Biologists recognize a principle at work among plants and animals. This natural wonder is called “the adversity principle.” As strange as it seems, habitual well-being is not advantageous to a species. An existence without challenge takes its toll on virtually every living thing. This may explain the astonishing results of a recent survey where 87 percent of the people surveyed said “a painful event (death, illness, breakup, divorce, etc.) caused them to find a more positive meaning in life.” Jesus said, “‘In the world you will have adversity, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33). Ironically, adversity can be therapeutic.

Two diametrically-opposed women have painted significant pictures about happiness. Mother Teresa devoted her entire life to serving God and others. As a result, this famous nun said she was incredibly happy. By contrast, Madonna has been on a hedonistic journey to satisfy little else than herself. On the topic of happiness, she said, “I don’t even know anybody who is happy!”

It is amazing how your perspective on life plays a great role as to the outcome of your life. It is ironic that the lady with little material possessions is much happier than the one that has just about everything. Another lesson for us all, “money can’t buy me love…” and it definitely won’t bring happiness.

What is it that you believe brings true happiness? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Steve Jobs is a whiz at making computers, but there was a time when he needed some help in marketing his incredible little “magic boxes.” He was in need of an expert who could help him take his Apple Computers into the ring against IBM. John Sculley became the target of Steve Jobs’ attention. Sculley, at age thirty-eight, had been Pepsi-Cola’s youngest president. He masterminded the Pepsi Generation ad campaign that dethroned Coke from the number one position for the first time in history. Steve Jobs knew it would take a lot to get Sculley. He wined and dined him and made numerous offers with money he didn’t even have, all to no avail. Sculley was content with his present and secure success. Finally, in desperation, Steve Jobs threw out a question of exasperation, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?” It was that single, piercing question which leveraged the greatest weight in John Sculley’s decision to leave his security at Pepsi and go to Apple for an opportunity to “change the world.” Christians, more than computers, have the “real” opportunity to change the world. Let’s not miss our purpose by remaining content to simply sell “sugared water.”

Well it is the morning of the ‘big’ surgery; my knee will face the knife. I know you are already thinking, “What happened?” I would love to tell you that I was saving the life of an orphan who was about to be ran over by a passing car and I dove for the child and barrel-rolled into the curb; yet the reality is I twisted my knee while washing my hands at the sink in Indonesia. Not to glamorous, but at least painfully honest.

Even though the surgery is a fairly minor surgery, the mind still wanders to all of the “what if” questions. What if I die? Would I have been content with the way I lived? Is there anything I regret? It is a great excercise in reality.

Am I really happy with the way I have lived? Have I really devoted my life to things that important to both God and people. Have I invested my resources in things that really matter. Will I feel a sense of peace or regret on the fateful day of passing from this life to the next.

It is the most comforting feeling to know that I am at peace with the way I live and the way I have lived. Don’t get me wrong, I have made mistakes along the way and by no means think I deserve a tombstone that reads, “He was Perfect.” Yet I do know that I have tried my best, gave my all and to the best of my ability.

The formula is simple; Give God your all, He returns your gestures with an abundance of peace. Look to him for direction and wisdom, and peace comes with your decisions. Lean on him when you are facing the trial of your life, or even a wimpy knee surgery and peace will flow through you like a river.

He is the dispenser of peace and peace itself. It is available for you regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, regardless of what trials you face or mistakes you have made. He is peace.

Take a moment to just stop what you are doing, close your eyes and just let His peace fill your heart and mind. It might be the best few minutes you will spend all day. You won’t regret it, either did I… now off to the table I go.

It might be of interest to you to grab a pencil and write out where you have spent the last l168 hours given to you by God, this week. How much time was spent in prayer? How much time was spent in front of the Television? How much time was spent reading the Bible? How much time did you spend reading the newspaper and magazines? How much time did you spend witnessing or ministering to those in need? How much time did you spend in front of the mirror pampering yourself each morning? Pretty convicting? Well, here is a breakdown of where others spend their time over the span of their life.

20 Years Sleeping 20 years Working
6 Years Eating 7 Years Playing
5 Years Getting Dressed 1 Year on the Telephone
5 Years Watching TV 5 Months Tying Your Shoes
2 ½ Years Miscellaneous 3 Years Waiting for Someone
1 ½ Years in Church

Time is one of the most precious commodities given to man by God. It cannot be purchased, stored, or put on pause. Once this day is gone, it will never return. Let us never have to regret the hours that we might have devoted to Him and His service. Let us not squander the precious gift of time on our own selfish interests.

It is faith that allows us the privilege of seeing the fulfillment of God’s purposes in our lives. The more faith we have for our lives, the more of your potential is released. What hinders us most from accomplishing extraordinary exploits is not the way God sees us, but the way we see God. God views us with unlimited potential, as we see ourselves quite the opposite. Let us be encouraged with the stretching statement of our Savior in Mark 10:27, “…all things are possible with God.”

The account of Jesus and Lazarus brings some shocking parallels to the church and her current condition. It is evident the lost people surrounding us are like Lazarus. They are dead in sin, bound by their habits and life-styles and are a stench to the nostrils of God.

The church has taken on the role of Mary and Martha, either laying at the feet of Jesus, or busy about doing “church” but do not possess the faith needed to bring change to the “Lazarus Generation.”

