KINGDOM DEPOSITS

Kingdom deposits make eternal investments.

Recently, I had a banking conversation with my daughter Bethany. We talked about making deposits into her account that will service her in the future. I was reminded that taking care of God’s kingdom is making life deposits into others lives. What we do now, definitely impacts the future!

What we do and what we say influences the kingdom of God. By showing the same love to those around you that God has shown and given you, you are making kingdom deposits. Never underestimate the act of a simple, loving decision. Simply lending a helping hand, speaking kindly to a sales attendant, or sharing your faith and experience of God’s love and grace to a coworker all makes a difference.

Live life on purpose.

In Matthew 6:33 (GWT), the Word says, “But first, be concerned about His kingdom and what has His approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.”

Let’s live kingdom minded, making deposits. Daily kingdom deposits make eternal investments.

-       Larry

FOR YOU

“If God is FOR YOU who can be against you?” (Romans 8:31)

We all need support. It’s encouraging to know that we have friends that will say, “Hey I’ll be right here FOR YOU if you need me.”  Everyone needs that type of friendship. However, you may feel sometimes that you’re all alone.

The truth is, “No matter what, God is FOR YOU even if you can’t find anyone who is.”

Know that God is FOR YOU, not based on your goodness, but His.

“For I know the plans I have FOR YOU,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

As important as it is to know that God is FOR YOU, it is equally important to realize that He has made YOU FOR greatness.

God has called you to make a difference. So walk in the assurance today that if God is FOR YOU, who can be against you, because He has ordained YOU FOR His purposes!     ~ Larry

TIME OUT TO TUNE IN

Call a TIME-OUT in order to TUNE IN!

Life is moving at craziness speed. It’s important to slow down. You must slow down on purpose. Regularly, what I do is call a “Time-Out Day.” REST TO REFRESH: A day to turn off the phone, don’t check email, turn off all the media; I just enjoy my family and enjoy my God. I may read or nap or go on a lunch-date with Kim. This helps me “tune in” to the important priorities and values of my life.

Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC, says, “When your routine, becomes routine, you need a change to your routine.”

Be careful of being blindsided by the “rush of routine.”  Upon recognizing that life is getting too routine or you have been getting in a rut, just go ahead and call “Time-out!”

In a sports game, coaches call time-outs for a few reasons: A) Sometimes, they just need to slow the game down so everyone can gain focus and composure. B) Sometimes, a time-out is called strategically, to plan a play. C) Other times, a coach calls a time-out and just gives an encouraging pep-talk.

In Psalm 46:10a (NIV) we read, “Be still and know that I am God.”

It’s in those times of stillness, when we carve out and stop the pace of life, that we are able to really hear, apart from all the noise and clutter around us, how much God is for us. We can hear the Spirit’s gentle whisper saying, “It’s going to be all right.”

Do you need to call a time-out in order to tune in today? Is it just to slow the pace of life down? Or to sit down and think about you’re next steps? Or is it just to hear an encouraging word or whisper from the Lord saying how much He loves you and how much He is for you? Hey, guess what, call that “TIME OUT” and win!   -Larry

MASTERPIECE

YOU ARE GOD’S MASTERPIECE!

Over the years, each of my girls have drawn and/or colored a picture of “Daddy and me”. I have simply cherished those art renditions by my children. They have become something special that I look at from time to time.

In Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says, “For we are God’s MASTERPIECE. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

God highly values you. In God’s perspective, you are that valuable masterpiece, created and ordained by Him. It’s like when you go to the art museum to look at beautiful paintings and sculptures created by talented or historic artists. You admire their works and their creations. Well, our God looks at His work, you, with the same purpose.

Likewise, as Eph. 2:10 says, God values us as his rare, special, prized, invaluable, incalculable, cherished work of His genius. And our Loving Father doesn’t make mistakes.

“The Master always leaves His imprint on His creation.”

