He lies, manipulates, twists, contorts, shades the truth, lives in the gray, and does whatever is necessary to get the win.  The rules are always bent toward his favor, he can’t stand to lose, and will cut people at their knees if they question his intentions.  His anger flares like a fire out of control when his honor is questioned.  He attacks in the dark and hides his weapons in every room to be wielded at a moments notice.

The few that stand their ground in his presence often find temporary victory as he seemingly complies and fades back into his submissive posture.  He says whatever is necessary to placate his detractors while plotting and scheming to destroy them before they even leave his presence.

He doesn’t look that menacing from the surface, however.  He offers help when asked, gives unexpected gifts, and works tirelessly to sway the opinions of those who keep company around him.  No lie is off limits and no relationship is valuable… everything is expendable for his own gain.  He trusts no one yet he appears amazingly trustworthy.

Many speak fondly of him unaware of the underlying motives.  The few that experience his direct attacks are seemingly called into question and mocked as they attempt to bring light to his devious behavior.  He has the world right where he wants it.  He’s quite convincing… and lives as if he has won something – when ultimately – he knows that he’s already lost.  His lack of assurance is what compels him to bring others down to his level.

The church accepts his money, accepts his lies, buys into his silky lure of success and opinion.  He has confidently carried congregations into debt and heaped burdens upon their backs that are unsustainable.  He’s used the passive picture of Christ to be the very instrument that renders millions of believers… impotent.   His lies have overcome truth and he’s managed to sway the most devout believers into questioning the very nature of Christ and His teaching.  Evil has tilted the scales.

Christ defeated evil, ruined its self confidence, and relegated it to the dark corners.  It can’t exist where Christ lives, but it can work from the fringes to lure the unsure or casual believers into a dark pit of despair.   Luring with the bait of success, riches, prominence, greed, lust, power, and ego stroking…many fall victim to his well designed scheme.  Evil is never bold enough to stand toe to toe with anyone full of Christ, rather, it slinks around and manipulates with glancing blows in order to feed it’s lack of confidence and poor self-esteem.

How can evil continue its march across the world?  Who is to blame?  Jesus Christ?  Hardly.  Jesus Christ has already beaten evil into submission.

Is evil left to blame then?  Not at all.  Evil only has power when it’s given to him.  Are unbelievers to blame?  Never. God is specific to tell us that victory over darkness and harmony of His will is reserved for those who believe and love Him.  So that’s left with… whom?

Are Christians left to blame?  Perhaps…but not just any Christian.  The timid Christian.  The lukewarm believer who chooses to allow their life to be influenced by the bait of evil has conveniently ushered world-based pursuits right through the front door of the church.  Fear of losing something has cost them their confidence in gaining everything through Christ.

There is no fear in living bold for Christ.  Evil is working overtime trying to convince timid Christians that his ways are necessary for existence.  He is a master manipulator.  He doesn’t embed fear into you, but offers a compelling case of doubt so you can bring his fear into your life.   He convinces people to act like him… so evil is trusted more than Christ’s truth.

Do you know enough of Christ’s teachings to point out the lies?  Are you bold enough in your faith to believe that God is bigger than evil?  Don’t take the bait today.  There is nothing on the other side of the empty threat.  Evil has no control over you if Christ is firmly seated in your life.

Live Bold – not timid.  Don’t let anyone convince you that evil has the upper hand.  If they do… they are deceived.  Christ has won, you have Christ in you life, therefore you win.  Don’t forget that – ever.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. – 1 John 5:14 (NIV)

Succeeding in life is based largely around who you know.  Anyone who is willing to invest the time in creating a network of contacts and friends can succeed beyond their wildest dreams.  Politicians climb their way to the highest seats in the land. CEO’s land jobs that pay millions in benefits.  Pastors receive offers to lead mega churches.  The list is endless.

Success in a democracy or a dictatorial regime comes down to who you know and the favors you are willing to exchange for one another.

In a familiar way, success in your faith comes down to who you know.  Knowing God through Jesus Christ is the only network necessary for success.  Making requests and asking for help is routine business in God’s circles.  Understand, however, that God will hear those requests that line up with His will but checks up with the requests that only bring honor to you and your temporary pursuits.

God offers unlimited peace, joy, contentment, and lasting life for those who know Him.  As we get to know God and understand the joys of life through Him, we learn better what to ask of Him.   It’s true, success in this life is absolutely based on who you know.  Knowing God personally will get you everywhere.  Living in His will of love will better guide you on what to confidently approach and ask of Him.

2 Minute Drill

What do you know about God’s will?

What one request have you made of God that you feel He heard?

