What is one way we can bless our children as they go back to school this week? This week marks the beginning of another school year for most of our children.  Consequently, the school year fills many of us with a hint of anxiety. We desire our children to make good and godly choices. So, parents, join me in covering our children with powerful prayers in several areas this school year.

We have done all we can to prepare our children for making wise decisions, but we still worry about them, right? Will they be safe? Apply themselves? Resist temptations? Develop positive friendships? When we find ourselves in the throes of worry and concern, then it is time to leave our children in God’s hands. God knows the plans he has for our children, and He knows what is best for them. So, let’s spend time, this school year, praying for our children in several areas.

The Father Knows Our Children

Trust that God knows our children better than we know our children and that he can do more with them than we ever could. Therefore, praying the following Scripture can bless you and your child. Where David uses the personal pronoun, insert your child’s name.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of (insert your child’s/children’s name) body and knit (insert your child’s/children’s name) together in the womb. Thank you for making (insert your child’s/children’s name) so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched (insert your child’s/children’s name) as (he/she) was being formed in utter seclusion, as (he/she) was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw (insert your child’s/children’s name) before (he/she) was born. Every day of (insert your child’s/children’s name) life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about (insert your child’s/children’s name), O God! They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand. And when (insert your child’s/children’s name) wake (s) up, you are still with (him/her)! Psalm 139: 13-18

Ask God to Bless Our Children’s Social Life

Having a social life is one of the best parts about school. With social interactions come all kinds of temptations. The evil one will tempt our children to use drugs, have sex, verbally and physically bully others, and to spend more time on social media than their academics. Praying the following verses over our children can bless us and our children.

If  (insert your child’s/children’s name) think he/she is standing strong, help him/her be careful not to fall. ¹³ The temptations in (insert your child’s/children’s name) life are no different from what others experience. And God, you are faithful. You will not allow the temptation to be more than (insert your child’s/children’s name) can stand. When (insert your child’s/children’s name) is tempted, please show (insert your child’s/children’s name) a way out so that (he/she) can endure. Lord, thank you for how you will strengthen and deliver (insert your child’s/children’s name). 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Therefore, it was necessary for, you, Jesus, to be made in every respect like (insert your child’s/children’s name), your brothers and sisters, so that you could be his/her merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then you could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of (insert child’s/children’s name). Since you yourself have gone through suffering and testing, you are able to help (insert your child’s/children’s name) when (he/she) are being tested. Hebrews 2:17-18

Let’s pray that God would bless and strengthen our children to resist all kinds of social temptations this year. God is faithful trustworthy to assist our children in the heat of the most fierce tests and temptations.

Ask God to Bless Their Academic/School Life

The Bible encourages us the love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. Let’s pray our children will exercise academic diligence this year.

The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Let’s pray that our kids will dedicate their minds to knowing God and trusting him to help them think critically this academic school year. We desire our children to think critically and excel in their classes, for God’s glory. We need godly factory workers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, accountants, and government leaders.

Ask God to Bless Their Spiritual Life

We want to see our children discover and live God’s will for their lives. Being living sacrifices for God is the only way to show God how much he is worth to them. So, let’s ask God to bless our children to discover his will and plan for their lives.

And so, God, help (insert your child’s/children’s name here), to give his/her body to you because of all you have done for him/her. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind you will find acceptable. I know this is truly the way for them to worship you. Please help (insert your child’s/children’s name), not to copy the behavior and customs of this world, but may they let you  transform them into a new person by changing the way they think. Then they will learn to know your will for their lives, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Our kids can learn the will of God through prayer (Philippians 4:6-9), Bible study (Hebrews 4:12-13), and being in community with other believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).

A Prayer to Bless Our Children

Father, we release our children into your hands this academic school year. We ask that you give them the power to resist temptation and make godly choices for you. Help them to love you with their minds and excel academically, for your glory. Finally, help them to pursue you in everything they do this year. They were your children before they were ours. We believe you can do more with our kids than we ever could. So, we gladly and confidently release them in your hands this school year. By the authority of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

What kinds of prayers do you pray over your children at the beginning of and during the school year? 

