Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Birthday Lesson
Psalm 95:1-2 - Oh come let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
This week I read a piece on "Worship" which compared it to a birthday party. At first I thought this rather frivolous until I read further. The birthday person is the centre of attention and the birthday cake honours him or her. That person is the centre of attention and the rest of us, no matter how important we are, take a back seat. We sing and celebrate the fact that the birthday person was born. This says something about how important a birthday person is. We don't usually celebrate a dog's birthday. The fact is that on this day, so many years ago, God's image came into the world in the form of the birthday person, unique and special, different from anyone else on earth.
When we honour something that God has made, we honour Him. All creation shows His glory, most of all, human kind. When we honour someone for their achievements, if we really think about it, we honour God the Giver, the Enabler.
What does it mean to worship? We are the only creatures on earth given the freedom and intelligence to worship Him as we choose. It is in the act of worshipping our Creator that our dignity is most evident. Worship takes many forms. Like the birthday party it can be a sense of joyous and uninhibited celebration. God is alive! He reigns over the whole world!
Prayer: Heavenly Father help us to worship you with awe, with celebration, in spirit and in truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.
This week I read a piece on "Worship" which compared it to a birthday party. At first I thought this rather frivolous until I read further. The birthday person is the centre of attention and the birthday cake honours him or her. That person is the centre of attention and the rest of us, no matter how important we are, take a back seat. We sing and celebrate the fact that the birthday person was born. This says something about how important a birthday person is. We don't usually celebrate a dog's birthday. The fact is that on this day, so many years ago, God's image came into the world in the form of the birthday person, unique and special, different from anyone else on earth.
When we honour something that God has made, we honour Him. All creation shows His glory, most of all, human kind. When we honour someone for their achievements, if we really think about it, we honour God the Giver, the Enabler.
What does it mean to worship? We are the only creatures on earth given the freedom and intelligence to worship Him as we choose. It is in the act of worshipping our Creator that our dignity is most evident. Worship takes many forms. Like the birthday party it can be a sense of joyous and uninhibited celebration. God is alive! He reigns over the whole world!
Prayer: Heavenly Father help us to worship you with awe, with celebration, in spirit and in truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
I asked God To
I Asked God to...
I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others,
as much as he loves me.
God said...Ahhhh,
finally you have the idea.
I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others,
as much as he loves me.
God said...Ahhhh,
finally you have the idea.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Write The Vision
Today’s Verse: “…Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2, ESV).
Today’s Word"
Most businesses today have a mission statement that talks about the purpose of the company. In life, every person should also have their own mission statement. What’s your purpose? What are you dreaming about? What are your goals? How are you going to use your talents and abilities? Many people have an idea about where they are headed in life, but something supernatural happens when you write down your vision and make a plan. There’s a resolve that takes place on the inside of you. No longer is that thing just a dream, but now it’s something you can look at every day. The people around you can see it, too. You never know how God is going to use someone in your life to help you get to where you need to be. If they can see your vision, then they can run with it!
I want to encourage you, don’t just vaguely live day to day. Make the decision to write down the dreams and visions you have in your heart. Submit your plans to the Lord and watch what He will do to bring them to pass.
Prayer for Today: Father God, thank You for the dreams and desires You’ve placed in my heart. Direct my steps. Fill me with Your peace. Show me the purpose and plan You have for me so that I can make them clear. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Today’s Word"
Most businesses today have a mission statement that talks about the purpose of the company. In life, every person should also have their own mission statement. What’s your purpose? What are you dreaming about? What are your goals? How are you going to use your talents and abilities? Many people have an idea about where they are headed in life, but something supernatural happens when you write down your vision and make a plan. There’s a resolve that takes place on the inside of you. No longer is that thing just a dream, but now it’s something you can look at every day. The people around you can see it, too. You never know how God is going to use someone in your life to help you get to where you need to be. If they can see your vision, then they can run with it!
I want to encourage you, don’t just vaguely live day to day. Make the decision to write down the dreams and visions you have in your heart. Submit your plans to the Lord and watch what He will do to bring them to pass.
Prayer for Today: Father God, thank You for the dreams and desires You’ve placed in my heart. Direct my steps. Fill me with Your peace. Show me the purpose and plan You have for me so that I can make them clear. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Monday, September 21, 2009
12 Affirmations for Christians
1. I am uniquely created by God for a specific purpose.
God created only one model with my exact DNA. He specifically selected my parents, siblings, race, nationality, mental capacity, physical features and time in history. Like any responsible artist, architect, designer or inventor, God certainly had a precise purpose in mind before He went to all the trouble assembling me.
2. I use Jesus Christ as my role model.
I, like Jesus, want to do nothing from myself, independently, of my own accord, but only as I am taught by God and get His orders. Even as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just and right because I refuse to seek to consult my own will [my own aim, my own purpose], but only the will and pleasure of the Father who sent me. (John 5:30 AMP)
3. I live each day in the awareness that there is time to do everything God wants me to do.
There is not time to do everything; there is not time to do everything good or everything everyone else wants me to do; and there is definitely not time to do everything that "I" want to do. But there is time to do everything that God is asking me to do today.
