Have you ever wondered why it is sometimes so hard to follow what you feel God is telling you to do or maybe what God is calling you to do? I definitely think that is one of the hardest things to do.
When Jesus was walking the earth 2000 years ago, it is amazing how fast people would drop what they were doing and just begin to follow him. Just listen to how fast these guys dropped what they were doing and followed Jesus in Mark 1: 16-23.
16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him.
19When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Why were they so eager to follow Jesus? It doesn't make any sense...or does it. If you look at verse 22, it captures exactly why people were so willing to follow him. It all hinges on his authority. Jesus was already an very authoritative figure in his community. The bible states that he started teaching in the temple at 12 years old. And even at 12, the religious leaders were amazed at his teachings. Now with 18 years of experience under his belt, 18 years of teaching in his community, 18 years of a visible sin-less life, 18 years of leadership experience, 18 years of studying, teaching, and learning the scriptures. After all of that, I guarantee that he already had his place of honor in his community. And here is the answer to the mystery of why people would drop everything to follow him. When a man of that type of authority calls you to follow him, it is an absolute honor to do so. It is no surprise that those men dropped everything to follow Jesus. It would be a dream for a man like that to ask you to follow him.
Put it this way. For myself, if the CEO of my company called me into his office and told me, "Matt, I have another position for you. You're a little under qualified, but I know that you can do it. I have been leading this company for 18 years and with all of that experience, I think that you are my guy. Matt, what you are doing now is honorable but the new position I have for you will change your world. And don't worry about anything (money, job security, training, a team) I'll take care of all of that for you." Matt, will you take the position? Will you stop what you are doing and follow me?
Can you imagine, if the CEO of my company had a meeting with me and said all of that? Just imagine with me for a second what I would do. I would drop everything so fast it wouldn't even be funny. Why? Because if a man with that type of authority and experience has that type of faith in me, and believes in me like that, it would be an honor to drop what I was doing and follow his lead.
Now, if all of that is true. How much more should we be willing to follow Jesus. A man who promises to never leave us or forsake us. A man who says "Do not be afraid, for I am with you always" Jeremiah 1:8. A man who says that "Through Him, anything is possible" Philippians 4:13. And on top of that, a man who had no sin, and his followers were amazed at him because of his authority. How much more should we be willing to follow that man? And when we say "No", I wont follow Jesus in that area of my life, we are really saying; Jesus, "I just do see you as having that much authority and Jesus, It doesn't impress me that you would have that type of faith in me because your not that valuable to me and I don't think I am that valuable to you." Truth be told, that is sin and we need to repent.
Question:
1. In what way is Jesus calling you to follow him?
2. Do you see it as an honor that he is calling you to this, or is it a hassle?
3. What is it that you have to drop in order to follow what he is leading you to do?
4. Are you willing to say "Yes" to Jesus?
Join me in my journey of trying to drop everything and following Jesus.
My Birthday / God's Voice
Yesterday I turned 25 years old. Wow, I am still such a baby. Yesterday was a great day. Beth and her mom made me the greatest gift. Beth bought a down-comforter and created a personalized quilt out of it. She took all of my college T Shirts as well as printing some things on a fabric sheet and made me the coolest quilt. You have to see it to believe it. Its awesome.
Anyway, it was a great Day. We went to church in the morning, Daniel had his first ever basketball practice. Yeah, my boy is the best on his team already. Then we had a few people over for cards and cake. After that Beth took me out on a date. It was a great day.
One thing that was so cool in my conversations with Beth at dinner. She told me that the other day God gave her this burning desire for ministry. That was so cool. As a husband, it is the most encouraging thing to know that my wife is hearing God. As the leader of my home, there is nothing that can lift me up more than knowing that my family is hearing from God.
Habakkuk 2:1-2 I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
Key #1 - God’s voice in our hearts sounds like a flow of spontaneous thoughts. Therefore, when I tune to God, I tune to spontaneity.
Key #2 - I must learn to still my own thoughts and emotions, so that I can sense God’s flow of thoughts and emotions within me.
Key #3 - As I pray, I fix the eyes of my heart upon Jesus, seeing in the spirit the dreams and visions of Almighty God.
