is helpful for teaching and instructing, reproving when someone has done something wrong, correcting to restore someone to a right state, and training in righteousness, which is instruction with the intent to increase virtue. 

Q. Hebrews 4:12: What exposes the thoughts and motives of a man’s heart?

Q. Psalm 1:1-2: What does a person have to do to be blessed?

Q. Psalm 119:165: What two things will someone have if they love God’s law?

Q. Matthew 24:35: What does this verse say will never pass away?

So, what is your measuring stick? Do you ever consult the Bible when you have a decision to make? Why not makea plan today to start reading God’s Word with a goal of finding out what God has to say about your life. Use a measuring stick that never changes and is never swayed by popular opinion.

30101.01 What Is Total Life Discipleship?

Watch the summary video

Christian discipleship is the journey of following Jesus Christ and growing in faith while living according to biblical principles. But it is not just about acquiring Bible knowledge or involvement in spiritual activity. It is about becoming all that God created us to be so that we can do all that He created us to do. Christian discipleship is to encompass a person’s entire life.

Total Life Discipleship starts with accepting God’s vision of you, which inspires a desire for personal transformation into the person God intends you to be. As you align yourself with God’s vision of you, you will experience profound changes in your thoughts, actions, and relationships. By growing in your new identity in Christ, you will gain the character, faith, and discipline necessary to fulfill the divine plan God has set for you, resulting in eternal impact.

Through this process, you not only grow closer to God but also become an instrument of His love and grace in the world, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around you.

In God’s eyes, believers in Christ are cherished and beloved children, fully accepted and forgiven. They are seen as a new creation, cleansed of past sins, and given a fresh start. God delights in their faith journey and is eager to help them become all He created them to be. Believers, as members of God’s family, are promised eternal life and a purpose.

God created you to make a lasting difference. Regardless of how you feel about your life right now, God has wonderful plans for you—plans that fulfill His eternal purpose.

Five Spiritual Values

Total Life Discipleship is based on five spiritual values. It is relationship-centered, grace-based, Spirit-dependent, love-motivated, and biblically focused.

Relationship-Centered

Christianity is fundamentally about relationships. At its core, it emphasizes the importance of our relationship with God, our relationships with fellow believers, and our relationships with those who do not yet know Christ.

First and foremost, our relationship with God is paramount. God desires a wholehearted love relationship with us, one that is characterized by deep intimacy and unwavering commitment. He wants to be our priority relationship above all others, guiding and shaping every aspect of our lives. This relationship with God is not based on rules or rituals; it is about experiencing His love, grace, and presence in a personal and transformative way.

Secondly, Christianity calls us to cultivate meaningful relationships with others in God’s family. These relationships are built on mutual encouragement, love, and support. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens, rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Our relationships with fellow believers are meant to reflect the unity and love that Christ has for His church, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Lastly, Christianity also emphasizes the importance of our relationships with non-believers. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and truth with those who have not yet experienced it. Our interactions with non-believers should be marked by compassion, respect, and a genuine desire to see them come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Through our words and actions, we have the opportunity to highlight a new way of life, pointing others to the hope and redemption found in Christ.

Grace-Based

God bestows His goodness on us, not because we are worthy, but because He is gracious. This profound truth highlights the nature of God’s love and generosity. His goodness is not something we can earn or deserve through our actions or merits. Instead, it is a gift that flows from His boundless grace and mercy.

God wants us to live righteously and reflect Christ-like virtues such as love, kindness, humility, and integrity. However, it’s important to realize that our efforts do not make us deserving of His goodness. We are flawed and fall short of His perfect standards; no amount of good deeds can earn His favor.

God’s grace is given freely, without conditions or prerequisites. It is an unmerited favor that we receive simply because of His love for us. This acceptance changes our attitude, enabling us to grow in faith and character. It empowers us to live in a way that honors Him, not out of a sense of obligation, but out of gratitude for the incredible gift we have received. Through His grace, we are able to experience His goodness and loving-kindness, which continually renew and sustain us on our spiritual journey.

