Author: Rob Collins

Your’e Approved

Posted on by Rob Collins in Messages

home-loan-approval1

Over the past several months I have had confirmation time and time again that I am approved. I have God’s approval and so do you! You are His creation created to walk in the reality of who you are in Him. Confirmation number one comes from Chris Tomlin in his popular song, “Good good Father.” Tomlin expresses this well in the lyrical line, “It’s who you are and I’m loved by you, that’s who I am.” In other words God is love and I am loved by Him and this makes me who I am. Through this revelation I should respond out of love and security in my relationship with God, and with others. The first time fear appears in the Bible was when Adam and Eve sinned. It states in Genesis that they were naked and afraid so they hid themselves. When you feel afraid and vulnerable you will hide behind things. However, there is no reason to hide if you are in Christ. Back to the garden. God sought Adam and Eve and clothed them with the blood and skin of an animal God had created and Adam had named. He also by His grace and mercy put an angel to guard the tree of life and set them out of the garden. If they would have eaten of the tree of life they would have been in the realm of disobedience eternally. But that’s another blog. I John 4 tells us that perfect love cast out fear. God sent His son. Joseph named Him Jesus. He shed His blood and gave His life so that you and I might have life. God turned His back on Jesus so He would never turn His back on us. If you’ve believed this for yourself you are clothed in His righteousness. You are loved by a God who knows you and He created you for His pleasure, there is is no reason to fear… You are approved!

Confirmation number two came when I was reading the passage in Matthew about Jesus baptism. It says when He came out of the water a voice from heaven was heard saying, ” this is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” This was interesting to me because Jesus had not done anything other than be obedient to baptism, yet God was pleased and approved of Him through the affirmation of words. Jesus hadn’t opened a blind eye. Nor had He turned the water into wine, caused the lame to walk, or the deaf to hear. He hadn’t walked on water or made a storm to cease. Jesus had not healed a leper or sit down by a well with a woman who needed a savior. The Son of man and the Son of God had not blessed the loaves and fish, washed the feet of His disciples, or prayed, “not my will but thine be done.” You get the point. In the sense of doing right, achieving good, and helping the cause, Jesus had not yet done any of these things, yet God gave His approval of His Son.Therefore I am approved not because of who I am or what I have done but because of who is and what He has done… and you are too!

Confirmation number three happened while attending a pastor’s gathering. The leader of the group made a statement about “sonship.” He went on to say how the enemy in Matthew 4 was attacking Jesus’ sonship. When Jesus was drawn away by the Spirit to be tested in the wilderness Satan said to Him, “If you are the Son of God then do this or do that.” I have always preached this from the standpoint of Jesus answering Satan with the word of God but now I see this transaction in an entirely different light. The previous chapter God had already said, “this is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” The very next passage Satan attacks Jesus sonship by saying, “If you are the Son of God?” The question of doubt. Remember in the garden what the serpent said? He said, “Did God really say that?” He was saying the same thing to Jesus in the dessert and he says the same thing to us today. If you really were a _____________ then you wouldn’t feel, act, or think like that. Our identity is in Christ alone! Jesus didn’t have to prove anything to anyone, because He knew He was approved by God… and so are you!

Confirmation number four was a couple of weeks ago when I was teaching on prayer. I was reading passages about Jesus being obedient to prayer when I noticed Jesus never sought man’s approval or was He bothered by their disapproval. He just continued in His relationship with His Father. Check out these passages in Luke’s gospel. Luke 6: 10 Then looking around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11 But they were filled with madness and discussed with each other what they might do to Jesus. 12 In these days He went out to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God. Notice this is when they were trying to “decide” that Jesus prayed all night. They were discussing among themselves. Have you ever felt like people were discussing among themselves to either approve or disapprove of who you are or what you have done? Jesus didn’t seek their decision He sought His father’s direction. Then in Luke 5: 14 Then He commanded him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 15 Yet even more so His fame went everywhere. And great crowds came together to hear and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 But He withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. In this passage Jesus was growing in popularity yet He didn’t seek their applause or His own fame, He sought His Father’s face. Here’s what I noticed: Jesus didn’t seek man’s approval because He knew He already had God’s approval… and so do you… You’re Approved!

