Those of you who have known me for just a short time know that my involvement in IRON MEN accountability groups has been an essential part of my life for over 25 years now. It's based upon some very simple principles: 1) mutual accountability 2) transparancy 3) confidentiality
I'd like to throw out a 3 month challenge for those of you who would like to be somewhat accountable for getting into God's Word on a daily basis. The plan is simply this: Starting January 1, 2013 read Proverbs 1. That's it. Jan. 2 read Proverbs 2. Jan. 3 read Proverbs 3 and continue on for the entire month and start again. 3 months and 3 times through one of the greatest (if not the greatest) sources of God's wisdom ...period.
For those of you who would really like to launch out into the deep water with God ...get a little notebook and write the following acrostic down the page:
S
O
A
P
Let's say I was reading the first proverb (Scripture)
S: Proverbs 1
Then, as I read and thought about what I was reading ... and asking God to speak, I might write an Observation:
O: Verses 1-7 shows that wisdom and knowledge from God in not something anyone is born with. All wisdom and knowledge from God is available to us but we must desire it and seek it. God gladly provides us with wisdom and knowledge but all people find it the same way ...by trusting God's Word and digging in.
Then, I will write down briefly, or in detail, what I sense how God is leading me to Apply the truth I have observed:
A: I want to arrange my daily schedule to that I may be able to take 15 minutes for my SOAP process when I am not tired and prone to make excuses. I will ask someone (specific name) to hold me accountable for this. When asked, I will be totally honest about my progess.
Then I will write down a Prayer that I have already prayed or will pray about what God has shown me today
P: God, please help me to follow through on this and show me everyday how blessed I am by making this decision. Give me the stength to get up 15 minutes earlier when I will feel like staying in bed. Help me to honor you by not only hearing your word but by also applying it to my life.
I'd love to know who's taking up this adventure with me. If you would like to respond personally, I will be encouraged and maybe can help you be encouraged. My e-mail is:
jmitcham@live.com
Would you like me to help you with accountability in this? Let me know and I'll unexpectedly send out a simple question: Did you read your Proverb today? How about yesterday?
It's not an Iron Man's group but it's something and ladies are just as welcome as men to take this challenge,
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW ...
Friday, December 28, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
WHAT WE HEAR AND WHAT WE PROCLAIM
This is a devotional ... my first one so cut me some slack. I want to share with you a Christmas thought I received during my Iron Man meditation time.
1 John 1:5a This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim (declare) unto you ..."
My father always had a high cholesterol count in his blood. Consequently he also has high blood pressure. When he discovered he had prostate cancer he went to a "wholistic medicine" doctor. His cholesterol medication was interacting with something else and the "witch doctor" (as we both called him) recommended him getting off his high-powered cholesterol medication and to take a natural herb called red yeast rice. He did this and within one month his choleserol was within the normal range. I'll never forget my father telling me: "Son, if you ever have high cholesterol remember 'red yeast rice'" and he asked me to write it down.
Two years later Griselle's mom had a cholesterol level that was through the roof and her prescription meds were not doing it. I remembered my dad's advice. She started taking the r.y.r and within a month or two her blood work came back normal. A few years later a lady from the church I pastored experienced the same dramatic results. Since coming to Indianola my doctor wanted me to take cholesterol medication as mine was above normal and rising. I asked for a month to adjust my diet (which meant to me r.y.r.). The tests came back and the nurse said, "Whatever you're doing ...keep on doing it"). One of my closest friends ...right here in Indianola ...same dramatic results with the r.y.r. .
Here's what this illustration has taught me about what the apostle John said.
I heard my father say that r.y.r. helped him with his cholesterol. This was about the year 2000. That's when I heard it ...now I have not only heard about r.y.r. but I proclaim it. I declare it. I'm certain about it. It's something I have personally experienced in a dynamic way that has profoundly and positively influenced my life and several others. No one can tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm a believer and a proclaimer of r.y.r.!
The apostle John was getting pretty old but I'm sure he remembered when Jesus first told the disciples that He was God. Can you imagine John's faith and fervor of all those years of experiencing the truth of Jesus' words? How many lives did he see transformed because he lived to witness the truth of what he had first heard? How many miracles? Blessings?
Those of us who know Jesus Christ know what He has done for us ...personally for us and also through us. Can you imagine what would happen if all the church would truly proclaim what we know? What did John proclaim? " ...that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all."
Our culture, our world, is in desperate need for truth (light) and we who have been Christians for any length of time at all can truly proclaim the truth we have experienced. Sure, there will always be doubters but there will always be those whom Jesus is calling to Himself because of our personal, first-hand witness to His truth and reality in our lives. That's powerful.
1 John 1:5a This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim (declare) unto you ..."
My father always had a high cholesterol count in his blood. Consequently he also has high blood pressure. When he discovered he had prostate cancer he went to a "wholistic medicine" doctor. His cholesterol medication was interacting with something else and the "witch doctor" (as we both called him) recommended him getting off his high-powered cholesterol medication and to take a natural herb called red yeast rice. He did this and within one month his choleserol was within the normal range. I'll never forget my father telling me: "Son, if you ever have high cholesterol remember 'red yeast rice'" and he asked me to write it down.
Two years later Griselle's mom had a cholesterol level that was through the roof and her prescription meds were not doing it. I remembered my dad's advice. She started taking the r.y.r and within a month or two her blood work came back normal. A few years later a lady from the church I pastored experienced the same dramatic results. Since coming to Indianola my doctor wanted me to take cholesterol medication as mine was above normal and rising. I asked for a month to adjust my diet (which meant to me r.y.r.). The tests came back and the nurse said, "Whatever you're doing ...keep on doing it"). One of my closest friends ...right here in Indianola ...same dramatic results with the r.y.r. .
