Author: Jon Harris

Have you ever become so focused on problems that you fail to experience the joy surrounding you? There is a problem that I’ve been chasing and I’m working very hard to fix it. While it is suitable for me to use my gifts and talents to solve problems, it is wrong to let the issue consume me.

While reading today’s scripture (Psalm 106), the following verses were convicting in that my heart has been more “me” (and my problems) focused rather than outward, focusing on others and gratitude for what God has done and continues to do in my life.

⁷ Our ancestors in Egypt
    were not impressed by the Lord’s miraculous deeds.
They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them.
    Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea.

¹³ But they soon forgot his works;
    they did not wait for his counsel.

²¹ They forgot God, their Savior,
    who had done great things in Egypt, (Psalm 106:7, 13, 21)

To make matters worse, upon forgetting God’s goodness, whatever we put before him becomes an idol. That’s what we see of the Israelites in verses 19-20. They made an idol and worshipped it.

It seems my problems and all sorts of other things have become idols. This focus left me feeling down and losing sleep. Yesterday I said to someone “I don’t really like myself right now”.

Fortunately, if we listen to the Holy Spirit and honestly confess our sins we are forgiven, redeemed, and set free. With a renewed commitment to be more grateful and to put God in his rightful place, I can say the joy has returned.

In addition to gratitude, what brings greater joy is serving others as we were not made to fulfill our own desires; we were made to give our lives away, with the ultimate example being Jesus. Today I read two questions Benjamin Franklin asked himself each day:

1. What good shall I do this day?
2. What good have I done today?

The answer to these two daily questions can be a good measure of whether we are living for ourselves and our idols, or a greater purpose, in line with our creator. Question two might also help us sleep a bit better. Today, how will you choose?

“Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” (Frank Robinson)

That quote is one of my favorites as it conveys truth, provides a clear visual image, is clever, and is humorous through only a few words. It leads to the question, “how good is good enough?”. How do I know if my parenting is good (or good enough)? Am I a good enough husband? Good enough at my job?

Coming close to the requirements means that the requirements weren’t met. If you were close to winning, that means you lost (or tied but let’s not argue). Close to passing the test, or worse, close to making it across the train tracks before the train passed by.

Recently I was late for an appointment and arrived “close” to the scheduled time. No matter my pleading (and I even played the sympathy card as it was my birthday), the administrator denied my entry.

Isn’t this a metaphor for the afterlife? When we face final judgment, will we be deemed “close” to worthy or truly worthy and allowed to eternity with our creator?

² And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. (Revelation 5:2-3)

We often lie to ourselves, thinking that we’re good people and that the afterlife will be just fine because of our own goodness or our deeds. We hope that we are good enough. The fact is that no one of us is good enough, and there is only one who is worthy. Assurance in eternity can only come from a changed heart and life that submits to Jesus Christ as lord and savior.

Jesus lived a perfect life. He never sinned, and he never failed. Through his sacrifice and victory over death, he proved himself as the worthy one.

⁹ And they sang a new song with these words:

Today’s reading: Revelation 5

I love food. This includes shopping for food as my wife and I love going to new grocery stores to see what unique and exciting varieties of all-things-food they might have. I love thinking about it, preparing it, eating it, and breaking bread with friends, family, co-workers; even strangers. Unplanned meals, holiday meals, leftovers, popovers, quick snacks, slow snacks, low carb, high carb, grilled, fried, baked, raw, simple, or complex concoctions; all of it. Food is really one of the most incredible things on the planet. Can I get an amen?!!

As wonderful as food is, there is something else we cannot live without, and that’s God’s word.

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

While watching a soccer match recently, it was observed that “team A” had very good players who did not know each other very well. Most of the players were new to the team so they had few opportunities to play together. They were fast, passed the ball often, had selfless behavior, and seemed to be passionate about the game, but something was missing.