PRAY:  Almighty God, I am honored to know you.  Today is another opportunity to serve Your will of loving others as much as I love myself.  Check me when I ask for things that only bring glory to me. Bless me when I ask for those things that bring You honor.  Amen.

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. – 1 John 5:11 (NIV)

There is but one absolute fact that every human can understand… the body does not last forever.  Our common bond to humanity crosses time, geography, and culture.  We are linked together by our knowledge of death and it’s role in our life.

Regardless of the vain attempts to extend life, we all eventually meet our end.  In a mad effort to prove our worth and build our legacy, we race to acquire, accomplish, and outlast everyone around us.  In the end, however, we find the great equalizer of worldly pursuits…death.  No one is immune.

Our lives begin, endure, and end no longer than the flash of a caution light when compared to the billions who have lived before us and the billions of people who may live after us.  So why must we waste our energy and efforts on a life that begins its march toward death on the day of our birth?

God gives His children a doorway to eternal life.  A life without death, pain, sin, judgement, jealousy, hate is how God intended us to live. We find a restored life through Jesus Christ while we are here and a promised life of eternal bliss after our human bodies wear out.

Live your life to its fullest while you have it.  Be an example of those around you who may not understand the gift of eternal life.  Lock down your relationship with God and don’t allow anyone or anything to separate you. Stay focused, life for Him, and celebrate the joy of what lies ahead, stop chasing temporary things.

2 Minute Drill

Do you fear death?

How does “eternal life” affect your current life?

PRAY:  God, you’ve given me the hope of knowing you and living with you forever.  Show me how to be an example with this life, so that others may find the same hope. Amen.

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. – 1 John 5:5 (NIV)

If you find yourself standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, head 20 miles west and get the visual of what making an impact on this planet actually looks like.  A giant crater shows the evidence of a meteor that crashed into the earth 50,000 (c.) years ago.

What would it look like if our spiritual lives made such an impact on the world, that a noticeable change could be seen?  What would happen if our life was lived with so much momentum that whatever we touched was forever changed?  If you live for God daily, you are making those impacts… through Christ’s power.

Jesus Christ came to us, sent from God, to show us what “impact” looks like.  Jesus chose a band of disciples and demonstrated what “overcoming the world” looks like.  He taught them how to carry out the game changing ministry of God.  Christ hit the earth like a meteor and we still see his presence.  The disciples carried out that same mission and revolutionized cities, governments, world politics, and the entire human race. And so should we, as His followers.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God?  Do you understand what He taught us to do?  If so, you are ready to make a deep impact on the face of your culture… just by being obedient to God’s commands.  Don’t doubt, don’t waiver, don’t draw back… it’s up to you now.

2 Minute Drill

How has Christ made a deep impact on your life?

What one thing can you do today to impact the people around you?

PRAY: God, you’ve given me the authority and the action plan through your Son.  Now grant me the courage to make game changing decisions to affect this world for your purpose, not my own. Amen.

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. – 1 John 5:5 (NIV)

If you find yourself standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, head 20 miles west and get the visual of what making an impact on this planet actually looks like.  A giant crater shows the evidence of a meteor that crashed into the earth 50,000 (c.) years ago.

What would it look like if our spiritual lives made such an impact on the world, that a noticeable change could be seen?  What would happen if our life was lived with so much momentum that whatever we touched was forever changed?  If you live for God daily, you are making those impacts… through Christ’s power.

Jesus Christ came to us, sent from God, to show us what “impact” looks like.  Jesus chose a band of disciples and demonstrated what “overcoming the world” looks like.  He taught them how to carry out the game changing ministry of God.  Christ hit the earth like a meteor and we still see his presence.  The disciples carried out that same mission and revolutionized cities, governments, world politics, and the entire human race. And so should we, as His followers.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God?  Do you understand what He taught us to do?  If so, you are ready to make a deep impact on the face of your culture… just by being obedient to God’s commands.  Don’t doubt, don’t waiver, don’t draw back… it’s up to you now.

2 Minute Drill

How has Christ made a deep impact on your life?

What one thing can you do today to impact the people around you?

PRAY: God, you’ve given me the authority and the action plan through your Son.  Now grant me the courage to make game changing decisions to affect this world for your purpose, not my own. Amen.

foodFIGHT!  The official Mission project of Live Bold Magazine is now underway!  As a ministry, we are committed to living out the command of Christ who taught us what service looks like in Matthew 25.  We are called to serve all and love all.  Live Bold Ministries has prayerfully entered into the mission field of hunger relief.  Every person who is called by name to belong in the family of God should be actively pursuing mission.