If you appreciated this post, you might find this one helpful as well:

How to Have Optimism in A Cynical World

The post How We Can Bless Our Children This Year appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Every day, we face the option of deciding which Jesus we prefer. I wish I could tell you I always want the right Jesus, but the truth is sometimes I ask for the wrong one.

While reading the gospel of Matthew, I came across something I hadn’t seen before.

“Now, it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time, they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So, when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ ….Which of the two do you want me to release to you? Asked the governor. ‘Barabbas,’ they answered.” (Matthew 27 15-21)

Two Men

This account tells us that there are two men named Jesus – Barabbas and One who is the Messiah. Pilate asked a profound question. A question we face every day: Which Jesus will we choose?  Which one do we prefer? I wish I always desire the One who is called Messiah. Some days, like the crowd, I ask for Barabbas – the other Jesus. Give me Barabbas! Give me Barabbas!

Jesus Barabbas

Give me Barabbas!
Insurrection.
Rebellion.
Murder.
Darkness.
Selfish ambition.
Pride.
Self-promotion.
An undisturbed conscience.
Fellowship among the irreverent.
Give me Barabbas!

Please don’t give me Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
He disturbs my values.

Upsets my world.
He Challenges my lifestyle.
Quakes my equilibrium.
Calls me from comfort to sacrifice.
Pulls me from ease to pain.

Give me Barabbas!
I know he is the wrong one.
He doesn’t expect anything from me.
He wants to develop a subdivision in my soul.
Live there.
Hideout there.

Give me Barabbas!
Jesus, who is the Messiah, is too subversive.
His way is too costly.
His words are too hard.

Give me Barabbas!
Please give me my way, my selfish desires, and freedom from sacrifice.
Leave me to my own devices and vices.
I don’t want to change. But I need to change.
I don’t want Jesus, who is the Messiah. But I need Him.

Choose Jesus, the Messiah

I have spent way too much of my life choosing Barabbas. I am sure this is true of you as well. Today is a new day with a unique opportunity to choose Jesus, the One who is the Messiah. I commit to silencing, refusing and rejecting Barabbas. Today, I choose the One who became Barabbas and broke the grip of Barabbas. I prefer the One who forgives sins and sets people free. Today, I choose Jesus, who is called the Messiah. I invite you to place your trust in him as well.

If you liked this post, you might appreciate this one as well:

The One Time Sleep is Bad 

The post The Day People Preferred The Wrong Jesus appeared first on Marvin Williams.

A year ago, after a lengthy, invasive procedure, doctors fixed my heart. Guarding my heart has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Here are a few lessons I am learning from a recent cardiac procedure.

It’s easy to take your heart for granted. I mean, it beats, and you don’t think about it. You’re not supposed to think about that critical organ working. It just beats, right? But, recently, I couldn’t help but think about my heart beating, mainly because the beats were irregular.

Irregular Heartbeat

During an annual physical, a couple of years ago, my primary doctor detected an irregular heartbeat.  Concerned, but not overly worried, she recommended that I see a cardiologist for further observation. I went to see the cardiologist the same day. He did an EKG, but I was back in sinus rhythm (the standard or default rhythm of the heart). You know, it’s like hearing a knocking noise in your engine, but when you take your car to the mechanic, it becomes a phantom noise.

Anxious Thoughts About My Heart

My cardiologist recommended that we monitor it for the next several months. Over the next year, I went in and out of sinus rhythm more often than I cared to. It affected me physically and emotionally. I would lie awake in bed and listen to a nightly concert in my chest. It sounded like awful scenes from Drumline.  Many nights, this experience haunted me. I was afraid of having a heart attack or stroke in my sleep and not waking up.  Ironically, staying awake, worrying about my heart, actually was unhealthy for my heart.

Three Treatment Options

I needed to do something about this annoyance. Thus, my cardiologist suggested three options. First, I could take meds for the rest of my life, but the meds might or might not keep me in rhythm. Second, they could do something called cardioversion. This procedure shocks the heart into rhythm. Again, this didn’t guarantee that I would remain in rhythm. The last option and the most invasive, but also the most effective, was cardiac ablation. Therefore, after prayer and consultation with Tonia and the doctors, I opted for the third option. It has been a year since the procedure. Here are a few lessons I have and am learning.

