Raising a Generation of Revolutionaries

I have been working through Pastor Sergio De La Mora's Book "The Heart Revolution." It is full of rich life impacting stuff and I thought I would share some of it with you.

This generation, our generation, is desperate to make a commitment to help the next generation live out their call. There is a hunger in them to right the wrongs, to stand for those who have fallen, to rebuild what has been broken down, and to display an unquestionable commitment to capture the heart of the next generation. We have a responsibility to re-inspire them to follow Christ by modeling an example marked by truth and faithfulness. They will learn to love God with all their hearts, value the things God values, and make choices each day to follow him in their relationships and desires from watching you and me set the example. That’s why this Heart Revolution is so powerful. You can’t give away something that you don’t first possess. Before it can overflow from you, it must first overtake you.

Most of what we are dealing with today in our families is the result of what the previous generation could not conquer. Poor decisions of past generations can be felt for years, but in the same way, right decisions and right commitments can turn history around for all future generations. In the Bible, Hezekiah took his place as king in a generation that had turned away from God. He saw the devastating effects the past decisions of their ancestors had on their families, and he chose to stand up and lead the revolution:

In the first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah, having first repaired the doors of The Temple of God, threw them open to the public. He assembled the priests . . . and said, . . . “Our ancestors went wrong and lived badly before God—they discarded him, turned away . . . and walked off . . . This is why our ancestors were killed, and this is why our wives and sons and daughters were taken prisoner and made slaves. I have decided to make a covenant with the God of Israel and turn history around.” (2 Chron. 29:3, 6, 9–10 Message)

God is challenging you to make the same commitment today. The next generation doesn’t have to live as slaves because of the mistakes of their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. You can take a stand today to change everything. You can choose to rewrite history for the next generation by what you do today.

- Excerpt from The Heart Revolution book by Sergio De La Mora. Purchase your book today from Amazon.com

Daily Devotion

It's not About Jesus

Before you freak out about the title, follow me to the end.

You can take a  look through the New Testament and come to the conclusion that for Jesus, it wasn’t about Him:

He had that attitude coming into the world.
Philippians 2:6-7 
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.


He had that attitude while He was in the world.
Matthew 20:28
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.


And shockingly, He even has that attitude about when the world ends.
Luke 12:37
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.


Yes, everything is for Jesus’ glory. But Jesus gets His glory by being a servant and a giver.

So the title of this post isn’t what scares, angers, intrigues or confuses you. It’s something deeper than that. Something that you’ve known deep down all your life but haven’t wanted to embrace.
There’s a harder truth to get your mind around and accept than the concept that it can simultaneously be not about Jesus and all about His glory at the same time. And it’s this:

If it wasn’t about Jesus, then it definitely isn’t about you.
Or me. Or anyone. Our selfish desires. Our glory. Our comfort. Our pleasure. Our anything.

If Jesus had every right to say it was all about Him but gave it up and made it about everyone else, then how can we, who don’t have any such right, not do the same?

Your life will only be as great as the impact it makes on the lives of others. And the measure of the impact you make will only be as great as the level to which you understand and embrace the truth that it’s not about you.

That’s hard to accept, but if you do you’ll be in good company.
It wasn’t about Jesus either.

Some People Just Don't Like You

I think one of the hardest parts about life is getting used to the fact that some people just aren't going to like you. Everyone knows that someone doesn't like them. Maybe even someones don't like you. You might know why or you might not. But some people just don't like you, friend.


You know how psychologists say there are five stages of grief? I think there are five stages of realizing-you-annoy-the-crap-out-of-someone. Here they are.



1. Confusion. 
Negative comments at weird intervals, offering up unsolicited criticism, going bonkers over your actions whilst ignoring others' actions ... these can be quite bewildering coming from a fellow human being when you've never, you know, punched in the face or told they have a gigantic nose or something. This confusion can last a long, long time. Especially if you consider yourself to be quite delightful. (I am delightful, for instance.)



2. Rationalizing
. When confusion spurs you to action, you may start to try to figure out exactly what you did to make this person so enraged at the sight of your delightful face. Did you talk about how totally rad the Backstreet Boys are when she camped out for two nights for 'N Sync tickets? Did you mention your loathing of of comically large hoop earrings the day before she was going to wear her gold ones? Did you step on his toe? If there's a reason, you'll find it. Or you'll invent one. ("I must remind him of a kid in grade school who gave him a gigantic wedgie," for instance.)



3. The Conversation. 
If you're really brave, or you're really neurotic and you just can't take the tension anymore (either one will work), you might make it to step 3. I would warn you against it, but you're going to do it anyway, so I won't waste my breath. Step 3 is asking her for coffee, or stepping into his office and asking if you can close the door. (Closing the door means business.) Then you pour your heart out. "Did I step on your toe? Because I so did not mean to!" The good part about this step is that if you really did offend her in some way, maybe she'll bring it to light and you all can put it behind you and go purse shopping. But if she is someone who dislikes you because of you, then this step will be frustratingly futile. He'll pour out his innocent heart and tell you how much he loves and appreciates and respects you and he just has no idea where you got the crazy notion that you make him want to punch the elderly. And you'll have gotten nowhere.



4. Anger
. If step 3 doesn't go too well, you're on a very dark road, my friend. Now you're going to realize you just can't figure this out. And it's going to make you angry. What the heck did you do to deserve such scorn? Why won't he admit that he can't stand you? And worst of all— if it's not for a rational reason, how on earth can you solve this issue between you? Step 4 is the worst. You could spend your whole life here, and I think some people do. But moving into step 5 is when you know you're growing up.