Here's what this illustration has taught me about what the apostle John said.
I heard my father say that r.y.r. helped him with his cholesterol. This was about the year 2000. That's when I heard it ...now I have not only heard about r.y.r. but I proclaim it. I declare it. I'm certain about it. It's something I have personally experienced in a dynamic way that has profoundly and positively influenced my life and several others. No one can tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm a believer and a proclaimer of r.y.r.!
The apostle John was getting pretty old but I'm sure he remembered when Jesus first told the disciples that He was God. Can you imagine John's faith and fervor of all those years of experiencing the truth of Jesus' words? How many lives did he see transformed because he lived to witness the truth of what he had first heard? How many miracles? Blessings?
Those of us who know Jesus Christ know what He has done for us ...personally for us and also through us. Can you imagine what would happen if all the church would truly proclaim what we know? What did John proclaim? " ...that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all."
Our culture, our world, is in desperate need for truth (light) and we who have been Christians for any length of time at all can truly proclaim the truth we have experienced. Sure, there will always be doubters but there will always be those whom Jesus is calling to Himself because of our personal, first-hand witness to His truth and reality in our lives. That's powerful.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Relationships Are Fragile - One Way That Breaks Them
Most of us are dependant people ...whether we would like to admit it or not ...we need certain things to be in place for our sense of well-being and balance. One of these essentials is the need for healthy relationships. I know how much I value relationships and I know how fragile they are.
God knows how important these relationships are and how easily they are broken. Proverbs, the book of wisdom, has much to say about how He feels towards the importance of friendships
The following is a direct quote from a portion of this devotional: .(http://www.eaf.net/pantinghart/2008/taking-up-an-offense/)
Sometimes — oftentimes, it seems — we humans take personally a wrong (real or imagined) done against another. Even though no harm has been done to us, we take personal offense. We may feel insulted, angry, hurt, bitter, and/or who knows what else. We may even enter into a conflict that is not our own at all.
I thought of that when I read verse 30 this morning:
30 Do not accuse a man for no reason —
when he has done you no harm. Proverbs 3:30
I have heard it said ... and have watched it being lived out the saying that goes something like:
An enemy of my friend is an enemy of mine.
I have seen potential relationships that never had a chance to develop because someone has taken up another person's offense. It looks something like this: I share with a close friend how Bill humiliated me in public. This makes my friend angry at Bill (who he hardly knows). Bill is unaware of any of the feelings that are being generated. My friend avoids Bill, even tells others who does not know Bill that Bill is arrogant and coldhearted and repeats the story that how Bill humiliated his close friend (me) in public. The offense grows and now at least 2 others are caught up in an event they did not experience and knows only the "cliff notes" version. Bill feels something is wrong with me and wants to know why I'm acting so distant. I tell him how much he offended me and how humiliated I felt when he said ".............". Bill realizes what he has done and genuinely apologizes to me for his actions. Our relationship, rather quickly, is restored. That's good news. The bad news? These 2 other friends don't like or trust Bill and have no way of a healthy relationship with Bill ...or Bill's wife or Bill's children. Bill and I are good now but my careless words to others have built up a wall that grieves the very heart of God.
What's my take away from all this? I must be carefu: 1) Not to cause someone else to take up my offense 2) Realize that I can take up an issue against someone I don't have the right to
Let me leave you with a scripture that helps me to keep negative issues at bay in my life:
Phil 4:8
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.
NKJV
God knows how important these relationships are and how easily they are broken. Proverbs, the book of wisdom, has much to say about how He feels towards the importance of friendships
The following is a direct quote from a portion of this devotional: .(http://www.eaf.net/pantinghart/2008/taking-up-an-offense/)
Sometimes — oftentimes, it seems — we humans take personally a wrong (real or imagined) done against another. Even though no harm has been done to us, we take personal offense. We may feel insulted, angry, hurt, bitter, and/or who knows what else. We may even enter into a conflict that is not our own at all.
I thought of that when I read verse 30 this morning:
30 Do not accuse a man for no reason —
when he has done you no harm. Proverbs 3:30
I have heard it said ... and have watched it being lived out the saying that goes something like:
An enemy of my friend is an enemy of mine.
I have seen potential relationships that never had a chance to develop because someone has taken up another person's offense. It looks something like this: I share with a close friend how Bill humiliated me in public. This makes my friend angry at Bill (who he hardly knows). Bill is unaware of any of the feelings that are being generated. My friend avoids Bill, even tells others who does not know Bill that Bill is arrogant and coldhearted and repeats the story that how Bill humiliated his close friend (me) in public. The offense grows and now at least 2 others are caught up in an event they did not experience and knows only the "cliff notes" version. Bill feels something is wrong with me and wants to know why I'm acting so distant. I tell him how much he offended me and how humiliated I felt when he said ".............". Bill realizes what he has done and genuinely apologizes to me for his actions. Our relationship, rather quickly, is restored. That's good news. The bad news? These 2 other friends don't like or trust Bill and have no way of a healthy relationship with Bill ...or Bill's wife or Bill's children. Bill and I are good now but my careless words to others have built up a wall that grieves the very heart of God.
What's my take away from all this? I must be carefu: 1) Not to cause someone else to take up my offense 2) Realize that I can take up an issue against someone I don't have the right to
Let me leave you with a scripture that helps me to keep negative issues at bay in my life:
Phil 4:8
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.
NKJV
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