A Christmas Victory to Remember!

 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

                                                     Luke  2:14  

This was spoken the night Jesus was born and it still rings true today. Nothing has changed – we still give glory to God in the highest and we still receive His peace on earth and goodwill to men! God has not changed and His plan for peace and His good will has not changed.

It would appear that evil and disease increases daily since the peace and goodwill proclaimed over earth appears to be overshadowed, causing many to lose sight of the hope and victory found in glorifying God. But it isn't as real as people think.

For a moment, let us imagine the events surrounding the birth of our Savior. Joseph and Mary made the long trek to be counted in the census while she was “very” pregnant and her time was near to deliver her child.

Once Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem she went into labor, delivered her baby, wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a feeding trough.

While this was happening, shepherds were living out in the fields protecting their sheep from predators during the nighttime hours when suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and stood before them. The shepherds were wide awake, fully alert, and knew this was not a dream but was very real! They were watching for wild animals, not angels, so imagine their surprised faces and thoughts when the angel appeared with the glory of the Lord shining around them.

So great was the glory and the shock of seeing an angel the shepherds were “greatly afraid”.

Just as assuredly as predators, sin, and disease come, so comes the Lord! Just as God arrives to surprise the shepherds, He arrives to surprise us when we need it the most. While we are here, like the shepherds, we need to be about our Father’s business, fulfilling our calling, and staying ready and alert for His divine visits.

If an angel appearing were not enough, now “suddenly ” a multitude of the heavenly host shows up to praise God.

We must be ready for the “suddenlies” in life! Sometimes we can be so busy “with” life, enduring and persevering, far too absorbed with the evil and disease in the world that we are void of the joy, peace, faith, and hope that God will show up “suddenly”! If we “know” God is into “suddenlies”.

This was a life-changing, mountain-moving experience that changed the shepherd’s lives, and can change ours as well. This truth (His Truth) overcomes all sin and disease because when we give Him glory, believe this declaration of peace on earth and good will toward men, we will not magnify evil, sin, and disease in this world knowing it pales in comparison to His glory!

Perhaps you are struggling in the midst of evil, persecuted or suffering with disease. Perhaps you are one who is watching a loved one suffer. Maybe all things are calm and right in your world and you can only sense the turmoil around but feel untouched by it yourself.

Whatever your situation, join the angelic chorus and proclaim, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill to men!" Believe God is going to show up “suddenly” in your life. See God for who He is, not what we have made Him to be! This Christmas – Let’s declare, believe, and proclaim to our world “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men!”

Dan Castleberry is on the Pastoral ministry team and leads various ministries at Royalwood. He is married to Robyn and has three beautiful daughters.  You can  follow Dan on Twitter, 

Make It Or Break It

Why was I born?

This is a loaded question that we often times ask ourselves. Super loaded - like a baked potato with cheese, sour cream, onions, bacon, and LOTS of butter! It seems like this question could never be answered specifically. Of course, as believers we know we were created to worship, to reach others, and to one day be with our Savior in Heaven but, how do we answer it specifically for our lives? What am I here to achieve, specifically?

I am studying the book of Esther right now and I was totally inspired by the fact that even Esther had to ask herself these questions. You probably know the general story of Esther and how she became the queen of Persia. Can you imagine that happening to you? She probably wondered what in the world she was doing there? What purpose was she serving as queen? There were times where the King wouldn't call on her for months at a time! She probably felt totally useless. Knowing she was called but her life was at a total standstill. I know... I've been there. 

But, she is soon approached with a crisis. Her people, the Jews, are to be annihilated! It is now all up to her. She has to decide if she will put her life in jeopardy to save her people. She still didn't realize her calling at the time. Her uncle, Mordecai, had to put it in perspective for her. He asked her, “What if you were brought here for such a time as this?”. Think about it. She was a Jewish girl, chosen from among thousands of other women to be the queen! She didn't get there on accident. She was purposed to be there. At some point it clicked with her and she realized that she was born for this moment. Esther had to step out and do what she was called to do. And she did. She saved her people from extinction.

