Author: David Worcester

Lead Pastor of Compass Church http://CompassChurchSD.com #Jesus, #Family #ChurchPlanting #CollegeMinistry. #Missions http://GospelAppointments.com @collegiatecoll

Are You Willing To Die For Jesus? – John 11:1-29

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From my reading in John 11:1-29 in the One Year New Testament.

One phrase that inspires me was said by one of the disciples who kind of gets a bad wrap.  You know him as “Doubting Thomas.” The same man who is so famous for doubting after Jesus resurrection displayed courage.

Jesus was about to go Judea where a few days ago people were trying to stone him. The disciples tried to convince him not to go but Christ’s mind was made up. Here was Thomas’ inspiring response.

Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” John 11:16

Ironically we know that Thomas and the rest of the disciples actually scattered when the time came to dye with Jesus. Here’s some questions for us.

Are you willing to make sacrifices to follow Jesus?

Do you have the willingness of Thomas to lay down your life for Him?

Tradition tells us that Thomas did end up dying for Jesus. It is said that Thomas was the first person to take the gospel to India and died there serving Jesus.

For some of us the idea of dying for Jesus sound very romantic and exciting. In a way dying for Jesus is the greatest honor bestowed upon a Christian. Those who fait fully endure till death will be rewarded greatly in heaven.

But living for Jesus day to day is in someways harder, because we have to die to ourselves and sacrifice in many ways to glorify God and advance his kingdom.

Weather it is literal or spiritually dying to ourselves let us be willing to say with Thomas,

“Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”

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Summary Of “Getting Things Done” by David Allen

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“Getting Things Done” is a helpful book that helps make it possible to “be effectively doing while you are delightfully being” (xi). The GTD (Getting Things Done) system allows you to increase productivity and decrease stressitivity!

You can summarize the system in two steps,

  1. Capture all the things that need to be done into a logical, trusted system outside of your head and off of your mind.
  2. Decide on “next actions” based on what you collect (3).

David Allen notes, “most people give either more or less attention to things than they deserve” (11). Most people carry undefined lists that floating around in the back of their minds. They know they need to do something, but because they have not systemized these tasks they are constantly stressed about what they are not doing. This perpetual foggy uneasy feeling that you need to be doing something is perhaps the greatest killer of productivity. Because we are stressed we cannot appropriately focus on the task at hand.

David Allen quotes Kerry Gleeson who said, “This constant unproductive preoccupation with all the things we have to do is the single largest consumer of time and energy” (16). In order to gain control of our subconscious Allen recommends we put 100% of our tasks into a simple system that we know we will use.

5 Stages of the GTD System

  1. Collect things that demand our attention
  2. Process what they mean and what to do
  3. Organize the results
  4. Review your options
  5. Do the “Next Action”

Collect 100% of the “incompletes” in your life.

“give yourself permission to capture and express any idea, then later figure out how it fits in and what to do with it” (70).

Collection Tools:

  1. Physical In-Basket – Tray where you can put all papers to be processed
  2. Electronic GTD To Do List – To-Do app for phone or portable device. I like the app “Things” for my iphone/ipad.
  3. Paper Based Lists – portable notebook you can carry with you (if you prefer real paper).

Process what you collected using the GTD system of questions.

Processing Questions To Ask:

  1. What is it?
  2. Is it actionable?
  3. If it’s not then trash it, put it somewhere to be looked at later, or save it for future reference
  4. What project or outcome needs to be done?
  5. What is the “next action” required?

Next action: the next physical, visible activity that needs to be engaged in, in order to move the current reality toward completion.

Do it, Delegate it, or Defer it

  • Do it if it can be done in less than 2 mins
  • Delegate it if someone else can do it
  • Defer it if you need to do it later

Organize projects, time specific lists, place specific list, and category lists.

Review weekly to gather and process all your stuff, review your system, update your lists, and get clean, clear, current and complete.

Do actions based on context (where you are), time available, energy available, and priority.

If you read this simple outline and implement the process you would become more productive instantly, but in order to maximize effectiveness David Allen suggests blocking out a couple days to implement this process. I call it the GTD retreat.

The GTD Retreat

  1.  Set aside a whole day (or two) to focus on getting set up with GTD.
  2. Set up a workspace with the right tools: Paper holder, pens & papers, file cabinet and file folders, computer, PDA/phone, and a wastebasket. (Keys to success; simplicity, speed, and fun.)
  3. Corral all your “Stuff” Get all the things that require your attention gathered in one place. Clean out all your files, drawers, countertops, and everywhere else.
  4. Begin to Process all your junk. David Allen reminds us that “In the “battle zone” of real life, if it’s not easy, fast, and fun to file, you’ll stack instead of organizing.”

