The word average is something people typically do not like to be called. When we refer to a sports team that is average, it usually means is has won just as many games as it has lost. When applying it to an individual we typically think of someone that is in the middle of the bell curve for whatever area being tested or evaluated. A common definition of average is “The usual or ordinary kind of quality.” That makes me think of eating a forgettable meal or watching a run of the mill movie.
Have you ever taken the time to think of what average looks like through the eyes of God? We are all incredibly amazing when pondering on these facts regarding humans. In “The Purpose Driven Life” Rick Warren says “the average person possesses from 500 to 700 different skills and abilities.” He also states “Your brain can store 100 trillion facts…Your mind can handle 15,000 decisions a second…Your nose can smell up to 10,000 different odors…Your touch can detect an item 1/25,000th of an inch thick…Your tongue can taste one part of quinine in 2 million parts of water.” That certainly sheds a different light on how we define average compared to God.
Let’s take it a step further and discuss His plans for our lives. Romans 12:2 says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Are we really being conscientious of our time and using it to renew our minds with God’s promises instead of falling for the lies of the world? Let’s never forget He has a remarkable plan for each of our lives. If we could put Romans 12:2 in an equation, I believe it would look something like this:
Good + Acceptable + Perfect Will/Renewal of Mind – Worldly Conformance =
God’s Plan for Your Life
1 Peter 4:10 says “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” As the old saying goes “Use it or lose it.” How different this world would be if we took more time to use our gifts to bless others. I think Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” When we focus our attention everyday on becoming more Christlike, average in our eyes transforms into how God looks upon us as marvelously average.
Your Brother in Christ,
Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40
"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"
Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit www.playingforjesusministries.com.
Do you know anyone that has given up on going to church? Perhaps they say it is just not for them or maybe they had a bad experience that has not easily been forgotten. I recently received an email from an individual that said he has given up on organized religion. He stated his views are similar to Thomas Jefferson in that he believed in God but not in the church bureaucracy. Merriam-Webster defines bureaucracy as “a system of administration marked by officialism, red tape, and proliferation.” It would be interesting to know how many people quit attending church because of those three things.
Let’s put all the red tape aside and focus on the real reason we should go to church. Isn’t it really to feel good about ourselves? I hope you said “No” to that statement. The real reason is to worship God. Psalm 122:1 says “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” I can honestly say that when I wake-up on Sunday morning, I’m actually excited to go to church. I’m expecting God to show up as I do my best to honor and glorify His name. I have an intense desire to know Him better and love Him more everyday knowing that He created me for the very purpose of having fellowship with Him.
In addition to worshipping God, there is also a significant amount of fellowship taking place with other Christians. Romans 1:11-12 says “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established – that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” We should be excited to see our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ so we can encourage them in their faith and keep them in our daily prayers. They should also hold us accountable for how we are living our lives and vice versa.
I sincerely believe God created the church for a specific purpose. Romans 12:4-5 says “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” The church is the body of Christ. It is where we discover our spiritual gifts and determine how to best utilize them to have the greatest impact on the kingdom of God. As your spiritual gifts are discovered, a bright light shines on the meaning of your existence on this Earth. When your purpose is clearly defined, the days of chasing empty pursuits fade away.
If you are looking for the perfect church, it is going to be a long, frustrating search. Not one is perfect but the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is important to attend a church where Jesus is honored, the Bible is taught and fully believed, and everyone is welcomed. I encourage you to not lose hope of finding the church God desires more than anything for you to attend. If your attitude is right and your heart is open, you will constantly find new horizons appearing and doors opening as you follow His will and way.Your Brother in Christ,Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit www.playingforjesusministries.com.
Have you ever asked yourself that question before? As we move forward in this life, it is not uncommon to have to deal with periods of disenchantment. Series of high and lows that can be tied to anything from getting good grades in school to breaking up with your boyfriend or girlfriend. From getting that much needed raise at work to losing your job due to a struggling economy or worse, having failing health. There is no doubt that our feeling and emotions are significantly affected by such events and could even lead ourselves to possibly ask that question, “Is my soul satisfied”?
