Choose your Dreams, not your Doubts

 

Romans 1:15-17, So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The great apostle was motivated to follow God’s direction and focused his energies on fulfilling that plan. He was not so enamored with doubts and fears but a goal, ambition…a dream fueled his efforts. This in my estimation is worthy of immolating.

Dr. Wiersbe observed,

No wonder Paul was not ashamed: he was taking to sinful Rome the one message that had the power to change men’s lives! He had seen the Gospel work in other wicked cities such as Corinth and Ephesus; and he was confident that it would work in Rome. It had transformed his own life, and he knew it could transform the lives of others.^[1]

This ambition to share the hope that in Christ Jesus was stimulated by the truth that the gospel is God’s power to save and transform lives.

The gospel is the inherent, omnipotent power of God operating in the salvation of a lost soul that accepts it.^[2]

We must also choose our dreams and refuse to listen to our doubts and fears. Few things are as potent as self-doubt; it breeds failure and completely slaughters our dreams. While it’s true self-doubt may raise some questions, bring temporary setbacks, or even reveal hardened obstacles, it is also true that through the right kind of doubt we grow and eventually realize our vision. We must focus more on our ideas and much less time on our reservations.

Doubt is a normal reaction when launching fresh ideas and facing new challenges. In such cases we must pull ourselves out of self-doubt to become more engaged. Fears can even make us believe we aren’t good enough.

Escaping the grips of self-doubt-based fears means setting realistic goals…at least in part. It is essential to break our big goal into manageable milestones…achievable steps. They become less intimidating or overwhelming and they build our confidence as we reach each of them.

Also, positive affirmations should be used to replace self-doubting thoughts. Pay close attention to the messages we tell ourselves! Use positive truth-filled and balanced statements to assert reality, God’s perspective, process our experiences, and make meaningful decisions instead. Self-induced doubts can be overcome by these fear killers.

Yes, Paul’s sense of obligation to the unsaved Gentiles produced an eagerness (Rom. 1:15) to evangelize them for Christ’s sake. He was entirely focused on a singular ambition!

Beloved, focus more on your dreams…ambitions and not your doubts! Don't allow your mistakes to be stumbling blocks toward quitting, instead make them building blocks to realizing God’s plan and your dreams. Stay at it, think about improvements…make yet another adjustment, apply more polish, modify it further, and tweak it yet even more. We are talking about a God-given idea…a holy ambition! Do it again...then again…this is the path to your dream. It’s okay if you must pray and fast more than usual, trust God for things you have never trusted him for before, use your head more than usual, search the Scriptures with greater diligence and discernment, break a sweat because your heart is really invested, innovate…modulate, or create! These things are likely necessary! You may sacrifice some efficiencies along the way but still choose your dreams and not your doubts. 

---

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 517.

^[2] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 24.

Adjustable

 

2 Corinthians 3:18, But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

It is correct to be able to adjust, make changes, grow, and experience transformation. It is a supreme tragedy when we are stubborn and immovable in many matters that impact our lives and that of others. It behooves us to cultivate the habit of flexibility…to become deeply adjustable where it counts.

Moses’ face had to be veiled after he had finished speaking with the people, but we can have an unveiled face. We can keep our face unveiled by confessing and forsaking sin, by being completely honest with God and ourselves. As a veteran missionary to India once said, we must “drop the veils of sin, of make-believe, all play-acting, all putting up of unreal fronts, all attempts at compromises, all halfway measures, all Yes and No.”^[1]

Certainly, every reasonable heart will agree with these sentiments. However, we are prone to cling to what we already know or perceive instead of being explorers.

This glory [2Cor. 3:18] is the experience of salvation available in the New Covenant and mediated by the Spirit who leads Christians from justification through sanctification to glorification. As believers manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23), they are progressively being transformed (the same word Paul used in Rom. 12:2) into His likeness. Christlikeness is the goal of the Christian walk (Eph. 4:23–24; Col. 3:10). No wonder Paul said the New is far superior to the Old!^[2]

It was Dolly Parton who famously said, “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” The reference clearly places a premium on being able to flex and be adjustable where you can and when it counts. Concerning cultural differences and variations, Paul said, For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.  

He had the freedom to make himself a servant! Now he gives this very familiar testimony of his own ministry.

