FocusOne

Grace – too much? I don’t think so…

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:50:46 +0000

Colossians 1:5the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

Growing in you since the day you heard it – wow. Is that true among us? Are we still allowing the WORD to grow us since we heard it? Or is the problem that we have not yet truly understood God’s grace? That is a can of worms right now. When did I start to truly understand Your grace? When did I truly start to let the WORD grow me? I think those two came hand in hand in my life. Last Sunday I was able to pray with someone to rededicate their life to the Lord. They were so excited, yet they were doing the same thing that I had done years ago. I used to get saved every week at church (sometimes twice) because I wasn’t growing in You. I had yet to truly understand Your grace. I needed to experience You enough to understand that it wasn’t my works that was maintaining my relationship with You – it was my pursuit of You and accepting Your pursuit of me that made it work. You love me and You want to know me – when I allowed that to become my passion in knowing You then things began to change. We try to say – get in the WORD – and we try to say – YOU NO LONGER NEED TO WORRY, GOD HAS FORGIVEN YOU. But we don’t do a good job of combining the two for an understanding of who God is. This takes a mind change that each of us have had to make. I think everyone of us has been saved at least 100 times, and I think each of us can look back to when it changed for us – it was when we allowed the grace of God to become evident in our lives. It was when we allowed God to begin to work in us (we stopped disqualifying ourselves and damning God’s love in us). Wow – back into the love journey I guess.

God, I am going to write to those listening or reading now if that is cool? Thanks…

I believe that is where the grace message has been lost – this hyper grace thing that everyone is either embracing or fearing. One the embracing side – everyone is experiencing the love of God in such a real way that it is freeing and exciting. On the fear side, everyone is watching and seeing the realization of holiness becoming extinct. To both sides I say – watch the edge. If not for the grace of God is such an incredible phrase that we use to make ourselves feel better about something we accomplished or avoided (our way of getting credit, but falsely giving credit to God). Just saying… But seriously – the moment I think that works have allowed me to maintain my relationship, or that works somehow brought salvation into my life then I have MISSED the love and grace of God. Faith without works is dead – certainly – but even within faith it is about a faith in GOD not in ourselves or our abilities (we have started to mix the two too much in the church). As for the hyper grace – it is so rooted in the essence of who God is, but without the personal responsibility. We forget that it was HIS KINDNESS that leads us to repentance. That we still have to be sorry for what we do – not in reference to our worth, but in honor of who HE is and what HE has done for us. It is not that HE has to die again for our sins, but it is a thankfulness for what HE has done. When I mess up, I know that my wife loves me (as much as she knows how), but because of my love for HER – I still apologize. In our passion for God, we have to recognize that is still a relationship. And in our love for GOD – we need to do our part too. I want to be a better person because of HIS love for me – so that I can be a better witness of Him. I want to walk in the holiness that God has made available because of HIS sacrifice. That means that I need to do my part. Again, its not about worth or value. That is what Grace has done for me – it as solidified my worth based on what GOD thinks of me. BUT it does not excuse me from being transformed, being renewed, aspiring to be holy because HE is holy, or asking forgiveness when I am wrong. I do those things BECAUSE HE paid for them, I do those things because HE loves me and HIS grace is sufficient. I want to be more like HIM, so that I can be used MORE by Him. I don’t think we can talk about Grace too much, as long as we realize that grace is for a reason (cause we need it).

God I love you – use me all day long for YOUR kingdom!

Love you

A life of almost…

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:27:59 +0000

I was reading in James this morning after spending a little time looking around Facebook and this scripture popped out at me. James 5:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. It wasnt the sin part that stood out to me, it wasnt even the knowers part either – bit instead it was the doth it not. As I looked around Facebook I saw a lot of old friends, some frame ministry days some from not. People that I watched as they had their high encounters with God. Such huge potential, and they are still doing the same things they were doing before. Please understand this post. Its not directed at any individual but rather directed at me. Where in my life have I not taken the risk? Where in my life have I played it safe as of God wasnt going to have my back? We read in our character trait yesterday, as a family, about boldness. It had a story about a man who thought he was going to die of cancer and how he was a light for God. He was willing to share with people and do Things that ordinarily he would have lacked the boldness to do. Weeks passed and the doctors came back to him to let him know that they were wrong. His test results had been mixed up with someone else and he was not dying. The man no longer lived with the same conviction and boldness. Why are we so sell preserving? Why do we wait until there is some cant lose situation to step up. I look at those lives on Facebook and I wonder what would have happened if they would have taken the leap. What could I have done differently in their lives to encourage them that they can do anything. Encouraged them to finish school or pursue the ministry they were doing. Or declared in their lives that nothing was impossible. We have a responsibility to truly pour in those around us, whether we are their organizational leader or simply a friend. I dont want my friends working fast food all their life. My get some flack for that. Im not saying that being the fry guy at McDonalds is bad, Im just saying that if that was the best job available then the whole world would be fat. God has bigger and better tinge for you and I that may require us to work those jobs as we grow….but grow So that you are owning those fast food plAces an doing a greater work for Him.
god, I trust in You and I need You to guide me every part of this day. I need Your wisdom and instruction today and your healing. I am the healed! Thank You for the great things in store for today and thank You for loving me. Im Yours…
B

