Resurrection Day: What Do You Need to Believe?

"He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" (Luke 24:6-7 NKJV)

Today is Resurrection Sunday, the day Christians celebrate one of the most spectacular and debated events the world has ever known, the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus' return to life after a horrific death on the cross is the cornerstone of our faith. Jesus conquered death for all mankind and still lives today for us!

We can conquer death too. We can also conquer life.

However, we don't conquer death without belief in Him who overcame and without belief that it can be done. Only those who accept Jesus as Lord will overcome an eternal spiritual death and possess everlasting life! And in the here and now on this earth, we won't conquer our circumstances without trust and belief in God's power to work out His will.

In life, we are not much different than the disciples who first saw the risen Jesus, but didn't recognize Him for who He was because they were so caught up in their own sadness that they forgot Jesus said He would return.

Belief in the seemingly impossible is easier said than done because...

... our limited intellectual capacity blinds us to the unlimited capacity of God

... our emotions cause us to feel hopeless and forget the truth about our circumstances

... our pride refuses to acknowledge God's perfect plan is better than our plan.

What do you need to believe in today? What do you need renewed hope for? If its a first time belief in Jesus, click here. If you need to remember something God told you once before, remember God's power and promises. We can overcome anything through His love. Remember, He overcame the grave so we could live life to the fullest. (John 10:10)

Give God a chance. Remember His timing is perfect. And hang on for the most exciting ride of your life. Jesus is risen! How will you let this fact affect your life?

Be blessed,

Janna

The Moment of Truth

See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; - Dt 30:15

 

Picture this scene. After 40 years of wandering in the desert, God finally allows Moses to prepare the Israelites to cross over into the Promised Land. It is here where they must make a decision to move forward or resign to stay in the status quo of the wilderness.

 

We are no different than the Israelites in that we are all on a journey towards significance or happiness whether or not we consciously realize it. The interesting thing to me is the place we find ourselves when we intentionally decide to search for purpose or significance, to make changes in our lives and begin to glimpse our "promised land".

 

To clarify this point, I recently finished teaching a class on Life Purpose called Blueprint for Life. Throughout the class, each participant was tasked to draft their life purpose statement and set measurable and achievable goals for each main area of their life (spiritual, relational, physical, financial, career) to support their life purpose statement. In essence, each member defined their personal "Promised Land" as they currently saw it to be. This was an emotional and live-changing experience for many of the group members.

 

Something happens inside us when we finally uncover the purpose God has for our lives. Suddenly, we realize how much we need to redeem the time ahead of us. Looking at or defining our "promised land" also puts us in an interesting position because we put ourselves between the "here" and the "there". We know where we are and yet we see how things could be.

 

It is at the boundary between current reality and our "promised land" that we find our moment of truth.

 

It is at this boundary where we must ask ourselves:

• What will I do with what I now see?
• What will I do with what could be?
• What keeps me from entering in to the promised land?

Where are you in the journey? No matter where you are in the process of discovering your purpose, you have a choice between life and prosperity, death and adversity. The choice is yours. You CAN have your "promised land" with a little hard work (physically and spiritually) and trust in God.  What are you waiting for?

 

For more resources on life purpose, click here.

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Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her other blog at www.purposefulleadershipblog.com.

New Beginnings for a New Year

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. – Gen 1:1-2

 

There is just something about starting a new year that provides fresh motivation.  Whether it is the symbolism of leaving the past behind or the anticipation of what the future year holds, nonetheless, I look forward to hitting the ground running toward new and exciting things.

 

As God started with a clean slate of creation, similarly, we have an opportunity to do the same on January 1 of each year.  Just as most businesses close out their books at the year-end, we too can close the books on the past year of our lives.   We all have the opportunity to start with a clean slate or blank canvas.

 

Each year for me, the time between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a time of reflection and refocus.  I revisit my successes and failures and resolved to change some things for the coming year.   This week, I updated both personal and professional goals and am ready to start painting on the blank canvas of 2009. 

 

I like fresh starts and second chances.  I like creating something out of nothing and even fashioning a new thing from the broken pieces of an old thing.  The start of a new year gives all of us a chance to begin in with the things in our lives we can control.  

 

What are your goals for 2009?  Do you have a particular theme or emphasis?  How will you build on your past successes?  What will you do to remove the obstacles in your path?  Don’t forget to involve God in your plans.  Not only can he help set the direction for your life, He will be by your side as you progress toward those plans you design with Him.  2009 is here.  Let’s get started, shall we?