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.^[3] (1Cor. 9:19-23)

These verses should never be used to justify a sacrifice of scriptural principle. They merely describe a readiness to accommodate to the customs and habits of the people in order to win a hearing for the good news of salvation.^[4]

Furthermore, being adjustable involves adapting to changes in our spiritual, physical, professional, and social environments. In other words, we become adept in balancing conflicting needs, or requirements challenged by obstacles in our situations. We learn to prioritize more effectively….

The word translated changed [2Cor. 3:18] is the same word translated transfigured in the accounts of our Lord’s transfiguration (Matt. 17; Mark 9). It describes a change on the outside that comes from the inside. Our English word metamorphosis is a transliteration of this Greek word. Metamorphosis describes the process that changes an insect from a larva into a pupa and then into a mature insect. The changes come from within.^[5]

Sometimes when the wind is going against us it's more advantageous to stop fighting it and take on a new course of action that entails following the wind. Adjusting our sails does not mean that we won't reach the destination or that we have given up on the goal. It simply means we've taken an alternate route to get to where we’re going. An alternative may provide more capacity, a less congested pathway, and quicker advances to a downstream location. Such bypasses…detours are often the key to meaningful discoveries; they epitomize flexibility.

When sailors cry, “Anchors aweigh!” they are declaring there are no anchors on the sea floor. They are all clear and the boat is ready for departure. Certainly, the time is upon us all to be more flexible, adaptable, and adjustable spiritually, politically, professionally, emotionally, and perhaps socially. So, for genuine growth, happiness, peace, and contentment—change, “Anchors aweigh”. Really, the choice is yours and the ball is in your court.

---

^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1831.

^[2] David K. Lowery, “2 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 562.

^[3] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 5 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), 42–43.

^[4] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1778.

^[5] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 640.

Discipline is Essential

 

Phil 3:12, 15-16

 

SUBJECT: Spiritual Progress

THEME: Fulfill God’s purposes knowing discipline is an essential part of completing our prescribed race. 

RELEVANCE:

We must not allow our behaviors to be unruly, disorderly, disobedient, uncontrolled, disingenuous-not serious, or of embarrassing manners that derail our progress in Christ. To be winners who fulfill God’s plan, we must remain discipline throughout our race. By doing so we can fulfill God’s purposes knowing that discipline, restraint, and control are essential parts of completing our specific course.   

INTRODUCTION:

Discipline is the final ingredient in this formula for spiritual maturity and progress. To grasp new heights in spiritual triumphs and finally reach the finish line of life as a winner…that is growing spiritually by making continual progress required discipline.

Though Paul was a spiritual giant in the eyes of the Philippian saints, he wanted them to know that he had not yet attained the goals stated in verse 10. He was still actively pressing on toward them. He had by no means reached the final stage of his sanctification.

Paul’s salvation experience had taken place about 30 years before he wrote to the Philippians. He had won many spiritual battles in that time. He had grown much in those years, but he candidly confessed he had not obtained all this, nor was he yet made perfect (v. 12). He still had more spiritual heights to climb. This testimony of the apostle reminded the saints at Philippi—and it serves to remind believers today—that there must never be a stalemate in their spiritual growth or a plateau beyond which they cannot climb.^[a]

What is essential for winning?  

MESSAGE:

The Essential Quality of Discipline (Phil. 3:15-16).

We are called to share the pursuit of Christlikeness. God wants this for us all, but especially those who are mature (3:15). We are to persistently press on toward that goal—going on with Christ. Every maturing believer should have these ambitions.  

No doubt the greatest need among God’s people is to live up to what they already have in Christ. Most live far below their exalted position in Christ. Paul’s plea to the Philippians was that they live up to what they had already attained, namely a righteous position in Christ.^[b]

But he expresses the confidence that if a person is really willing to know the truth of the matter, God will reveal it to him. The reason we have such an easy-going, complacent Christianity today is because we do not want to know the truth; we are not willing to obey the demands of ideal Christianity. God is willing to show the truth to those who are willing to follow it.^[c]

Discipline Yourself to Run According to Your Spiritual Level.  Phil. 3:16

We must live up to whatever light the Lord has given us. “It would not do to mark time until we came to a fuller knowledge of what is required of us as Christians. While we wait for the Lord to reveal the full implications of the cross to us, we should obey whatever degree of truth we have received.”^[d]

       A.  Don’t Worry About Others.   “Nevertheless”

           1. It’s Not What People Think That Matters!

The issue is not what he thinks or what the spectators think but what the judges say.