Trust

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog

trust

Trust: belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, and etc.

-Webster

Trust: is believing God even when things don’t make sense from your limited perspective.

-Robert Alan Collins

“Anything or anyone you put your trust in more than you trust God can become an idol.”

Learn to Say, “I trust You, Jesus” in response to whatever happens.

“Stop waiting for things to make sense and trust He knows what’s best.”

“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

1. You Can Trust God Because He is God – Since God created all things, knows all things, see all things and can do anything about everything… I think it is safe to say, “you can trust Him.” He is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient. God is Eternal, Immutable, Immanent, Transcedent and Self Existent. He is God! I think you should be able to trust Him.(sarcasm intended) He is, He was, and He always will be. He said, “let there be light” and there was. He created everything out of nothing and He continues to do the same today… He is God and you can trust Him!

2. You Can Trust God Because He is Love – The word tells is that God is love. It tells us He is eternal and never changing. The word is eternal truth. Therefore, since God is love, His love never changes. His love is unconditional and never wavers. Matthew tells us, “if our earthly fathers know how to give good gifts, how much more does our Heavenly Father know how to bless us with good gifts?” Whether it is the blessings of good gifts or it is discipline, or correction, you can trust God knows what is best for you. His love will never give up, never fail or never run out. You can trust that!

3. You Can Trust God Because He Sees the End From the Beginning and the Beginning From the End – The Bible tells us that God declares the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. God goes out and starts with the end, where we start with the beginning. He then establishes our way and walks us through it by His grace and strength.He sees how it begins, and HE KNOWS HOW IT WILL END… you can trust Him!

4. You Can Trust God Because He Can See What You Can’t See – Perspective is everything. Sometimes from your vantage point life doesn’t make sense. You can’t always see how things will turn out. Now, for those of you who know me well, know that I am a NASCAR fan. Well, I have an analogy that I think will fit what I am talking about. In NASCAR the driver on the track has a limited view and a hindered perspective. However, he also has a spotter at the highest point above the track who can see everything all at once, as it is happening. The spotter see the wreck, the debris, and the spin-out, all before the driver does. He is able to help navigate the driver through the most difficult unseen circumstances, all because his perspective allows him to see the big picture. God sits high above all things. He can see what you can’t see, you can trust Him!

5. You Can Trust God Because He knows What You Don’t Know – There are some things you won’t know the answer to. There will be things you can’t explain. Nevertheless, God is NOT limited in any way. He knows all things. God doesn’t desire that you know all things, He desires that you trust. The word tell us that Jesus came to give us peace, not as the world gives but that only He can give. You can have peace that passes all understanding. Even when you don’t understand, you can have peace. Even when you don’t know, or you don’t understand, God does, and you can trust Him!

6. You Can Trust God Because He Can Do What You Can’t Do – No matter how strong or determined you are there will be situations where the strength of your capacity will be limited. I don’t believe you should set back and wait on God or anyone else for the matter, to do what you can do yourself. But, I also don’t believe you should exhaust yourself in doing that God desires to do for you, if you would just ask. There are many things you can do. There are however, some things you can’t do. God can do anything! Remember, “with God all things are possible.” Therefore, you can trust Him!

7. You Can Trust God Because He Always Knows What’s Best and You Don’t – There was a television show “back in the day” entitled, “Father Knows Best.” Now, I am a father, and a son, so I know from experience when it comes to earthly fathers this is not always the case. I also know my father knows better than me. We all learn through either our mentors or our mistakes. When Jesus was on the earth He said, “I only do and say what I hear my Father in heaven say to do.” Jesus is our example. If God wouldn’t say it, think it, or do it, you probably shouldn’t either. Your heavenly Father knows what is best, you can trust Him!

