Being, more than doing

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT

  As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at His tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him.  So Matthew got up and followed Him – Matthew 9:9

 In verse 10 Matthew invites Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests.  But make no mistake about it; Jesus is the one who is doing the inviting.

Jesus enters Matthew’s house (present day America)

Jesus walks in without saying a word.  Matthew is so excited to show Jesus his beautiful home and all that he has in it.  He motions for Jesus to come into the living room and points out his new 60” flat screen.  Jesus looks at Matthew but does not say a word.  Matthew then leads him to pictures on the wall.  “Here is me and the President playing golf. Oh and look at this one. – look how big that tuna is that I am reeling in! Nice huh?  Here is a picture of me working at the church bazaar.  I also made quite a donation to the orphanage that day.” Matthew started getting a little anxious.  He starts looking for other items to boast about. “Here! Look here. This is an award I got for working with the March of Dimes.”  Still Jesus said nothing.  What made it worse was how Jesus was looking so intently at him.  Almost as if he was looking right into his very soul.  Matthew got jittery as he looked to show Jesus something that would impress.

And Just then Jesus spoke, “Matthew?” Still with His gaze transfixed on Matthew.

“Yes?”

“Matthew, come here”.  Matthew comes face to face with Jesus. Jesus continually with His steel gaze on him says, “Matthew, look into my eyes.”  As Matthew did he became sad and tears ran down his cheeks.

Jesus asked him, “What do you see?”

Matthew answered, “Me….. Being who you called me to be”

Jesus replied, “Now come and follow me and be whom I have called you to be”

 

God is more pleased with the least bit of obedience than all the services we think of rendering Him.

 

We all need to look into the eyes of God.  Be still.  Be quiet.  Who is God calling you to be?  Yes, a follower of Him.  But what specifically is God calling you to be?

We get so busy doing, achieving, accomplishing, acquiring…. we miss out on being.

Being about His business.

God has gifted you.  Do you know what they are?  Are you being while you are doing life?  For if not, the doing will wear you out; frustrate, discourage you.

Christ also comes to you and says to come and follow Him – while still you are doing life.  For in the being you receive fulfillment, contentment and joy. Which in turn blesses your doing (commitments, job, parenting, etc)

It’s not that Matthew couldn’t be a tax collector. It’s not that he has things. But that Jesus wants him to be a Christ-like one while he is doing his job.

See yourself as a Christ follower first and foremost, as your identity.  That is your being.

Being transformed by the renewing of our mind, our focus has to be more on how we are being and less on what it is that we are doing.  It will bless you as you are being a blessing.

BE…

READY?….GO!  

http://www.matttreppel.com/

122012

Shine!

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT                       

 

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are fragile clay jars, containing this great treasure.  This makes it clear our great power is from God, not ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:7

When I was a kid we would go outside at night with glass jars that had holes in the lid.  We would catch lightning bugs.  It was cool in the darkness to see this glowing light coming from this small little bug.  When you caught one you were in awe; just staring at the glowing light. It was, at that moment, a treasure captured. The thing was- you weren’t really trying to catch the bug.  You were trying to collect the light.  Eventually you unscrewed the lid and let the lightning bug fly away.

We live in a dark cynical world which so desperately needs to catch light.

Do you realize you are that possess that very light.

You do, the very light of this world; God Himself.

It isn’t you that someone is drawn to.  For if it were it would be easy, and quite natural, to be boastful.

It’s God living in and through you.

Are you going to share it?

Are you going to deny that you even possess it?

That’s what the enemy wants you to think.  All the mistakes you have made in your life.  That stupid thing you did yesterday.  Your limitations.  Your weaknesses.  Your uncertainties.

Enemy will point out to you that you aren’t worthy.

He’s right.

Good thing it isn’t on our own merit whether the light shines or not. Not about us being adequate.

It’s all about God.  It’s all about His goodness, His righteousness. His Holiness.

However, He believes in you enough that He has given you the greatest possession ever – His Son Jesus Christ. The treasure living in you makes you adequate.

 

Think about that.  The power of God abiding in you.

A privilege and an honor that has been bestowed upon you.

What, today, will you do with the treasure of the World dwelling within you?

Regardless of your feelings, emotions, other people, circumstances, situations.