What is your mission?  What breaks your heart?  What are you doing about it?

I sat over a sandwich, measuring more than a foot, loaded with deep fried shrimp, tomatoes, lettuce, and mayonnaise cradled by a slightly toasted and perfectly baked “loaf” of french bread.  In my region, we call that a shrimp po-boy.  A sandwich that springs my eyes to life every time I order it.  While enjoying my sandwich, I began to notice the sheer volume of food that sat on the table before me and my buddies.  We had more than enough.  In fact, we had too much.

Living in one of the “heaviest” states in the U.S., food is a part of our lifestyle.  It’s our buffer for conversation, setting for business meetings, reason for family gatherings, and the culture of social functions.

I’ll never forget a compelling and quite funny comedic routine from the late Sam Kennison.  He would scream into the microphone and shout insults to anyone and everyone.  In one of his routines, he proposed a solution to end hunger in 3rd world countries.  He said, “hey! People!  Move to where the food is!”  It was quite funny at the time.  Possibly because I had no problems finding food.  But for those who are dying every day, moving isn’t an option.  Logistically, economically, financially, and culturally…. these people have no options.  It’s not a laughing matter.  More than 18,000 kids alone die from hunger every day (according to UN food Agencies).

I finished stuffing my face and that’s when God spoke to my soul.  My mission is to find a way to help those who have enough… give to those who don’t have enough… because I have had “ENOUGH!”

A conversation began with a mutual friend, Larry Malone, who is working with world hunger and recently spoke in Durban South Africa at a world council to end hunger.  We began a short dialogue about how Live Bold Magazine could raise awareness, join the fight, and find a way to bring relief to people who are literally starving to death.

foodFIGHT is born.  We want to provide a way for every person to give by doing things they already do.  We wanted to build an easy and sustainable concept… but we found the only way to make it work was to take greed and profit out of the equation.  So we decided to pass all the profits through our non-profit organization and send them directly to a non-profit hunger relief agency with a powerful track record.

Stop Hunger Now has an amazing mechanism of getting food pulled together, packaged, and dropped into areas that need it the most.  Regardless of geography…Stop Hunger Now is delivering food by the ton around the world.

Thanks to a connection from fellow Live Bold writer, Robert Noland, We contacted essential artist services to help us build the t-shirt design.  This group does design and print work for recording artists like Casting Crowns, Red, Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith, and many more.  This Christian firm is helping us learning how to control our costs while offering amazing product quality so more profits can go to hunger relief.

One t-Shirt will supply enough funding to keep someone alive for 30 days.  Simple.  You buy a shirt, you keep a person alive.  Now we’re getting to the root of Matthew 25…right?  Our call is to feed those who are hungry from our abundance.  Are you with us?

There are 2 Simple ways to participate:

1. Buy a shirt (available for pre-order soon)
2. Sponsor a foodFIGHT (taking applications now on our contact page)

Sponsoring a foodFIGHT is super easy.  You set your number of shirts, we add your organization logo to the shirt, and you buy cases at our cost.  You then sell the merchandise for profit and distribute to your own local food charity of your choice. You cover your costs and you raise money for the hungry and local hunger relief agencies.

We want to give you the option of letting us do the work through our partners at Stop Hunger Now or you do the work through your own mission project.

We want to give our “enough” to those who don’t have “enough”.

We’ll release the mechanics soon, but we wanted our faithful readers to be on the inside.  As the news leaks, we want you to be “in-the-know” first.  We’ll tell you more very soon and release the design of foodFIGHT shirt #1 in the coming days!

We couldn’t wait to share the news… the PR people suggested we hold off… we said no. Website is up soon and ordering will begin soon after. But get on the board now to sponsor a food fight!

Pray for us, pray for them.

this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. – 1 John 5:3 (NIV)

Kevin was cleaning out his office when he came across an old dusty bible that had been resting atop his book shelves.  As he wiped the dust from the brown leather cover, he felt a weight settle across his shoulders like a bag of bricks.

The bible, which Kevin hardly read, represented an insurmountable task list and burdensome set of rules that he felt could never be kept.  His experience with God was always associated with rules and his inability to keep them all… much less remember them.  He struggled in his faith, and he just couldn’t commit to something he knew would be consistent failure.

Too many times, we associate God with an overwhelming list of rules and laws.  Jesus Christ came to re-orient that mindset.  To offer a reset button to us.  Jesus said, to love God with everything that you are, and love others as you love yourself.  To love God is to keep His commands.  And keeping God’s commands are as simple as this:  Love God first. Love others sacrificially.  Teach others to do the same.