 

Dear Heavenly Father, please reveal to me the path you wish for me to take as I move forward one step at a time.  Show me Your way.  I hold up 2009 to you with anticipation of new and exciting things.  Your power to create and restore is amazing to me and I’m thankful in advance for what you will accomplish.  Make me into the servant for You that You desire and deserve.  Amen.

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Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

 

Grown Up Christmas List

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; – Isaiah 61:1 NASB

 

As I go about the business of my daily routine and pre-Christmas rituals, I often listen to Christmas music.  One of my favorite Christmas songs, even though it puts me in a melancholy mood when I hear it is the song “Grown-up Christmas List”, written by David Foster & Linda Thompson Jenner.  As I hear Amy Grant sing the words, my own thoughts echo the chorus as I think “This too, is all I really want for Christmas.”

 

Here’s the “grown-up” Christmas list as written for the chorus:

 

No more lives torn apart

That wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts.

 

Everyone would have a friend

And right would always win

And love would never end.

 

Some people may call me an idealist.   I was told by my personal coach just this past summer that I wanted to have it all.   I know I do and I know that I can’t have it all.  It frustrates me that I can’t, but yet I press on.  However, someday we will have it all.  Jesus came to earth so that we could.  Because He came to earth the first time, we have an opportunity for salvation, an eternal existence in heaven and access to the comfort on earth that only He can provide.  Because He will come to earth a second time, we will see an end to all wars and Good triumph over Evil for the final time. 

 

Maybe we can’t have it all here on earth now, but we will someday.  God’s Word says it is so.  In the meantime, let’s do the best we can appreciate what we do have in this imperfect world.

What Does the Bible Say About Suicide?

Suicide is a bigger killer across the the United States than homicide, yet it gets little attention.  In addition, there are also many popular assumptions about that fate of the victim that are contrary to the truth of scripture. 

Check out my post "Suicide and the Bible" over at Truth Talks to discover how you can provide hope to those who mourn because of the tragedy of suicide.

Hope to see you there.

Rewarded by Faith

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.~He 11:6 NKJV

Every time I think I have faith in what God can do, I find out a little bit more how little faith I have.  Faith is an interesting "beast".  To get more of it, we have to first have it.  We have to trust God with the "impossible", or at least what seems that way to our feeble minds.  If we have trouble letting God have control, God sometimes takes control away from us to allow us to learn to trust Him.

I gained an additional measure of faith this past weekend as I delivered a women's retreat on Friday and Saturday and presented the message to a Sunday school class the following Sunday.  God saw to it that I wouldn't over prepare, as is my usual case, by allowing me to experience sickness and some time-consuming family issues within the two weeks preceding the events.  But God came through and I sense that both events were successful.

A powerful Christian life is all about faith, all about belief that God can do the impossible in us and through us, wherever we are.  Think about the feats recorded in Hebrews 11 accomplished by those who had great faith in their God, our God.  The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 4:32-33:

And what more shall I say?  For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

These faithful men and women were just ordinary people who allowed an extraordinary God to work in their lives.  When we diligently seek Him, He will reward us for our efforts more than we can even imagine.  This is convicting to me as I think of what God could do if I just let Him control everything instead of taking control myself.  How will you let God take control today?  What will you let Him do in your life? 

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Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Thinking Like Children

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." - Luke 18:17

If you can, think back to a time in your life before innocence was lost.  Before behavior patterns became cemented into your lifestyle.  Before you knew it all.  Before you were ever hurt or betrayed by someone.  Before you became judgmental.  When it was easy to forgive.  Times were easier then, weren't they? 

Innocence is underrated.  From a learning perspective, innocence brings ease into learning.  With innocence, old ways of thinking don't have to be unlearned and skeptical thoughts don't have to be wrestled asiide.  From a teaching perspective, there is nothing like teaching a pupil who is eager to learn, has no presuppositions the subject matter and is willing to accept instruction for what it is and nothing more.  Children are that way.  It is no wonder Jesus loved them so. 

Jesus used the children as examples for us.  He knew how difficult we make things for ourselves sometimes by thinking too much or rationalizing ways to live our own way and still be right with God.  He knew how much we need to be right and would resist being told to change our ways.   He also knew that with our own adult thinking we would fail.