 

What or Who Do You Trust In?

“Some trust in chariots. Some trust in horses. But we trust in the Lord our God.”
Psalm 20:7 NIRV

-David

You have a choice. You can Trust God or Take matters into your hands. David was known for several different things. He was know of course as a man after God’s own heart. He was also know for killing Goliath. (and of course there was Bathsheba). Anyway. David was a shepherd boy who had learned to trust God. He had been anointed king, while Saul was still reigning as king, and that was not heard of. Saul was angry and David’s popularity was gaining. That is, with everyone but Saul. David was a musician and so he knew when the crowd starts throwing things it’s time to leave. So he did. And while hiding out in a cave, Saul; the one who was throwing things trying to kill him decided to take a “potty break” so David snuck out, took his sword and cut the corner of Saul’s robe. He could have killed him but he didn’t. He could have taken matter into his own hands but he didn’t. He trusted the timing of God. David trusted God to deliver into his hands a lion and bear. He also trusted God when he faced Goliath. Every time you are faced with a situation you have a choice. You can take matters into your own hands or you can trust the timing of God. And the decision you make will tell the story of your life.

Don’t Settle For Less Because It Is Easy

Posted on by Rob Collins in Messages

 

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“We’re Settlers That’s What We Do”

I’m sure most of you by now have seen the Direct TV commercial about settling for cable. If not, here is the basic idea: There’s a family of old time western settlers living in a modern midwestern suburban housing development that interacts with their neighbors (who happen to Direct TV). They interact by saying, “We are settlers, that’s what we do.” This is their response to anything new or different and their neighbors respond with disbelief. For me I can relate with both scenarios. The settlers are content with what they have not realizing there is more, better, and different. While the neighbors are appalled that the settlers would settle for, the way things are while not desiring for things to different. I have settled without even realizing it could be better or different. I have also experienced frustration towards others who have settled for less, when they could have so much more.There is a difference in being satisfied and being content. Satisfaction comes from achievement. Contentment comes from God. I Timothy 6:6-10 says, 6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” In other words if you don’t learn contentment through Christ you will be discontented even when you have achieved great things because more is never enough. Nonetheless, I want to challenge you to not be satisfied with the status quo and not to settle for less then God’s best for you! You can be satisfied with achievements. You can be content in your relationship with God. But don’t ever settle for less because it is easier. Never settle for less because you feel that’s all you deserve at the moment. Believe God, Risk faith and realize that He is a God of more than enough. Never settle for less!

Here are a few things I have observed through the years about those who are settlers:

Settlers Settle With…

1. The Familiar – The familiar can cause you to forfeit your future because you will settle for what you know, instead of exploring the uncertain or the unknown.

2. What’s Easy – Doing what’s easy is accomplished with very little effort. Therefore if something “new” takes effort but doesn’t produce immediate results you will gravitate back towards what is easy. The problem with “what’s easy” is it usually doesn’t produce new or different results. As a matter of fact it often produces a familiar framework that will keep you boxed in and bound to the familiar, keeping you from experiencing something new or better.

3. What They Know to Be Best – Sometimes what you know is all you know. However, what you know to be the best might not be the best, it might just be all you know. Don’t settle just because that’s the way you have always done it or that’s the only way you’ve seen it done. Explore. Expand. Experiment. Open up your mind to new ideas and you might be amazed at the possibilities that will unfold before you.

4. What They’ve Always Done – “We’ve always done it this way” is the greatest deterrent to things ever being different or better.

5. What They Are Comfortable With – We all like to be comfortable. Most of us know our comfort zones well. We also know how “uncomfortable” we feel outside of them. Nevertheless, the God of comfort chooses to make us uncomfortable so we will move. Just like the eagle transitions her nest from soft to prickly preparing her eaglets for flight, God does the same for us. If it were always comfortable you will never move. If I’m lying in bed and Kelly says, “did you check the front door?” I say, “I don’t want to get up, I just got comfortable.” If it is comfortable you won’t want to get up or move. Don’t allow your comfort zone to keep you frozen in the foolishness of the familiar. Get up and move toward your promised future!