3 Keys To Processing Your Junk

  1. Process the top item first.
  2. Process one item at a time.
  3. Never put anything back into “in”.

Organize using the 8 Basic Categories

  1. Projects
  2. Project support material
  3. Calendared actions and information
  4. Next actions Lists (categorical, at office, home, read/review, errands)
  5. Waiting for List
  6. Reference Material
  7. Someday List
  8. Email processing with 3 basic folders, Action, Waiting, and All Mail. Keep your inbox empty.

Immediately decide “Next Actions” based on what you have processed.

Likely after the GDT retreat you will feel empowered and ready to live a productive life, but the journey has only begun. You will have to work the system by reviewing weekly, looking at your calendar and processing new material.

Systems don’t work unless you work the systems! Once we gain the positive momentum of getting stuff done you will begin to trust yourself to accomplish your goals and will feel more fulfilled!

There is great power to keeping agreements with yourself. David Allen Quotes a church in Sussex England, “A vision without a task is but a dream, a task without a vision is drudgery, a vision and a task is the hope of the world” (256). My hope is that GTD will help make your vision a reality one small action at a time.

One Reason I Believe in Eternal Security – John 10:24-42

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From my reading in John 10:24-42 in the One Year New Testament.

One of the most clear and convincing verses that leads me to believe that we can’t lose our salvation is this one.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,” John 10:27–28

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me…

Once you are in Christ’s flock no one can steal you away. You are known by Jesus and he will keep you close to him as you listen to his voice and follow him.

Jesus is a good shepherd and as we established yesterday he laid down his life to protect his sheep. Knowing this gives me confidence that Jesus will seek out and bring back any sheep attempting to wander away from him if they are true sheep.  The goats on the other hand are a different story, see my article on You Might Be Saved If… (Sheep Vs Goats).

I give them eternal life…

Eternal life is a gift.

It is not something that can be earned, and it is not something that can be lost. If we have been given the gift by Christ then we can not return that gift at the store. We have eternal life not because we deserve it, but because Jesus gave it to us.

and they will never perish…

You will die physically, but your spirit will never be separated by God in Hell if you have been saved by Jesus. It is amazing that Jesus can promise that those in his flock won’t experience Hell because they are safe in him. After we die physically we will never have to experience any more pain, sorrow, or death!

 No one can snatch them away from me…

Jesus is God. He has the power to keep those he has saved. He continues,

“for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” John 10:29–30

The power of Jesus is the same power as the Father’s. We can rest assured that the most powerful being in the universe has us safe and he will never let us be snatched away! That is ultimate security!

 If you are a part of Christ’s flock you are safe! Also you get all the benefits now of Protection, Guidance, And Having A Full-Meaningful Life!

If you have never received the gift of eternal life and joined the flock then today is the day. Repent of your sin and decide to follow Jesus with your life!  You will be eternally grateful you did!

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How To Get Protection, Guidance, And Have A Full-Meaningful Life – John 10:1-23

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From my reading in John 10:1-23 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus is the Ultimate Shepherd

If you are a part of his flock you experience many benefits. Jesus shares the benefits of putting yourself under his care.

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3

Jesus Speaks To His Sheep

“And the sheep recognize his voice and come to him…”

If you are a follower of Christ, he will speak to you. Learning to recognize God’s voice is something that you can grow in. Through His Word and prayer, over time you will be able to discern what he is telling you. Hearing God’s voice is a comfort and it gives us important insight into our purpose in life.

Jesus Knows His Sheep By Name

“He calls his own sheep by name…”

Jesus knows us each personally! He calls us by name. He has a specific plan for each of us! What a privilege it is to be known by the God of the universe.

Jesus Leads His Sheep

“And leads them out.”

Jesus guides his sheep. If you are a part of his flock Jesus will lead you. I lead a college ministry and I see that many college students don’t know what they are going to do with their lives.

If you are a young person who isn’t sure what to do with your life, it is comforting to know that Jesus will speak to you and lead you where he wants you to go if you will listen and follow him!

Jesus Fulfills and Satisfies His Sheep

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10

A rich and satisfying life is not the same as an easy, fun life. A satisfying life can include much pain and suffering, but if you are following Jesus he will protect you and get you through.

God made us. When we are fulfilling the purpose we were created for, that’s when we are most alive.

Jesus Protects His Sheep

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.” John 10:11–15

The full and meaningful life he offers us is costly. Like a good shepherd dying to protect his flock from a lion, Jesus died to protect us, not from a lion, but from our sin and the consequence of eternal separation from God.

Jesus knows his sheep and his sheep know him.  Jesus sacrificed his life so that we can experience this relationship with him.

Jesus Loves His Future Sheep

“I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” John 10:16

Jesus care about those not yet in his flock. He has people that will come to know him that will be a part of his family. As his sheep, we should invite and welcome others into our flock!