Lessons I am Learning

God gives us tests every day. These tests are designed to shape us and conform us to the image of Jesus. As I have processed this last year, here are a few lessons God is teaching me, and I hope I am learning.

• Prioritize my health

Today, I am more conscious about prioritizing my health. I get one body. God cares about my body and has invited and commanded me to glorify him by being a good manager of it (1 Corinthians 6:13, 20). For me, this means eating sensibly and exercising regularly. I have cut a lot of process sugars from my diet, and I have committed to an eating rhythm called intermittent fasting. Each day, I begin eating between 12 and 1 in the afternoon and stop eating between 8 and 9 in the evening. These are sensible meals (I cheat now and then). With this eating rhythm, coupled with regular exercise, I have shredded about twenty-five pounds and four inches from my waist. I recently went for my annual physical, and my heart is healthy and all of my numbers – cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, etc. – are very good.

• Rest

The procedure is teaching me to rest – really rest. You see, for most of my ministry life, I have done a poor job living out the purposes of rest – to renew my strength and to know peace. I didn’t know how to take a vacation. For the last several years, to my chagrin, I had amassed many hours beyond my regular vacation time. More than that, when I did vacation, I checked and answered emails, took calls, and worst of all, worried about the things I could not control. Now, when I take a vacation, I do not check my email – work or personal, answer or make work calls, and I try to do things I genuinely love. Thus, all the things that don’t get done, I am learning to trust that God will make up what I don’t finish up. This practice has been a game changer for me.

• Be present, now.

I am learning to be fully present, now. If you are anything like me, you fight with and against distractions every day. These distractions keep us from appreciating the NOW of life. Life is too important to let the past and future rent space in our heads and stifle our presence in the present. I will not borrow trouble from tomorrow. Tomorrow has enough problems of its own (Matthew 6:33-34). I get one physical life, and I want to enjoy all God gives me. I want to turn my minutes into moments. So, I am paying more attention and enjoying my family, friends, and colleagues. I am admiring sunrises and sunsets, change of seasons, and even learning to almost enjoy winter. I am walking slower, observing more and laughing a lot louder.

Sovereign God

So, there are a lot of other lessons I am learning – drawing closer to God and letting the Holy Spirit produce joy, understanding my mortality, appreciating community and team, and so much more. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know Who holds tomorrow. Therefore, I have decided to place my life in the hands of our sovereign and loving Father.

If you appreciated this post, here are two more you might enjoy:

Five Worthy Things We Should Pursue Every Day

A Profound Lesson About Pushing the Limits 

The post The Day My Doctor Fixed My Heart appeared first on Marvin Williams.

It’s Labor Day! Today, we celebrate and honor the American labor movement and all the workers who have contributed to the prosperity and strength of this country. No doubt, many will have cookouts, spending time with family and simply relax. As we enjoy the unofficial end of summer, let’s remember the original Labor Day.

Most people do not have a healthy view of work. Consequently, many endure and tolerate Monday in order to finally get to Friday. We dread Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Then, we “Thank God It’s Friday” because it marks the beginning of the weekend. I am sure this is not a healthy way to think about labor/work. So, what does the Bible say about work?

The Original Labor Day

The original Labor Day began when God created humanity. One of the first things God did was ordain or inaugurate work. Therefore, work is a gift, not a curse. When God created Adam, he gave him a command to work (Genesis 2:15; Exodus 20:9). So, I believe God created work to be a normal rhythm of human existence (Psalm 104:23).  To refuse to work is immoral and sinful (Titus 3:14).

Violating God’s Labor Day Law

In creation, God has established a pattern of work and rest that is to be a model for his people (Genesis 2:1-3). Old Testament believers obeyed the Sabbath to balance work and rest. Jesus practiced a labor and rest rhythm (Mark 6:30-32). Therefore, we should supplement our work with regular rhythms of rest. So, when we work more than we rest or do not follow this divine pattern, we sin. Not only do we sin, we increase our chances of burning out.