Let His light shine. For there is no way else for them to see it.

READY?….GO!

http://www.matttreppel.com/

121412

Start to Finish

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT

 

 

In the beginning God…- Genesis 1:1

Trust in the Lord – Psalm 118:18

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. – Revelation 22:15

 

The beginning        The middle       and The end

Begin every day with God.

Focus on Him throughout the day to trust Him for wisdom.

Finish each day with His grace covering you.

 

It sounds simple.  Why do we make it so hard?

 

God guaranteed Joshua and the Israelites the Promised Land.  That no one would be able to stand before him.  However, Joshua was warned to not turn to the left or the right. To the left and the right were, and are for us, the distractions and enticements of this world that would take our focus off God.

Peter walked on water when focused on Jesus.  But when he took his eyes of Christ and looked at the wind and storm he began to sink.

What to do?

I want to encourage you to start each day in prayer.  The very second you wake up.  Don’t let your mind and thoughts go where they want to go- to the burdens, needs and excitements of the day. But go first and worship Him, tell God that you trust Him for the day.  Ask God for wisdom.  Focus on trusting Him throughout the day.  When your day is done be aware and thank God for the grace that He has bestowed on you.

Learn to trust in Him more by starting with Him every day.

Learn to keep the focus narrowed.

Deliberately focus on God, not the circumstance or the people, throughout  your day that you may walk in Humble Confidence.

 Begin, continue and end every day with God

READY?….GO!

http://www.matttreppel.com/

121312

Tear Down to Build Up

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT

 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds – 2 Corinthians 10:3

When my oldest teenager was 4 years old I built her and her 2 year old sister a clubhouse in the backyard.  They and their mom painted it with bright cheery colors.  They drew pictures of flowers and rainbows.  They had their names on it.  Added their new baby sisters name to it a couple years later.  They had a little picnic table in it and put flowers on the window sill. Played in it for hours at a time. Years later they no longer played in it.  The paint was fading, wood warping and spiders and bugs had taken over in the corners.  It was time for it to come down.  At first the girls opposed it coming down.  They were nostalgic for all they did in there, but realized they never played in it anymore. I tore it down a few weeks later.  It gave the backyard more room.  The kids kept playing in other areas of the backyard.  Time moves on.

Are there seasons in your life that need to be torn down, moved on, that will allow the grass to grow back again that it will now get sunlight for the first time in a long time?

There are probably clubhouses in your life that you are so used to being there that you forgot what it was like to have a clear view to the other side.  They are no longer healthy for you but they are always there.

They have long served their purpose but now are hindrances.

Maybe it is a relationship that isn’t healthy for you anymore.

Could it be a habit that has become a priority in your life that shouldn’t?

Lies that have become truths?

Individuals you are associated with that you don’t need to be anymore.

Strongholds in your life that you have allowed thinking you have no power to do anything about.

 

You can hope that it will go away or you can tear it down.  You are empowered to do so.

 

Perhaps it is walls that you have built up to insulate yourself from the world. From people who love you.  Walls to keep others out because of pain and hurt. Walls around your heart so it can’t be hurt again.

Maybe it’s time to get back into the game.  Maybe it’s time to tear the walls down and LIVE again.

Act today.

Tear down that which does not hold you up strong

READY?….GO!

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Truth Perspective

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT

 The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.  But I have come that they may have life.  And have it more abundantly. – John 10:10

 When we were younger we embraced the concept that the sky is the limit.  We dreamed big.  We dreamed and visualized the career, marriage, family, and the home we were going to create.  We believed we had a strong voice, that we can make a difference.  We envisioned ourselves on top.

 

What happened?

Life happened.

Reality of bills and taxes.  We experience setbacks and disappointments in relationships and work.  We have painful losses of family and/or friends.  We deal with putdowns that confirm our fears.  Fear that we are limited in what we can achieve, in who we are.

We compromise, rationalize and justify, to ourselves, being less than we are called to be.  And we accept it.  It becomes our norm. Keeping close to the vest so not to be burned again. Sometimes enough to survive; forgetting to LIVE.  Those earlier aspirations – stolen? Destroyed?…..  No, just misplaced.

Paradigm – accepted believe

Paradigm shift – having a new belief in what you accept, what you expect, from yourself.

