My Back 9

It occurred to me this morning while I was reading a devotional by John Piper that the Grace offered through Jesus Christ is actual POWER and not just pardon. Even though God's grace is served up freely to us, we still have our part to play. There is effort involved in living out a righteous life, but it doesn't come from our own strength, it comes from the inner strength the God provides.   By faith alone we are redeemed; but others need to see us walk this out and produce the fruit of a Christian. This is our division of labor. This message really hit home for me this morning, and I am hopeful that those reading this can draw upon instances in their own lives where this may be prevalent.   Most of my adult life I have been outer determined. Determined to succeed, determined to make money, determined to have nice things, and determined to prove to everyone that I was something special. The pressures of this world are plentiful, and many of the components tied to "w...

The Bible tells us in 1 st John that “greater is He (The Lord) that is in me than he (the enemy) that is in the world ” Nowhere in my life has this been more prevalent than during my first business trip in several years; to Las Vegas.   Yes; that’s right; 3 weeks out of rehab for many addictions; but mostly for gambling; I went to Vegas for a Mastermind Summit for top producers in my field.   It was a great trip, and I truly felt more empowered and centered than I ever have on a business trip.   In the past; it was time to let it all out; take it to the edge, never really sure what I was trying to prove; just testing the limits.   But this time I was very calm, focused, and NOT distracted by the usual suspects that dance in the devil’s playground; something I’m quite familiar with from day’s past.   It’s almost like I was “outside” myself; looking in to see what I would do.   There I was, at the scene of the crime where I made an enormous amount o...