5. Acceptance. 
I know this is the same as step 5 for mourners, but it's not plagiarism. Because I thought of it, and then I realized it was the same step for mourners. (That's how you know). Anyway, step 5 is very, very important. Step 5 is when you have exhausted your investigative skills and you've strained your memory for any possible offense and you truly can't find any. You've even gone a little deeper, wondering if you have a problem with her and it's somehow coming out in your actions, unbeknownst to you. (As we say in the Human Resources world—"everything communicates.") But in the end you realize something very important. She just doesn't like you. She just. doesn't. like. you. Something about the essence of you has her angry, jealous, annoyed, whatever.

This thought should be freeing to you. Because you're off the hook. But as it's freeing, it can be overwhelming as well. Why doesn't she like you? Aren't you so likable? Didn't Mom tell you that you're the sun to her shine? You think you're pretty swell. Are you wrong? Does everyone hate you but you, and you're compounding your dumbness by missing that?



Get over that hump. Because you won't find a reason, and just like in step 2, you might invent some and start to believe them. And that's just not productive. For anyone.



Have a sigh, friends. Some people just aren't going to like you. Be OK with it. If you've searched your heart and you're living like you should be, take it as a compliment. Maybe something pure in your spirit is stirring something dark in his, and it's uncomfortable. Maybe it's just old-school jealousy. Maybe she's just old-school crazy. 

The other thing to appreciate when someone doesn't like you is the searching it made you do. Maybe God wanted you to take that opportunity to get to know yourself. When you take that hard proverbial look in the mirror and ask questions like: "Am I a snot? Am I disrespectful? Do I think I'm better than everyone else?" the answers can only help you become better. That kind of searching is a gift.

And be real with yourself here, too—anyone who would let their dislike for you show so fiercely, without there being a rational reason for it, is someone you probably shouldn’t really care about liking you anyway.
Now I'm reminded of a quote from Dennis Miller, regarding Sarah Palin. He said he didn’t know much about her yet (this was a while ago), but he had a good feeling. "I like her,” he said. “She bugs the right people."

Maybe you do too.

Daily Devotion

Isaiah 30:9-11
For this is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, "You must not see visions"; and to the prophets, "You must not prophesy to us what is right, speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel".

Not all the things you need to hear from your Bible teachers are pleasant!

The Apostle Paul tells us that in the last days, people will pursue Bible teachers who "tickle their ears". That is, the Bible teachers who are popular will be those who simply tell you what you like to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).
But God wants you to know that what you like to hear is not always what you need to hear. When you are choosing your Bible teachers, make sure you choose those who are willing to teach what is unpopular, who don't only teach the `feel good' truths of the Bible. It is healthy for your spiritual life to be convicted and challenged about how you live.

You need to go beyond the surface, elementary teachings of Scripture and get into the in-depth study of the Bible that will make you a mature believer, able to discern what is right and wrong, and able to teach and counsel others

Daily Devotion

Isaiah 6:8-9
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said, "Go…"

Brokenness and restoration make you usable to God!

Look at the chain of events in Isaiah 6. First, Isaiah had a devastating personal encounter with God ("I saw the Lord" - v. 1). This changed his whole view of life and of himself; he became a broken man before God ("woe is me, for I am ruined!"- v. 5). His brokenness and confession led to total forgiveness and restoration from God ("your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven"- v. 7). That new heart-condition then made him sensitive to God's heart and God's leading in his life ("then I heard the voice of the Lord"- v. 8).
What started the whole process that ended in such a powerful ministry, bringing great glory to God? It was Isaiah's personal encounter with God. Don't try to bring yourself to a place of brokenness. You can't do it. It must begin with you truly coming to grips with who God is and encountering Him personally.
For some, this deep personal encounter with God happens at their conversion. For others, it comes later in their Christian lives. God may meet with you in this special way several times in your life. The result will always be brokenness

Daily Devotion

Isaiah 6:6-7
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven".

Brokenness and confession from me lead to forgiveness and restoration from God!

The angel touched Isaiah's lips with a coal from the sacrificial altar. God gave the people of Israel the sacrificial system as a symbol of what Christ would do for them at the cross. Jesus had not yet come and so God gave them the symbol of the substitutionary death of an animal as payment for their sins. But really it was the great sacrifice of Jesus for us that would make a way for our sins to be "taken away" and "forgiven".

After Isaiah's heart cry of brokenness and despair over his own sin, "then" came God's forgiveness.

God's reminding you today that He doesn't want you to downplay your sin and make it seem not so bad. What He responds to in your life is open confession and grief in your heart about your sin against Him. And He's also assuring you that when you see your sin the way He sees it and come to Him with it, He's so ready to restore your relationship with Him to relational closeness.

Daily Devotion

Isaiah 6:5
Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

You'll only really understand yourself when you have a personal encounter with God!

Isaiah's immediate response to his personal encounter with God wasn't great joy, excitement and vigor. No, Isaiah was devastated. He'd thought quite well of himself. He had a good self-image.

But suddenly that self-image was shattered by his exposure to God. In the face of God's presence, holiness and glory, Isaiah suddenly realized that he wasn't the center of his own existence, that his sense of his own goodness was a delusion in the face of God's holiness. Here was this unfallen, perfect angel covering his face in the presence of God. What hope did Isaiah have?

Isaiah fell before his great God a broken man, aware of his weaknesses, failings and sins. That is just where he needed to be; it was where God wanted him. That brokenness was God's goal in Isaiah's life.

It is God's goal in your life too. Brokenness comes first; anointing comes later. Tears come first; joy comes later. Confession comes first; healing comes later. God comes first; then He makes you what you need to be. But you'll never find that brokenness until you encounter God Himself.