Stimulate and Refresh…

While reading this morning the words of Peter in 2 Peter 3 resonated within me.  He said, “This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory.”

One of my greatest privileges as a pastor is to preach the Word of God in such a way that it stimulates wholesome thinking (that we might have the mind of Christ) and to remind people of the amazing things God has done.

What an incredible honor it is to be able to do such a thing!

My Friend Hezekiah Recap

After spending several days learning from my friend Hezekiah I am extremely grateful for our friendship. The following are the 8 principles we can learn from Hezekiah.
Choose your legacy.

  1. Choose your legacy.
  2. Do first things first.
  3. Beware of Ministry Negligence
  4. As goes the leader so goes the team.
  5. The underdog isn’t always the underdog.
  6. In leadership, you will be lied about.
  7. Let God fight your battles.
  8. Pride rides on the heels of victory.


Vision. Opposition. Response.

Have you ever had a vision for what could be?  Have you ever felt as if God was giving you a picture of a better future for your Marriage?  Your Career?  Your kids? If so, then you know the enthusiasm that comes from a renewed sense of purpose and passion.  It is exhilirating.  Unfortunately it is usually temporary.

Every great vision is followed by opposition. The moment you begin to step up to what God is calling you to do somebody is waiting to knock you down.  It’s true.  There are vision vandals out there that want nothing more than to keep you from achieving God’s best in your life.  The Bible says that there is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy…and he’s good at it. You may face opposition from someone in the community or another church or you may face opposition from those close to you, your friends and family.  Opposition may come internally with doubts and thoughts that you aren’t good enough.

Opposition happens! We would be wise to learn from the Old Testament Character, Nehemiah.  He received an incredible vision to rebuild and restore the wall around Jerusalem.  No sooner than he casts his vision talk to the people his vision is quickly attacked.  His opponents “jeered and despised” their plan.

The true test is not what you do with your vision, but rather what do you do when your vision is attacked?

Nehemiah 2:30 says, “Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

In the face of opposition Nehemiah returns to the initial vision that God gave him, he rose up, and he started to build.  When your vision is challenged will you rise up and build or shrink back and postpone?

My Friend Hezekiah pt. 8

Hezekiah is victorious. The Assyrians have been defeated. Their king has been killed.

How do you handle victory?

Often times, pride rides on the heels of victory.

Hezekiah is no exception. The bible says that after God gave the victory that Hezekiah became sick and his heart became proud. As a result of a prideful heart God’s wrath came upon him and Judah.

For a moment I thought that my friendship with Hezekiah was about to be over. However, in 2 Chronicles 32:26 He “humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.”

Hezekiah didn’t let pride lead to his downfall. When all is said and done Hezekiah started well, led well, and finished well.

I am grateful for our friendship!


My Friend Hezekiah pt. 7

I never knew I could learn so much from one guy who’s been dead for thousands of years. It’s crazy.

Today i want to share another simple principle that Hezekiah is teaching me. Here it is…Let God fight your battles!

Hezekiah has been slandered. The people of Judah have been lied to. They have been intimidated. Yet, rather than lashing out Hezekiah seeks God.

2 Chronicles 32:20–Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven.”

Hezekiah and his boys pray to God and God brings justice. The following verses tell about how the army of Assyria was stopped in their tracks and that when the king of Assyria went home his own sons killed him! It’s crazy! God brought the victory and Hezekiah didn’t have to lift a finger.

When faced with criticism and attack let God fight your battles!


My Friend Hezekiah pt. 6

The Sixth principle that Hezekiah teaches about life and leadership is simply that as you experience success you will be lied about. Doesn’t that excite you!

Hezekiah and the people of Judah refuse to back down to the King of Assyria. The king has tried to discourage Hezekiah and it didn’t work. Since the King of Assyria couldn’t sway Hezekiah he began to spread lies about him to the people he led.

In 2 Chronicles 32:11, the King of Assyria says to the people of Judah, “Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die by famine and by thirst…” Nothing will bless you more as a leader than someone else spreading lies about you. Do not be surprised!

If you can’t be swayed your adversary will try to sway those who follow you.