We need to hear that God’s commands are not heavy and burdensome.  Going through life like Kevin will cause us to miss on the fullness of God’s grace.

These rules we can keep.  Even Jesus Christ said that all of God’s laws hang on those two simple commands.  Love God first and most with everything you are, love others sacrificially.  We can do this.  Jesus Christ showed us the way.

2 Minute Drill

How can you love God with your entire being?

Do you love someone enough to sacrifice your time, resources, or your life?

PRAY:  God, I don’t want to be a rule breaker.  I want to follow your desire that I turn to you first for everything.  Help me tune out the world and others who try to convince me otherwise. Amen.

the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4 (NIV)

Charles sat quietly in the sandwich shop during his lunch hour.  He stared out the window as the endless stream of people strolled in and out the door.  Business seemed to be good for this small place, regardless of reported economic slump.

The echoes swirled Charles’ ears from the morning meeting with his supervisors.  He was asked to retire in 30 days or run the risk of losing his job – his position was being outsourced to another country.

Charles spent 25 years in the same company.  He gave all of his time, energy, education, and commitment to his career… and in return, he was given a notice – jobless.  The words “now what?” kept ringing in his head.

God is bigger than your career.  God is more fulfilling than your accomplishments.  Your walk with God is much more important than your walk with the world.  God loves you, the world uses you.

Chuck knew God, was aware of God, and went to church when he didn’t have to work.  But given the option, Chuck chose his career over his time with God –  every time.

God is bigger than any problem.  He accomplishes amazing things in lives of faithful men and women every day. However, when we don’t choose God or even know God, the outcomes in life seem dire.  The options seem bleak.  Hope is hard to find.  When we have God in our lives and choose him… there is nothing the world can heap on you that is bigger than He is.

Evil is nothing more than a chatterbox trying to convince you that choosing it is more important than anything else.  You are different.  You choose God.  right?  After all, He’s bigger and He’s the winner.

2 Minute Drill

Who have you known that has suffered a fate like Chuck?

How can you choose God over evil today?

PRAY:  God, I want to depend on you for guidance and hope.  Close my eyes to the enticements of the world around me.  Give me strength to choose you every day, every hour. Amen.

He asked her to marry him 23 years ago and has not let a day pass without saying the words , “I love you”.  Without regard to location, time of day, or in the midst of others, he allows those words to flow as if they were interchangeable with her name.

He spends many of his evenings in a drunken stupor.   Acting like a fool and embarrassing himself in front of her.  On occasion, his drunken state provokes him to belittle and nag her about the lack of sex in the bedroom.  He can’t control his words in such a desperate state of mind.

When alone with friends, he rarely talks about his wife unless its a complaint about her rules and restrictions.  He doesn’t understand why she wants him to stop drinking… he argues to his friends about how it doesn’t really affect anyone but himself.

Our faith should not look like this “loving” husband.  One who knows exactly what to say in the right place and time.  Our confession of faith is only the beginning – it’s the “I do” of our marriage.  We have to move on from the “wedding day” and begin to learn how to love and show how to love through our actions.

Too many men treat their relationship with Jesus Christ like their unappreciated wife.  They say all the right words, but rarely stop to listen to her, offer her gifts, or trade in his desires for her desires.  Delivering empty words to Jesus Christ is a shady attempt to cover up illegitimate feelings.

Saying “I love you” is never enough to convey your love.  Acting in love and basing your actions on the truth of Christ is the mark of belonging to Christ.  Don’t treat Jesus Christ like an unappreciated wife.  He didn’t hang on the cross to be patronized by empty words.  The least we can do is speak truth and live out His commands.

Building an authentic relationship with Christ and learning to punch the world in the mouth is directly connected to the ability to stop chattering about our relationship with God and start dealing the cards.

It’s embarrassing to Christianity when people claim to know Jesus Christ by reciting the Lord’s prayer, perhaps a creed, or quoting bible verses – but then turn to behave like a drunken fool in the dark.  Worship services were never meant to be a remedy to hangovers… but many continue to flock into the church for a quick sermon, a fast forgiveness, and offer “Jesus talk” in hopes to pull out of a sin induced haze.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, doesn’t tolerate being made second.  When we slip on the ring and agree that He becomes our King… we agree to bow our head, bend our knee, and finish like Him.  If we must tell everyone how much we love others, it’s likely there isn’t enough evidence to prove otherwise.

