Keys to living in a 2009 economy

What a year it has been so far! This has been a tumultuous year for our country. 12.4 million jobs have been lost. 8.7 million people have been moved from full-time jobs to part-time jobs. 24 million Americans are struggling to pay their bills. We are stuck in a vicious cycle of three negative problems that are feeding off each other: disappearing jobs, evaporating wealth, and tanking home values. How should a believer live in times like this?
I talk to people constantly who are living in fear. They are worried about their retirement, the mortgage, healthcare, etc. God never wants His children to be in bondage to fear, but to live their lives in wisdom.
I want to give you 3 keys to 2009 living that I recently shared with our people at HighPoint.

1. Cultivate a heart of contentment.
Paul said in Philippians 4:12 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Contentment is not apathy, laziness, or a like of passion. Contentment is being free from all circumstances. Paul’s joy in life did not come from outside circumstances, but from an inner work of God in his heart. He was truly free.
To cultivate a heart of contentment you first have to stop comparing yourself to others. There will always be other people in this world who are ahead of you in life. They will own more property, have more opportunities, and live life easier than you. So what! That’s what Paul would say. So don’t compare yourself to other people. It will either make you discontent or it will make you prideful.

2. Build in margin.
Solomon says in Proverbs 21:20 “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but the foolish man devours all he has.” The Good News translation read “…stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.” I just love that word stupid!
I’m a firm believer that God blesses wisdom. He blesses us when we obey His word and get under His authority. The Bible clearly tells us over and over to save. To not spend all that we have. If you make 1000.00 per week – build in margin. Save at least 10% of that money. Put it away.
For some of you – to build in margin you need to ask yourself what you can cut out of your life that you do not need. Brook and I have cut several things out of our lives because we feel that God wants us to lead well during our new economic realities. We have cut our cable TV, we eat out less, we spend less on clothing, and we have made huge cuts in our monthly budget. What wasteful spending could you cut to build some healthy margin in your life?
Dave Ramsey would tell you three things here: Give faithfully, save regularly, and make sure you have 3 months of salary put back for emergency funds.

3. Live to BE rich.
Most people in America live to get rich. The Bible never teaches that and warns against those who focus their lives on obtaining wealth. Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:18 “Command them (the rich) to do good, to BE rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
I know a lot of people who live to get rich because they don’t feel rich; and the reason they don’t feel rich is because they don’t really realize that they already are rich.
If you make 45,000 dollars or more per year – you are in the top 1% of wage earners in the world. You are rich! You’ve already gotten rich. Now it’s time to be rich. Paul says to do good, to be generous, and to be willing to share.
I leave you with this thought: Cultivate contentment – crucify the flesh. Build in margin – be a wise steward of God’s money. And – Live to BE rich by making the poor a priority.
The wealthy are inconveniences during this economic crisis, but the poor will be devastated world-wide. Make the necessary adjustments you need to make to make sure that the poor and served across our globe. Keep giving to missions, keep helping people in need, keep tithing to your local church, keep on keeping on.

I close with a promise from God over you life:
When you help the poor… “The your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear…and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
Blessings,

Marcus

25th Anniversary

I spent this weekend with my mom and dad celebrating their 25th anniversary at Trinity Worship Center. It was a lot of fun and I laughed longer and harder than I have in a while.
My sisters and I shared about the 4 Kings Mom & Dad have had to overcome over the last 25 years. Remember, when Joshua was commissioned by God to enter into the Promised Land 31 kings stood in his way. This week — I want to highlight the 4 kings they butted heads with over the last 25 years:

King #1 — the King of Loneliness

All of us go through seasons of loneliness. Times when you feel misunderstood, forgotten, or devalued. There are other times when people that you thought you’d be with for life walk out on you. It’s true that not everyone who starts a journey with you will end it with you.
Three ways that I’ve watched dad overcome the King of Loneliness:
1. He stayed close to Jesus. — He’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He’s the prince of peace and sends the Holy Spirit to comfort us.

2. He married well. — It’s true that behind every great man is a greater woman. Mom stood by dad through thick and thin. We had some lean times in the early days of TWC. I remember strangers driving off with our car, electricity being cut off, and spam sandwiches (which should be illegal in all 50 states). But mom was always in faith, smiling and singing. She’s been there through it all.

3. He had some crazy friends. — I believe we all need some crazy friends that love in all times — friends that are there through the good, bad, and ugly.

What King are you facing in your life? I’d love to pray with you and watch him fall.

Marcus

New Year coming quickly:

This year went by at warp speed. WOW! Here’s some thoughts I posted last year at this time. Hope it helps you to make 09 the best year ever.

