PRISONERS
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. (NLT Ephesians 4:1)

I have noticed when I ask the students at college why they are pursuing the major they have chosen and the ultimate career path it takes them on, they often answer it is for the big paying position. We are driven by our wants and our wants are created by the bling all around us--fast cars, giant plasma televisions, latest and greatest personal computers, big houses, and you know the rest.

So often we are pursuing position and money and are pulled to what the world wants of us and never move out in our call. We are prisoners in a life without physical bars. We have been sentenced by our own desires in our pursuit of worldly things. We want our fair share; to be like everyone else. We know how they live. After all, we see their lifestyles depicted on television and in movies. Our lives are molded around fictional fantasy.

God created us and before we were born of this world, He had a plan for our life. We have been called by God and it is up to us to create a strong relationship with Him so we can find out just what He has called us for. While we search, we must lead a life worthy of our calling, a Christ like life.

Are you in relationship with Him each day asking Him to mold you and shape you into the person He has called you to be?

THE HARD DRIVE
He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:8 NLT)

Years ago when you purchased a computer, all you got was the computer. There was nothing on the hard disk drive. You were required to install the operating system and then to install any applications you wanted included. It was like getting a brain with no wisdom included.

Today computers come with the latest version of Windows XP and application software so you can get started right away with Internet access and typing letters. They are not loaded with every application known to mankind, but they have plenty to get started with. You can add whatever you need later.

I believe when we were born God gave us a "hard drive" filled with all wisdom and understanding. What we were missing was the means to access the information on it. When we were born again, we received the username and password.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we now have access to the entire "hard drive". Are you accessing all of your data?

WAITING ON GOD
Well, when I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord gave me tremendous opportunities. (NLT 2 Corinthians 2:12)

Recently we added one of those electronic maps to our vehicle. Many of the new cards are coming with a similar device built into the dashboard. You plug in your destination and it directs you, one step at a time. It is like a real time Google map. Instead of printout, you get a live view. It knows your current location because of a built in GPS linked to the satellite. As you travel, the speed, location, and elevation is displayed in real time.

As you travel along the suggested path, the GPS tells you the next turn a couple of miles in advance. Then it reminds you as you near the action point. If you make a wrong turn, it recalculates the route finding a new way to arrive at the intended destination.

Recall the old adage about the horse and the cart. Do not put the horse before the cart? So often, we focus on the results and want to know the outcome before we even begin. Many will not begin something unless they know the outcome. The GPS can only direct your path if you know the destination.

God does not give us a road map or a destination. Many sit back and wait to be directed and the direction never seems to materialize. They are waiting on God to make the first move.

I believe God waits on us. He told us to go and make disciples. When Paul went to Troas to preach, the Lord gave him opportunities. Paul did not wait to get a letter outlining the opportunities in advance of the trip. As we go, He provides the opportunities for us to do His work.

God never leaves us, even when we veer off the course He places us. He just recalculates the route and gives us additional opportunities. As we learn to recognize them, our growth in Him accelerates.

Are you waiting on God to get started or are you on the journey with your eyes and ears open for the opportunities He has for you?

UPGRADE THE OS
That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved. (NLT 1 Corinthians 10:33)

There is a new operating system coming out soon and many are pooh-poohing it before they even see it. It gets down to the old change thing; nobody likes a change. Heck, we just got used to XP and now we have to learn Vista.

In order to be interested in the change, someone has to show you what they like about it. They have to meet you in XP and tell you all about the neat things available in the new operating system. Then you want to try it out. You want to test the waters.

Often there is an obvious gap between Christians and non-believers. It is almost as though each were in a separate camp, on different mountains with a valley in between. They shout at each other over the gap, but neither side really hears the other. They are using the old operating system and you know and use the new one.

However, others should not feel a "holier than thou" attitude when listening to what you have to say. You should line up with their lifestyle without compromising your beliefs. As we blend in with their way of life, Christ’s love is free to engulf them and doors open for the gospel message to be shared.

SHARE IT
I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, "Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand." (NLT Romans 15:21)

Most of us have seen a great movie and told others all about it. We just cannot help ourselves. We want others to go see it and feel great about it. The same goes for a good series on television or even a novel that is a great read. It is important to share the good news.

I get excited about new shortcuts I find in Office 2003 and share them with everyone I know. When I find a great utility program, I cannot wait to install it everywhere I go. When I got my first USB flash drive, I showed everyone. They just had to get one.

The one thing all believers have in common is the commission given by Jesus to share His Good News. All tasked to tell. Most end up singing to the choir; we tell our story to other believers and the same old non-believers.

We hear the stories of miracles and hundreds coming to Christ in foreign countries. Well, those traveling to those countries are telling the story to those who have never heard. They listen and understand. They become saved and healed.

There are multitudes in this country who have never heard and it is time for us to get out of the churches and preach His message to them. It is time to share our story. They will understand

PROPERTIES
So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified. (NLT Romans 15:7)

In Windows we have all seen the Properties option. Just right-click on an icon on your desktop and at the bottom of the pop-up menu you should see an example of it. Click properties and you open a window describing various attributes of the item clicked. Each of us comes with attributes and other click properties when they first meet us.

Accepting others is an issue most of us deal with. We like certain types of people based on our experiences in life. We look at their attributes; we observe the length of their hair, the tightness of their jeans, their tattoos or lack of them, their body piercing, the style clothes they wear, the quality of words coming out of them, and more.

We were all at different places in life with varying attributes before we came to know Jesus Christ. He accepted us right where we were. There was no qualifying attribute necessary to follow Him. Isn’t it time we did the same? Next time you meet someone, look past the attributes to the person God sees and accept them right where they are at

DEBT FREE
Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law. (NLT Romans 13:8)

The American way of life revolves around debt. The latest tool banks have added is the debit card. You can just purchase and pay right out of your checking account. I guess it is better than getting a bill from a credit card company at the end of the billing cycle. The way I see it, having hard cash in my hand and wanting to hang on to it is a deterrent to spending too freely. With a card in hand, it is easy to forget the fact that the funds are about to be removed from your bank account.

I believe my Bible tells me God does not want us to be in debt to anyone for anything, except the debt of love for others. The only way not to be in debt is to limit spending to income. The only way to be successful at that is not to let those easy payment ads tempt us into another monthly bill.

Success in the eyes of others is the big house, the fast car, the great vacations, and other things. Real success is the ability to do that without creating a debt needing to be paid off with thirty-six payments or more. When He says pay all your debts, I believe He means it. How close are you to making it a reality in your life?