Here’s a few ways you can show your love for Christ:

• Give up something very dear to you in order to make a resource available for someone who has little
• Feed the hungry
• Buy or give clothing (your best clothing) to someone who is cold
• Find ways to increase shelter for the homeless in your area
• Become a mentor to a child who has no father
• Serve your church congregation weekly by offering your talent

Jesus Christ died on the cross to show His love for us.  We must commit our mouths to speaking truth and offering words of love, and commit our actions to showing our faith through what we do.  How can our actions speak louder than our words?

[Today's article is excerpted from the daily devotional - 2 Minute Drill.  These short motivations of faith are new 6 days per week.  Grab our print version for an offline 30 day starter  

or get a dozen for your friends to begin a small group.  Click the ads on the right side of our website for more information]

Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

He asked her to marry him 23 years ago and has not let a day pass without saying the words , “I love you”.  Without regard to location, time of day, or in the midst of others, he allows those words to flow as if they were interchangeable with her name.

He spends many of his evenings in a drunken stupor.   Acting like a fool and embarrassing himself in front of her.  On occasion, his drunken state provokes him to belittle and nag her about the lack of sex in the bedroom.  He can’t control his words in such a desperate state of mind.

When alone with friends, he rarely talks about his wife unless its a complaint about her rules and restrictions.  He doesn’t understand why she wants him to stop drinking… he argues to his friends about how it doesn’t really affect anyone but himself.

Our faith should not look like this “loving” husband.  One who knows exactly what to say in the right place and time.  Our confession of faith isn’t a ticket out of the “doghouse”.

Too many men treat their relationship with Jesus Christ like their unappreciated wife.  They say all the right words, but rarely stop to listen to her, offer her gifts, or trade in his desires for her desires.  Delivering empty words to Jesus Christ is a shady attempt to cover up illegitimate feelings.

Saying “I love you” is never enough to convey your love.  Acting in love and basing your actions on the truth of Christ is the mark of belonging to Christ.  Don’t treat Jesus Christ like an unappreciated wife.  He didn’t hang on the cross to be patronized by empty words.  The least we can do is speak truth and live out His commands.

2 Minute Drill

How often do you tell others about your faith in Jesus?

What one act can you do today that demonstrates your love?

PRAY:  God, forgive me for inaction.  I talk about my faith but often miss opportunities to show it through my hands and feet.  I want to be love in action, not empty words.  Amen.

So what exactly do you believe?  Does your extensive knowledge of the Bible qualify you to be called a Christian?  Does your faithful attendance at a church definitively prove your allegiance to God?  Do your actions speak louder that your words?

Let’s demystify the notion of being a Christian.  Here’s how you can find out once and for all whether or not you are a follower of Christ:

FIRST: Get down to the raw core of you

• Throw out every tradition of faith you’ve ever known
• Set aside every ritual of church communities and denominations
• Close the bible
• Forget every memorized verse
• Ignore every sermon
• Shut out the echoes of dad, mom, grandma, grandpa
• Cross out every committee and ministry you are associated with

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? – 1 John 3:17 (NIV)

A group of men stood in the hallway of their church as they planned another weekend outing.  They divided up the responsibilities and costs of the trip to help defer the big expense.  Gas money, extra food, gear, and a couple of new camp stoves were tossed into the discussion.

A solid plan was in place to head out for the weekend with friends.

Just a few feet down the hall, a box sat mostly empty.  A young girl stood in front of the box with a sign asking for food, clothing, and donations to help a family who were members in a church down the street.  The mother and father lost their jobs, the bank foreclosed on their home, and they struggled to keep the power bill paid.  The young girl was a school friend of the family.  She watched and listened to the men plan their excursion.

As the group began to close their planning and preparing to disburse, she slowly approached them to ask if they could help the family in need.  A couple of guys smile and patted her on the back. One guy reached in his pocket, pulled out a few dollars and gave it to her while the rest slowly drifted away from the scene.

God’s voice is very clear and His command through Christ is quite plain.  We are to care for all people using our abundance.  Even more important is it to take the time and give the attention to fellow believers.

2 Minute Drill

How do you see others taking care of those in dire need?

What can you do to help someone today?

PRAY:  God, you’ve given me life and blessed me with food, clothing and shelter.  Help me to see the need around me and show me ways to offer your Grace through my abundance. Amen.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. – 1 John 3:16 9 (NIV)

Larry closed his mailbox and walked slowly back to the house.  He thumbed through the mail and rested his eyes on a letter from his church.  Curious, he opened the envelope to find a year-end giving statement neatly folded.  He glanced at the year-end total and was pleasantly surprised to see how much he had given over the previous year.

The following Sunday, Larry strolled into his church feeling rather accomplished about his commitment to the church.  As the service prepared to begin, announcement after announcement rolled across the media screen in front.  Requests for volunteers to feed the homeless, help the elderly to repair their homes, to spend time with a few fatherless kids from the local mentoring program, pleadings for men to minister to the prisoners at the county jail, and the requests continued to roll.