1. Plan your calendar first — Annually
I suggest putting two things on your calendar first.
a. Vacations — everyone deserves to take one. We all need a break. Put your vacation down as soon as possible. It gives you an end to shoot for. When a vacation is not on the calendar it is easy to feel trapped and overwhelmed. — * Also put down a couple of long weekends you’d like to get away and have some fun.

b. Retreats — everyone needs to take one of these in 2008. Whether it’s a marriage and family retreat designed to help you become a better spouse or parent, or an encounter retreat designed to help you deal with the issues of life and draw closer to God. Make it a priority to go on at least one retreat in 2008. At New Life, we will have retreats scheduled throughout the year that will assist you.

2. Plan Your calendar — Monthly

Only one thing for you here – set aside an hour or two each month for reflection. 30 days is long enough to measure growth. Take this time to reflect on how you are doing personally, physically, spiritually, and relationally. Make a sober estimation of where you feel your life is at – and recommit to doing better in any area you see that you are slipping in.

3. Plan Your calendar — Weekly

I suggest several things here.

a. Schedule your day off. — God created you to both work and rest. To live Biblically, you must have a day of rest. You are wired up to grow though two things: tension and release. Take at least one day to rest, refresh, and relax. – And don’t feel guilty doing it. God set the example here.
b. Have reading goals. – Write down several books you’d like to read and get to reading. You cannot grow without reading. You can go to our website at: www.highpointnm.com and we’ll help you with your daily bible reading.
c. Schedule a date night.

4. Lastly, Plan Your calendar —- Daily
•These are things you need to do each day to grow.
•I call these – daily investments.
a. Invest – physically. – Exercise and eat right. Do something each day that is positive for your body.
b. Invest – spiritually. – Plan your day first by Bible reading, devotions, worship, and prayer. – I have a new motto: No Bible No Breakfast. – And if you know me — I have to eat breakfast to stay sane.
c. Invest in your family. – Make a daily habit of investing special acts of love to the ones you love the most.
d. Invest in Lost Souls. – I say – invest in people everyday who don’t know Christ. Pray for them, love them, invite them to a service, share your testimony. Let this become a part of your daily living.

This is a simple way to plan out your year. I believe if you’ll stick to this plan there is no way you could help but see yourself grow over the next year!

Brook and I are praying for you.

Marcus

Tonsils

I guess it’s true that God is more than enough. He gave us several things that our bodies apparently don’t need. Today we took Ashlyn to UNM Hospital and had her tonsils taken out. They were the size of golf balls. She’s feasting on ice cream and Wall-E right now + some tylenol with codein. So, she’s better off that most.

I’ve had tonsils out & wisdom teeth. === What’s your story?

MB

Christmas Hope

“May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in Him.  Then you’ll overflow with hope…” Rom. 15:13 (GWT)

 

 

One of the things that the world is looking for is hope. Hope is the anchor that keeps you grounded during a crisis or tough times. It is an essential of life. You can go days without food and minutes with oxygen, but our hearts can’t go a second without hope. When hope is gone, our life is over.

 

During the Christmas season we celebrate the hope that God gave us through His son Jesus Christ. We have hope because He came near to us.

 

Over the next few weeks will be unwrapping the greatest gift given to us and discovering the hope that comes from making Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of our lives. It is going to be a powerful time together.

 

There are three things you can do to make this holiday season matter for all eternity.

 

1)      Target several friends and invite them to a HighPoint service over the next three weeks. (I’d think of family members and friends that need this message of hope)

2)      Arrive to service a few minutes early and warmly greet people you do not recognize.

3)      Pray for every worship service each week – that God’s word and His presence will altar people’s lives forever.

 

I want you to know that I’m praying for you. I believe that God is going to use your life greatly over the next three weeks!

 

I love being you pastor,

 

Marcus

In need of a Savior

For the first time in my life, I’m in the Christmas spirit a little early. Usually I mumble a few words of Christmas cheer somewhere around December 23rd. I don’t know what triggered it — maybe I’m just getting old and soft. The other day I was in Eddie Baur looking at some of their cool gadgets (like the one that you wear on your belt and it tells you how many steps you took in a day) — and on came the Christmas music — on November 8th! I was singing, dancing, and started spending. It was a total set-up.

I think that our country has been in the Christmas spirit for some time now. People are looking for a Savior. You could here it in all the political rhetoric — Hope/Change — and each candidate campaigned hard to prove who could provide it and who couldn’t. It’s the language of the hour. Why? Because we’re in need of a Savior. A real savior. It’s the void in our lives that is desperately crying out to be filled.