Why Did God Give Us the Original Labor Day

Why did God give us work anyway? This is a big issue. I believe there are several reasons why God gave us the gift of work.

• God gave us work and the ability to make money so we could be free from being dependent on others (1 Thessalonians 4:12).
• God gave us work so we could find self-fulfillment in it (Ecclesiastes 2:24).
• We work and earn money so we can enjoy the life God has given us (1 Timothy 6:17).
• We work and earn money so we can share with others (Ephesians 4:28).
• God gave us work so we can partner with God for his glory.

The Consequences of Viewing the Original Labor Day as a Gift From God

When we view work from God’s perspective, we can draw some interesting and compelling conclusions.

• We have a moral duty to work. If we can work but choose not to work, we are sinning. There is a difference between being physically or emotionally incapable of working and refusing to work. The former is understandable; the second is inexcusable (Titus 3:14).
• Every legitimate job – menial or mundane – has intrinsic worth.
• Any legitimate job is a means of worshiping God (Colossians 3:17).
• Any legitimate job is God’s calling (Genesis 2:15).
• Work is empty apart from God (Psalm 127:1).
• We should acknowledge our dependence on God, not in our jobs and the money we make from them (Deuteronomy 8:18-19).

As you celebrate with family and friends, don’t forget to thank God for giving you the gift of work. Thus, no matter how menial or mundane your job, you can glorify God. If it is a dirty job, we are responsible for doing our best in every area every time. So, let’s do our jobs with excellence and with the right attitude. When we do, we glorify God and increase our chances of helping others do the same.

The post Reflections On The Original Labor Day appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Joel Osteen’s response to Hurricane Harvey created a social media firestorm. Lakewood Church’s response is problematic, for at least one significant reason.

Several days ago, Hurricane Harvey ravaged parts of the Texas Gulf Coast, including parts of Houston. The storm took the lives of some and displaced thousands. Many churches, mosques, and even furniture stores immediately opened their doors to shelter victims.

Joel Osteen’s Response

But, Lakewood Church, the largest church in the country, initially closed theirs. According to Lakewood officials, the church did not open its doors because the flood waters made it inaccessible. Based on pictures, the church did appear to have taken on a lot of water from the flood. But, then Pastor Osteen gave another fascinating reason why they did not immediately open their doors. They did not immediately become a refuge because the City of Houston didn’t ask them. Lakewood didn’t initiate compassion; they waited for Houston to ask them to show compassion. The fury of the social media onslaught was quick, ferocious, and unrelenting, making Pastor Osteen a walking meme. Probably, rightfully so. This explanation is unconscionable.

Let’s Be Gracious

With that said, because he is a brother in Christ, we are obligated to give grace to Pastor Osteen. To be fair to Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church, they did open their doors to shelter people who have been displaced by Hurricane Harvey, albeit after a boat load of pressure. Moreover, in 2016, Clay Walker, along with Joel Osteen and Lakewood, hosted a benefit concert when a flood displaced thousands in Houston. They raised and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the city of Houston. So, I think we should give him a little grace because God has been gracious to us. Also, when we make mistakes like this, we, too, will want and need grace. With that said, his response to Hurricane Harvey, however, was unGod-like and a major leadership mistake.

One Problem With Joel Osteen’s Response

His response and posture were very problematic, for at least one reason. Joel’s Osteen’s response is problematic because of the nature/character of God.

“ It is God’s nature to initiate compassion and rescue.

Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. Exodus 3:7-9

God doesn’t wait to be asked to show compassion; he lovingly responds to the suffering of his creation. Here is an additional sampling of Scriptures where God initiates.

Genesis 1:1, 26; 3:15, 21

John 1:14

John 3:16

Romans 5:8, 10

Ephesians 1:4

Ephesians 2:8-10

Waiting on Houston to ask Lakewood to become a shelter, rather than taking the initiative to be a haven, Joel Osteen was so unGod-like. Now, I am not saying Joel Osteen is not a believer. All I am saying is, in this instance, his initial response did not adequately reflect the nature of God.

Initiating Compassion

God initiates compassion, and he expects his kids to do likewise. In fact, the Father’s love for his children creates capacity in them to initiate compassion towards others.