6. What They Have the Resources to Accomplish – I’m learning I will never have all the resources I need. I’ve also learned if I am going to accomplish something extraordinary it is going to require great faith and risk. Sometimes what you need is not there until you get there. The Red Sea didn’t part until the children of Israel began to step in faith. There is more in store than what meets the eye. As your vision expands your resources will increase.

7. The Least Resistant Path – The least resistant path is not always the best, but it is usually the easiest. Don’t do what’s easy, do what’s best! Don’t settle for less than God’s best. Settle in your heart today to never settle for less. Settlers settle, that’s what they do. They settle with the familiar. They settle with what’s easy. They settle with what they know to be best. They settle with what they’ve always done. They settle with what they are comfortable with. They settle with what they have the resources to accomplish. They settle with the least resistant path. Don’t be a settler!

That Was Yesterday…

Posted on by Rob Collins in 2 Minute Take Away

that was yesterday slide

I was looking at a flyer that had been sent to me in regards to a youth “lock in” where I would be speaking. The flyer stated that I would be speaking at midnight. It was later that day when I  was sitting at the table eating lunch when I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Midnight signifies the beginning of a brand new day!” My mind immediately leaped to the Scripture in Acts 16 where it tells the story of Paul and Silas being thrown into prison. The story begins with verse 16 and ends with verse 31. However, almost ‘smack dab’ in the middle of the story; 7 verses from the beginning dialogue and 8 verses from the conclusion, is verse 23. It reads, “And at Midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God.”  There it was, the word “Midnight“, it wasn’t just the darkest hour of the night, it was the beginning of a brand new day.

Midnight is a turning point, it denotes the beginning of a new day. Paul sang praises to God at midnight and the circumstances changed for everyone. The prison doors were opened and the chains fell off. He decided to praise past the problems of yesterday. At midnight it was the beginning of a new day. Paul was beaten and put in prison but because he sang praises to God at midnight, that was yesterday! It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday, at Midnight it’s a new day! You can pronounce the problems of yesterday or you can proclaim the praises of God today. Midnight is the darkest hour, but it is also the beginning of a new day. Just praise God and speak of your problems by saying, yeah, but that was yesterday!

Paul’s experiences that had led to his jail sentence were yesterday’s news at midnight. When Paul began singing praises to God at midnight He was saying to himself and everyone around him, “that was yesterday!” Paul could have focused on the problems of yesterday, but instead he determined to focus on the promises of tomorrow. The annoying girl… that was yesterday! The accusations… that was yesterday! The unfair trail… that was yesterday! The beating with wooden rods on his back… that was yesterday! The stocks, cuffs and chains… that was yesterday! Paul would have missed the Philippian Jailer’s salvation and baptism if he would have chosen to focus on yesterday instead of praising God at Midnight. Think about the discouraging disappoints of any day and remember at midnight, “That was Yesterday!” Don’t miss what could happen today, because of what happened yesterday! Focus on the promises of today, not the problems of yesterday.

Does Your Response Really Matter?

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog, Messages, Videos

Response slide

“Does Your Response Really Matter?” I think most of us would agree that the answer to that question is YES! I am personally learning it’s not so much what others do, or how I feel about what they’ve done; what matters is, how I respond. One of the many things I have learned from this teaching is: “your response to me doesn’t affect me, unless I allow it to.” However it does affect you in regards to your future and your peace. Sometimes your response is more important than the offense that has happened to you. That’s because you can’t change the offense, but you can change your future by how you respond. Your level of maturity is seen in your response, not your retaliation.

Here are some notes from the teaching regarding Joseph being thrown in the pit and how he responded:

Joseph:

  • He responded in a Godly manner.
  • He saw the bigger picture.
  • He understood God was involved.
  • He blessed those who cursed him.