Conversely, “team B” (which was actually the visiting team) had players who seemed to be less talented individually however, this group had something special. The entire game they were talking to each other while playing; communicating verbally and with gestures. They anticipated each other’s moves as though they were brothers, like a family. The other team had little to no communication; it was pure mechanics.

In the final few minutes of the game team A had the lead. Team B got louder, and started chanting, encouraging each other; you could feel the momentum. Quickly team B tied the game, then less than five minutes later they scored again to gain the lead. The game was over shortly thereafter. Team B jumped up and down, hugged each other, and had a great celebration.

I’ve shared that story several times over the last couple weeks in business and personal situations. In business, teamwork is everything. In personal situations, how many of us are prone to trying to do too much on our own, either through pride or wanting to play it safe?

Last night I attended a small group Bible Study for the first time in four years and it was amazing. The love of Jesus was so evident, it was difficult to hold back the tears of joy, awe, and gratitude. I felt lifted up. I was among brothers and sisters, gathering together in the name of Jesus Christ. The “difference maker” was that everyone was so vulnerable. They put the needs of others first, they set aside their own pride so as to invest and love others. The Holy Spirit was present, no doubt.

All of this is to say, let’s not go forward alone. Wealth, pleasure, power, and idols are all meaningless. We need each other, we need Jesus. Forgive. Be vulnerable. The window of opportunity is short.

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Today’s reading: Ecclesiastes 4

Looking at various social media sites you’d think that most people’s lives are all fun, they always look good, are always happy, and things are under control. Selfies when shared depict how we want people to see us, and advertising helps propagate many misperceptions. Over time as we observe these images and messages, we can be succumbed to believing that money buys happiness, looking good means you feel good, or that it is easy to be thin and have a nice body “by following these simple steps”.

Recently a highly respected personal trainer who specializes in strength training shared a related story. A prospective client came to him with a photo of an extraordinarily physically fit person. The prospective client asked how long it would take to look like the person in the photograph. The trainer replied, “with a lot of hard work, a strict diet, and a strong commitment it could take about two years, maybe more”.

Frustrated, the prospective client said, “that’s too long” and decided not to even try, just like that. This person had come to believe the lies that the world is spinning and that there are shortcuts to everything that is great.

It is with a similar mindset that many approach faith or even disdain such beliefs. Many listen to what the world (or the ruler of lies) spins as “conventional wisdom”: You don’t need God, do what you like, Christianity is a myth, or that people who believe are weak and foolish.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

The truth is that God turned this “conventional wisdom” upside down when he used an unassuming carpenter from a lowly respected town to become the Savior of the World. Even Satan wanted Jesus dead as though this might thwart God’s plan. It is something that at first didn’t seem to make sense, and that’s the beauty of it: It was God’s plan, the greatest event of all time, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, defeating death so that we can live.

19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Corinthians 1:19-20)

Read God’s word and listen to his truth. He has a plan for you regardless of your status, the sins of your past, or your self-image. The same went for the early followers.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  (1 Corinthians 1:26)

They were nobodies (by conventional wisdom) who God used for great, and even if you think you’re a “nobody”, you are somebody in God’s eyes. You are loved by God more than you know, and he can and will use you for great if you let him. Trust and obey.

Today’s reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Businesses depend on data and analytics to survive. Additionally, businesses around the world have certain standards that must be adhered to when it comes to financial reporting. Without standards, a business could report in such a way as to make it look like it is performing better than it actually is.

One of my work team members and I were discussing internal reporting and learned that some of our business units wanted to be measured differently than our internal standards. Why? Because the standard made them look bad. Their invented formula would make them look better.

My colleague summarized this very cleverly with a metaphor: “If you look into the mirror and you don’t like what you see, you can’t just change the mirror.”