Spirit-Dependent

God wants us to live supernatural lives by relying on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, power, and resources that surpass human limitations. Trusting in our own abilities leads to failure, as self-effort alone is insufficient for true spiritual growth. By depending on the Holy Spirit, we gain the guidance and strength necessary to navigate life’s challenges and deepen our faith.

If we place our trust in our own abilities to live the Christian life, we are bound to fail. Human effort alone is ultimately powerless in achieving true spiritual growth. The “try harder self-effort” model is flawed because it relies on our limited capabilities rather than on God’s limitless power. Instead, we must depend on the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live each day successfully.

By surrendering our self-reliance and embracing the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can experience a life that is truly transformed and aligned with God’s purpose for us. This reliance on the Holy Spirit is the key to living a victorious and fulfilling Christian life.

Love-Motivated

God is love, and this love permeates His entire being. It is the very essence of who He is. He desires for us to live life fully in His unconditional love, allowing it to impact every aspect of our lives. This love is not something we can generate on our own; it originates from God Himself. He is the ultimate source of love, and it begins with Him.

As we open our hearts to receive God’s love, we become channels through which His love can flow to others. This means that our ability to love others is directly connected to Him. The more we understand and accept the depths of God’s love for us, the more fully we are able to love others.

When we allow God’s love to flow through us, it changes how we interact with others. We begin to see others through the lens of His love, extending kindness, patience, and forgiveness. This divine love empowers us to love others selflessly and sacrificially, reflecting the character of Christ in our daily lives.

Biblically-Focused

We all have a natural perspective that is influenced by our core convictions. These convictions have been developed over time through our education, experiences, and life circumstances. They shape the way we see the world and interact with others. However, God desires for us to view life from His perspective and adopt a mindset that reflects His values. This means aligning our thoughts, attitudes, and actions with the teachings and principles found in the Bible.

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this transformation. He renews our minds with God’s truth, which is revealed in the Bible. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, our perspectives begin to shift. We start to see things through God’s eyes and develop a deeper understanding of His will for our lives.

These are five spiritual values of the Total Life Discipleship process. By keeping these in balance, you can become a follower of Christ, based on the values and priorities outlined in the Bible. These five values can serve as guidelines for any follower of Christ, helping them to grow in their faith and live a life that honors God.

Through this program, believers can experience a holistic approach to discipleship that encompasses every aspect of their lives, leading to personal transformation and eternal impact.

Watch the summary video

82010.T KingdomNomics – The Gift of Heaven

Video Transcript

Watch the Video, “The Gift of Heaven”

If you were to die tonight, would you go to heaven?

Jesus explained that heaven is not an automatic destination. He said: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13–14, BSB).

Jesus taught that there are only two destinations after we die. One is in heaven with God forever, and the other is in hell separated from God for eternity.

Is there really anything more important than knowing where you will spend eternity?

Jesus asked this profound question: “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 8:36–37, NIV).

God’s deepest desire is that people will spend eternity in Heaven someday. The apostle Paul explains that God our Savior, “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2: 4, ESV).

However, we can forfeit heaven through unbelief or ignorance when we do not accept God’s incredible offer of forgiveness.

God is very interested in the choice you will make that will decide your eternal destination. In fact, he wants you to know that you can spend eternity with him.

John, one of Jesus’ disciples, said, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13, NIV).

This means that, before you die, you can know where you will spend eternity.

The major religions of the world offer no guarantee that you will go to heaven when you die. They teach that a person must do good deeds and follow a list of rules to please a distant God and then maybe attain salvation. But there is no guarantee.

These religions are focused on what we do. “Do this” or “do that” and maybe you will get into heaven? They do not provide assurance that you will be permitted into heaven. It is only because of who God is and what Jesus has done for you, that you can be confident you will enter heaven.

Would you like to know how you can be certain you are going to heaven?

