7 Up had a successful marketing campaign years ago they advertised themselves as the unCola.   

Today, I believe you and I are living in the Un Generation.

The “Un” in life can be no fun. The prefix un means without. It’s no fun to be: unhappy, unthankful, unworthy, unable, unlucky and unnoticed. I know people who are struggle with unbelief, and feeling as though they are underachievers.

The little prefix “un” causes the complete opposite of the word to which it is attached. If the un is no fun what would happen if we became done with un?

But there is the one thing that is UNdeniable. God loves you! God is for you! God takes out the un in (un) happy, (un) faithful, (un) willing and (un) committed.  

2 Timothy 3:2-3

“For men will be…

unthankful, unholy,

unloving, unforgiving…”

Simply reverse the “un’s” in your life and you’ll be amazed at what you UNcover. It will be UNexpected, making you Unstoppable.

While you’re at it, give out a prayer for all the people who are unsaved, un-churched and unloved. As devoted followers of Christ it is our mission to reach the Un Generation with the truth about our
 UNbelievable God.

Just a thought,
Carl

Recently, I took an online coaching course to maintain my life-coaching certification and one of the courses was on inner resistance.

What is resistance? Basically, it is an opposing force hindering motion or action in a positive direction.

Resistance is what you experience whenever you make an effort to move forward in your life, relationships, career, health or any other important undertaking.

Resistance can be compared to the headwinds of life that you experience in pursuit of your goals.

Do you ever feel like you are swimming upstream, against the current? Sure, if you are simply maintaining the status quo in life you experience little to no resistance. But, no sooner do you decide to write that book, start an exercise program, finish your degree, start investing for your future, giving to the Lord’s work, breaking a bad habit, initiate a daily Bible reading and prayer routine and immediately you will be met with this unseen force called resistance.

Resistance has been defined as a malevolent force that attempts to sabotage your success. Proverbs says, “Patient persuasion can break down the strongest resistance.”

Because it was our will to come to you.

[I mean that] I, Paul, again and again

[wanted to come], but Satan hindered and impeded us.

1 Thessalonians 2:18 (AMP)

I have discovered the greater the goal or task one is pursuing the greater the resistance will be.

Take for example the Old Testament example of Nehemiah. The closer he arrived at finishing the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem the more the resistance was intensified.

Jesus was aware of the intensified resistance He faced the closer He got to the cross.

Sometimes the resistance we experience comes through well meaning friends and family members who are discouraging the pursuit of lofty goals. Beware and be ready anytime you attempt to play big in your life to go against the grain, to challenge the status quo or move beyond your comfort zone. You will face RESISTANCE.

Keep pressing on!

Just a thought,
Carl

Three of the most important words you need to hear today, “Let It Go!”

I read a story about a little boy who came running into the house, he was upset and angry.

His mother asked him, “What’s wrong?” Little Johnny said, “Billy called me stupid.” “Do you believe that you are stupid?” his mother asked. “No.” “Great,” mom said, “now let it go!” And with that the whole matter was over.

One important key in life and in all relationships, for that matter is to: Let it go. For those of us who are married has your wife ever come to you with an old shirt of yours that she is tired of washing and wants to through it away but for sentimental reasons you are reluctant to let it go?  Well, when it comes to life there are something’s we hold on to way too long – we need to learn how let it go.

When someone cuts you off in traffic, let it go.

If a competitor stole your client from you, let it go.

If you get an unfavorable email from a coworker who is venting to you about the last project you worked on together, let it go.

If someone did you wrong at some point in time, let it go.

Your previous employer did you wrong, let it go.

You friend betrayed you, let it go.

Let go of anger, and leave rage behind.

Do not be preoccupied. It only leads to evil.

Psalms 37:8 (GW)

It’s not worth holding on to it. Let it go, so you can move on, unfettered to your next destination. Far too many of us hold on to things that we should have let go of a long time ago. As I am writing this devotional, I can think of a few things myself. How about you? If we can practice letting go of the things we need to let go of, we can grab hold of the things that we need to hold on to. I firmly believe we hold on to the things we should let go of and we let go of the things we should hold on to.