“ Part of what it means to go further into the gospel is to initiate compassion toward the marginalized.

When we live under the reign and rule of God, we will reflect the nature of God through initiating compassion toward others. Matthew 25:31-46 is one of the clearest passages in the New Testament to highlight this truth. In the Kingdom of God, practicing mercy and justice on behalf of “the least of these,” is what ultimately separates those who enter life and those who do not.

“ The gospel gives us eyes to see needs and to initiate a compassionate response.

If we see needs and do not initiate a response, then it proves that we have not yet been gripped by this good news that renovates and revolutionizes the heart. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to make us sensitive to the cries and suffering of people in our world.

God Gives Second Chances

Yes, Joel Osteen’s response was a leadership mistake and his reputation is taking a big hit for it. If he had to do it over again, he probably would initiate compassion rather than waiting for someone to ask him to show compassion. Like Pastor Osteen, I will make mistakes – big and small – but I am glad God continues to initiate compassion toward me, giving me second, third, and fourth chances to get it right.

With what needs, in your sphere of influence, will you initiate a response? 

How Should Christians Respond To The Tragedy in Orlando

The post One Problem With Joel Osteen’s Response appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Our world has changed. This truth was never more evident when Searyl Atli Doty was born. Searyl, who was born in Canada last November, is considered the world’s first genderless baby. How should we respond?

Now, Searyl was born with genitalia that would identify her as a female. However, her mother, Kori Doty, resisted assigning her baby a gender. In April, the Canadian government issued an ID, which reads “Sex: U,” which advocates “unspecified.” So, technically, though Searyl was born female, she is the first child to receive a genderless government ID card.

Why the Mother Chose Genderless Status

Kori Doty, a non-binary transgender (any gender identity that does not fit the male and female binary) person, explained:

I do not gender my child. It is up to Searyl to decide how they identify, when they are old enough to develop their own gender identity. I am not going to foreclose their choices based on an arbitrary assignment of gender at birth on an inspection of their genitalia.

Kori Doty attempted to get a genderless birth certificate but was unsuccessful. She argued that assigning her baby a gender at birth violated the child’s rights to liberty and security of the person, to freedom of expression and equality under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Doty is one of eight cases in front of the British Columbia Human rights Tribunal. Therefore, the parents are arguing for the removal of gender markers on all new birth certificates. How should Christians think about this situation? Does the Bible help

How Should We Think About Genderless Babies?

We are living in a fascinating era. I don’t pretend to understand all the complexities of this new world of sexual brokenness. Though we are dealing with issues today that we would have never imagined thirty years ago, I think the Bible is still relevant and can help guide our thinking on this matter.

1. We live in a broken and fallen world. The fall in the Garden of Eden extends to every part of our lives, including our thoughts about human sexuality (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). One of the manifestations of our fallenness is attempting to redefine God’s truth regarding human sexuality. Therefore, when we fail to recognize that we filter human sexuality through our brokenness, we will consistently and harshly judge other people. We must compassionately come alongside those who are struggling with sexual brokenness, offering them the love of Jesus, without compromising the truth of Scripture.
2. God created human sexuality (Genesis 1:27). He created human beings in his image, as male and female (Genesis 1:27). Gender is not just a biological accident or social construction. Male and female distinctions are part of the goodness and intention of our sovereign God.  There are sexual/gender differences. There are differences in strength (1 Peter 3:7), in roles (1 Corinthians 11:3-5; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1), in dress (Deuteronomy 22:5), and in sexual activity (Genesis 1:28). If a child is born with an explicit sexual identification, but the parents resist and attempt to redefine that distinction, they deny God as Creator and the truth of Scripture.
3. God intended men and women to complement one another (Genesis 2:18-22; 1 Corinthians 11:11). Therefore, God designed male and female to take pleasure in one another through sexual activity ultimately. He has provided for the full and glad expression of this gift in marriage.