Key #4 - Journaling, the writing out of our prayers and God’s answers, provides a great new freedom in hearing God’s voice.
http://www.cwgministries.org/Four-Keys-to-Hearing-Gods-Voice.htm
Anyway, it was a great Day. We went to church in the morning, Daniel had his first ever basketball practice. Yeah, my boy is the best on his team already. Then we had a few people over for cards and cake. After that Beth took me out on a date. It was a great day.
One thing that was so cool in my conversations with Beth at dinner. She told me that the other day God gave her this burning desire for ministry. That was so cool. As a husband, it is the most encouraging thing to know that my wife is hearing God. As the leader of my home, there is nothing that can lift me up more than knowing that my family is hearing from God.
Habakkuk 2:1-2 I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
Key #1 - God’s voice in our hearts sounds like a flow of spontaneous thoughts. Therefore, when I tune to God, I tune to spontaneity.
Key #2 - I must learn to still my own thoughts and emotions, so that I can sense God’s flow of thoughts and emotions within me.
Key #3 - As I pray, I fix the eyes of my heart upon Jesus, seeing in the spirit the dreams and visions of Almighty God.
Key #4 - Journaling, the writing out of our prayers and God’s answers, provides a great new freedom in hearing God’s voice.
http://www.cwgministries.org/Four-Keys-to-Hearing-Gods-Voice.htm
Mentored By Many, Saved by One
Last night Frank and I drove 3 1/2 hours to Wilmington for a 2 hour banquet and then drove all the way back to Greensboro. Dr. Bennett was having his banquet for his mentoring men ministry. My initial reaction to going all of the way out there for 2 hours was probably not what it should have been. But when I was there, God really showed me something.
I have had such an unusual opportunity to have people in my life who have literally come along side of me to walk me through many different parts of my life. I can think specifically of men who were there for me in my marriage, ministry, accountability, parenting, early stages of my faith, etc. It is awesome to think back about how God has placed men in my life and how further along I am because of their influence. In the midst of realizing all of this, i realized that I have not yet intentionally taken anyone under my wing. One gentleman said yesterday that "no matter where you are in your walk, there is always someone behind you". That basically means that everyone is qualified to mentor someone or lead someone.
If you are a Christian, you are called to do this. You are called to invest your life in someone who God places in your life. This was the example of Jesus and every single one of his disciples. If that isn't enough, listen to the words of Paul in 1 Thes 2:8 "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
Here are the questions I am asking myself and I will pose them to you as well.
1. Who has God given you but you have not yet submitted yourself to investing in them?
2. Why is it not of major importance for you to invest in someone 1 on 1?
3. What will you do to take a 1st step at investing in someone who is behind you?
Lastly, if you want to grow as a christian or person, get a mentor.
Thank you Frank Bishoff, Allen Holmes, Dr Bill Bennett, Dan Byrd, Steve Shomo, Scott Stone, John Austin, Ricky Grant, Kevin Roach, Andre Benson, Cliff Hersey, Adrian Morales, AZ and his kid brother Dan. Thank you all because at one point in my life, I was that kid that God placed in your lap and you were as faithful as you knew how to be.
Lastly, Thank you Beth for putting up with me through all these years. You have had a greater influence on my life than all of those men combined. Second only to Jesus. You'll always be my soul mate, my angel from heaven, my first gift from God.
Thank you. Matt
I have had such an unusual opportunity to have people in my life who have literally come along side of me to walk me through many different parts of my life. I can think specifically of men who were there for me in my marriage, ministry, accountability, parenting, early stages of my faith, etc. It is awesome to think back about how God has placed men in my life and how further along I am because of their influence. In the midst of realizing all of this, i realized that I have not yet intentionally taken anyone under my wing. One gentleman said yesterday that "no matter where you are in your walk, there is always someone behind you". That basically means that everyone is qualified to mentor someone or lead someone.
If you are a Christian, you are called to do this. You are called to invest your life in someone who God places in your life. This was the example of Jesus and every single one of his disciples. If that isn't enough, listen to the words of Paul in 1 Thes 2:8 "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
Here are the questions I am asking myself and I will pose them to you as well.
