Category Real life topics and application

A brief look at my goals

Michael Leave a comment

Goals. Why are setting goals important?

Not setting Goals sets one up for passivity and directionless- Sometimes leading to sin

   It is the passive man that is steered in any direction whatsoever- Wherever the wind blows. He doesn’t know where he is going and therefore ends up in unfamiliar territory. He is like the young man in Proverbs:7 who hasn’t counted the cost of travelling next to the door of the prostitutes’ house. He is a man of no conviction and hasn’t thought through his motivations, identity, working hard, etc. Not setting goals leads to idleness, sin, and directionless. You aren’t living out the God-Fearing, God-Centered man you are called to be. How should the goals of a Godly man be? In the following paragraphs, I’ve outlined some goals all under the Ultimate Motivation-

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

We are not our own. We are Christ’s and were bought at a price. In the Words of John Piper- “You are doubly bought. Not only did he create us but he purchased us.” We live to glorify God for that is why were even created. Isaiah 43:7- I have made them for my glory. Westminster Catechism- The chief end of man is to glorify God.

Goal 1– Live out you identity in Christ and pursue the means of Sanctification

Stay in the Word, Stay in fellowship/community, stay in prayer. Live out the commands of the Bible.

Pray for grace. Pursue the Word with all your might for it is transformative and helps us become more like Christ, dependent upon God’s grace. Philippians 1:6- He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

[Reading Isaiah, Don’t Waste your Life]

Goal 2- Search me an know my heart

Our motivations and desires can be off track or inordinate. However, as Christians, we never sin doubly. We need to be doing what we need to do and repent of our deceitful hearts. A heart that isn’t 100% pure isn’t an excuse to not follow the Bible, read the Word, or be in fellowship. For it is the passive man, the directionless man that is not involved in these things that is likely to stray and succumb to the desires of the devil and do his will. It is the Psalmist who says is Psalm 139:23- “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Matthew 6:33- “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” 2 Corinthians 13:5

Goal 3- Love and serve others in the church community

Loving the brethren is a characteristic of a true disciple of God in 1John. The most loving thing you can do for someone is to encourage them in the means of sanctification or evangelize for these are not only what’s commanded but glorify God the most. Our works have been predetermined beforehand. We are saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). Our lights shine before men and give God glory. (Matthew 5:16). We are called to be examples of good works in the church so that others can follow our example. Love believes the best about others, is unifying, and has other people’s interests at heart for their good, their benefit, and ultimately with the motivation to Love others out of our love for God. Look for ways to help and improve the ministries I am currently involved in for other’s benefit.

[Welcome team, Evangelism, Adventure Club, chess ministry, book ministry]

Goal 4- Be intentional with relationships

Men’s best relationships should be with other Godly men in the church, living out the Timothy and Titus models of being above reproach, a one woman man, self controlled, sound in faith, and tested. Brotherly relationships can last a life-time. Distance needs to be created once a woman gets into a relationship. In addition, deeper relationships can be formed with the brothers.

Be a peacemaker; Establish unity in the Church under the common purpose of glorifying God and being His ambassador.

[Be involved in men’s groups, Foundation, community groups]

Goal 5- Jobs/Financial

Get a full-time teaching job; continue being a Chess Coach and Tennis Coach. Every Christian should have 3 Jars- Paying bills jar, saving jar, and giving jar. Make money to give to others, provide for a family (1 Timothy 5:8). We are stewards of what God has provided us. Try and trust God with the results. Look at Income/Expenses etc and see where you can cut and where you can increase income.

Goal 6- Be followable

Every Godly man should aspire to be followable in their Conduct, Knowledge, life lived out, love, service, heart for ministry, heart for others, sacrifice, stewardship, and motivations. We have one to live and then comes the judgment. Be followable and help others give a better account on that day.

Characteristics of Godly men

1 Corinthians 16:13

ESV Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Purity

Proactive- Exercises the leadership entrusted to Him by God

Fired

Michael Leave a comment

The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. This was THE DAY. The day that I would find out if I still had a job. If I still had a credential. As I briskly walked into the administration office, I could sense the irateness of the HR director. The words that came out of her mouth slowly sputtered out “You are terminated.” Terminated for what? Separation of Church and State.