So, this morning — I’ve put on some more Christmas music. I’ve closed my wallet, opened my heart and sat down with my Savior. He’s the only one who can provide supernatural hope and change.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Have a Great Week,

Marcus

Growth

“If little labour, little are our gains:
Man’s fortunes are according to his pains.”

-Robert Herrick

 

I’ve recently started a new workout routine… Rather, I’ve recently started a workout routine. I enthusiastically started it like a kid going to school on the first day. I got all dressed up in my workout stuff, I had my towel and my bottle of Pure Life water. I was ready. I was focused. Nothing could stop me now – I hit play on the DVD.

Wow.

After about 30 minutes of jumping, squatting, panting, crying and stumbling, I hit stop on the DVD. For the rest of the week, my legs have been rendered useless. Inoperable, in a surprisingly complete way. Walking across the room takes careful planning and minutes of mental coaching. The aches are intense, and I would just decide to quit if I didn’t know that on the other side of this pain is growth.

“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness … Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:2-3,12 RSV)

In these crazy times, we can often find ourselves with an emotional leg ache. Getting up and going to work often takes more than one time around on the Snooze button. Financial & health worries can be enough to make you pull the covers over your head in the morning. But know this — on the other side of all the pain and frustration, I’ve found personally, is real growth. In the times when I’ve had to lean on God for everything, I can say that I came out with a much stronger faith than I ever had before. 

So when you’re going through those times, keep going! There’s something great on the other end!

I’ll keep pushing play on the DVD.

Quiet Monday

From the moment we wake up, there’s an all out war for our attention. You walk into your bathroom, turn on your favorite worship cd and it starts. You get in the car and the radio is on. You drive down I-40 and see the billboards. You come to a stop, still on I-40, and read the bumper stickers around you. You get out of your car and walk into your office. There’s a note on your desk. There’s a phone call to take. There’s a customer to help. There’s a meeting in 10 minutes. There’s about 200 e-mails from the weekend that you haven’t read yet. There’s a text message from a friend that needs you to help them move. There’s an Obama flyer on the bulletin board. There’s a McCain campaign worker wanting your vote. There’s a television with a stock ticker on it. It’s complete madness.

This week, make it a point to stop. I mean really, just stop. Don’t do anything. Be still. 

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
– Psalm 46.10

 

Carve out time this week to calm your heart, calm your mind… and just know that God is in control. 

 

Don’t miss this Sunday as we wrap up ineed2change. It’s really been a powerful, life-changing series. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Baby Number 3

Well — this one was certainly unplanned — like much of my life. We are excited. Brook and I have talked about child #3 for a while, but honestly, I think we would have dragged our feet into our 40’s if it had not been for the big surprise.

After I got home from training leaders in Argentina, Brook told me she felt like she had the flu. Then she said that she just couldn’t control her tears over the past week and she felt warm all the time. Plus she was gagging every time she brushed her teeth and couldn’t bear the thought of eating spaghetti, but dreamed of pickles at night. — Why even buy a pregnancy test?

Ashlyn wants a girl. — I think we’re going to wait and be surprised upon delivery — unless I fold under the suspense.

Actually — God has been so good to us. Every time we’ve made a major transition in ministry, God has given us a child. In the Fall of 2002 we became pastors of Magnolia Christian Center and Brook became pregnant immediately upon our acceptance. In the fall of 2006 Brook told me she was pregnant the morning after we decided to move from NYC to ABQ. In the fall of 2008 we made the move from our Atrisco location to Maggie Cordova school and Brook immediately became pregnant. —— I think we just need to stay at the school for the rest of our lives — or stay away from each other during the fall!!

“Children are a gift from the Lord.”

Have a Great Week,

Marcus

Politicked off

Who is ready to get past Election Day and enter a day free of any political commercials? ME! I watched 5 in a row the other night and haven’t turned the TV on since. Is it me or has the mudslinging intensified exponentially in the last 10 years? Man I can’t wait to be in heaven under a perfect government. I pray for the one we live under and I’m proud of the red, white, and blue — but I know that if me and one of the Founding Father’s were watching the tube together the other night he would have brushed his white wig to the side and surely said: “This is not what we had in mind!!” — So, I just choose to keep the tube off for another month or so.

I do want to admonish you believers to take some serious time over the next month or so and pray for our nation and the upcoming election. Pray for God’s will do be done and pray for God to move upon our hearts once again.

** Once more thing: Don’t forget that this weekend we continue our series: ineed2change — come with an open lid ready to allow God to do some great things in you. It’s going to be a blast.

Marcus