Larry was hardly moved to volunteer for any of the projects.  He had very little time to spare due to the demands of his career and his commitment to the golf team at the nearby country club.

Giving money came easy for Larry, it didn’t require much of him since he was doing very well in business.  Giving of his time, however, was a sacrifice he wasn’t willing to make.

Christ gave his whole self for us.  We should ask whether or not the things we do or the money we give is a sacrifice.  Do we give up a piece of ourselves in order that others may have food, clothing, shelter, love, or hope?  Whether its money, time, or talent…isn’t that the command to us?  To sacrifice our abundance for others who are lacking?

2 Minute Drill

Who has sacrificed something for you?

What one area do you find hardest to sacrifice?

PRAY:  God, I want to live as you have commanded.  Show me those places where I’ve withheld my gifts and talents for the benefit of those around me. Teach me to align my priorities with your desire and your command. Amen.

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. – 1 John 3:11 (NIV)

He gets on your nerves.  Everything she does seems to hit you like fingernails on a chalkboard.  The words he uses or the sheer volume of his voice just grates on you.  The way she complains about everything.  He is always wanted to fight.

Do you know someone who makes it really hard to like them, much less love them?

A young man raised his hand in a drug education class where he was overcoming his addiction.  He wanted to answer the question, “who do you have a hard time loving?”  The teacher acknowledged him and the following answer hung in the room like a heavy cloud, “Am I supposed to love my dad?  He taught me how to make crystal meth and encouraged me to get high with him… when I was 15 years old.  He’s the reason I’m a drug addict. How do I love him?”

Jesus Christ was serious when He told us to love others.  He didn’t suggest that level of commitment to one another, he commanded it.  To be a Christian, you must always meet the 2 standards: (1) Love God with your whole being, strength, and devotion. (2) Love others to the point of self-sacrifice.

We are commanded to love the people.  However, those people may do things, say things, or behave in a way that is simply idiotic by our standards and drive us away.  Remember that you can love the person and value them for who they are.  Loving someone means you respect them and are willing to go the distance for them if needed, no matter how much they get on your nerves.

Remember that you aren’t perfect and likely challenge someone else to love you… because of your actions.  You still want to be loved right?  Find a way to do that, and watch your worldview change.

2 Minute Drill

Who gets on your nerves the most?

What habit do you have that can potentially make you hard to love?

PRAY: God, you made me unique and the world has shaped some of my behaviors.  Help me to understand people around me and show me how to love them no matter my opinion of their actions.  Help me to be more consistent with your command. Amen.

You are among the 10,000+ visits we receive at Live Bold Magazine each month, so we felt that you should be among the first to hear the news that will be released to the public (non-readers) on 2.1.12 – are you prepared to engage in the fight?

Electing to live with Christ in your presence means that you are willing to walk in stride with Him.  Our daily devotion for 1.27.2012 talks about how we unknowingly find ourselves in the wrong place.  Here’s an excerpt:

The longer a group stands and applauds, the more likely that the random clapping will slowly morph into a rhythm, a cadence, a unified sound.  Each person begins their appreciation with their own expression and without prompting or leading – the group will begin to clap in rhythm… if only for a moment.

The collective presence of the crowd soon becomes the leader.  No particular person in charge, no one calling cadence, no one demonstrating the desired rhythm.  The crowd becomes the leader.

Sometimes, we find ourselves further down the wrong path than we had ever hoped.  We can feel as if we “woke up” in the wrong place and can’t remember how we got there.  We may be determined not to follow the wrong person… but we get there anyway. Why?

You can read the entire motivation on our app – itunes and android.  Just search “Live Bold” and catch our magazine on your phone with daily devotions exclusive to the app.  Granted, it costs 99 cents… but hey, we gotta eat man.  Buy the app.

So back to the cause…

We must put ourselves in a position to serve others by aligning our presence with those who serve.  We’re inviting you to be a part of our crowd.  On 2.1.12, we will launch a major mission project that you can join.  You can walk in stride with us.  You can talk about it, you can experience it, you can join it… and we’ll do the heavy lifting – you do the talking.

We’re endorsed by and in partnership with – Stop Hunger Now, a powerful Hunger Relief agency that is making a difference worldwide.  Live Bold Ministries is launching foodFIGHT© and you can be a part.