1. Who has God given you but you have not yet submitted yourself to investing in them?
2. Why is it not of major importance for you to invest in someone 1 on 1?
3. What will you do to take a 1st step at investing in someone who is behind you?
Lastly, if you want to grow as a christian or person, get a mentor.
Thank you Frank Bishoff, Allen Holmes, Dr Bill Bennett, Dan Byrd, Steve Shomo, Scott Stone, John Austin, Ricky Grant, Kevin Roach, Andre Benson, Cliff Hersey, Adrian Morales, AZ and his kid brother Dan. Thank you all because at one point in my life, I was that kid that God placed in your lap and you were as faithful as you knew how to be.
Lastly, Thank you Beth for putting up with me through all these years. You have had a greater influence on my life than all of those men combined. Second only to Jesus. You'll always be my soul mate, my angel from heaven, my first gift from God.
Thank you. Matt
Comfortable Sin
I'd like to post a question to everyone, but first let me tell everyone about my conviction.
Not to long ago I was listening to a speaker talk about the fruits of the spirit and God totally convicted me about something. I sin more against the people who I am closest to than I do against people I don't really care about. Here is what I am talking about. A couple of weeks ago, Daniel spilled some water on the floor and I got really angry at him. I mean, it was water and he spilled it on my vinyl floor. I don't remember the details but I think I raised my voice in disappointment and sent him to his room. I mean, I had just told him 2 minutes earlier to be careful and plus he just turned 4 and should be able to take a drink without dumping it all over the ground. Rightfully so, I got upset...right? Of course not, he's a little boy, he's only 4, and he spilled some WATER on a VINYL floor (right next to a roll of paper towels) in which it may have taken me 26.3 seconds to clean it up. I was totally out of line to loose my patience and God looks at my action as sin.
Now here is my question. Why are we so quick to sin against people who we are most comfortable with than when we are around people who we don't even know? I'll even go as far as asking this...Why do we feel like it is OK to sin against people who we are most comfortable with than when we are around people who we don't even know?
This is true inst it? If my pastor was over and his kid did the same thing as Daniel, I know for a fact that my actions would have been totally different. I would have laughed it off and been liek "Oh, its ok, he's just a kid" How about in our relationships with our spouse. If Beth points out a fault in me that has some truth to it, my first reaction is to get proud and defensive, but if someone like my neighbor pointed out the same thing, I would probably act different. Have you ever been having a fight with your spouse and your phone rings and you answer it all chipper and happy, only to hang up and start fighting again? Its crazy how two faced I can be sometimes.
God convicted me on this. We should have more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control with the people who we love and care about the most, rather than treating people who we don't even know very well like this because we want them to view us in a certain way. The truth is that we are not this way with the people we are closest with because that is not who we really are yet. And I think I would also say that I am hypocritical and proud if I choose to act this way; we all would be.
Lets begin to be intentional about treating all people and especially the people who we are closest with, with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Next time you are in a conflict or uncomportable situtation, PAUSE for a second and think to yourself, how would you act if this was someone I didnt know very well. Actually, next time you get in a conflict, say to yourself, If I was in a conflict with Jesus right now, how would I act?
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Not to long ago I was listening to a speaker talk about the fruits of the spirit and God totally convicted me about something. I sin more against the people who I am closest to than I do against people I don't really care about. Here is what I am talking about. A couple of weeks ago, Daniel spilled some water on the floor and I got really angry at him. I mean, it was water and he spilled it on my vinyl floor. I don't remember the details but I think I raised my voice in disappointment and sent him to his room. I mean, I had just told him 2 minutes earlier to be careful and plus he just turned 4 and should be able to take a drink without dumping it all over the ground. Rightfully so, I got upset...right? Of course not, he's a little boy, he's only 4, and he spilled some WATER on a VINYL floor (right next to a roll of paper towels) in which it may have taken me 26.3 seconds to clean it up. I was totally out of line to loose my patience and God looks at my action as sin.
Now here is my question. Why are we so quick to sin against people who we are most comfortable with than when we are around people who we don't even know? I'll even go as far as asking this...Why do we feel like it is OK to sin against people who we are most comfortable with than when we are around people who we don't even know?