Too much talking

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:12:05 +0000

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Thinking this morning about how much talk we can generate as leaders. Sure we have some substance to what we say, but when we lose the experience of our own faith appropriating then we have officially begun hypocrisy. That sounds tough, but I was working on a leadership class that our church is starting and it was commented to me to use some of my precious stuff to build it. Great idea, but I cant. If i did that, I would be giving out yesterdays manna. I am sure that it works for a lot of people, but it would be wrong for me to do it that way. I have been blessed with too much, and given too much to do that. I want this to be a fresh class, with fresh information. Certainly the foundation will be a lot of what I have already learned and have even taught – but there needs to be some faith and works in this process. How many times do we go through the motions in life? How many times are we living on yesterdays faith, or yesterdays revelation? Or yesteryear… I need You today God. I need to know everything for this moment, so that I can embrace the next. Thank You God, for continually pouring into me, pouring into us. Thank You for always being that voice, that unction, that drawing, that revealer, that hope, that expectation, the vision, the depth that cannot be reached. You amaze me everyday, and I am so in love with You. I hand you my thoughts, my desires, my emotions and my actions. Let me be an example of You all day long. I love You!
I am Yours
B

What are you living for?

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:06:55 +0000

1 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

1 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work.

Purge myself from impurities… No man that warren entangles himself with the affairs of this life… When I think about the things that keep me from growing or plague me in my living for Him, its the affairs of this life, its the impurities of my actions or words. As a parent I am constantly being confronts with my selfishness and my desire to please myself. Im not the get-away dad, yet I see how I can be so selfish. Not even so much in time, but moreso in my words. Why do the little things require me to get upset or annoyed? Why when they make a mess or are loud at a restaurant do I feel its ok to threaten punishment instead of instruct to righteousness. What is this primary relationship given to me about anyways, if not to train a child up in the way that they should go? God help me to live differently. Help me to purge myself of selfish living, and begin to remove the little things that keep me from being an example of You at all times. Not just when I am feeling, not just when I am facing mighty conflict…but when I am tired, when I am fighting a cold, when I have a headache, when I am simply sitting at the dinner table. Help me to be a better dad and husband today. Help me purge all selfishness from my soul and be a vessel unto honor – ready to be used by the master for every good work!
I love you God…
B

For real?

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:22:55 +0000

So recently I have been dealing with some intense headaches. These headaches have been painful, annoying and sometimes making me dizzy. To be honest, it began to build some fear in me that something serious is going on and I became troubled. Fear began to set in and declare a path for me… But Nili said something to me that got me thinking; what would you say to someone else? What would you encourage them to do? she even said – go record yourself as if you were talking to someone else and listen to yourself. Wow. What do I believe. I, such an extreme person I go to extremes in everything including fear. The truth is, no matter what Im dealing with I serve a God, THE God, that heals, delivers and restores. I have seen countless times the He has delivered people from the share, that He has set people free from sickness, disease, cancer, everything! So why would I allow my flesh negate this in my own life..because I dont understand Gods love for me as well I thought. Seriously Ben, for real? Preacher of the love of God, yet still learning my own understanding of that. I am on a mission of learning right now. Learning f His goodness, building up my faith and growing up. The fact is that He is the healer and fear negates all of the faith I can muster. I think it is time that I listen to my own advice and begin to understand Gods love and healing! 2 Corinthians 10:5 – Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
God thank You for Your healing power, than You for Your renewing of my mind, and Thank You for Your love. I need You, I love You, I believe on You!
B