YOU ARE AN OVERCOMER because of HE THAT IS WITHIN YOU.

YOU can do all things thru Christ who strengthens you – Philippians 4:13

YOU can do more where you are, with what you have

Even with all the junk in and around your world.  In spite of all this. – Jesus has overcome this world……for you!

Start believing today that all the misplaced aspirations and beliefs will be rediscovered.  The gifts, talents and blessings you have.  Aligning your thoughts, words and actions with the Word of God.  Being empowered and emboldened to live the life abundant.

It is to intentionally create new deliberates that become new habits.

First it is praying and asking God to reveal to us how we are tripping ourselves up; how are we reinforcing these beliefs in ourselves;

the words you are speaking

what are you watching

who are you listening to

what do you expose yourself to that you have the power to avoid and ignore

Asking the Holy Spirit to quicken you to the words you speak that are not life giving.  Jesus says the power of life and death is in the tongue.

Pray for, and seek out those who God would have in your life that would empower you, challenge and encourage you.

YOU – who God looks down on with love and adoration; whom desires for you to live out all that He desires for YOU

LIVE out and seek His truth for you.

Believe there is a paradigm shift taking place in your life through the TRUTH PERSPECTIVE

READY?….GO!

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121112

 

TYPE P

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT

 But Moses argued with the Lord saying, “I can’t do it!  I am such a clumsy speaker!  Why should Pharaoh listen to me?”  –Exodus 6:30

 Type A personality – competitive, work obsessed, impatient, aggressive

Type B – relaxed, patient, self control, tolerant, flexible

Type C – perfectionist, serious, very neat, organized, and methodical

Type D – negative, worries, tense, emotional

We have been categorized.  And as we continue through life we continue to be labeled.  And with each label we continue to believe that we are limited by our “traits”.

I was watching a show with my girls called Snap.  This type C neat freak guy was duped into going to see a hypnotist, which he was told by his family was someone who dealt with something else entirely.

The hypnotist had him act like he loved messy smelly clothes and took all folded towels and threw them around.  Totally uncharacteristic of this man.

How easily he was manipulated to get out of that rock hard, never changing, thought process.

The POWER of the mind.

 

The renewing of our mind is that whatever God wills through us – we can do.  For it isn’t our “traits” that enable us, or keep us from, but in the belief that God is more than enough; even with our preconceived restrictions.

We will talk ourselves out of what God is trying to walk us into. It is success through our preconceived weaknesses that we can see that it is truly God doing the work and therefore we will give Him the credit; which He deserves.

What have you pushed aside because you don’t feel it is in your “make up” to do, though you feel God is leading you to do?

Type P – Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Have a type P personality

READY?….GO!

http://www.matttreppel.com/

121012

 

Littlest of Things

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT

 Down near the collection box in the temple Jesus watched the crowds drop in their money.  Many rich people put in large amounts.  Jesus noticed a poor widow put in 2 small coins. – Mark 12:41-42

When walking down a hallway or sidewalk and you notice someone coming right at you from the opposite direction do you yield and move over?  Or do you hold your ground expecting them to give you the right of way?

Noticing someone is acknowledging their existence, their worth. It might seem like the littlest of things.  But it is the littlest of gestures that give others worthiness.  And to many that is a big need.  Jesus says that when you do for the least of these you do for me.  And He was talking about just giving someone a cup of water.

Our flesh wants to make BIG impacts for others.  And we certainly get those opportunities.  But it is being intentional in making a habit of little blessings to others all day that make the biggest impact.

In the movie, Evan Almighty, Evan Baxter went to congress to make a huge impact on the world.  He had great plans to do so. In the end God, Morgan Freeman, showed him that it wasn’t about building this huge ark it was what the acronym a.r.k. stood for – acts of random kindness.  Which Evan failed to do when a stray dog kept coming on his property and Evan would yell for it to leave.  God just wanted Evan to give a thirsty dog some water.

In serving the least of these.  You too can get a glimpse of how Christ Jesus saw worth in you, the least of these – He took extreme physical punishment and spiritual wrath of God – to show you how much He loves you.

Today you have the opportunity to give reckoning to others.

What can you do today, this week, to give someone acknowledgement of their worth?

Give notice, let someone else have the sidewalk

READY?….GO!

http://www.matttreppel.com/

120512

Lost or Misplaced?