           2. It’s What the Judge Knows That Matters!

Romans 14:10-12, But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. [11] For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. [12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

One day each Christian will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom 14:10-12), much like the Olympic bema, the place where the judges gave out the prizes! We must discipline ourselves to obey the rules, and we will receive a prize.

      B.  Know What You Have.  Vs. 16, “whereto we have already attained”

          1. What Guidance Have You Received?

Christian maturity involves acting on the guidance that we have already received.  “Let us walk by the same rule” means to “Live up to a standard” it is a military term meaning "to keep in line" or "to keep step."

                A.  What Have You Learned? Are You Living It?

QUOTE: “Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned and, however early a man’s training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly.” — Thomas Huxley 

                B.  What Have You Experienced?  Did You Grow Through it?

QUOTE: “What you are going to be tomorrow, you are becoming today. It is essential to begin developing self-discipline in a small way today in order to be disciplined in a big way tomorrow.” .... Remember, having it all doesn’t mean having it all at once. It takes time. Start small and concentrate on today. The slow accumulation of disciplines will one day make a big difference. Ben Franklin said, “It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.”  — John Maxwell

ILLUSTRATION: A reporter once asked the great evangelist D. L. Moody which people gave him the most trouble. He answered immediately, “I’ve had more trouble with D. L. Moody than any man alive.”

QUOTES: The late Samuel Hoffenstein said, “Wherever I go, I go too, and spoil everything.” And there is the classic Jack Paar line, “Looking back, my life seems to be one long obstacle course, with me as the chief obstacle.”                                                   

APPLICATION:  My observation is that more Christians fail because of inner issues than outer ones. Each of us desperately need to learn How to Get Out of Our Own Way.  We all need this tremendous lesson in our own life. “I am my worst problem!”  Most of us can relate to this very true statement: “If you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles, you wouldn’t be able to sit down for weeks.”

          2. What Responsibilities Have You Received?

                A.  Be Responsible for Who You Are.

The day you take complete responsibility for yourself, the day you stop making excuses, that’s the day you start to the top.  This is a factual statement that we all should heed.

ILLUSTRATION: “That reminds me of one of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite stories about the man who murdered both his parents and then when his sentence was about to be pronounced, pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was an orphan! As the politician said to the judge, “It’s not my fault, your honor, I never could have done all that stuff if the people hadn’t elected me!”  —  John C. Maxwell

                B.  Be Responsible for What You Can Do.

It is rare to find a person who will be responsible, who will follow through correctly and finish the job. But when half-finished assignments keep returning to your desk to check up on, verify, edit, and upgrade, obviously someone is failing to take hold of the reins of responsibility.

“I am only one,

But still I am one.

I cannot do everything,

But still I can do something;

And because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do the

something that I can do.”

                C.  Be Responsible for What You Have Received.

Luke 12:48, But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

QUOTE: “John D. Rockefeller, Jr., said, “I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.” Winston Churchill said, “It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required.” — J. C. Maxwell

          3. We are all at Different Levels (Phil. 3:15).

Paul knew the believers were in different stages, but everyone needed to be faithful to what they understood.

2 Cor. 3:18, But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.  (See also 2 Peter 1:5-9; Ephes. 4:22-24)

          4. Develop a Healthy Sense of Accountability to the Lord.

Matthew 25:19-20, After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. [20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

               A.  Some of Us May Need to Settle Our Debts with the Lord.  (Matt. 18: 23-35)

               B.  Some of Us May Need to Confess Wasted Opportunities in Service.  (Lk. 16:1-2)

               C.  Some of Us May Need to Heed the Warnings of Hell and Eternal Punishment. (Lk. 16:19-31)

               D.  Some of Us Need to Please the Lord in Matters of Conscience & Liberty.  (Rom. 14:6-12)

      C.  Live Up to What You Have.  Phil 3:16     

First, Don’t Worry about Others, secondly, Know What You Have, and thirdly Live up to What You Have.  Stay in step with what you have.                                  

            1. Live Together, You Have Each Other.

Our church needs to march forward together.

            2.  Live in Truth, You Have God’s Word.

We must live up to what we already have been taught from the Scriptures.

            3. Live in Growth, You Have a Goal.

APPLICATION: As we pressed on toward the goal, we should not use our lack of complete knowledge as an excuse for taking lightly what we knew or for getting sidetracked. We should continue to learn and grow, while at the same time regulating our lives by the light we have already received. Believers, we must live up to what we already know before we can expect to learn more.

