As Long As I'm Breathing, I've Got A Reason

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“As Long As I’m Breathing, I’ve Got A Reason”

Psalms 150:6 NIV

I will bless You with every breath of my life; I will lift up my hands in praise to Your name.

 

 

The past several months at our church, we have been playing the song “Praise” by Elevation Worship.  This has become a really fun song to play on our worship team.  The phrase that always sticks out in my mind is the line right before the chorus, “As long as I’m breathing, I’ve got a reason to praise the Lord”. 

 

As we’ve continued to play and sing this song for several Sundays, I’m reminded how easy it is for us to find every reason to complain about things in life.  And, before going any further, I’m going to admit that I am one of these people.  I don’t mean to be, but I have a tendency to be critical and complain about things.  I have been working very hard on trying to be more positive about things in life, but it has been a struggle for me. 

 

As I continue to think about these lyrics (Apparently God keeps bringing them to my mind!), I am constantly reminded that no matter what is going on in life, I have a reason to praise if I’m breathing.  This is so simple, yet so important!  Look, I know that we all have concerns in our lives and a lot we are dealing with.  I get that and I’m trying to focus more on the positive.  We are always going to have challenges and trials in life.  There’s always going to be something that causes inconveniences in our lives.  However, we need to strive to be focused on the very fact that God gives us breath each day.

 

If we wake up each morning and we are breathing, we have a reason to praise!  Period!!!!  As we look to the New Year, this is a perfect time to think about how we can change our attitude and perspective each day we wake up as the New Year begins.

 

If you take the time to listen to and read the lyrics of the song “Praise” by Elevation Worship, it will be a great reminder that we always have a reason to praise God.  We especially have a reason because we are breathing. 

 

Let’s start the New Year by focusing on praise!

Pause Before You Post

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“Pause Before You Post”

Ephesians 4:29

NIV- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

NLT- Don’t use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

 

We have all had numerous times in our lives where we regret saying something to someone.  It’s been heavy on my heart and mind lately how so many people post things on social media without giving it a second thought.  The past month, I’ve actually pulled back from scrolling through posts and just let my mind rest from reading all the opinions people are putting out. 

 

Growing up, I’ve had people repeatedly tell me, in various ways, to be careful about what I say before I say it.  This is especially true when we get heated and worked up about something that we are either passionate about or that really bothers us.  No matter what we might be get worked up about or frustrated about, we should always make it a point to take a pause, thinking about what’s about to come out of our mouths and then either put it to rest or say/post in a very tactful and constructive way. 

 

So many people get emotionally scarred by things that are said each and every day.  Lately, I’ve been thinking so much about how people rant and spew opinions on social media.  Time and time again, I think about how we are called to encourage and lift others up, but unfortunately so much what is said these days is really hurtful and discourages people. 

 

What if each one of us really considers the words that come out of our mouth?  Maybe we should make more of an effort to pause and reflect before talking?  Not only do we need to pause before posting our input online, but in every day conversations with people around us.  Each day, we come into contact with various people.  Are we choosing our words carefully?  Are we thinking about how we can benefit one another and lift each other up?

 

We are told in Scripture to be the body of Christ, lifting each other up and encouraging one another.  We cannot do this effectively if we are bashing each other.  In this day and age, so many resort to posting and they don’t think twice about what is being said.  Is it to encourage each other or critique? 

 

I just want to encourage all of us to think, rethink and really consider what we are saying to others, especially online.  The past month, by pulling back more on my browsing and scrolling, I’ve felt better.  There’s just so much negativity out there and I want my mind and heart filled with positive things.  Why don’t we all strive to share positive words with others and focus on how we can build others up.  Are encouraging or discouraging others? 

Obedience Even When Things Make No Sense

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“Obedience Even When Things Make No Sense”

Joshua 6:2-5 NIV

The Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.  March around the city once with all the armed men.  Do this for six days.  Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark.  On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.  When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

 

This past Sunday, the sermon at church featured this story about the collapse of the wall of Jericho.  This is one of my most favorite stories in Scripture.  One of the reasons why is having watched Veggie Tales so many years ago and remembering the hilarious animation retelling the story.  The other reason is how amazing this story is because everything they did made absolutely NO logical sense whatsoever! 