Joseph’s response to his “not so fortunate” circumstances promoted him while releasing God’s favor for him and also for those who created his unfortunate circumstances. A Godly response will release the favor of God in your life and in the lives of others.

Joseph’s response to the Pit, Potiphar’s wife and the Prison promoted him to the Palace. The Palace was a place that allowed him the opportunity to bless others. His response to those unfortunate situations promoted him to an opportunity of great fortune that empowered him to bless others.

It’s easier to respond in the proper way:

  • When you realize God has a plan.
  • When you know He is faithful.
  • When you believe His word is true.

Your response matters and it will release your future!

Seeing the Greater Purpose

Posted on by Rob Collins in Blog

 

Seeing the Greater Purpose Slide
Seeing the Greater Purpose – 2 Corinthians 4:7-17
I recently watched the “Youngstown Boys.” It’s a ESPN short film about former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and his players from Youngstown, Ohio. Here is Tressel’s thoughts regarding Maurice Clarett: “People wanted me to give up on him, but you don’t easily give up on someone you love. Your goals and perspective are constantly being revised because of circumstances, but your purpose, the reason you are here on the earth, supersedes circumstances; what you are going through, and why? Maybe that’s why his goals (speaking of Clarett) didn’t come to pass. It’s because they didn’t align with his purpose. However, the entire time, it was his goals and the adversity that he experienced that led him to a greater purpose.”

We have probably all at one time or another found ourselves in a place of fear, frustration, or failure, focusing on our circumstances, while forgetting there may be a greater purpose to what we are going through. Let me say it this way: “We focus so much on what we are going though, that we sometimes fail to see there might be a purpose behind, what we are going through.” The purpose may not be the circumstance itself, the purpose is usually far greater and farther down the road than we can even think or see. You need to ask God for the wisdom to see the greater purpose while finding the courage to confront the circumstance allowing you the strength and the grace to sustain through the season of the whatever it is that you may be facing.

Here are some quotes regarding mindsets, perspective and belief:
– Maurice Clarett – “when you have the right mindset everything else just lines up.”

– Joel Osteen – “opposition is not meant to stop you but establish you.”

– Darius Daniels – “all God’s promises are occupied with opposition.”

– Mark Batterson – “adversity is the seed bed of opportunity.”

– Robert Alan Collins – “adversity & opposition are not meant to destroy you – they are meant to develop you while revealing God’s purpose and your destiny.”

– Rick Warren – “Every storm is a school. Every trial is a teacher. Every experience is an education. Every difficulty is for your development.”

The Apostle Paul in Acts 16:25-40 experienced hardship but there was a greater purpose to what he was experiencing. He was falsely accused, beaten and thrown in prison. This passage tells us that at midnight in shackles and chains held confined in the darkest part of the prison cell Paul began to sing praises to God at midnight. Why? Because he enjoyed being falsely accused? No! Why? Because he was glad to be in jail? No! Why? Because he loved the sting of the stripes on his back? NO! It was because Paul realized there was a greater purpose and although he may not have understand at the time, he praised God and trusted Him in spite of his circumstances. The greater purpose was the Philippian Jailer and his family being saved.

Here are 7 things we can learn form this:

1. Be careful what you say and how you say it.
2. Don’t complain about what God may be using.
3. Your response could be a key to someone else’s future and freedom.
4. Sing God’s praises and don’t magnify the circumstance.
5. God can use the natural to produce the supernatural.
6. Don’t allow your response to be based on assumptions.
7. The trial ends when God’s purpose is accomplished.

Here are some examples of – “maybe there is a greater purpose that I don’t see, but I can trust God praise Him in spite of my circumstances.”

*Paul & Silas – “maybe the stocks and chains weren’t meant to keep Paul bound – maybe they were to loose the spirit of God’s love.”

*Paul & Silas – “maybe the cell doors opening weren’t meant to set Paul free – maybe they were opened to open the heart of the Philipian jailer.”

*Gideon and His Mighty Army – “maybe the depletion of Gideon’s army wasn’t to set him up for defeat – maybe it was to prove you can trust God because He is faithful!