God has placed His imprint on our heart and His signature on our lives.  Let us rise to a higher standard in our belief in how much God loves, values and cherishes us.

Your value to God is not based on what you do or don’t do for God, but on who you are – His MASTERPIECE.    

~Larry

PUT IT BEHIND YA

God sees you as victorious–as a winner and a champion. However, circumstances in life don’t always make us feel that way.

Life is not fair. It is filled with ups and downs, wins and losses, good and bad. Yet in these life experiences, God can mold you and prepare you to be a vital help to others. You cannot erase the past, but you can PUT IT BEHIND YA.

In my new book, I share three easy steps to getting beyond your mistakes and moving forward. These steps are

1.     Endure it…

2.     Survive it…

3.     Go on!

God’s Word says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

In Put It Behind Ya, I show how the principles and illustrations of God’s love and grace will help any person no matter what season of life your in. Remember, Jesus Loves You!

To purchase a copy of Put It Behind Ya click here.

 

Adding Value

Life is ADDING VALUE TO OTHERS. 

Never take something out of someone, put something IN them.

What kinds words or nice action can you do today that will brighten the day for another? Amazingly, it is the simple words that are filled with love that can make the biggest differences in someone world. Stop and think about the people, who took time to listen, encourage, and befriend you.  I’m so thankful for what has been deposited in me because of the investments of others.

Become that person that others want to “be with you” versus “be away from you.”

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.  –Winston Churchill

Expand your circle of love.  God’s love never fails… -Larry

Café Au Lait and Beignets

In New Orleans, the famous Café Du Monde coffee and Beignets (French donut) Stand is a 365 day/year-24 hour/day operation.  The Café Au Lait coffee is the best in the world.  I love that place and have most likely eaten 1,000’s of those beignets over the course of my life. 

Just recently, I was back home visiting family, speaking at a church, and attending the Monday night Saints football.  A high priority stop I had planned was to go to Café Du Monde to live it up and scarf down beignets (You never count calories while visiting N’Awlins).  You know it’s good when your finished and you have the evidence of powdered sugar all over your face and shirt. And then, I heard my mother’s voice inside of me saying, “A little sugar makes things a whole lot sweeter.”

That’s Truth!   The world and those we come into contact with everyday need “just a little bit of sugar.”  KINDNESS makes everything a lot sweeter.  If you visit Café Du Monde and get an order of beignets, they will be covered with powdered sugar- it’s the magic.  It gets everywhere and everywhere; and you will leave with a remembered experience. So, I ask, what’s sprinkling from your life? Will your time with others be a “remembered experience” or a “regretful experience?”

Blaise Pascal said, “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.”  So when you come into contact with someone, just remember to sprinkle some kindness on him or her. This endeavor can be a 365 day/year-24 hour/day moment.

·      You’ll never realize the impact of a smile.

·      You’ll never realize the impact of a ‘thank you.’

·      You’ll never realize the impact of a ‘How are you today’ and really listen.

·      You’ll never realize the impact of a “God Bless You!”

Making a difference occurs one KIND act at a time.  What you sow, you will reap. As agents of God’s love- Let’s shower others with some sugar (LOVE)!  - larry

CHASING???

What are you chasing? Or more reality, what’s chasing you? Ever feel like the guy in this picture?  Running so fast from it all, you hope you just make it.  This is an annual event in Spain called the “Running of the Bulls.”  Seems fun? Seems stupid to me?    

Chasing after what?  Deadlines? Undone assignments? Bills? You name it, whatever?  “Life happens fast.” Instead of being lead by the Spirit, we are lead by the urgent or need to accomplish or please.  Our minds get racing and chasing. What matters most is chasing after the heart of the Father!