 

All the verses leading up to verse 5 give the sense that something will happen in the end like charging the wall and using weapons to tear it down.  It would make total sense to bring a crane with a wrecking ball in to smash through the wall, right??  Of course!  That’s exactly what I would have done!  But this wasn’t God’s plan at all.  He had no plans for anything physical to knock down the wall.  It was absolutely nothing but obedience and faith that God would do…..something. 

 

Verse 5 just gets me.  The wall of the city will collapse from all the shouting and marching around?  God gave them very detailed instructions of marching around and doing various things.  One loud blast and shouting and then……well…..the wall will collapse??  It just doesn’t make one bit of sense at all.  Why would God tell them to do all these things instead of telling the to grab weapons and beat the wall down that way? 

 

God wanted their obedience and faith in Him more than anything.  I’m sure it had to be on their minds why in the world God was giving them weird instructions that had absolutely NOTHING physical to do with breaking down the wall.  God told Joshua and he told the people.  I can just hear Joshua’s thoughts, “God, I sure hope this works!  I’m gonna look like a fool if it doesn’t.” 

 

Can you imagine the feeling and look on everyone’s faces when the wall did collapse?  “Whoa!  Did that just REALLY happen??  All we did was march around and then shout!  How in the world did that happen?”

 

Obedience and faith in God, even when things make absolutely no sense, is what God wants more than anything.  We gotta trust in Him even when things have no logical reason behind it.  That’s often how He works.  His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not ours.  Trust Him!

He Is So UNFAILING

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“He Is So UNFAILING”

Psalm 115: 1 NLT

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness”

 

A few weeks back, we sang a song at church called “This We Know” by Vertical Worship.  The last few words of the chorus are “Jesus, You are unfailing”.  As I pondered that day and still ponder days and weeks after, I think of all the things in life that fail us. 

 

We get our hopes up for so many things in life that end up disappointing us and letting us down.  We look forward to things and events that are coming up, but then something goes wrong and we’re left heartbroken.  People make promises and then break them.  We put a lot of hope into electronic gadgets that we buy, hoping they will never break, but they often do or lose connection.  Our vehicles break down and need repair.  People break our hearts.  We lose our jobs.  Moms lose their baby. 

 

The list could go on and on of the terrible heartbreaks that set us back and make us question why God allows so much to happen when we dedicate our lives to serving Him.  But remember that Jesus never promised us an easy life if we follow Him.  He promised just the opposite.  He wants us to put our hope in Him alone.  Everything in life and everyone will, in some way, fail us somehow.  Maybe intentionally or unintentionally, but still will. 

 

We need to be reminded always that God is 100% loving and faithful.  That will never change.  His love and faithfulness will remain forever.  That’s great news when we look around and see so many horrible things going wrong in life today.  We need something constant and that won’t break our heart….again!

 

He will NEVER fail us.  As much as I’ve been hurt by plans failing and by other people, I know that God will never fail me.  I may not understand why He allows things to happen as He does, but I know He’s never going to fail me.  I can count on Him no matter what.

 

He is so UNFAILING!

Waiting

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“Waiting”

Genesis 21:1-3 NIV

Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 

 

As I was waiting at a stop light recently, I was thinking about how much we often wait for things in life.  Through our years of life, we do so much waiting.  Sometimes we wait for a long time, other times we don’t.  Who likes waiting for anything??  None of us!  Waiting usually involves getting ancy and worrying and a number of other various emotions.

 

We wait on so many things.

 

We wait for test scores, whether school or medical.

We wait for someone to get out of surgery.

We wait at a stop light.

We wait at a roundabout.

We wait in a grocery store line.

We wait in a regular retail checkout line.

We want for a company to review our resume.

We wait for an interview.

We wait to hear back from an interview.

We wait for our child to be born.

We wait a slow person in front of us.

We wait for a webpage to load.

We wait for our food in a restaurant.

We wait for medicine to take effect.

We wait for our tax return.

 

The list could literally go on and on and on.  We.  Wait.  For.  So.  Many.  Things. 

No wonder so many of us become impatient so often.  This is something I have struggled with all my life.  I’m a little better, but I’ve got a long way to go!  Sometimes, I feel like I’m getting more patient, while other times I’m failing miserably.

 

Life experiences for all of us include much, much waiting in various ways.  Sometimes, it really good for us to wait.  It’s really good for us when we learn to wait for something.  Often times, we discover the wait is well worth it when we do wait for something.  Recently, I waited 5.5 months to run a 5K that I had trained for.  The waiting was hard, but the race came and went and it was amazing!  I was so glad I had the time to wait and train my body.  Now I look to train for future race somewhere! 