What is needed is “Jesus Faith” and not a Martha and Mary Faith, as will will never be capable of impacting our “Lazarus” society.

Do not lose site of the fact that God has placed you exactly where He wants you! Your neighbors have been carefully selected, and placed in your life by the hand of God, for your inheritance. You co-workers are set in by your side as a master plan of the Lord to bring them to salvation. He now desires to impart to you a new faith that you might become Jesus Today for all those around you to see. Can you see it? Do you hear it? Can you believe it? Do you have faith for it? Will you respond to it?

God is just waiting for you to have the faith to believe that He can use you like never before. Whatever expectation level you have is too small. Ephesians 3:20 insures us, “He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” His thoughts are higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 58:11), and He thinks you can do extraordinary exploits as His co-partner.

Not only does He believe you can reach touch your neighbors and relatives, but that you can be instrumental in touching nations…that’s right, nations! If it weren’t true, He would not put it in His Word. He challenges us to ask Him as seen in Psalms 2:8, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”

It is only with this level of faith that we will see God’s plan filled in our lives, our churches, our cities and our world. The thought of reaching your friends and relatives requires great faith. The challenge of touching your city demands a greater faith, and the thought of reaching over 6, 073,104,885 people that span the globe cannot be accomplished through human strength, thoughts or strategy, but only through complete faith in God. God’s desires that each of us would have abounding faith that will cut all the “t’s” off of the “I can’ts” and make them into “I cans.”

The holidays are behind us and the New Year awaits us all. If you are like most people, you received some gifts on Christmas from loved ones and friends. These gifts vary in size and value but will only be beneficial to you if you put them to use. You will receive over 1200 gifts during your lifetime, most of them you will forget about. But the the special gifts God has for you are priceless and will last a life time. The cool thing about these gifts is that you can open them every morning and use them in your daily life.

Over the last five weeks, Pastor Frank Damazio and myself conducted a series that talks about these special gifts, which are the gift of love, peace, grace, joy and hope. I would like to invite you to tune into the podcasts and listen to these timeless messages at The Gift Messages . You never know, you just might get an extra gift for this New Year.

Let me know your thoughts as you listen.

Marc

In the mid-1800s, Dr. Russell Conwell dedicated his life to the formation of a college for poor but deserving young people. Almost single-handedly he raised several million dollars, with which he established Temple University. In each of his more than six thousand fundraising lectures throughout the country, he told a true story that deeply affected his listeners. It was called “Acres of Diamonds.” The plot starts with an African farmer who had heard tales of others making millions by discovering diamond mines. He was so excited about the possibilities which lay ahead that he sold his farm and used the money to traipse across the African continent in search of the valuable gems. Unfortunately for him, he never found his fortune and died a despondent and dejected man. Meanwhile, the man who purchased the farm from this wealth-seeking African discovered a beautiful rock while crossing one of the streams on his newly-acquired property. He placed it upon the fireplace mantel because of its curious beauty. Several weeks later a visitor noticed the rock and nearly fainted. The farmer thought it was just an impressive clump of crystal. As it turned out, it was one of the largest diamonds ever discovered and it came from a creek full of many more large and precious stones. Dr. Conwell concluded his story by stating that the farm turned out to be one of the most productive diamond mines on the entire African continent. We need not waste our lives looking elsewhere for “better opportunities.” We already own the most valuable resources available, in that the Creator of diamonds has said he is polishing us into the image of Christ. (See Romans 8:29 and Philippians 1:6.)

Mother Teresa was an icon of servanthood. On one occasion she was brought face to face with a man who had a rare and horrendous case of terminal cancer. One of the workers had vomited from the stench and could no longer continue. Mother Teresa then stepped in and kindly took over. The patient was mystified. “How can you stand the smell?” asked the patient. Mother Teresa replied, “It’s nothing compared to the pain you must feel.”

Servanthood begins when we move beyond our own comfort to relief the discomfort of another. Too often, we are focused on what we can get out of our acts of service versus what we might deposit in the lives of others. The world measures success by what you gain, causing a never-ending pressure upon our desire to live a Christ-like life. Christ measures success by what you lose for the sake of another. Love will never became true love into you give it away. Life isn’t about what you get, but what you give. Give yourself away today, you just might enjoy it.

Attitude is a powerful tool that either catapults you towards your God-intended destiny or paralyzes you in the pit of despair. One should be mindful of just how they approach every circumstance of life. Here are some attitude adjusters to help you keep your attitude focused in the right direction:

“Don’t let your worries get the best of you. Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.”

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited - until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.

It is easier to preach ten sermons then it is to live one.

The Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitos and gnats come close.

When you get to your wit’s end, you’ll find that God lives there.

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road,and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn’t belong.

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

God himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Peace starts with a smile.

I don’t know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

A lot of church members who are singing “Standing on the Promises” are just sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He’ll clean them.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don’t put a question mark where God put a period.

Don’t wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God loves everyone, but he probably prefers “fruits of the spirit” over “religious nuts!”

God promises safe landing, not calm passage.

He, who angers you, controls you!

If God is your co-pilot - swap seats!

Prayer: Don’t give God instructions — just report for duty!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

The Will of god will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.

We don’t change the message, the message changes us.

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to……..Discourage him.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.