What happened? How did Michael Suzuki get fired? I’ll start off by saying that I love the kids I teach. They are in 7th grade and I always knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a child. Sometimes, you just know. You know what your God-given desires are and what you are called to do. Investing in the next generation is an important task. A task that impacts the futures and destinies of those being taught. Live out your convictions- more words I learned from the Pastors that I have grown up with over the years. Now it was all coming to fruition- Everything I believed was going to be tested in this moment. Would I cave into the culture and live out what I believe?

One student asked, “Do you support the LBGTQ community?” Was this a legitimate question? Was this a setup? I’m not sure but I just answered truthfully. Students were claiming to be homosexual and Christian. Out of love, I told them that it’s not possible to be homosexual and Christian. I gave them the Gospel message and told them that being a Christian is about the heart. We are sinners in need of God’s grace. To be a Christian, one must repent and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He was raised from the dead and is the only one who can forgive sins. This is our hope. An habitual, unrepentant lifestyle of any sin is characteristic of an unbeliever. It’s not possible to be homosexual and Christian. Unbelievers are going to hell but there is hope in the Gospel message.

God is working through this. I’m just thankful I had the opportunity to give the Gospel message to the students that are deceived. The ones that think they can be homosexual and Christian. In fact, we can’t be heterosexual and Christian if we are living in unrepentant, habitual fornication either. The Gospel frees from the Power and Penalty of sin toward new desires and a new heart that wants to obey. God can use this as a means for salvation to accomplish His purposes.

What now? I’m not sure what the future holds. I’m being diligent in applying to jobs and am open to anything at this point. But I don’t live for a job. Katie Davis Majors once said- “the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes people’s lives and their eternity. And that’s worth spending my life for.” We aren’t all called to be missionaries but we are called to be faithful to the Gospel message and proclaim Christ. It’s a message of utmost value. Like Diamonds. However, diamonds do not last forever. EVEN diamonds eventually turn into graphite over billions of years. It may seem like diamonds have supreme value and last forever but the Gospel message never goes away and is infinitely more valuable than diamonds because it affects eternity. Lets remain faithful to what has eternal value. Infinite value. What do you value with your life and are we willing to stand up for the truth? Could I do it again? I’m not sure. I was never looking to get fired but the Holy Spirit enabled me to stand firm. The goal is to be faithful and one day, He will say good job faithful servant. Lets live for that day and influence those around us! Let the love of Christ indwell your heart so much that we would want to give the message because of what He has done for us. For one day we will give an account with how we stewarded our time, what we said, and how we impacted the Kingdom of God. Judgment is coming for unbelievers and Glory awaits those that are saved. What a great truth we can set our minds and hearts on as we try to be representatives and ambassadors for the Kingdom of God. Stay faithful.

Graciousness

Michael Leave a comment

3 Gs For A Better Life : Gratitude, Graciousness and Generosity ...

Today I came across a post by Jim martin. Here is what he said are the 10 qualities of graciousness.

A gracious person is slow to take credit and quick to lavish praise. 

A gracious person never seeks to embarrass another. Humiliating another is not in this person’s vocabulary.  (And
please don’t say something that humiliates another and then try to escape responsibility by saying, “I was only joking.”)
A gracious person is always thanking others.  Do you go through an entire day without thanking another? 

A gracious person doesn’t monopolize the conversation. Someone else has something to offer.
A gracious person doesn’t try to play one-upmanship. (That’s nothing, you should have seen what I did!”) 

A gracious person pays attention to people. Sometimes people come away from such conversations saying, “He made me feel like I was the most important person at that moment.”
A gracious person desires to say what is appropriate. He doesn’t just say what is on his mind or whatever he might be thinking. (There is no redeeming value in emptying one’s mind of whatever fleeting thought has happened to land at the moment.)

A gracious person looks out for the comfort of others.<!–
A gracious person understands that she is not indispensable. You’ve
seen this person.  She desires constant attention.  She has a way of
constantly focusing most any conversation back on herself.  There is a
humility in realizing that you are dispensable. A gracious person constantly points out the good that he sees  “Would you like a cup of coffee?  What about a coke?  Can I get you a newspaper while I’m out?”

A gracious person looks for the good.  Maybe
you are visiting a friend who lives in another place.  Instead of
pointing out the inadequacies of your friend’s community, you are
constantly finding things that are good.  “This cafe has outstanding
peach pie!  That was delicious.”  “I just love the way you have planted
your garden.  It is beautiful!” 

That’s a great list! What else would I add?