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT

 Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one.  Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin. – Luke 15:8-9  

I admit I have male blindness.  I will look all over the fridge and swear there isn’t a bottle of ketchup.  Does that mean it isn’t there?  No, just that I can’t see it….big fat red bottle.  I will search and search.  That’s it. It isn’t there.  My wife will look at me incredulously.  Open up the fridge and look at me and say, “Really!?” as she pulls out the bottle of ketchup, walks away shaking her head.  It makes me mad.  I wish for once something wasn’t right where she says it is.

It would be pretty funny if it weren’t so sad!

And what is a shame is that we, like the woman who lost the coin, don’t lose something, but misplace them.  After a while, though, unlike the woman, we stop looking and rationalize to ourselves that it lost; and we move on.

For some it is our relationship with God, our confidence, our belief, our joy, our hope, health, discipline, abilities, gifts, talents, etc.  And because we don’t see, can’t find, we think it is lost; gone.

Moses, Abraham, Ruth, Gideon, Peter, Paul; to name a few – also felt that something they had with, or because of, God, was gone.

No, just misplaced – whether physically, mentally or spiritually.

God wants you to find it because it is important that you live an abundant life.  The very descriptive of your life that God wills and the enemy tries to take from you (John 10:10)

Ask God – what was it that you have misplaced and have stopped looking for that is rightfully yours by your God?

Open your thinking; open your mind’s eye.  Search and step in faith and restore that which wasn’t lost, just misplaced.

It isn’t gone.

Don’t Give Up

God is the God of restoration, replenishment, restitution.

Seek that which is misplaced

READY?….GO!

http://www.matttreppel.com/

113012

 

Sharpen or Dulled?

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT

 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded – 1 Thessalonians 5:6

I want to challenge you today to mindful of what you’re doing, what you’re watching, listening to, what you’re saying.

It is too easy to aimlessly be lulled and dulled into watching, listening to and saying things that aren’t adding value; not to you or others you are interacting with.

Be mindful of “going with the crowd” and speaking “whatever comes to your mind”.

Be mindful of what you’re snacking on and eating all day. Deliberately eat as healthy as you can.

 

We have to intentionally, deliberately, be on guard of delving into the mediocre and cesspool of toxins all around us.

 

Are you spending a lot of time around negative people? Disrespectful people?  The words we say and listen to are sowing into our soul and mind.

Yes, something might go “in one ear and out the other” but not before it drops and leaves a seed.

 

Be alert, be clearheaded, that you may avoid and ignore the negative and interrupt it with something uplifting, encouraging and complimentary.

 

Be aware of what you do in routine; of habit.  Are there some that you should change; to become a better you?

Continually developing the “lifestyle” of YOU.

 Be on guard

READY?….GO!

http://www.matttreppel.com/

112912

Discipline

TRUE LIFE ABUNDANT

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.  Hebrews 12:11

 Alarm goes off at 4:59 a.m.

He hits snooze.  Again at 5:07, 5:15, 5:23, 5:31.

Finally he turns it off.  The young man has such a desire. He not only wants to be starter on his team, but he wants to excel as a star.  He is determined to do what not many others are doing in order that he can accomplish what few others are willing and able to do.  Tired.  He sits up.  His pillow is calling his name.

Choice to make.  Listen to his feelings, his pillow.  Or, his desire.  His dream.

Gets dressed.  Out the door into the dark cool predawn. He jogs to the field.  Starts running his sprints.  Hurries home, has to be at school at 7.

A few weeks later the clock flips from 4:58 to 4:59. Silence in the bedroom. No movement.

The front door quietly shuts.  He is already out the door running to the field.  Searching and calling out discipline. He no longer hides from it; no longer does he run from it.  He no longer loathes it.  He now needs it.  He calls it out.  He embraces and inhales it.  He has discovered what it can do for him. It can make his desires and dreams a reality.

The biggest hurdle we have in actualizing the purposes God has put in our hearts is discipline; discipline to be obedient to His Word and disciplined to put the distractions and deceptions to the side.

Every day………..You and you alone….Have a choice to make.

 

Discipline is the key

Manifest the Champion in YOU

READY?…..GO!

http://www.matttreppel.com/

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