It’s simple… you buy a shirt (or other foodFIGHT© apparel), you keep someone alive.  We’re working with a merchandising company, graphic designers, hunger relief agencies, and mainline denominations to put food in the bellies of starving babies, men, and women who are literally on the verge of death.  This effort is local, national, and international.  You’ll get to pick how you want to be engaged.  From t-shirt wearing feeding machines to community organizers (the authentic kind), you can engage.

Your part… buy the shirt or other apparel… we fund the relief, Stop Hunger Now puts food on the table.  It’s that simple.  We’ll be calling, asking, begging, and threatening you to get involved.  The most vital role you can play in this effort is what we don’t have… word of mouth and a few bucks.  If you and 12 of your friends bought a shirt, you could actually keep someone alive for 3 months or a family of 3 could eat for 30 more days.

We’ll tell you more about it on 2.1.12… but we need you to begin the buzz.  Start talking to your friends about Live Bold Magazine, and this foodFIGHT© thing.  Get your social networks engaged.

We’re dedicating our mission focus to hunger relief and we’re asking you to get involved in a Matthew chapter 25 kind of way.  Can you do that?  More to come… just start talking.

Do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. – 1 John 3:7 (NIV)

Have you ever noticed the “sound” of applause?  The random and exuberant sound of a room full of people clapping their hands speaks volumes about how susceptible we are to being led… unknowingly.

The longer a group stands and applauds, the more likely that the random clapping will slowly morph into a rhythm, a cadence, a unified sound.  Each person begins their appreciation with their own expression and without prompting or leading – the group will begin to clap in rhythm… if only for a moment.

The collective presence of the crowd soon becomes the leader.  No particular person in charge, no one calling cadence, no one demonstrating the desired rhythm.  The crowd becomes the leader.

Sometimes, we find ourselves further down the wrong path than we had ever hoped.  We can feel as if we “woke up” in the wrong place and can’t remember how we got there.  We may be determined not to follow the wrong person… but we get there anyway. Why?

Living without Christ in your presence, choosing to separate yourself from Godly people, or attempting to be the lone Christian in a dark room… is dangerous.  Subtly, your cadence will shift, your stride will be re-directed and you will be led down the wrong path.  We unknowingly fall into the cadence of the world and people around us.

Doing what is right is a critical step toward living like Jesus.  Intentionally gathering with a Christ focused group of people is what keeps you in stride and in rhythm with God.

2 Minute Drill

Have you found yourself in the wrong place and wondered how you got there?

Do you belong to a group that keeps you in stride?

PRAY:  God, I’ve gone to some wicked places and done some dark things before knowing what happened. Forgive me. Gather me to you and your righteous people. I want to be in step with you. Amen.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

The jibes and jokes began to escalate as the accuser started gaining an audience.  The unfortunate victim could do nothing more than withstand the verbal abuse that was heaped on him day after day.  Each morning the young man dreaded his work day as he knew the co-workers would continue to ridicule him and mock him.

A few weeks prior to the onset of the abuse, the young man had went out of his way to help the shift supervisor.  A gesture of kindness and Christian service was immediately perceived by his co-workers as “sucking up”.

The young man had learned of a hardship within the supervisors home and was spending his lunch hour talking and praying with his supervisors.

The jeers continued to escalate and resulted in horrible insults and threats of physical violence.  The young man endured, but continued to help his new friend through his crisis… the supervisor had lost his 12 year old daughter to cancer, and was barely hanging on… and the young man was the only one who boldly stepped in to share the burden.

When we accept Christ, we must act like Christ.  We must endure the ridicule, the beatings, the insults, and the attacks… like Christ.  He’s been there, he understands.  Never find yourself in the crowd who attacks – they don’t know God’s love… because they can’t administer God’s love.  You know Him, so you show Him.

2 Minute Drill

Who seems to protest your good deeds?

Do you protest anyone else’s good deeds?

PRAY:  God, help me to endure the ridicule from those who don’t understand our relationship.  Give me the patience to endure the attacks I receive when doing Your good work.  I need your strength and encouragement. Amen.

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. – 1 John 2:17 (NIV)

The song “live like you were dying” swept around the world and resonated deep within the hearts of humankind. Most everyone has pondered the type of changes they would make if given a finite number of days to remain alive.

The singer laments over things not done. Yearns for reconciliation and expresses a deep desire to take more risks. All very similar to our own reflections – aren’t they?
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What about the life we spend devoting to Christ and practicing our faith? We all have an appointment with death. We should all be living as if we are dying – because we are.

The good news for believers, however, is that we have the hope of eternal life through God’s Grace. This news alone should change our posture toward this life. We are commanded to give the forgiveness we’ve been denying. We are taught to live with passion and intensity. We are shown what true risk looks like… Risking our lives out of our love for others.