Selflessly living – my part 4

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:06:46 +0000

4. Relationships are selfless, grow people in their pursuit for God not for me.

Are we getting the hint yet that our example as disciples is Christ…and that example is love. Sure we understand that God wants us blessed, sure we understand that He wants us whole – but eventually we have to take the position of being on e team instead of being the object of the team. The team has a mission to disciple and reach the lost. Discipleship is the teaching of Godly truths that help break the ungodly behaviors, and the ungodly strongholds sooooo that we can become on elf the disciples…discipling. Our feel good is the understanding of the relationship, not the relationship itself. That righteousness spoken of in the Word literally means right standing. It is an instant place of relational position with God. It is not earned, it is given by grace. We have a next step that includes our decision to honor with our lives. We need to embrace the passion to be more like Him in our personally integrity, and our selfless mission. The great commission was all selflessness. I was taking to a very good saxophone player recently, living the good life of traveling professional musician. I asked him what made him successful, and if there were better payers out there. His comment was huge. He said that he sees guys all the time that can outplay him in a single note, but he has something they dont. Personal integrity. He answers calls, he shows up on time, he appreciates opportunities, and he is wiling to work hard. I see that as a problem with American Christianity. We have taken the gift given to us by Christ, and we have made it a personal call service. We will do what it takes for our feel goods. Whether its financial principles, or self promotion, or simply indulging the areas in our life that make us feel good. Disciples are sent to do one thing, disciple. They go in to all the world, saving the lost and making disciples. Disciples that will go into all the world. So, I guess I am asking myself and anyone who is reading this morning – what are we doing with our lives. Are we pursuing our personal ambitions just to make sure our life has hit the pleasure mark of what we are wanting? Or are we laying aside our plans, understanding the need for saving that which is lost…truly reflecting the life of Christ. His sacrifice was not just in dying on a cross, it was in the entire existence of His fleshly living reflecting God. It was the EVERYday denial of what HE may have wanted so that He could grow those around Him…selflessly.

God, in my conversations, attitude, responsibilities and heart today – help me to be selfless in everything. I am Yours.
B

Gasoline + Fire = Awesome! Part 1

Hudson.rhodes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:23:34 +0000

First let me prelude what I am about to say with this – I love fire! Haha! Yeah, you guessed it, I am a huge pry maniac. I don’t know when or how it started, but I love making fires (or burning anything really).

But I want to just share a few things I have learned, and then something that God has revealed to me during this fast that just rocked my world!

First, in order to have fire you must have some kind of ignition, or spark, basically something that is just hot! Without this it’s really hard to make anything catch on fire… okay yeah, its impossible. This is why you will see someone who is hiking always have dry matches, or in my case, a heavy duty lighter . Without these ignition systems… NO FIRE .

Second, you have to have some type of fuel. Wood, gas, propane, etc… No fuel = no fire. (Prov 26:20)

Last – Oxygen! Just like we need oxygen, so a fire needs oxygen to burn. If you’ve ever been trying to start a fire in a barbecue pit for almost an hour, only to realize the air inlet hole wasn’t open…Yeah, doesn’t work too well.

So I think we’ve established the three things you need to make or have a fire.

Ignition+Fuel+Oxygen = FIRE!

So a few days ago it was like 37ºF which is pretty cold for Louisiana… intelligent me, decides it would be cool to start a fire in the fire pit and drink coffee and talk to Jess. Well it just so happened to be the windiest night of the two week long winter season…. So like a good little boy scout I get all the wood together so I don’t have to blow on the wood to get it going, or even have to get out some gas or lighter fluid (which would be fun). But with all the wind it seemed as though I would never get going. Until it hit me – if I block the wind then I can get the fire going. So I moved around the pit until I found the optimal place to block the wind… And what do you know? FIRE!!!

Then as I began to sit back and enjoy the fire, God gave me a revelation. If I position myself where God needs me to be, he is waiting with the matches and lighter to start a fire in me (Psalm 119:2). It’s the same for everyone! If you will position yourself (physically, spiritually, and financially) then God is waiting to pour himself into, onto, and all around you.