First, you must understand the barrier that prevents you from being with God when you die.

Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

Sin is any thought, word, or deed that violates God’s moral standards. If you’re honest, you know there have been times in your life when you’ve missed the mark. Your thoughts and actions weren’t what they should be. That is sin. And because God is infinitely holy, one sin is enough to separate you from him for eternity.

Many people try to bridge the divide between them and God through good works, or sacrificial acts. Or by being faithful members of some religion. But the Bible is clear that it is impossible to earn our entrance into heaven by anything we can do.

Jesus told his followers: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, ESV).

But none of us are perfect. No matter how hard we try, we continue to fall short. So, what do we do? Fortunately, God has a solution.

Romans 6:23 promises, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

Death, or separation from God, is the natural result of sin. But God, knowing our impossible situation, found a way to bridge that divide. Out of his deep love for us, God sent his son, Jesus.

“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NET).

Jesus came to earth to reveal the very heart of God through his actions and his teachings. And he voluntarily sacrificed himself on the cross to pay the penalty for us.

As the infinite God-man, Jesus took upon himself the punishment we deserve because of our sin. He became the perfect sacrifice, our substitute.

“God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT).

Author Randy Alcorn wrote: “God … so much wants us not to go to hell that he paid a horrible price on the cross so that we wouldn’t have to.”

So heaven is not something we earn, but an incredible gift we are offered. It is not based on our deeds but on our personal relationship with Jesus.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, NIV).

On the cross, Jesus exclaimed, “It is finished” (John 19:30, NIV). The Greek word translated “it is finished” was normally written across certificates of debt when they were canceled. It means “paid in full.” When Jesus died, he paid in full our debt of sin.

And Jesus’ story doesn’t end with the grave.

Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus Christ rose from the dead, just as he said he would. He conquered death, opening the way to heaven for all who trust in him.

Jesus proclaimed, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25–26, NIV).

So how do we experience this eternal life?

According to the Bible, there is only one way to heaven. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, NLT).

The Bible promises “But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children” (John 1:12, NET).

The apostle Paul explains, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, NIV).

Believing in Jesus means placing your total and complete trust in him for your salvation. But you need to choose to receive Christ and follow him.

A criminal can be offered a pardon for his crimes by the governor, but if he rejects it, that pardon has no effect. In the same way, Jesus offers us a complete pardon for all our sins and the gift of eternal life, but it does not go into effect unless we accept it.

Are you ready to receive this free gift now?

God has given every person the freedom to choose their own destiny. He didn’t have to do that. He could have created us to be robotic people programmed to love and obey him, but then our compulsory love would be meaningless. God wants us to love him freely, so he gave us the right to choose.

Will you choose to accept God’s amazing offer of forgiveness and eternal life? Or will you decide to reject it? Choose wisely because you are determining your eternal future. Don’t put off this crucial decision.

The Bible explains, “Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony … God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:10–12, NIV).

God knows your thoughts and motives, and he wants you to come to him because he dearly loves you and wants you to spend eternity with him.

To receive God’s forgiveness and start a new life with him, you must believe that Jesus is God, that he died for your sins and rose again, and that he wants to come into your life.

If you have never invited Jesus into your life, you can simply pray the following words. However, it’s not the exact words you say, but the attitude of your heart that is important.

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for all my sins—past, present, and future. Thank you for giving me eternal life, which you made possible by your death and resurrection. I receive you as my Savior by faith, and desire you to be Lord of my life. I give you the right to make me into the kind of person you want me to be.”

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, pray it now or pray something similar using your own words.

If you have made this commitment to Jesus Christ, your life with him here on earth has started and will continue with him in heaven!

He will help you to become the brand-new person he created you to be. He is freeing you to experience a life of meaning, purpose, and power.

What is your response?

No, I didn’t pray the prayer.

Yes, I prayed and invited Jesus into my life.

Yes, I prayed and rededicated my life to Jesus.

No, I have already received Jesus in my life.