When I think of that question, I immediately think of Proverbs 27:7 that says “A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a bitter soul every bitter thing is sweet.” What exactly does a satisfied soul look like if we were to paint a mental picture? For me, Isaiah 49:16 describes something that not only puts my soul at ease but makes me feel safe, secure and totally satisfied. It says “See, I have inscribed you on the psalms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” Imagine being inscribed on the hands of God! Our obstacles are His obstacles. If He is living in us through a personal relationship with Christ, we face our challenges and tribulations with the power of God on our side through the Holy Spirit.
What does a bitter soul look like? Proverb 27:7 says “to a bitter soul every bitter thing is sweet.” If your soul is not satisfied, you are going to look at different ways to fill it up. It is like putting water in a bucket that has a hole in it. It is going to get filled up but before long the water is going to leak out the hole. Do we get excited about buying new clothes or going on vacation? Of course, we do. That is our natural tendency. How excited are we about those new shoes after we have worn them for a year or the vacation after six months have passed from taking it? Probably not quite as excited. I’m obviously using examples that are on the light side but hopefully you get the picture.
When God is on our mind and lives in our heart, the bucket doesn’t get empty. It doesn’t need to be refilled. He has taken up residence within us and we are called His children and He is our Father. One who will never leave us or forsake us. It is comforting to know He is with me wherever I go and there is a place in His house for me. That is what I call an everlasting satisfaction : ) Your Brother in Christ,Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://www.playingforjesusministries.com.
As registered voters all over the country submit their votes for the next President of the United States of America, I thought it would be fitting to talk about the difference between living biblically correct compared to politically correct. It has been said that if you want to get along with someone, you should leave topics related to religion or politics out of the conversation. Since I will be talking about both, perhaps we can agree to disagree on some of the differences and points I have outlined below.
When I think of living biblically correct I’m reminded of Psalm 40:8 that says “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and your law is written within my heart.” What exactly does it mean to delight in God’s will? I will be the first to admit I do not have all the answers in life; however, as the Holy Spirit guides these fingers typing and processes the thoughts in my mind regarding this question, I’m inclined to share Deuteronomy 26:17. It says “Today you have proclaimed the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that you will obey His voice.” As we personalize this Scripture in relation to how we live our lives, are we delighting in walking in His ways and keeping His commandments? Are we more concerned about what God thinks or what our society now considers the norm? What would God think about abortion or same sex marriages? These are questions you do not have to ask because He is clearly against both in the Bible.As we consider what it means to live politically correct, I picture a country that is more concerned about not offending another person regardless of their moral compass than offending God. Instead of encouraging others to grow closer to Christ, these individuals are left to fend for themselves and continue in their destructive behavior and lifestyle. The word liberal is defined as “showing or characterized by broad-mindedness.” When we are tolerant to change that is against God’s laws and commandments, we find ourselves living politically correct.
As you stand in line to vote this election, I encourage you to vote based on the issues that are aligned with God’s laws. Of course, healthcare & economic growth are important for our society; however, issues like abortion and same sex marriages clearly go against God’s Word. The choice is ultimately yours to make and believe it or not, your vote does count.Your Brother in Christ,Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://www.playingforjesusministries.com.
Have you ever thought how precious you are in the eyes of our Creator? Have you recently taken the time to gaze upon the countless stars that paint the night sky and ponder how God could possibly know you individually when the Universe is so vast and more than six billion people populate the Earth? I often think of Ephesians 2:10 when reflecting on those two questions. It says “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Let’s put aside for the moment the amazing fact that God created us in resemblance of His image to bless others through unselfish deeds. When we truly comprehend that He prepared all of this in advance of you being created, it ultimately reflects the distinct attributes of our sovereign God. He truly is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present and all-loving.
He has chosen not some of us but all of us to function as the body of Christ. The only requirement of us is simply accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” We all have the potential to fulfill a different role in regards to the body of Christ. If we submit to His will and commit to know and love Him more everyday, it will only be a matter of time before our spiritual gifts are revealed.
As we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, let us utilize all of our spiritual gifts to have a profound impact on the Kingdom of God. Never forget that God’s thoughts towards you personally “cannot be recounted to you in order” and “are more than can be numbered” according to Psalm 40:5. In addition, Psalm 139:17-18 says “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand.” Just imagine walking on a beach and the number of sand particles if you were to attempt to count them. God’s thoughts towards you personally would far surpass that number. I’m personally humbled to know that He thinks of me so much and so often.