Grace and Truth

Sexuality brokenness is a complex issue, and it’s not going away. We must understand the problem, offer grace and speak the truth of Scriptures. But, may we do so, recognizing our own need to receive grace and hear the truth! Just because we are followers of Jesus does not mean we are immune to brokenness. I know a lot of Christ-followers who are busted and broken, of which I am one. But, we recognize our need to submit their brokenness to the only One who can mend the rips and tears in our hearts. Thus, the only hope for our broken world is the good news of Jesus. May we embody this good news each day.

If you want to understand the issue better and know how to come alongside those who are struggling with sexual brokenness, please consider attending, Caring Well, an upcoming conference hosted by my good friends, Matt and Laurie Krieg.

The Way We Think About Sex is Broken

The post The World’s First Genderless Baby appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Each day we have a choice to pursue worthy or unworthy things. Life is too short to chase the unimportant. We must choose to abandon the worthless and pursue those things that are worth our time and energy. Here are, at least, five things that we should seek every day.

Pursue a more intimate relationship with God.

We were created to know and love God (John 17:3). Pursuing a close relationship with God is a most worthy treasure we can and should pursue. First, we must ask God for a desire to want to spend time alone with God. The more time we spend with God, the more we will want to spend time with him, and the greater our love will be for him. This love is not merely having knowledge about God, but affectionately relating to God. The way we seek God is by talking and listening to God through prayer and His Word. Pursuing God is all about hearing what he says and doing what he says. Chase God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Speak his love language – obedience to his commands. Therefore, before you pursue anything or anyone else in your day, seek God. Because God designed us to know him, then everything else we pursue pales in comparison. So, he must be our primary pursuit.

Pursue deeper relationships with our families and friends.

God created us for community and deep connections with people (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). It doesn’t matter who we are; God designed us for human connection. The closest connection we have is with our family – mother, father, siblings, spouse, and children and friends. So, be intentional. Call. Text. Spend quality and quantity time with those you love. Put it on your calendar. But, also allow yourself to be interrupted. These moments are often the holiest of all and when God speaks the loudest.

Pursue smarter choices concerning our health.

We live in a stressful world. A stressful world often leads to stressful and unhealthy lives. Stress affects every part of our lives. It affects our immune system, our sleep, our mental health, and our eating habits. God has given us one body, and he expects us to be good managers of it (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). How can we pursue our health? So, get up and get out. Exercise daily. Move for at least thirty minutes a day. Walk. Run. Bike. Swim. Just move and get your heart pumping. Moreover, make healthier eating choices. Eat sensible meals and cut out as much sugar as possible.

Pursue greater awareness of ourselves.

Self-deception is the worst kind of deception (Jeremiah 17:9). Self-awareness is the solution to self-deception. According to Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund, self-awareness is the ability to look inward, think deeply about your behavior, and consider how it aligns with your moral standards and values. They argued that when your behavior is out of alignment with your values, you feel uncomfortable, unhappy and adverse. Thus, you can quickly fall into a mode of self-deception. Therefore, understand your strength and weaknesses, know the impact you have on others, focus on other people and ask for feed back.

Pursue the discovery of something new.

Each day we should stretch our minds by learning something new. The moment we stop learning is the moment we stop living. God wants us to love him with our hearts and mind. We love God with our minds by continuing to remain curious. Therefore, ask questions of people who are smarter than you are. Read books and articles outside your discipline. Expand your intellectual horizon by exposing yourself to new and different knowledge. One of my sources for learning something new every day is www.curious.com  You can customize and have a curious quotient workout delivered to your inbox every day. Check it out.

So, my friends, choose to abandon your pursuit of the unimportant and chase after those things that add the most value to your life and the lives of others.

What are there other things we should pursue each day? 

If you liked this post, you might like this one as well:

26 Questions to Help You Have the Best Year Ever 

The post 5 Worthy Things We Should Pursue Every Day appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Golf calls it a mulligan. IT uses Control-Alt-Delete. Whatever it’s called, at some point in time, we all want one and need one – a do-over. Oh, how I wish I could do many things over.

Everyone Desires a Do-over

We all fail and need a do-over. Sometimes, I fail because I overestimate my own strength. I think I am better and stronger than I am. Other times, I underestimate the influence of the evil one. He hates me and wants to destroy me. If he can get me to believe his lies, then Satan will defeat me. Last, I fail because I undervalue community. The truth is, I am more susceptible to failure when I separate myself from the community of faith. I failed and wished I could do a few things over.