ILLUSTRATION:  Bible history is filled with people who began the race with great success but failed at the end because they disregarded God's rules. They did not lose their salvation, but they did lose their rewards (1 Cor 3:15). It happened to Lot (Gen 19), Samson (Judg 16), King Saul (1 Sam 28:31), and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). And it can happen to us!

CONCLUSION:

As maturing believers, we are urged to lives pleasing to God (Phil. 3:15–21). We must live up to what we have already attained—a righteous position in Christ. By doing so we can fulfill God’s purposes knowing that discipline, restraint, and control are essential parts of completing our prescribed race.  As we are progressing Believers this must be our ambition.

We must press forward that the Lord Jesus’ purpose for which he saved us might be fulfilled. Paul as a pattern-saint showed what Christ can do in a human life. Though not perfectly conformed to Christ, the ongoing process for us is to deeply apply God’s grace to persist, develop, and increase.

Finally Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

What an exciting experience to run the race daily, “looking unto Jesus” (Heb 12:1-2)! What a “high calling” Jesus’ return to take us to Heaven summons us to! Certainly, the Judgement Seat of Christ will be rewarding! This perspective should motivate us as it did Paul. This must be our character…. Successful believers are willing to do things unsuccessful people will not do. One of those things that makes a difference is whether we are character motivated or emotion motivated.

---

^[a] Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 661.

^[b] Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 662.

^[c] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1976.

^[d] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1976.

A Clean Slate

 

Genesis 8:15-19

And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him: every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.

After it was clear that the earth was suitable for habitation, the eight people and all the animals left the ark. This was 377 days after they had entered it (cf. 7:11 with 8:13–14). The theme of “rest” seems to be quite strong throughout the story. The ark rested (v. 4); at first the dove could find no place to set its feet (v. 9; lit., “could not find a resting place for its feet”). When the ark came to rest on Ararat, this was more than a physical landing on dry ground. It was a new beginning; the world was clean and at rest.^[1]

For our great grandparents, it was a new beginning, a fresh start, and a chance for a reset.

So, what are we referring to? Historically the phrase “clean slate” comes from the use of chalk and slates in classroom environments. It’s a chance to start over without preconceptions. A new start—a brand new beginning; especially clearing the record of mistakes, failures, regrets, and missed opportunities.

We give ourselves permission to believe that we can move forward living with a slate that is cleaned.  It may have been through confession, reassurance, or checking, but the future is clearly in view now. Optimism surrounding prospects is our new focus and motivation.

It is paramount that we let go of the past, identify areas we need to revamp, and intentionally guide our lives forward towards moving trajectories (Phil. 3:8-14). With heightened self-awareness and rock solid fortitude, it is possible, even if we cannot completely erase history, for us to start with a relatively clean slate.

A fresh start involves a clearing of the mind, body, and soul, making way for new ideas, concepts, realities, and dreams (Phil. 4:4-9). Yes, your entire being can undergo this fresh start, your career, your personal experiences, your faith, your health/physics, your habits, your goals, and really any maturation or positive changes to your routines. A reset can and should involve every area of your life as indicated in Genesis 6-8.

The unclean raven (v. 7) and the clean dove (v. 8) are good illustrations of the believer’s old and new natures. The old nature loves to feed on garbage and carrion whereas the new nature cannot find satisfaction in a scene of death and judgment. It finds no rest until it sets its feet on resurrection ground.^[2]

Standing firmly on resurrection ground embrace this chance to begin again—to try again, hope again and even attempt something glorifying to God, but never expected. You see, this is your time of resurrection, restoration, and helpful change. I personally believe God is always working behind the scenes in our lives to bring about new beginnings.

In the world of psychology, a clean slate is rooted in the idea that we often view new beginnings as a chance to distance ourselves from past disappointments and deficiencies. This can lead to a kind of reset, with us experiencing a renewed sense of optimism, self-efficacy, and motivation. It sounds so inviting and promising to the child of God!

A fresh start in Christ, an innovative definition of self with the Lord at our center and redefining yourself with God’s definitions can be igniting! What a powerful way to begin a new routine, a new habit, set new goals, and to include a supporting mechanism of family and friends to help you succeed in Christ. I am excited about what the future promises for you. Your time…is now.

---

^[1] Allen P. Ross, “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 39–40.

^[2] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 44.