A fitting verse to leave you with can be found in 3 John 1:2 that says “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” Let us not neglect the condition of our souls. As we spend time studying, meditating and memorizing His Word, our souls can’t help but to prosper and grow. Let us be a blessing to someone else today and always remember how special we are viewed in the eyes of our Creator : )Your Brother in Christ,Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://www.playingforjesusministries.vpweb.com.
The past two months I have been reading a book called “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis that has been both captivating and enjoyable. Although there are many interesting sections to discuss, there is one specific area related to thrills that I would like to share with you. I have already shared this with the inmates at the Greensboro Jail, our Homebuilder’s Sunday School Class at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, the Winston-Salem Warthog players at Ernie Shore Field and will even be preaching a sermon on it in early August at the Contemporary Service at FABC. With that said, I pray this is something that will register with the readers of this newsletter.
Let me start by asking you what it is that gets you excited in life? What is considered a thrill that gets your blood pumping? Perhaps it is the idea of flying an airplane or visiting an exotic vacation destination for the first time. The question posed to you is how long will that thrill last? It very well could be for a short or long period of time but not for a lifetime. Eventually you will be chasing another thrill or trying to extend an existing one.
In “Mere Christianity” C.S. Lewis shares this regarding thrills:
“It is simply no good trying to keep any thrill: that is the very worst thing you can do. Let the thrill go – let it die away – go on through that period of death into the quieter interest and happiness that follow – and you will find you are living in a world of new thrills all the time. But if you decide to make thrills your regular diet and try to prolong them artificially, they will all get weaker and weaker, and fewer and fewer, and you will be a bored disillusioned old man for the rest of your life. It is because so few people understand this that you find many middle-aged men and women maundering about their lost youth, at the very age when new horizons ought to be appearing and new doors opening all round them.”
As I move forward in my life at 32 years of age, I want to find myself encountering new horizons and new doors that are opening as I enjoy the different stages of my life. As I reflect on Psalm 40:8 that says “I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is written within my heart,” I want to not only follow God’s will but delight in following it. May everyday be exciting, adventurous and full of God’s spirit as I pursue to fulfill His purpose for my very existence.
In closing, I hope your ultimate thrill is following God’s will for your life. The hardest thing just might be letting go and letting God. Can you imagine a thrill that doesn’t fade away and goes beyond this earthly life? It is here for the taking if we just submit ourselves to God and speak the words of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane “not as I will but as You will.” Your Brother in Christ,Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://www.playingforjesusministries.vpweb.com.
Imagine for a moment sitting on the bank of a river with your bare feet in the cool water. The sun is shining brightly as you can feel its warm rays upon your face. The breeze is gently blowing just enough to rustle through the trees planted next to the river. You can hear the birds chirping as they chase each other in the blue filled sky and you can smell the flowers that are blooming around you in the middle of Spring. I wonder if visualizing this is making you feel relaxed? I wonder if this type of environment could provide you with an inner peace if it is only for a mere second.
What do you suppose would happen if a big Brown Bear rumbled down the river towards you? I bet you wouldn’t feel quite as relaxed. Maybe you might experience a little anxiety or perhaps be overcome with fear. This is an example of how an external factor can affect an external relationship with your surrounding environment.
When we take a close look at the internal relationship we have the awesome opportunity to share with Christ, external factors shouldn’t hinder our faith one bit. Psalm 1:2-3 says “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” When we take a step back and look at our own life, what is the main source of our delight? Is it abiding in the law of the Lord and living a life that is respectful of His sacrifice on the cross for our sins?
Imagine the blessings that would follow in our lives if we would delight in His law and meditate on it day and night. Notice it doesn’t say on a particular day of the week but every day both in the morning and the evening. If we would commit ourselves to constantly thinking about the Lord and His instructions for us, the Bible compares us to a “tree planted by the rivers of water.” A tree that will bear fruit in its appointed time, a tree whose leafs will not wither and a tree that will prosper in all it does because it is living in the middle of God’s will for its life.
Should we allow external factors to affect an internal relationship with our Lord and Savior? The answer is absolutely not! Meditating on His Word day and night is an internal thing and the only thing that is capable of stopping us from thinking about the Lord is ourselves. I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:3 that says “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” If we attempt to glorify God in all we do on a daily basis, our thoughts will be directed to our Creator and Savior. Walking with the Lord everyday is the only way to overcome any temptations and tribulations throughout the day. Your Brother in Christ,Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://www.playingforjesusministries.vpweb.com.