Parental mistakes? Yes! Man, I wish I were more present with my kids growing up.
Financial mistakes. Yep! I wish I had saved more and spent less.
Leadership mistakes. I wish I were more decisive and firm on some issues.
Marital mistakes. Boy, I wish I loved harder, sooner.

I wish I could turn back the hands of time and live those moments again. If I could hit the ball again, I would square up a little more, keep my body quiet and not slice it or hook it into the woods. I wish I could hit Control-Alt-Delete and start with a clean slate. The truth is, these failures are part of our story of forgiveness and redemption. Our failures are designed to move us to take advantage of new opportunities and new ways of reaching our destiny and goals.

God Specializes in Do-overs.

Adam and Eve failed in the Garden of Eden, but God gave them a do-over. 
Abraham lied and said Sarah was his sister, but God gave him a do-over.
David committed adultery with Bathsheba, but God gave him a do-over
Peter denied Jesus, but God gave him a do-over.

God specializes in do-overs. He did it for his people then, and he is willing to do it for his people today. Thinking about the past and not trusting God to handle it is a waste of time. We can’t change the past. We cannot rewind the hands of the clock. If we try, we are only making ourselves prisoners of regret and guilt. Only God can erase the past, press rewind, and hit control-alt-delete. If God is the only one who can change our past, then what responsibility do we have when we fail or need a do-over?

What To Do When You Need a Do-Over?

Believe that God is bigger than our failure. Some of our failures are big. God is bigger than your biggest failure. Much bigger. And, he wants to give us another chance. We know this in our heads, but this belief needs to trickle down to our hearts. We know that we believe this truth when we refuse to allow our failures to stifle our progress and rob us of joy.

Admit our failure to God and others. There is nothing more painful than watching someone live in the grips of arrogant self-denial. Self-awareness is the first step in dealing with failure. Admit your failure. Say it: “It was my fault. I procrastinated. Pride and arrogance took over, and I failed. I thought I was better than I was.”

If our failure is a result of sin, then we need to confess our sins to God and others and repent (1 John 1:9; James 5:16).

Apologize. In your failure, did you hurt someone or let someone down? If you did, go to them and humbly admit your failure, why you failed, and apologize for letting them down. Be specific. “I apologize for _____________.” Ask forgiveness. Move on.

Begin again. When we fail and are in need of a do-over, sometimes we shy away from ever trying again. Sometimes, failure deals us a mighty blow, but we cannot and must not stay on the canvas. Failure is not final. We must get up and begin again (Proverbs 24:16). If we are knocked down seven times, the Holy Spirit will give us the power to get up and begin again. For God sake, believe you are more than a conqueror, through Jesus Christ.

Jesus can move our failure to inactive status when we remember that he is bigger than our failures and he is willing to give us another chance to make progress and get it right.

The post 4 Significant Actions To Take When You Need a Do-Over appeared first on Marvin Williams.

The world is a cruel place. Hate abounds.  The evidence of this hatred was never clearer Friday night in Portland, Oregon on the light-rail. Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, is accused of and was arrested for stabbing three men who intervened when Christian allegedly yelled racial slurs at two teenage girls. This is the embodiment of hatred. How should we respond when we get a front seat to this kind of cruelty?

When a person’s behavior deliberately inflicts pain and suffering on the weak and defenseless, they are cruel. Jeremy Joseph Christian fit this description to a tee. He is a cruel and hateful man. Plain and straightforward. For no reason, other than hatred, he terrorized two young teenage girls – one black and the other Muslim. But, Ricky John Best, 53, Taliesin Myrddin-Meche, 23, and Micah David-Cole Fletcher, decided it was time to silence racism and hatred. They went into action to defend the weak and defenseless, and Best and Meche lost their lives. So, should we get involved like these men? How should we respond when someone attempts to hurt the weak and defenseless?

