AuthorTerry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ. See his complete bio at trbaughman.com Archives
October 2024
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Adopt a New Attitude2/24/2019  Adopt a New Attitude
… a new beginning! Terry R. Baughman “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8–9). Paul encouraged us, “Meditate on these things,” thus demonstrating the potential for choice in the shaping of our mental state. We are often inundated with negative influences, suggestive messages, and blatantly sinful attacks in media and culture. There are plenty of things to think about, however, we can choose to fill our mind with a different voice. God’s Word is readily available by print, in digital format and even recorded media. There are numerous Christian music alternatives on radio and on streaming devices. These are just a few ways that we can make choices about our thought life. We can guard the eye and the ear gates to filter the abundant influences that we receive every day. When we are thinking properly we have the assurance of a better attitude and a productive spirit. Our success in life has a lot to do with attitude. A positive mental attitude goes a long way in developing our self-image and shaping our relationships. Individuals with a dour attitude are often ignored or avoided. There is something about possessing a great attitude that attracts others and causes them to seek your company. Attitude is a choice and we can either surrender to negative, self-defeating attitudes, or we can choose to be positive in our outlook and optimistic about the challenges we are facing. Some choose to go through life as a Christian having a defeated, unworthy, overwhelmed attitude when in reality Christian living can be the most productive, encouraging, and purpose-filled life anyone can enjoy. It almost seems like we feel guilty about enjoying life and somehow feel more spiritual if we are suffering and crying about our condition. The Scripture is clear. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). An abundant life is a fulfilled life! We can choose to live life to the fullest and embrace both opportunities and challenges, or we can surrender to the lie of the enemy, living in fear and dread of what may happen, wallowing in despair over our situation. Adoption is a choice. People choose to take children into their hearts and homes. With that same love and openness to embrace change we are challenged to adopt a new attitude. Embrace the unknown and seize the circumstances. We have every reason to rejoice and every opportunity to improve our lives. When Jesus promised an abundant life He meant it. A new beginning starts with a decision to change. Alter your attitude, commit to His Word, and walk in His promises. Choose life, and choose to embrace the opportunities of today. Make that choice today. Choose change and adopt a new attitude with eternal results! Scripture: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4 NIV).
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Repetition produces New Habits2/17/2019  Repetition produces New Habits
… a new beginning! Terry R. Baughman “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). Someone said if you repeat an action for three weeks it becomes a habit. It seems like bad habits are much easier to develop while good ones require more discipline. Nevertheless, the nature of habits are developed by repeated events. The definition of habit is an indication of repetition; it is the tendency to a particular action or practice. Most commonly we associate a habit with the negative tendencies of our human nature. We may have a tendency to overeat, to indulge in vices, and resort to entertainment that is less than appropriate. However, we can turn bad habits into good ones by simply applying the same principles to proper behaviors. If we brush our teeth the same time everyday it becomes a practice that requires no planning or reminders. It is just something we do everyday. If you want to make your bed every morning all it takes is just to start doing it. After several days, or maybe weeks, it will eventually become second nature and a predictable habit of our daily routine. Spiritual pursuits can become positive habits as well. If we develop the practice of prayer, Bible reading, and church attendance, we will eventually adopt the behavior as accepted normal activity … a habit. Granted, these positive habits have to be maintained. When something interrupts your normal schedule for a few days it is easy to become distracted and abandon the good behaviors we previously adopted. Whether it is diet and exercise or prayer and church attendance, all good behaviors require a measure of discipline to develop and the determination to continue as a constructive habit. One option might be to record daily activities in an app or journal and evaluate each established habit. List those behaviors that should be changed or altered from those that are detrimental and identify other habits that would be more beneficial. Identifying the negative aspects of our lives is often the first step in any effort to adopt new behaviors and develop new habits. The wisdom of the Proverbs teach the continuation of right response, “My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck” (Proverbs 6:20–21). Those things that we continual revisit, remember, and recite become healthy habits and produce the positive effects of righteous actions. The Psalms elevate the value of repetition. David sang, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1). The continuing praise of our hearts also comes through our mouths and brings glory to God, and becomes a spiritual habit of blessing. Another Psalm said, “My praise shall be continually of You” and, “I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day” (Psalm 71:6, 14–15). As we continue to rehearse the Word of God, His works, and bring praise to His name, the more we will see these positive changes in our lives. We must continue in the things we have learned and meditate on His Word. A repeated action of righteousness becomes a habit of blessing! Scripture: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4 NIV).