 

Waiting can really build character and perseverance.  Like the old saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait”.  Even though it’s hard, God rewards us so often when we are patient and wait for great things to come!

Absolutely NOTHING Apart From Him

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“Absolutely NOTHING Apart From Him”

John 15:5 NIV

I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

 

This past Sunday at church we sang the song, “Lay Me Down” and as we sang the chorus, I thought of this passage in John 15 where Jesus is talking about being connected to Him and that apart from Him we cannot live a fruitful life. 

 

John 15 has been one of my favorite chapters in the Bible for many years.  I really like the illustration of the vine and the branches.  As we sang the song today, I was reminded how often I try to live life apart from God.  I’m not purposely intending to live my life from what God desires, but the world is so full of influences every sing day that I’m so often tempted to do things on my own through the day.

 

No matter how much we try, no matter how much we are convinced by the world, there is absolutely no purpose in life without God in the center.  So many people today certainly live their lives without God and think they are doing just fine and don’t need Him at all.  There is no eternal purpose when our lives are lived in our own ways.  When we are living for worldly pleasures and focused on our own agendas, there is no eternal purpose or goals in that way of life. 

 

God often has to remind me that I need to be constantly connected to Him and do what He says to do to be successful in life.  However, I’m often like a little child demanding my own way with God.  If God would just do what I want Him to do for me, then all would be good.  When I finally get my focus back on Him, I am reminded that apart from Him, I am NOTHING.  Life has no meaning without Him. 

 

Life has absolutely no meaning at all with God.  I honestly don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my faith.  Life is already hard enough as it is living a life with faith.  There are many challenges and obstacles that greatly test our faith.  We often wonder where God is and why He is letting us suffer when we do.  No matter what we struggle with, we have to remember that life without Him is no life at all. 

 

When I was a teenager, I had some years where I didn’t want to live a life with God at all and I left church and distanced myself.  Finally, God got a hold of me and put people in my life who cared and slowly brought me back.  I’m so grateful for that and am forever grateful I didn’t turn away for good.  He is my Rock and I absolutely couldn’t imagine my life without Him.

 

We can do nothing apart from God.  There is no fruitful life…..period.

Pressing On Is So Worth It

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“Pressing On Is So Worth It”

Philippians 3:12-14 NIV

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

As I’ve mentioned in the recent past, I decided to take up running again and get back into better shape.  Since mid-April, I’ve been focusing my attention on conditioning my body to prepare for the Mankato 5K coming up Oct 18.  As I’ve continued to run and prepare, I’ve been learning so many things and remembering running when I was younger as I did track and cross country. 

 

I’ve remembered how hard it is a lot of times to keep going, even when you feel like giving up at times.  Depending on the weather of certain days or how tired I am, some days I do better running, while other days not so much.  Recently, I increased my distance to better prepare for the 5K.  I’m finding out I’m not as young as I used to be!  It’s hard work!  I do enjoy doing this, but it’s also very hard some days.  Pacing myself, controlling my breathing and just keeping in mind that it will get better as I improve.

 

I think about the words of the Apostle Paul as he talked about pressing on and keeping focused on the prize!  I often have to remind myself of this while I’m running.  I think so much about how it’s hard to do this, but I haven’t run for so many years and just now getting back into it.  It’s going to take time and I need to work through the obstacles I face each time I run.  I often get halfway through and I’m thinking, “Shouldn’t this be getting easier?”  I have to remember that it will and I just have to keep going and keep my focus. 

 

So often in our lives, we must remember that we need to keep our focus on Christ and keep striving and pressing on.  Times get tough, but we get back up and keep going.  I have been getting so focused on my time in running and getting aggravated if I’m not doing better.  My wife reminds me, “Hey, you just started running again.  At least you’re keeping at it and you’re finishing!”  I gotta remember that I’m getting there and I will improve with time.  A couple guys from church have been encouraging me lately with my running as they are runners, too. 

 

I know that pressing on is so worth it!  God wants us to press on and focus on what’s ahead, not on the struggles we’ve had in the past.  We just gotta keep going and keep plugging away!  God is with us every step of the way.  Pressing on can be downright tough at times, but it’s so worth the pain we feel along the way.  When I get done with my daily jogs, my body feels better.  But, during the run, it’s hard and I just gotta keep going.  Keep my pace, keep at it and the improvements will come.  We all need to keep pressing on!