 There is no better way to live than to live under the protective love our our shepherd.  Through his death on the cross we can…

Know Jesus’ voice.

Be known by Jesus personally.

Be guided by him.

Experience and rich and satisfying life.

Be protected from hell.

If you have yet to join the flock, Jesus wants to give these things to you! Join the flock and experience life as it is meant to be lived!

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If You Don’t Share Your Story Who Will? – John 9:24-41

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From my reading in John 9:24-41 in the One Year New Testament.

The story of how God changed your life is one of the most powerful things you can share. A man who was born blind was healed by Jesus. He didn’t even know who Jesus was yet, so when asked about him this is what he said,

“I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see.” John 9:25

We don’t have to know everything about apologetics to be effective at sharing our story.

Your personal story is powerful because it is something that is totally unique to you. No one else can share your story the way that you can. 

When people look for a restaurant or a movie they often look up reviews of people who have been there. Those reviewers as telling their story of the restaurant.

When you share your story of the difference Christ made in your life you are giving Jesus a rave review, which is what he deserves! 

What is even more motivating than a review is a personal friend telling you how much they loved a particular movie. You are a lot more motivated to check it out if it someone you know and trust recommending it.

The better people know you the more powerful a true testimony will be.

They will not only hear you share the difference Jesus has made in you life they will be able to see it!  So don’t be shy! Share your story of how Jesus took someone blind and made them see!

Amazing grace how sweet the sound.

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now I’m found.

Was blind but now I see.

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Don’t Miss Your Opportunity To Serve God – John 9:1-23

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From my reading in John 9:1-23 in the One Year New Testament.

God has given each of us opportunities to serve him in unique ways. But we only have a limited time to do them. Many opportunities come in life to serve, but we can miss them if we are not careful. Jesus was about to heal a man born blind and said this,

“While it is daytime, we must continue doing the work of the One who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4

In ancient times little to no work was done at night.

Most people worked outdoors and depended on sunlight. When the sun went down you had to stop working. Jesus is sharing the urgency of the work that God give us. If you are a Christian, God has prepared work in advance  for you to do. You shouldn’t put it off, but start doing it while you still can.

Many people are waiting until it is convenient to serve God or until they are “ready.” But if you you wait for perfect contentions to serve then you will wind up wasting your life and missing out on the blessings of being used by God.

There is going to be a day when your time has run out.

When you die you can no longer serve God on this earth but even in this life there are certain seasons and opportunities in life that if you don’t seize you will miss.

  • For example, I lead a college ministry and we offer summer mission trips. Sadly it is often hard to get students to go. I’m not saying going overseas is the only way to serve God, but I think it is sad that more students don’t take the opportunity while they are in college to use their summer in that way.  Who knows if they may end up being called as a missionary?
  • Singles sometimes want to wait until they get married and have kids to settle down and serve at Church. But the reality is that as a single you have more time to serve than those who have families at home.
  • Married people and parents we can get so consumed in the busyness of life that they are unwilling to sacrifice in order to see God’s kingdom advanced.

I am not advocating that we run ragged and say yes to every serving opportunity, but what I want us to see is that there is an urgency to our mission.

There is only a little time God has put us on this earth to make a difference.

While we still have time let’s serve with all of our hearts and do everything that God is leading us to do!

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How To Experience True Freedom – John 8:28-59

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From my reading in John 8:28-59 in the One Year New Testament.

Americans love freedom! It was the foundation that our country was built on. To most people freedom means having all the money you want, going wherever you want when you want and basically doing whatever you you want when you want. But the freedom that Jesus gives us is different, he said, 

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31–32

These words are the path to true freedom.  Let’s break it down phrase by phrase.

1. If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples…

In the Lowe-Nida lexicon abide means “to remain in the same place over a period of time.”

To abide in Christ’s word means to be constantly chewing on and thinking about God’s word. Often I have been guilty of reading a passage and closing my Bible without thinking about how the truths I just read impact my life today.

Healthy disciples don’t just read their Bible or listen to sermons. They stay so connected to God’s Word that it becomes a part of them.  God’s word should effect our every day decisions and life.

2. And you will know the truth…

To know the truth is a countercultural idea in our day. But Jesus’ words are 100% true!  That is why we can confidently base our lives on His Word.

Knowing the truth allows you align your life according to the way God created you.

3. And the truth will set you free.

True freedom comes from knowing and living out the truth.

A fish is not free when it is on land, because it was made for water. For a fish to be truly free it must be in the sea! We were created by God, and until we aline our lives with his truth we will never be truly free!

Jesus himself is “the truth!”

He died on the cross to set us free from the slavery of our sin and adopt us as his sons and daughters! 

