Live Your Story

by Andrew Cromwell

There is a fascinating conversation recorded in the Bible in the last chapter of John between Jesus and Peter. During this encounter, Jesus gives Peter a glimpse into the future. Jesus tells Peter he is going to be persecuted at the end of his life because of his faith. Upon hearing this, Peter was a little shocked. I think his mind began to race a bit and he probably struggled with the question, “Why me?”  

Scripture says that he turned around to his fellow disciple, John, and asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” In other words, “Am I going to be the only one that is going to get mistreated because of following you? John will get his fair share too, right?”

I love Jesus’ response because it is so straightforward. He doesn’t mince words and He doesn’t sugarcoat. Basically he says, and I’m going to paraphrase here, “Peter, that’s none of your business, that is between John and I. The only thing you need to worry about is whether or not you are going to stay true to your convictions and follow me until the end.”

Jesus is telling Peter to live out his story. I think He would tell you and I the same thing today. He would tell us to live out the story that He has designed for us and not worry about anyone else’s.

As humans, we really struggle with that. We are constantly comparing ourselves to others. We are always thinking about some other person’s life and asking why we are not more like them, why our life is so much harder than theirs or why God is using them in such wonderful ways when it seems we are forgotten.

But that is their story! That is between them and God. Jesus didn’t say to Peter, “You know, Pete, if you were just more like John....” And that is because Jesus is not interested in Peter being more like John. He is interested in Peter being who He needs to be in and through God’s power.

God is not interested in you being more like someone else. He doesn’t need you to be more like the person you idolize or less like the person you demonize. He needs you to be you, transformed into His image. He made you for a purpose. The Scripture says that you are His masterpiece! 

So live your story and stop wondering about everyone else’s. Be thankful that you don’t have to feel like you are ahead or behind anyone else. God’s timeline is custom designed for you! After all, don’t you realize that the very person you compare yourself to is probably feeling the same way and comparing themselves to someone else?

Convictions To Live By

by Tim Howard

If asked to state one of the most powerful things in a person’s life, I would say ‘attitude.’ It has the power to create or devastate. For some, their attitude finds opportunity in every difficulty; others find difficulty in every opportunity. Some face problems with a positive attitude, while others fall and fail because of a negative outlook.

The good news of the Bible is we can choose the attitude that will best serve God’s purposes. To do this, however, you must establish ‘convictions’ because attitudes and actions are built upon the convictions you hold. 

Some good advice in 2 Tim 3:14 is given to a young Pastor who wants to successfully oversee a Church in a city called Ephesus. It says this: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of because you know those from whom you learned it.” NIV

Convictions grow over time. They are learned through instruction, thought, decisions and experiences. They represent the way you view life. 

Convictions need to be evaluated to ensure they’re founded upon truth. When based upon truth they produce soil for good attitudes to flourish but when founded upon a faulty bias the soil of your life gives rise to rotten fruit. 

You become an odor to others rather than a sweet fragrance. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Your future looks bright when the attitude is right and it makes the present much more enjoyable too!

The people who have made the greatest impact on this world, for good or bad, are those who had the deepest convictions. They weren’t necessarily the smartest people, the brightest people, the most educated, the wealthiest, or even the most famous. That should make a lot of us happy!

I’ve established many convictions that have helped me stay the course. Here’s 5 of them.

1. Life Is All About God!

It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s not about profit, politics, or anything else. It’s all about God. Until you understand that, life will never make sense fully.

2. People Matter Most!

Rick Warren said: Projects and programs are great but we are to be driven by purpose and that purpose puts people first.

3. You Can’t Do Life Alone!

It’s not enough just to love God. You must love His people and connect - despite all of our differences. Jesus is our example and He connected with people.

4. Everything Is Possible With God!

 ‘…With God all things are possible.’” Matt. 19:26 NIV. We tend to say: “I can’t ” when the opposite is true.  Don’t quit believing in people because God doesn’t quit believing in you. Miracles still happen! God is pleased when we trust Him to do those things beyond our abilities.

 5. God Expects Everyone To Love Everyone.             

Matt. 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy’ but I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. NIV. 

When something bad happens, you have three choices: 1. You can either let it define you, 2. let it destroy you, or 3. you can let it strengthen you. Don’t let anything stop you from loving everyone.

True Convictions develop the condition of your attitude and this in turn affects the quality of your relationships with other people; whether you can turn a problem into a blessing or whether you become a victim or victorious. What are your convictions?