Gracious people are gracious to everyone regardless of what they’ve done. They have an innate ability to make the day of other people better. People have needs including respect, being highly valued, feeling important, and conversing with others. They are slow to get frustrated, angry, or make assumptions but quick to love, interact, invite, elevate, and be a blessing to others through their words and deeds. Being warm, welcoming, elevating others, making others comfortable, being easy to talk to, being open to talk to, and thinking the best of others are great qualities for a gracious person to have. Gracious people will make your day better; you’ll look forward to meeting them and interacting with them.

Do you have any other thoughts on the quality of being gracious? I’d love to hear your comments.

 

 

 

Gossip

Michael Leave a comment

gossip

“I have never seen adultery send a whole church into meltdown. Gossip is perceived as a little sin but it destroys church.” -Unknown

Wow. What a statement. I’m not sure who wrote that but that woke me up. Gossip can be seen as an accepted sin in any community. And the fact is that it is accepted. The problem is that sin is sin and there’s no such thing as a sin that is accepted. We need to repent! I’ve even heard gossip about people that are passionate about scripture, posting verses, on fire for God. We need more of that. We don’t need more passive men but people that are on a holy pursuit of righteousness and character.

Why do I feel a need to write about Gossip?

I’m concerned about the unity of the church. I’m concerned that this particular sin is justified and accepted. I need a review of this. It’s a communal effort and I think we need a good understanding of the implications. What is Gossip and how do we handle it?

Definition-

Gossip is speaking against someone that you would never say to their face. (Speaking negatively against someone and running their reputation.) It has an inverse relationship to flattery.

Flattery- Saying something to someone that you would never say behind their back. It’s telling someone nice things that aren’t true.

What are some implications of Gossip?

  1. At the core of Gossip is a sense to lift yourself up and put someone else down. We feel a sense of superiority over another person.
  2. Sows distrust among people
  3. Harms our spiritual witness and faith. How can someone trust you with the Word of God and what He says when you are gossiping all the time?
  4. Destroys your integrity- Gossips are perceived as having worse characters. If someone gossips about others, they are likely gossiping about you.
  5. Harms or ends friendships
  6. Ruins reputations

From Midwestern Seminary:

  • Gossip is a sly and sneaky sin that can destroy the unity of a church.
  • Gossip points to self importance; ministry and service point to the importance of others.
  • There is never a time when gossip helps or builds up.
  • Once gossip is out about someone, it’s hard to correct it if it’s false.
  • Gossip not only hurts the reputation of the subject, but of those who pass it on as well.
  • If someone gossips about someone to you, they’d likely gossip about you to someone else.
  • Gossip is a very evil and destructive force within the church.
  • Churches should have an environment of trust that does not allow for gossip.
  • Every church covenant should address gossip.

Gossip has the power to damage careers, ministry, and families. How can we respond in a Godly with Gossip?

Think. Are you part of the problem or solution? If not it’s gossip. Are you listening to a gossiper? That’s a form of gossip because you are saying you are ok with the gossip. That you have an attentive ear to what they are saying. Shut it down.

Play the role of advocate- stick up for the defenseless person in the conversation- the person not in the room. Say something good about them or like we don’t have all the facts.

What is our typical response when someone hurts or offends us? We tell 10 friends and gossip about them, ruining their reputation. I think the correct response is to solve the problem with that particular person instead of damaging their reputation. If we can’t still work it out, go to the elders.

Last things

Talking about someone really has two options. We can say words that are life giving or life depleting. We can begin to see Gossip as facts when they are actually only rumors. We can look at a person through the lens of the gossip or through the lens of scripture. We can start assuming things about people including their motivations for everything they do. It’s not healthy and it’s never edifying.

How do you respond to the person being gossiped about?

Maybe you see this person in real life. There are rumors going around. We need to love this person. I think true love starts with the mind. When you engage in conversations with this person, what are you thinking? Are you thinking about the gossip or just trying to love this person genuinely? Are you maintaining eye contact and expressing body language that suggests genuine interest in this person or are you being cold and disregarding your brother? Do you look down on this person? What is your motivation for engaging with this person? Yes, we need to have unity in the church but that isn’t the ultimate motivation. The motivation  is a genuine love for beleivers and unbelievers. Its about forming love into our character as a pattern of life because of the Gospel. Its about sanctification and setting an example for others to follow. We have a responsibility to love others well through our thoughts, words, and deeds. We have a responsibility to care about the unity of the church. Lets get back to treating gossip as a serious sin and love as an essential responsibility.

Where’s the Line Between Helpful Info-Sharing and Office Gossip?