How do you receive God's instruction for your life?  With adult resistance or childlike acceptance?  Oh, if only we could accept His teachings as llittle children.  Maybe we can with a little work on our part to put our pride aside.  If we ask God to receive His wisdom as eager to learn children, He will grant our request.  Only then can we enter the fullness of all God intends for us.  Maybe it won't be as hard as we think.  After all, as Christians we are children of God.

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Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Finding Faith

The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD'S power limited?  Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not." - Nu 11:23 NASB

Moses was at his wits end.  More than 600,000 people were clamouring for meat to eat rather than the manna that God had so graciously provided for the many years of their wandering.  In spite of their complaining, God heard their prayer and told Moses that He would feed them for a whole month -- until they were sick of meat.   This is where Moses once again started doubting and questioning God's ability to provide.  This is where God emphatically answered him (see above passage). 

Notice that God replied to Moses with a rhetorical question and then turned Moses back to His word.  God's promises are always kept.  His Word always comes to pass.  God never forgets to do what He says He will do.  As for us, we are also forgetful like Moses.  Not only do we sometimes let others down by failing to keep promises, but we also forget the things God promises.  In times of our greatest need, our memories fail us regarding all of the miracles God has done for us in the past.  Logic leaves and emotions prevail.  We forget to look back at our past experiences and the way God provided back then. 

We can overcome our "forgetfulness" by staying close to God.  By renewing our minds with His Word every day, we can keep His promises fresh in our minds.  When we read about God's nature, we can learn how powerful and capable He is to deliver on His promises.  When we take time to reflect on our past blessings, we can look forward with more hope and again find our faith.    What will you do today to regain your lost faith?

Taking it Home:

1) In what situation are you doubting God?

2) How has God worked in your life in your past? 

3) Are you too blinded by your own idea of a "solution" to see how God is answering your prayers?

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Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

The Uniqueness of the Bible

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

As you know, I try to base everything I write here at Bread Crumbs on what the bible teaches us.  I try to live by God's word, the best I can, often failing at times.  Why do I put my trust in the words of this particular book?  Because I wholeheartedly believe that this book, the Bible, contains the very words of God, the Creator of the Universe.

I do not believe this because of blind faith, however.  Because of the bible's uniqueness, I am convinced that there is no way a mere human being could write it.  It must be the Word of God.  How certain are you that the bible is 100% true?  Could you explain your belief in its words to a skeptic?  If you need a refresher or would like to learn more about defending the Bible as God's word for the first time, check out this post over at Truth Talks for some quick facts on the uniqueness of God's incredible book!  We can be confident that it is the only Truth!

Experiencing God

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

A few days ago, I was asked by a commenter on this blog how I experienced God's presence.    Here goes.

I experience God through ...

• My daily bible reading.  Because my devotional time consists of a sequential reading of the bible from Genesis to Revelation, the timing of when a particular passage coincides with a particular situation in my life left up to God and not to me.  As a result, when I am praying about an issue and come across an applicable scripture passage in my daily reading, I know God has spoken!
• My daily life circumstances.  When I am seeking God's wisdom, direction or comfort in a situation, I often "happen" to hear radio preachers speak on the exact issue I'm considering, in times where I just "happen" to turn on the radio.   In addition, some of my best "God moments" have come when I forced myself to attend church even though I didn't want to.  :)
• My daily people contacts.  I wish I'd journaled every time I've prayed privately about something and received a comment or bible verse from a friend "out of the blue" regarding my situation. 

I experience God when ...

• I surrender my own agenda.    When I look back on my life objectively, I realize that I don't usually clearly see or experience God's hand in my life when I am consumed with creating my own solutions to my problems. In other words, when I seek God without having my own agenda in mind, I hear from Him.
• I surrender my self-sufficiency.  Until I admit how helpless I am on my own, I don't hear from God, most likely because I'm not really wanting to hear what He has to say.
• I surrender my pride.  God won't hear our prayers if we haven't come clean before Him in confession of our sins.  Clean slates with God are necessary if we want to hear from Him.

In saying all of this, please know that I surely do not have the edge on anyone else in experiencing God's presence in my life.  I think that all Christians have the ability to experience Him, but I also know that not all Christians expect to see Him work in their lives.  In my experience, both personally and in working with others, the more time we spend with Him in His word and in prayer, the more of Him we will see.  Remember, God's word says that we will find Him when we seek Him with our whole hearts.   That's a promise. 

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Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.