*The Children of Israel and the Red Sea – “maybe the Red Sea wasn’t meant to the delay the promised land – maybe it was meant to destroy Pharaoh’s Army.

*Daniel in the Lions Den – “maybe the lions den wasn’t meant to destroy Daniel – maybe it was to prove to Daniel and everyone else that you can rest in the midst of intimidation, fear, and being devoured.”

*Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – “maybe the fire wasn’t meant to destroy the 3 Hebrew Children – maybe it was meant to destroy what bound them, while proving to everyone that you can walk through a fiery trail without losing your faith or being destroyed!”

*Jesus – “without a betrayal there wouldn’t have been a trial – without a trial there wouldn’t have been a cross – without a cross there wouldn’t have been a death – without a death there wouldn’t have been a tomb – without a tomb there wouldn’t have been a resurrection – without a resurrection there wouldn’t have been redemption for all mankind!”

In all of these scenarios from the Bible there was a greater purpose. Don’t get discouraged, there may a greater purpose to the circumstances you are facing. You may never know or totally understand, but you can trust God and praise Him in the midst of what you are going through right now, because there  could be a greater purpose to what you are going through. What you thought would destroy you, God used to develop you. Don’t despise what you are going through, there may be a greater purpose!

The Greatest of These…

Posted on by Rob Collins in 2 Minute Take Away, Blog, Messages, Videos

Click Text for Short Video Clip: the greatest is love

When you say nothing at all…

Do you ever feel like your words are not being heard? Have you ever felt like what you say isn’t making a difference? Whether you speak or whether you are silent; both must be done in love. We should all have a desire to speak the truth, but even the truth has to be spoken in love! However when we are silent most of the time it is done for manipulation through pouting. In Luke 19 Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus. When Jesus looks up and sees him He tells him to come down because He needs to go to his house today.

Zacchaeus was a crooked tax collector who cheated people out of money. Jesus knew it and Zacchaeus knew it, but nothing was ever spoken. And without one word “spoken” he repents and the fruit is restitution. He not only says he was wrong he tells Jesus he will give back with interests what he has stolen from the people.

Jesus never said a word about what Zacchaeus should or shouldn’t do or for that matter what he had  or hadn’t done. Zacchaeus repented without Jesus saying a word!  Moved by the audacity of Jesus’ undeserved love and acceptance, Zacchaeus publicly repented of his acts of corruption and vowed to make restitution for them, and held a feast at his house. I want you to know love is a two way street. Jesus received Zacchaeus just the way he was but Zacchaeus received Jesus into his home. Love has to be given, but it also must be received.

There is a lot of talk about law and love, grace and truth, love and grace. I want you to note Jesus never said anything about Zacchaeus’ wrongdoings but Jesus also never tried too justify what he had done as being ok. Jesus never said, “Thats o.k. Zacchaeus you don’t have to give back what you have taken.” No. He allowed him freedom but He also allowed him the opportunity to repent and be changed. It’s both! Love and grace, law and love, grace and truth.

Sometimes love speaks, sometimes love is silent, sometimes love presents the truth, but no matter how our actions are displayed it should always be done in love! If your words or silence are not done in love they will sound like a “*clanging cymbal” to the person who is receiving them. (*I Corinthians 13)

The way to know your speaking more “truth” than “love”:

1. When you want to prove your point more than resolve the issue.

2. When you want to be heard more than you want to hear.

3. When you want to be right more than you want a resolve.

4. When your ego is more important than the person’s need.

5. When you listen but don’t hear.

6. When your wrong but don’t recognize it.

7. When you are in the wrong but don’t admit it.

8. When you say the wrong thing at the wrong time in the wrong way.

9. When you talk so much people don’t value what you do say when you say something worth hearing.

10. When you consider how you feel more than how others feel.

Many of us speak the truth, but not in love. We speak more truth than love. Speak the truth, but do so in love. Say what you mean and mean what you say, but don’t be mean!