As Tozer once said, “In the kingdom of God the surest way to lose something is to try to protect it, and the best way to keep it is to let it go.”

Just a thought,

Carl

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 12 million plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2010.This is an increase of more than 60 percent over the previous eight years. It’s estimated that more than $10 billion a year is spent on such surgeries. The marvels of modern medicine that can slow down the aging process include:

·       Live cell therapy

·       Botox injections

·       Liposuction

·       Placenta Extracts

·       Silicone augmentation

·       Teeth whiteners

·       Phony tans

·       Anti-wrinkle creams

·       Hair-coloring

·       Hair implants

·       Skin rejuvenators

·       Et cetera.

So, why does there seem to be so much interest in maintaining a “youthful appearance”?

This question begs our attention because there is an underlying spiritual reality we must not over look. The issue that theologian Paul Tillich has called the grace to “accept that you are accepted”. Knowing that God loves you just as you are, which in return, frees you to become the person you were meant to be.  

Maintaining health, staying fit and looking good can be a healthy quest in life if pursued in moderation. However, we should never pursue these things at the expense of missing what is truly beautiful about you. Most importantly, the fact that you were created in the image and likeness of God. It’s all about inner beauty, “the hidden man of the heart”. As a face-lift helps tighten sagging skin, a faith-lift helps tighten sagging faith.

Faith that has lost its freshness if that faith is simply going through the motions with no real focus. When my faith is sagging, I get a lift from the promises of God found in His Word. There are three such promises found in Psalm 139 that we’ll be sharing in our weekend service here at Trinity. They are:

·       God Cares for Me  

·       God Created Me

·       God Considers Me.

If you can’t make it to one of our four services, then visit our website at www.trinitytoday.com  next week to hear the message. 

Just a thought,

Carl

According to bestselling author and wordsmith Frank Luntz, “Imagine” is one of the 11 most powerful words and phrases of this past year. As Luntz wrote, “’Imagine” is still the most powerful word in the English language because it is inspiring, motivating, and has a unique definition for each person. When you want to inspire, imagination is the language vehicle.”

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined

what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

What could be possible if we lived more imaginative lives in this New Year?

I am aware that most references in the Bible related to imagination are not positive.

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5 KJV). One of the most popular songs of all-time “Imagine” touches on this:

Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try,

No hell below us, above us only sky,

Imagine all the people living for today…

John Lennon

In spite of its misuse, Imagination is a gift from God. I love the words of Tozer: “A purified and Spirit-controlled imagination…imagination released from its prison and given to its proper place among the sons of the new creation. What I am trying to describe here is the sacred gift of seeing, the ability to peer beyond the veil and gaze with astonished wonder upon the beauties and mysteries of things holy and eternal.”

Or, as C.S. Lewis called imagination “the organ of meaning.” Imagination allows us to make sense of our world and plays a key role in our learning process and creativity.

It’s no wonder that Jesus taught in story form – our Lord was the most imaginative teacher of all time because He knew the power of imagination.

As Walt Disney once said, “Every child is born blessed with a vivid imagination. But just as a muscle grows flabby with disuse, so the bright imagination of a child pales in later years if he ceases to exercise it.” – The Quotable Walt Disney (2001)

Unleash your imagination in this New Year. Your work will take on new meaning. Your passions will find creative expression. Your dreams will have more possibilities. Your projects, assignments, and tasks will be infused with fresh creativity affording you new innovative achievements in your vocation.

The question is how do we live more imaginative lives?

Start with reading more and becoming more curious. Find environments that inspire you.

Jesus retreated on many occasions to the desert, mountains and water. These sacred landscapes inspired Him. He referenced them in His teachings. After gazing upon a river He said, “out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” After gazing upon a vineyard He said, “I am the vine you are the branches.” Don’t just see objects; see through and around those objects. Jeremiah saw a potter working on a vessel and God used this incident to speak creatively to Jeremiah.

Awaken your imagination there is a world of creativity awaiting you.

“Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20 GW).

Just a thought,

Carl