Today – live like you were dying. Live like you have the hope of eternal life. Live with the knowledge that this world is fading. Make the best of every day!

2 Minute Drill
Who do you know that lives like they were dying?

What risk will you take today for your faith?

PRAY: God, I want to experience this life to its fullest, so others can see your hope through me. Help me to live in such a way that brings you honor. Amen.

Do you really think that God is all that concerned about your job?  Do you really think that He is focused on your need for a new car?  Do you really think that God wanted you to get that promotion?  Do you pray that God will satisfy all of your desires because you “deserve it” for being a good boy?  It’s time for a Reality Check.

I’ve encountered too many broken lives who walked away from God because of a misunderstanding of who He is.  I ache in my bones when I see a false interpretation of the almighty creator of the universe neatly tucked into a box that fits into your self-designed lifestyle.  Go live in a 3rd world country where food and clean water are scarce… watch your prayers change.  Watch your perception of “blessings” change.

It’s hard to imagine that God would truly want me to have that car, or get that promotion, so I can earn more money and spend it on more things that aren’t lined up with God’s heart.  Doesn’t it make sense that God accepts you and loves you whether you get that promotion or not?  If you get the promotion and I don’t, does that mean God loves you more?  Sounds silly doesn’t it.

Why would God bless you with more stuff… if you can’t even honor him with 3% of it?  Why would you ask God to bless you with more possessions and greater success if your only plan is to feed your lust for success, possessions, and wealth?  If our hearts aren’t lined up with God’s heart – aren’t you really using God for your own gain?

The reality check we’re going through here feels more like a “hockey check” – as we get slammed into the glass – right?

Read and contemplate the urging from John the Apostle:

Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. 1 John 2:15-17 (MSG)

God consistently shows himself throughout the Bible to be more concerned with the first position in your heart.  He consistently lavishes blessings on people in the form of love and acceptance.  God consistently shows Himself in story after story through the blessings of contentment, peace, and satisfaction of His presence… not wealth and prominence.

Your lack of wealth, your not-so-new car, your crappy career, your “not enough”… doesn’t indicate God’s lack of favor on your life.  I’ve learned (through many hard lessons) that my thirst for God usually diminishes my need for anything more than “enough.”  And “enough”, in my culture, is typically more than I really need…. so He compels me to use my abundance to serve others – in time, resource, and presence.

Having wealth and possessions doesn’t mean you don’t love God.  But when they become your first thought, your first pursuit, your first desire… you’ve bought yourself an idol.  When you pray for finances or possessions or promotions to arrive in order to relieve your stress levels… you bought yourself an idol.

Think about these things:

1. If you ate food today and slept in a warm place, but want more…you need a reality check.
2. If you place your desire for stuff above your need for God’s presence…you need a reality check.
3. If you use the Bible to justify that your possessions are not idols… you need a reality check.
4. If you pray for bills to be paid and look to God to be  your bank… you need a reality check.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. – 1 John 2:15 (NIV)

The elder pastor sat across the table from Chris as they finished their lunch.  Chris had been blindsided by the request of his wife a few days prior – she wanted a divorce.  Even harder was the emptiness in his son’s eyes when Chris tried to explain why his mother wanted to leave him.  Chris’ son simply said, “you’ve never been here for me… why should I feel sorry for you”

The pastor began to counsel Chris and warn him of the dangers that lie ahead.  He talked to him about the darkness of a man’s soul who chases after his career, his possessions, and seemingly harmless flirtations with others. Chris tried to describe his relationship with God, but it sounded more like a checklist than a relationship.

For nearly half an hour, Chris reasoned his way through his decisions and his tireless pursuit of success.  The old pastor interrupted him and said, “Chris, in all of my years as a pastor…I’ve prayed and sat with men who were near death.  Many of them with a lifetime of accomplishments and great careers.  But in their final days, I’ve never one time heard any of those men tell me they wished they would have spent more time at work.  In fact, almost every one of them expressed regrets and confessed their selfishness.  Nearly all of them sadly said they wished that more time was spent with their family.” Chris, 46 years old, slouched in his chair… he knew that his heart ached for that same remedy.

Career, work, possessions…can’t be your first love if you want to know God’s love.  Love God first and he’ll make you mighty in your career, content in your work, and less enamored with your stuff.

2 Minute Drill

What do you chase more than God?

What pursuit can you give up in order to pursue God more?

PRAY:  God, I want to be a man who seeks you first.  Show me those things that sit in front of you.  Fill me with courage to drop the worldly pursuits.  I want you to take top honors in my life. Amen.