Recalibration

For the last several weeks I have been in Galatians and Romans. I’ve been considering the life of the apostle Paul. Two primary components have surfaced for me and have been filling my quiet spaces with questions and conviction. Paul not only had a reputation, but he seemed to have a platform in every city. This platform seemed to be a result of his teaching as well as his redeemed demeanor. Every single day that Paul lived, after coming face to face with Jesus, was approached with expectation and urgency. Paul did not have a transactional experience with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he had a transformation that utterly and completely altered the trajectory of his life. Lives that are changed by transaction look more like moral reformation. Paul’s life was absolutely transformed by the love of Jesus Christ. A life that is transformed transcends our own ability to reform our behavior. Our lives transformed by the love of Jesus results in a response that alters our behavior. Paul was so keenly aware that his redemption had absolutely nothing to do with his abilities, and his life’s pursuit to be righteous. Jesus paid the debt not even Paul could pay, and the response was a captivated heart with the beauty of his savior. Paul also had significant clarity around “his sermon”. An old friend of mine wants told me that pastors sometimes take a bit to “find their sermon”. That one quintessential conviction that finds its way into every sermon they preach. For Paul, it was an amazing clarity around the gospel and the urgency to abstain, absolve and flea from false gospels. Paul was a dog with a bone regarding the gospel and how he traveled from location to location and nothing else in his life mattered much outside the gospel and the proclamation of the gospel every chance he got. The platforms that Paul had were ordained and prepared by the Holy Spirit. The gospel of Jesus Christ is what was amplified and proclaimed by Paul. I am compelled and filled with affection for the gospel, and the older I get it is quickly becoming the single thing in my life that addresses every aspect of a life long sanctification process.

I’ve been wrestling probably for a good portion of my life without really even knowing it. What do I love? Seems pretty easy right? Even where I spend my time and energy, does not really reflect what I love? Some of you will read this and others will not, but I would love to interact with you in this short writing if you would.

Romans 2:4 says, “it’s His kindness that leads us to repentance”. Lately, the Lord has given me a phrase to be that I have found myself asking often (and over and over), “What am I a slave to?”

My church recently went through a series on the Holy Spirit and a key point that was made during one of the sermons was “ What God forms, He fills . ” I’ve been spending a lot of my quiet time meditating and reflecting on my relationship with each part of the Trinity and on the aforementioned point.

“I hope we get to go swimming today.” “I hope the Avalanche win the Stanley cup.” I have said phrases like this all my life. I began to wonder about where does this hope come from? Hope is not an accident. Hope is an indicator, it is a bi-product of something going on within. When we refer to hope based on a circumstance or a specific context it reveals our affection, our hearts attention. It is normal and good to look forward and to anticipate things in our life that we enjoy. However most of those things are temporary. Hope that is robust, sturdy and eternal is something a bit different. Developing a hope that you can build a framework to live by is a process that takes time and begins with suffering.

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3: 7-8

I have been reminded this last week the power of people in your life.

It is such a joy to be called to shepherd the FCA Coaches’ Ministry in Northern Colorado! We are fortunate to have so many amazing coaches in this region and many of them are making an impact for JESUS . One of my favorite things is getting to share a weekly devotion with them. I affectionately call this MMM (Monday Morning Minute) and is intended to be an encouragement as they begin their week. I am including my most recent devotion and I hope it will encourage you as well! Good Morning! Would you describe yourself as a COACH or as a referee? It is not unusual in the sport world to try to be both at the same time. If you look at synonyms for these 2, it is difficult to be both simultaneously: COACH – GUIDE, MENTOR, TEACHER, DISCIPLER REFEREE – OFFICIAL, UMPIRE, JUDGE Although both of these roles are critical in the world of athletics – they serve very different purposes. A COACH is responsible for leading, directing, mentoring, and thus DISCIPLING! An official (thankless job) serves the purpose of protecting the integrity of the rules, making JUDGEMENT calls, thus protecting the participants. In the “game of life” we also have COACHES and JUDGES, but the difference is man/woman are only called to fulfill one of them – DISCIPLER (COACH)! Clearly in Matthew JESUS identifies our role in this world: “ Therefore go and MAKING DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and TEACHING them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 The bible also tells us what our role is NOT: “Do not JUDGE, and you will not be JUDGED. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38 As CHRIST followers we need to be mindful that our role as COACH is to care for others by leading with LOVE NOT JUDGEMENT ! We are called to DISCIPLE (COACH ) and allow ALMIGHTY GOD to do the rest!!! To paraphrase the words of JESUS when teaching his disciples in Matthew 22:36-40 – the 2 greatest commandments are: LOVE GOD! LOVE OTHERS! The good news: COACHING and DISCIPLING is “ LIFE GIVING”, whereas judgment is “life draining” - and we can choose the first! There is no better day than today to get started! DISCIPLESHIP (COACHING) is an act of LOVE and MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Blessings! Coach Bradley

Hear O’ Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.