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Small Decisions, Big Changes2/10/2019  Small Decisions, Big Changes
… a new beginning! Terry R. Baughman “The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live” (Psalm 69:32). “Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation” (Psalm 25:4-5). Sometimes tragic events motivate change in our personal lives. Health concerns, accidents, and seeing others who face challenges may cause us to reevaluate some of our bad choices and anticipated outcomes. Other times we may be challenged to change by a motivational speaker, resolutions for a new year, or the realization that we are not as young as we once were. Changes began with a decision. A decision to begin. A simple stated conviction that we must do something different about our future often spurs the necessary steps to bring about change. We may be challenged to lose weight, eat more healthy foods, or adopt new habits in our personal behaviors. To lose weight we may begin counting calories, attend motivational classes, join the latest diet fad, or purchase a unique meal plan to follow. Making the decision to start is often the greatest step toward producing change. Confessing to others that we are going to do something different to enhance our future holds us accountable to those to which we have become answerable. Each successful day adds to the success of the diet plan. Each incremental loss of weight brings satisfaction and the motivation to continue the regiment for weight reduction. Other areas of self-improvement may be inspired by reading a book, listening to a podcast, or enrolling in an educational program. In our media saturated culture there are multiple opportunities and resources to find assistance and instruction in almost any endeavor of self-help application. Learning a new language can be aided with an online tutorial. Exercise programs can be streamed on a digital device or joined online with instructors providing guidance through a video display or personal earbuds. Academic instruction can take place with audiobooks during the morning commute or while waiting in line for customer service. Modern technology makes learning possible wherever we find ourselves or whenever we make the time for processing new information. It all begins with a decision to start and taking the steps of commitment. We often desire to be more systematic in Bible reading, more purposeful in prayer, and more committed to personal devotional reading and study. As we become busy with life and the many demands on our schedules it is often easy to neglect important spiritual disciplines. During this time of new beginning take some time to evaluate your commitment to these life-changing practices. Make the decision and take the small steps to initiate new habits and spiritually beneficial behaviors. In 1969 as Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human being to step on the lunar surface he famously stated, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Sometimes we fail to see the significance of one small step. However, when that one step sets our course toward spiritual pursuits and confirms our direction to follow the path of discipleship it may indeed become a giant leap toward our goal to become more like Jesus! Scripture: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4 NIV).
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Commit to Transformation2/3/2019  Commit to Transformation
… a new beginning! Terry R. Baughman “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” (Romans 12:2). The New Birth is more than the adoption of New Year’s resolutions. Rather, it’s the beginning, the launch of much more that is to come. A natural birth is the beginning of life, but it is just a moment of entry into a long journey of growth, development, and change. Call it maturity or curse it as aging, but the end result is the same. Life is a process of change. The process of change after the experience of the New Birth is transformation, the regeneration of life in a person that was initially birthed under the curse of sin and death. Spiritual rebirth comes in an instant, a miraculous and momentous event, but the necessary process of transformation is voluntary. Becoming shaped in the image of Jesus Christ is the choice offered to every believer. One must choose to walk the path of spiritual renewal. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). The prescription for new life is simple: Follow Jesus. Forsake the past. Enroll in His plan of discipleship. Commit to the process of transformation. Transformation always happens in the present. Yesterday is past. Any opportunity for change has passed into history. Tomorrow is yet without promise and beyond our reach. Today is the only time you have. The present is our only option for alteration. Make a commitment to each new day to fulfill every opportunity and seize each moment for its transformative potential. This is our moment. Take it. Present steps will result in permanent patterns for the future. The fluid forward motion taken today will congeal into positive behaviors shaping future outcomes. The process of transformation is dependent upon the power of the Spirit, but requires our resolve to reset our focus and commit to what Christ is working out in our lives. Our God is identified in Scripture as the “I AM.” He is the ever present, ever active force in our lives. When we are led of the Spirit, God is present in the process. He did not give us New Life to become static Christians, staid in past experience and cemented in a past relationship with God. His purpose is to move along with us, ever changing, ever leading us forward, upward, and onward in a dynamic relationship with Him as we are being transformed into His image. Paul revealed that, “The Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:17–18). Christ’s work in every believer is to bring us into greater relationship and deeper understanding of the ways of the Holy Spirit. Let us pursue His purpose with passion, submit our lives to His shaping, molding and leading. His paths are not always pleasant, but His way is always perfect. Embrace the process and commit to His transformation. Scripture: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4 NIV). |
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