Now, many of us will look at this and not be able to relate it to our own lives. We also can’t see ourselves doing something this significant. You may be sitting in your boring cubicle at work wondering what eternal value this monotonous job has but, THERE IS A PURPOSE. You may feel like your ministry or calling is at a standstill, but it’s all leading you to the moment for which you were created. We are not queens most likely, but we ARE royalty. The Bible says we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood”. We have a specific purpose. YOU are chosen. 

So what are you doing with what God gave you and where God placed you? What are you doing with your job to help influence those around you? How are you demonstrating God’s love with every conversation that you take part in? You were brought into the kingdom for THIS time. So, don’t be afraid to take chances or to look foolish. This is YOUR time. It’s a “make it or break it” situation. Every decision counts, no matter how small it or insignificant it seems. You were born for this.

Lorna Brittany Wells leads worship at Royalwood and is also a youth leader in Anthem Student Ministries.  She is married to Tauren Wells and is expecting their first child in 2013..

What If You Discovered Justin Bieber?

What if you discovered Justin Bieber?  

The YouTube sensation turned teen pop star was discovered singing love songs on YouTube as just a boy.  But no one would have ever heard of him, had he not been discovered.  It’s easy to find talent these days with all of the social media present in culture but what about the people who don’t post what their capable of all over the internet.  The reality is that not all talent is discovered, more often, it has to be detected.

It has been said that a prodigy resides in us all.  Perhaps it isn't the musical ability of a young Mozart or modern day vocal ability of a young Justin Bieber, but I do ascribe to the belief that there is tremendous potential in us all.  Before you jump to the conclusion that this post is a 3 step plan to discover your inner prodigy, let me tell you straight up, it’s not.  Sorry, maybe another time.  No, these next few sentences are being written out of a sincere passion for awakening. Fathers, Husbands, Mothers, Wives, Students, Leaders, well, you can name the category must realize the opportunity to pull out the potential that resides in those around us.

We have all heard the phrase, “ You bring out the best in me” or “You bring out the worst  in me.”  Fortunately and unfortunately we all have people in our lives that effect us one way or the other.  The question I've been wrestling with within myself is which one am I?  Do I truly bring out the best in others?  In my relationship with my wife, as a friend and leader, am I pulling out the prodigy or stifling the potential?  The truth is we are all doing one or the other.  In every relationship or in whatever role in your home, business, school etc. we have to be intentional about doing three things: 

Detect.  Project.  Protect.

We have to detect passion and potential, project a vision for seeing that potential realized, and do our part to protect that person and their potential.

Whether it be a fellow employee, a child, a spouse, or someone you mentor, one of your high calling’s is to detect the potential resident in whoever that person may be. 

Many people don’t do great things simply because no one is telling them that they can. 

We must take it upon ourselves to probe for possibility inside of people.  We must become keen to detect talent and gifting. 

Next, we must project a vision for that potential to be realized and utilized!  A lot of people cannot see beyond insecurity, past failures, or disbelief, the many possibilities that exist within themselves to make a difference or pursue a new endeavor.  We must speak life, affirm, and incite an awakening within them.  Of course, we cannot force them into doing something great but we must allow them to realize that doing something great with their lives is indeed possible.  

Lastly, we must protect those we detect ability in and project vision for.  If someone very gifted suddenly rises up as a leader in an organizational context get ready for stones to be thrown.  Obviously, we cannot stop this natural process from happening.  Success comes with both celebration and criticism, but we can build walls with our support, love, and words that help shield them from the blow.  Additionally, with success comes more and more opportunities.  We must be sure to keep those we care about balanced and also aware of the new challenges that await us at every new level.

Instead of waiting for the next big thing to be discovered on YouTube, look around your house, the office, or your campus...because a prodigy resides in us all.

Tauren Wells is the lead singer of the band, Royal Tailor. He serves as the Creative Director for Royalwood and is also on the youth staff. He loves interacting with students and building relationships. Follow Tauren on Twitter.