Only through Christ can we be forgiven from our sin and set free from the bondage we are held in. Knowing Jesus and aligning our lives according to his word is the only way to experience true freedom.

If you are a follower of Jesus never be ashamed of the truth of scripture even if it is controversial. What the Bible says about the topics of abortion, homosexuality, greed, and lust should not be neglected because they are not popular.

We should not be ashamed of the truth, because the truth really does set people free!

Whatever it is that you are in bondage about, come to Jesus and let his word live deeply in you and you will experience true freedom!

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What Does It Really Mean To “Not Judge” As A Christian? – John 8:1-27

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From my reading in John 8:1-27 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus was teaching in the temple and the religious leaders brought a woman caught in the act of adultery in front of Jesus. The man was no where to be found, which proves that they had no intention of actually seeking justice. They were trying to trap Jesus by putting him in a hard situation.

Jesus took his time before speaking, which is a principle we can apply. When someone asks you a hard question it is ok to think about what a wise answer would be before blurting something out and ending up on the internet. They kept on badgering him for answer, so he stood up and said,

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7

One by one everyone left because they realized they all have sinned. It is interesting that the oldest were the first to leave, and most aware of their sinfulness.

Until you realize you own sinfulness you won’t be willing to offer grace to others. Those that understand their need for forgiveness are able to offer forgiveness to others.

We should not think of ourselves as better than others just because we struggle with different sins than they do.

Jesus, who was the only one actually without sin went to the woman and said.

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:10–11

Jesus accepts us as we are,

but loves us to much to let us stay that way!  

It is important to realize that Jesus did not overlook her sin, he forgave her. As followers of Jesus was are not called to excuse sin, but humbly offer the forgiveness of Jesus to those willing to repent and leave their life of sin.

Jesus did not tolerate the woman’s sin, he died for it.  Jesus was able to forgive the sin because he was about to die for that sin. He then challenged her to leave her lifestyle of sin. 

Some people say that Christians should never “judge” meaning that we should never call sin what it is. But if we did that we would not the following Jesus.

Jesus called sin what it is, then died for it!  As his followers we should humble offer his forgiveness to all who would turn from their sin and choose to follow Him!

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Can’t Get No Satisfaction? Find It Here – John 7:28-53

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From my reading in John 7:28-53 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus attended “The Feast of Tabernacles” which was a memorial for the wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness.

One of the traditions of this festival was a procession to a nearby spring. The priest filled a golden pitcher with water and the choir sang,

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3

After this, they returned to the temple and poured the water on the altar symbolizing how God’s drew water from a rock when they were thirsty in the desert. In the middle of this celebration Jesus stood up and made a bold claim!

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37–38

Jesus is basically saying, “I am the Rock broken for you, where true living water will flow!” “I am the well of salvation!” “I am the source of true satisfaction. ”

Jesus invites anyone who is spiritually thirsty to come to him. Any one who can’t find satisfaction can find it in Jesus. Christ’s proclamation echoes God’s invitation in Isaiah 55:1

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!” Isaiah 55:1

If you are not satisfied with your life come to Jesus! He will give you rivers of living water flowing within you. The rivers of living water he was talking about referrers to the Holy Spirit.

“By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:39

The Holy Spirit gives us a satisfaction that will not run out.

A flowing river remains fresh and keeps flowing. 

Those who stay in the flow of the Holy Spirit will experience a fresh stream of satisfaction.

The only way to experience this is to daily stay connected with the Holy Spirit. Even if you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you it is possible to not be benefiting from him. You could be quenching the spirit by sinning.

But when you allow yourself to be guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit, and you are actively obeying his promoting, then you will experience true satisfaction.

The satisfaction we experience here on earth through the Holy Spirit is only a glimpse of the complete and unending satisfaction that followers of Jesus will experience in heaven! I can’t wait!

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The Key Attitude For Approaching Scripture! John 7:1-27

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From my reading in John 7:1-27 in the One Year New Testament.

One powerful verse explains an important attitude to have for getting to most out of your time in God’s word. Jesus was explaining that his teaching was not his own but came from the Father then he said,

“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” John 7:17

Notice that choosing to do God’s will comes before finding out if Jesus’ teaching was genuine. I believe there is principle here that applies to the way we approach God’s word.

First decide to obey, then open your Bible.

I believe this attitude of surrender will allow God to speak to us through his word in amazing ways.

In a sense, we give God a blank check and let him through his word fill in the amount. 

We already have decided to obey so we don’t have to decide if we are or not for every passage.

Coming to scripture pre-deciding to obey lessens the battle in our hearts, especially when we are confronted with a difficult passage to apply.

I believe this state of surrender to God’s authority will allow him to speak to us and use us in amazing ways.

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