-huddy

Great is your reward…my number 3

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:06:22 +0000

Lord, let me passionately pursue You, by silently serving man. By passionately pursuing You I am placing the importance in the right position. That being said, it generates success nearly immediately and that is why I have to have the understatement of silently serving man. The fact is that I have a tendency to desire mans approval and accolades. I spent years looking for success through fleshly eyes and not through Your eyes. My actions,my heart, my defensiveness, my personal successes all added up to nothing. Like Paul write I count my gains as losses when I realize that my struggles to look good to those I lead or am led by actually hindered me from being You in every situation. To gain after personal success is the opposite of what Christ life was and is. E entire existence of Christ life was to live and become a sacrifice for me. We all get the die a sacrifice as we think about the cross and the days leading up. The torture, the pain, the ridicule handed so that we can have eternal life and a blessed fleshly existence. But, the life that Christ lived was a complete sacrifice. I think about how many times I self-indulge, or self-preserve in situations. Christ didnt have that option. He couldnt sin if he was going to be our sacrifice. Every temptation He had to overcome in the flesh…every self defense He had to lay aside in the strength of the flesh. And I stress about how my mistakes may make me look, or my inadequacies prevent me from being the perfect example. Seriously what is this life for, if it isnt for others. What are blessing for if it isnt for others. I understand why Your Word talks about storing treasures in heaven. Its Your opinion that makes my world complete, and its Your will that makes my life impact full. Its Your direction that produces the most fruit (seen or never seen) and its Your presence, expression, and love that changes the hearts of people. Not me, not my two cents, not my way of doing things. I feel like this doesnt make sense but You know my heart this morning. I want my reward to be Your words of affirmation that I have done what You have asked me to do. I want to live, breathe and speak Your love and expressions to everyone in my life and every soul that I encounter. I what to be the tool that You use to make everyone in every situation know that You are calling them to their greatness. I want to be a part of Your plan to spread Your love to the deepest part of every heart so that can see the awesomeness of who You are and who they are in You. Here I am today, solely wanting to be Yours, and I am…Yours.
B

Doing my part

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:12:33 +0000

God, I was reading – still in Timothy and it reminded me of my part. I know that You give me favor and opportunity but I still have to do my part. It says in chapter four, 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Its not so much what the gift as it is my decision to not neglect. Neglecting is when I dont take the time to nourish and develop those things that You have placed in me. Its loving people, leading people to their growth, and tapping into the Holy Spirit in people. For me. So I need to exercise and receive knowledge about those. I need to allow the Holy Spirit to fine tune each area of my life, and weed out the things that; stunt my growth, distract from growth, and are growing the wrong things.
Stunting my growth is much like when my dad told me about how his smoking stopped him from being taller. While Ive never been a smoker, there are some things in life that the devil tries to (or I try) to do that becomes a stunt for growth. If I held on to bitterness or unforgiveness it would literally stop growth in loving people. Distracting from growth is simply self-indulgence. I cannot be a self indulging person. Last night Nili wanted to talk and share with each other rather than watch a show on tv. Tv is a distraction simply said. It rarely promotes relational growth, and almost never leads to great outcomes. When I am not neglecting the gift, I am not allowing distractions in my life. Lastly wrong things growing…in me I see the areas that are selfish. The areas that I am pursuing because they bring me pleasure. I am not saying that everyone needs to quit their bowling league, but I am saying that if I am going bowling to escape from my personal gift and responsibility en I have to quit. Basically if I am to do my part in this life, then every part of this life has to have purpose. While that may seem boring, or waaayyyyy sacrificial, even religious – when I personally stand back and look at these things that I feel I am missing out on (movies, tv shows, golfing all day) I quickly realize that non of them bring me fulfillment and none of them produce the life that I want to live. So, for now I think Ill keep my Golding to 6 times a year (helps that I live in Chicago now and part of the year you simply cant golf).

God, please help me today to be the sharpest tool in the shed. Help me to be on target Ll day with Your presence and Your will. I need You to help me with that. I need You to be In every thought, every reaction, and ever decision today. I love You and thank You for loving me. I trust You with my life today – please lead it for me.
All Yours
B

Holy, blameless, useful

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:44:19 +0000

God, I have heard this many times….blameless. Ive given much excuse to that word labeling the Grace of God for being the blameless factor – but alas I must embrace the personal responsibility. Reading Timothy today I find myself reflecting differently than I normally would. We had a staff meeting the other day where I shared about the importance of our personal integrity. We, who are in ministry, are paid by those who give to the church out of obedience. So, when I read the passage this morning about the things expected of a deacon, and a bishop…it hit me the selflessness required. Im not just supposed to pursue holiness for the sake of myself, but truly for the salvation of others. The entire daily life of Christ and His blamelessness was for the restoration of the original relationship. Assimilating that into my existence, the love of God towards others now drives us to live holy yet look with grace towards others. Many times when we live holy for our personal feel goodwe become judgmental of others. In my life I see that because of the internal selfishness (angry and judgemental because I feel a pressure to be something out of fear and not a relationship). But when my pursuit of holiness becomes about others and is based in the understanding of Gods love in me…then the alignment becomes beautiful and I can live the Christ life.
God, I feel like Im not explaining this well – but You know my heart. I cant live blameless without You, and You want me blameless not because You love more but because You can use me more. So God, forgive me for my selfish moments and my pride. Forgive me for those self-indulgences. Help me to die daily and rise in Christ in every situation. I hand You my day, I need Your Grace, I long to be a vessel that is capable, pliable, and useful for Your demonstration of love. Thank You for this moment and the day. I am Yours. I love You