As I was reading today’s verses (Luke 12:1-21), I continued further into the chapter to perhaps get some better insights for today’s post. The Message version hit me:

“Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? (Luke 12:25 MSG)

That verse was really talking about worry and that worry doesn’t do anyone any good. What the verse did for me was remind me of my colleague and it convicted me of the earlier verses in the chapter such as verse 9 as Jesus says:

but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:9)

Does my colleague know that I am a Christ-follower? Even though I do not deny Jesus verbally, if I am somehow concealing my relationship with Christ in any way, aren’t I inherently denying him?

To make matters worse, I confess to being a hypocrite around this person.

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1b)

The enemy wants us to feel defeated and give up when we are convicted of our sins. Jesus wants us to seek forgiveness, to take action and trust him. The daily battle. This spiritual feeding, honest conviction and repentance led me to a place where in the very next conversation with my colleague I simply shared what I read from the Bible (about the mirror) and how it reminded me of what he said. Now the door is open, Jesus is my friend, Lord and Savior.

Everything in our lives ties together as part of a bigger story, all pointing to the best story, salvation through Jesus. Seize the day!

Who is your favorite leader and why did you choose this person? It could be someone from your past, in your family, a friend, at work, at church, or simply some leader you choose to pay attention to. What stands out most about this leader?

Joshua from the Bible is one of my favorite leaders and in today’s reading (Joshua 23) he gives his final speech to Israel. In this speech, there are numerous examples of leadership and lessons for us to learn to lead better.

Don’t believe the lie which might be whispered, “you’re not a leader”. YOU are a leader no matter what you think. People observe you. People depend on you. Don’t forget, there is good and bad leadership and sometimes people follow our bad behavior as well.

Some examples of Joshua’s leadership and qualities of great leaders:

• He gathered other leaders together to communicate his message (verses 1-2). Great leaders build leaders around them and they communicate effectively, trusting that those leaders will take the message forward.
• He reminded them of God’s faithfulness and gave glory to God (not himself) as God was the one who fought for them against their enemies (verse 3). Great leaders are selfless and they reflect and motivate.
• As the Israelites fought their enemies, they gained new land. Joshua was the leader in these wars. Joshua clearly sets the boundaries in the land that they have conquered, and not yet conquered (verse 4). Great leaders set clear boundaries, clear expectations, and they build the structure for future generations of leaders and followers.
• Joshua remained confident in God’s promises, knowing that even after his own death, they as a people will have victory against their enemies (verse 5). Great leaders build other leaders who can take over after they leave. Great leaders also have a positive attitude, trusting that their teams and followers will do their part. Lastly, great leaders put their trust in God, knowing they cannot do it alone. Joshua did all of these things.
• In verses 6-8: He pointed them to God’s word and instructions, telling them what not to do and what to do. These instructions are all based on God’s laws for our lives so that we may live with abundance and refrain from sinning. Great leaders have a strong moral compass and seek to educate and influence others to do the same, not for the benefit of the leader, but for the people.
• Joshua motivates and encourages them, recognizing the importance of each person when he says in verse 10 “each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy”. This is some powerful stuff, all because God was with them and fights for them. Again, great leaders motivate and encourage. They believe and have deep convictions in what they are doing and what will be done.
• In verse 11 Joshua then points back to the greatest commandment, “love the LORD your God”. Love is a verb; great leaders give great examples of their love and teach others to do the same.

While Joshua was a fantastic leader, there is no better leader than God in the flesh, the king who came not to be served but to serve, giving his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45 paraphrased). This same man Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, taking on the lowest and dirty job as an example for us to follow.

Whose feet will you wash today so that they may see the love and leadership of Jesus in you?

Our family moved to a new country this week. Along with this brought a change in living accommodations, a new school, new opportunities to meet friends and still maintain relationships with family and old friends, and a whole lot more.

As for me in this season of change, I am praying over how to best lead my family and grow in my faith knowing that with major changes comes the potential for distractions. How will I respond to challenges? How will I choose to lean on God’s promises instead of worrying or giving into temptation?

What does your current “life chapter” look like?