A while back, I was playing some game with my two of my little daughters.  At least three times, Rebekah had to say, “Dad, it is your turn.”  Finally, she got my upset, and said, “Hey, would you PAY ATTENTION.”  Ouch! Rebuked by a 6 year old.  I wish I could have blamed it on my A.D.D., if I had it (many say I do).  Needless to say, that moment woke me up to begin to consciously S-L-O-W down.  What’s the hurry?  So go ahead and take some time today and schedule what I call- “Making Difference Time.”  Go and have coffee with your spouse.  Take a walk.  Spend a day with your parents. Call an older, wiser, lonely friend.  Play a board game.  Oh, all of this is better, if you can turn off the cell phone and computer.

If I’m not careful to “BE” fully aware of my life and day, I can get so caught up chasing after whatever or the whatever is chasing after me, that I miss the significance of the new day that God has given to me. We can get so chasing after good stuff: doing for God, serving at the church/community, school stuff, etc.  However, I’m growing intentionally to enjoy just BEING in the moment wherever I am.  It is OK and legal just to “chill” from it all.  We live in this technologically advanced, cool world, but if we are not careful, we can get caught up in the “high tech and low touch” syndrome and miss moments from His presence and relationship.  STOP DOING AND JUST BE!   -Larry

BIG!!!

GOD IS BIG! And yet, our Father God chooses to live IN YOU. This is an amazing picture taken from the Hubble Space Telescope. God made that, and that’s sweet. You and I are His # 1 creation and the # 1 desire of His heart.  What we deem is a “big” thing in our eyes is very minute in God’s eyes. 

Luke 12:7 says, “The very hairs on your head (and legs!!!) are ALL numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than…________________________ (just fill in the blank).”

How many times do you get so focused on the ______X_____? 

It is a matter of focus and what are we beholding.  Start beholding your Jesus.  God is big, yet He is concerned about every detail of your life.  It’s a huge start to believe the LOVE that God has for you.  The more you recognize that God is way bigger than your faults, fears, failures, and future; you can begin to enjoy the life God intends for you to live.  

Stop magnifying the situation or issue, and start magnifying God.  You may recall having a magnifying glass as a kid (i sure did kill alot of ants…), well now you have a “Magnifying Glass” that is called the WORD OF GOD.  Get your eyes in the Word and your head up on the “awesomeness” of God; and you will have a whole new perspective. (Psalm 34:3 “Come magnify the Lord with me.”)

Sure, you the thing you are going through is real, yet do not allow it to capture your faith and allow it the become bigger than God’s plan and purpose for your day.  GOD IS THE BIGGEST!!! -larry

SPEED RACER.

“Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer go….”  Growing up (like I have finished), the Speed Racer cartoon was my favorite.  Wow, I would watch every episode. The excitement of Speed, Racer X, Sparky, the monkey, etc. was for me adventure in everyday.  That’s what I call the simple life: TV in the 70’s.   

As I recall while reflecting upon my life, I acquired an “addiction to speed.” By speed, I mean the rate at which I fly and move through life; not “speed” like the drug.  But honestly, I have acted so impatiently at times, it may have appeared that I  was drugged up.  I have missed so many opportunities and memories because I was there, but not there.  All I wanted to do is finish my list and get to the next event.  I used to hurry to do nothing.  As the saying goes, “Speed kills.”  Speed sure can kill times with God, times with love ones, and times of being used by the Holy Spirit. 

By growth and becoming fully present, I have learned (and still am learning) to SLOW DOWN and obey the speed limits- the God set ones, the natural ones, and the traffic ones (well, that’s an area of struggle).  

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!! This has been a personal motto of mine for over 5 years.  I have learned to call TIME OUT and hit PAUSE.  Making this principle a part of my life, I have enjoyed more times with my wife; enjoyed more of my girl’s games and school concerts; enjoyed bed time prayers, enjoyed more sunrises; and enjoyed more of our immediate family’s soup picnics. 

So it is time to HURRY UP and stop doing some things.  Engage in what counts!  3 reminders: Enjoy Family, Enjoy Friends, and Enjoy the Walk of Faith. – Larry

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”   It’s a “Walk of Faith.”