This is true inst it? If my pastor was over and his kid did the same thing as Daniel, I know for a fact that my actions would have been totally different. I would have laughed it off and been liek "Oh, its ok, he's just a kid" How about in our relationships with our spouse. If Beth points out a fault in me that has some truth to it, my first reaction is to get proud and defensive, but if someone like my neighbor pointed out the same thing, I would probably act different. Have you ever been having a fight with your spouse and your phone rings and you answer it all chipper and happy, only to hang up and start fighting again? Its crazy how two faced I can be sometimes.
God convicted me on this. We should have more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control with the people who we love and care about the most, rather than treating people who we don't even know very well like this because we want them to view us in a certain way. The truth is that we are not this way with the people we are closest with because that is not who we really are yet. And I think I would also say that I am hypocritical and proud if I choose to act this way; we all would be.
Lets begin to be intentional about treating all people and especially the people who we are closest with, with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Next time you are in a conflict or uncomportable situtation, PAUSE for a second and think to yourself, how would you act if this was someone I didnt know very well. Actually, next time you get in a conflict, say to yourself, If I was in a conflict with Jesus right now, how would I act?
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Good to Great Marriage
Well it has been along time since I have written something on here. God has been doing some great work in the life of me personally and our Family. Beth and I have decided to take a giant intentional step in our marriage and refocus our attention on Jesus. We have been married for almost 5 years and to be honest, haven't kept him first. Compared to the world most would agree that Beth and I already have a very good marriage. But this is the key....."Good is the enemy of Great." Why settle for a good marriage when God intends for us to have a great marriage?
It amazes me that as married people, we just expect to have a great godly marriage. We really just expect this to somehow happen. We not only expect it, but we expect it will happen even if we never work at it, study on it, or ask God to help us. Actually, here is an interesting fact....it takes more work and study to get a drivers license than it does to get a marriage license. And we wonder why over 50% of marriages in and out of the church end in divorce.
Here are some things that have helped Beth and I over the last month, as we started to pursue the "Chewning's Great Marriage Model"
1. Two 10 second kisses everyday.....soooooo important
2. Pray together...both people pray. Everyday.
3. Have an agreement to be honest with each other without hurting each other’s feelings.
4. Attack problems and not each other. (Learn how to argue)
5. Study Ephesians 5; 1 Peter 3; 1 Corinthians 7
6. Understand and learn what it really means to Men: Lay down your life for your wife, love her unconditionally, and lead your wife. Women: Follow your husband, obey and submit to your husband, and respect your husband.
7. Commit to work on it.
Here is something that God also has revealed to me. Until I feel like I have a good understanding of how to have a Great Christian marriage and how to fulfill my role as a husband, he will not release me to fulltime ministry. God's view on marriage and infinitely more important than we think. If as Christians we cannot get this down, we do not deserve to lead his church. 1 Timothy 3.
It amazes me that as married people, we just expect to have a great godly marriage. We really just expect this to somehow happen. We not only expect it, but we expect it will happen even if we never work at it, study on it, or ask God to help us. Actually, here is an interesting fact....it takes more work and study to get a drivers license than it does to get a marriage license. And we wonder why over 50% of marriages in and out of the church end in divorce.
Here are some things that have helped Beth and I over the last month, as we started to pursue the "Chewning's Great Marriage Model"
1. Two 10 second kisses everyday.....soooooo important
2. Pray together...both people pray. Everyday.
3. Have an agreement to be honest with each other without hurting each other’s feelings.
4. Attack problems and not each other. (Learn how to argue)
5. Study Ephesians 5; 1 Peter 3; 1 Corinthians 7
6. Understand and learn what it really means to Men: Lay down your life for your wife, love her unconditionally, and lead your wife. Women: Follow your husband, obey and submit to your husband, and respect your husband.
7. Commit to work on it.
Here is something that God also has revealed to me. Until I feel like I have a good understanding of how to have a Great Christian marriage and how to fulfill my role as a husband, he will not release me to fulltime ministry. God's view on marriage and infinitely more important than we think. If as Christians we cannot get this down, we do not deserve to lead his church. 1 Timothy 3.
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