Whether you’re just starting a chapter, in the middle of a chapter, or preparing for the next one, yesterday’s scripture (and and post by Jennifer) on the Ten Commandments, along with today’s scriptures (Deuteronomy 5:23-33) offer some great insights. The Ten Commandments simply state how God wants us to live. Today’s reading has a key verse as to why:

You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess. (Deuteronomy 5:33)

God didn’t give those commands to burden us or take away joy. In fact, he gave the commandments so that we can be free and experience the true joy found only in him. To paraphrase, he gave the commands so that:

• we may live
• we will live abundantly (in him)
• our families will experience his goodness for generations

This theme reminds me of the words of our Savior Jesus as he explains that his commands in a similar way.

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

Following him comes with a cost, yet the benefits far outweigh the alternative. We never know which chapter will be our last so live and choose today with eternity in mind. Jesus is calling. How will you answer?

“Two of the most important days of your life: The day you were born, and the day you discover why.” (Author unknown)

Regardless of the author of the aforementioned quote, it is great to think about and a reminder as to why we exist on this planet. Sometimes when I’m feeling a bit lost I realize it is because I’ve become misaligned with my purpose in life. When all of the fun things aren’t as fun as we think they should be, there’s a good reason. It is because “fun” isn’t why we were made (no matter what we think our purpose should be). We will have constant disappointment and even depression if we do not embrace our true purpose, why we were born.

We can better understand our purpose when we dig into two verses from today’s reading of 2 Thessalonians 1:

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

Regarding our calling:

• We need his help (hence the prayer for God to make us worthy).
• He has called us for a reason. He is not random. NLT uses the phrase “your faith prompts you to do.” We can presume this prompting through faith comes from his Holy Spirit, the voice calling each one of us specifically.
• God’s calling is for good.
• God’s calling reveals his power (and therefore glorifies him).

From my experience reading the Bible, typically when finding the phrase “so that”, we should pay extra attention as it helps us better understand “the why”. Want to know why God does what he does? Look for this phrase and find out.

so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:12)

He calls us:

• So that Jesus may be glorified.
• So that we may be the ones glorifying him. Our lives should be a living testimony as to why we have chosen him. Through this we are honored by God, keeping in mind that he should be the only audience we should care about.
• Remember it isn’t what we do that saves us (hence the word “grace” in verse 12). Our actions should be a reflection of our heart and our gratitude for the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

What do you pray for during hardships?

Paul was writing to people who were being persecuted because of their faith. He did not convey a message praying that the persecution would stop, rather, the message focused on encouragement, love, faith, hope and praise to God. This once again points back to our purpose to glorify God, to have relationship with Him, to share Him, and ultimately to spend eternity with Him.

Father God, forgive me for wandering, for the times when I live as though you do not exist. Further reveal to me today your purpose in my life, one of meaning. Give me courage and wisdom to respond according to your will, to share you with those who do not yet know you. Amen.

Recently I took the leap to request anonymous professional feedback from co-workers including leaders to whom I report, my peers, and those who report to me. And by “leap”, this is my confession that I was nervous. The request went out to roughly forty people who have had serious insights into my behavior over the last five years at the company where we serve.

Would their responses be better or worse than my own “inner monologue”? Would they tell me things I don’t already know? Would there be harsh comments or would the comments be gentle and encouraging?

Regardless of their feedback, there are things in my heart that I know can be improved upon. I’ve made mistakes, and whether public or private, the fact is that no one is perfect.

When considering what work colleagues think of me I thought further about how God knows all my secrets. My failures, fears, bad thoughts, all of my sins.

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:3-4, 18)

After spending time in today’s reading (Ephesians 5:1-20) I was convicted with the realization that during this time of professional feedback, I was more focused on what others thought of me than how God views my sins. He should be my audience of one.

Fortunately when we go back to the beginning of Ephesians Chapter 5 we are reminded that Christ gave himself up for us, for our sins piled high. If our behavior is pleasing to God then inherently it won’t matter what others think of us because comparatively, nothing else matters.