Hatred Is Evidence of a Corrupt Nature

Our evil nature manifests evil actions (Romans 1:28-31; Galatians 5:19-20). We are not good people who occasionally do bad things; we are fundamentally bad people who occasionally do good things. If left unregenerated and unchecked, hatred and cruelty will become intense hatred and cruelty. People who have this kind of hatred and cruelty lie in wait, stirs up conflict, assaults, and kills – sometimes for no sensible or logical reason (Psalm 38:19). The world hated Jesus, and they will hate his followers (John 15:18). When we see this kind of hatred, then we know we are living in the last days or an era right before Jesus returns (Matthew 24:10). People like this need to be born again (John 3:5).

All We Can Do Is Pray

I know, with every tragedy in our world, other bloggers and I sound like a song on repeat. Pray. Pray. Though I feel like this is a common statement in light of this act of hatred, but I know when we pray, God does act. Praying doesn’t mean passivity. Praying should lead us to action. More about this later in the post.

There was a woman who stayed with one of the young men who was stabbed, and reporters asked her what did she do as she sat with him. Her response was: “I prayed. All I could do was pray with and for him.” All we can do is let these daily tragedies drive us further into the arms of a loving Father. So, pray for the families of the victims, the injured young man, the young women, and yes, the suspect.

Love People Filled With Hate

We overcome hatred with love – God love. In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus tells his followers to respond in four ways towards people filled with hate. He told his followers to love them. This is fighting for the highest good of the individual who does evil. Next, he tells his followers to do good to them – care and provide for them like we would our family. Third, he tells his followers to bless them – to speak well of them (find some positive to say about them). Finally, Jesus tells his followers to pray for them – ask God to intervene in their lives. The ultimate test of how close we are following Jesus is treating hatemongers like Jesus would treat them. So, we silence the voice of hatred with the louder voice of love.

Hate Evil

The Bible says that God hates (strongly dislikes) evil and wickedness (Psalm 5:4; Proverbs 6:16-19). For anyone who consistently practices these evil actions that cause dissension in the community of humanity, including hands that shed innocent blood, God renders a clear moral judgment against him or her. Because God has an intense dislike for these evils, we should imitate God and hate sin and wickedness as well (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13; Romans 12:9). Rather than winking at evil or ignoring it around us, we should ask God for a capacity to dislike the things he hates. Use the list in Proverbs 6:16-19. The more we hate evil, the more we will want for His kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Help the Weak and Defenseless

The hatred of evil will automatically lead to contributing to eradicating it from our communities and world. These men saw and heard evil speaking and attempted to silence it. I am not certain if these men were followers of Jesus, but they did what followers of Jesus would and should do. In fact, they did what any human being should do.

I know some will say that this was none of their business. Had the men not stood up, they might still be alive today. That might be true, but what if the suspect had killed the girls. These people might have died a thousand deaths over the duration of their lives – I wish I had the courage to stop the bully but was afraid I would get hurt or die. We have a responsibility to act and defend those who cannot defend themselves (2 Samuel 9:1; Luke10:30-36). As we defend the weak, let’s ask God for wisdom for how we should protect and the right time to act (Later this week I will post what the Bible says about self-defense).

This Is What It Means to Be Human

Best, Meche and Fletcher are hailed as heroes. I understand why. But, I would assign them a higher honor; they are human beings. When you are part of the human race, you stand up for the weak and defenseless. They died because they were being human and trying to liberate the weak and defenseless. Yes, I know this is dangerous, especially in light of the present social climate. However, until Jesus returns, we are to fight racism, hatred, and cruelty, bringing UP THERE DOWN HERE, even if it cost us our lives.

How would you have responded if you were in a similar situation? 

If you liked this post, you might like these posts as well:

4 Biblical Reasons Why Racism Is Irrational 

A Prayer For a Racially Divided World 

The post Two Men Die Fighting Hate With Love appeared first on Marvin Williams.

According to some, the world doesn’t feel safe anymore. The recent terror attack at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England has raised concern over the future of our world. But, I want to hear from you.

Safe places are disappearing because terror attacks are robbing us of them. How do you feel about the recent terror attacks? Your opinion matters. So, please take this quick poll and I will blog about it in a future post. Thank you.  Let your voice be heard on my website...

The post Poll: Do You Feel Safe In The World? appeared first on Marvin Williams.