4. I acknowledge that God is providing everything and everyone required for me to fulfill His purposes in my life.
Money, manpower and the means-necessary are provided (or withheld) to help me understand His direction and plan for my life. When finances are tight, I make different decisions than I would have if money was flowing. I receive this as God's method of helping me know what to do when.
5. I recognize that every encounter is God's providence versus mere happenstance.
God Himself is ordering my life: I enjoy blessings, not luck. My fate is not up for grabs but is secure in Christ. My coincidences are really God-incidents. I am led by God, not circumstances. Instead, God will use every situation to help me understand His activity in my life, if I will recognize His desire to do so.
6. I REFUSE to focus on negatives in myself, in others or in my circumstances.
I routinely analyze all negative influences in my life for object lessons and quickly run them the painful portions of each to the foot of the cross. I then visualize myself joining Christ on the cross, and there, through His power in me, I look at my offender (even if it is myself) and say, "Father, I forgive them. They don't even know how badly they have hurt me." Then, crawling down again, I move in a resurrected fashion through life, ready to extend God's forgiveness to every offender (even if they do not yet realize their offenses).
7. I feed on God's Word.
I have verse cards in my pockets, car, kitchen, desk drawer and on my mirror. My thoughts return to my current memory verse frequently as I meditate on the Bread of Life.
8. I breathe the air of prayer.
I pray frequently, and without ceasing. I can go a few days without water and a few weeks without food, but I cannot survive ten minutes without oxygen. Like a dolphin surfacing for air, I must frequently burst through the clouds of life into the Sonshine of God, through prayer, or I will begin to suffocate spiritually (defined: stress).
9. I take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
My alarm system goes off at the earliest signs of "self" sins including self-centeredness, self-indulgence, self-righteousness, and the mother of them all, self-pity. I trust God to show me all wrong thoughts, after which I give them to Christ, as if they were prisoners of war with which He must deal.
10. I praise God through every situation. No exceptions.
Everything that comes into my life, Satan wants to use to destroy me; but everything that comes into my life, God wants to use for my good. I refuse to wallow in disappointment, despair or self-pity, choosing instead to partner with God for His best in my life by moving immediately to praise. (Praising God through a devastating situation is called "the sacrifice of praise".)
11. I follow the Leader, doing every NEXT STEP that God ordains for me.
It is impossible for God to take me from the comfort of my current position into the glory of battles won without first working me through boot camp. I recognize that every obstacle, set-back, disappointment and challenge are God-ordained as training tools to prepare me for my destiny in Christ. I receive them with joy and push through with determined faith and hope.
12. I resolve to be patient with His process - as I firmly believe that all the events of my life are interactive.
I trust God more than I trust a physician, who would readily cut me open rather than see me die. I trust God more than I trust a professor, who would willingly inflict a painful score on me rather than watch me miss the knowledge I'd need to succeed. I trust God more than I trust an employer, whose regular paychecks appear to sustain me. I trust God, no matter what!
God created only one model with my exact DNA. He specifically selected my parents, siblings, race, nationality, mental capacity, physical features and time in history. Like any responsible artist, architect, designer or inventor, God certainly had a precise purpose in mind before He went to all the trouble assembling me.
2. I use Jesus Christ as my role model.
I, like Jesus, want to do nothing from myself, independently, of my own accord, but only as I am taught by God and get His orders. Even as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just and right because I refuse to seek to consult my own will [my own aim, my own purpose], but only the will and pleasure of the Father who sent me. (John 5:30 AMP)
3. I live each day in the awareness that there is time to do everything God wants me to do.
There is not time to do everything; there is not time to do everything good or everything everyone else wants me to do; and there is definitely not time to do everything that "I" want to do. But there is time to do everything that God is asking me to do today.
4. I acknowledge that God is providing everything and everyone required for me to fulfill His purposes in my life.
Money, manpower and the means-necessary are provided (or withheld) to help me understand His direction and plan for my life. When finances are tight, I make different decisions than I would have if money was flowing. I receive this as God's method of helping me know what to do when.
5. I recognize that every encounter is God's providence versus mere happenstance.
God Himself is ordering my life: I enjoy blessings, not luck. My fate is not up for grabs but is secure in Christ. My coincidences are really God-incidents. I am led by God, not circumstances. Instead, God will use every situation to help me understand His activity in my life, if I will recognize His desire to do so.
6. I REFUSE to focus on negatives in myself, in others or in my circumstances.
I routinely analyze all negative influences in my life for object lessons and quickly run them the painful portions of each to the foot of the cross. I then visualize myself joining Christ on the cross, and there, through His power in me, I look at my offender (even if it is myself) and say, "Father, I forgive them. They don't even know how badly they have hurt me." Then, crawling down again, I move in a resurrected fashion through life, ready to extend God's forgiveness to every offender (even if they do not yet realize their offenses).
7. I feed on God's Word.
I have verse cards in my pockets, car, kitchen, desk drawer and on my mirror. My thoughts return to my current memory verse frequently as I meditate on the Bread of Life.
8. I breathe the air of prayer.
I pray frequently, and without ceasing. I can go a few days without water and a few weeks without food, but I cannot survive ten minutes without oxygen. Like a dolphin surfacing for air, I must frequently burst through the clouds of life into the Sonshine of God, through prayer, or I will begin to suffocate spiritually (defined: stress).
9. I take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
My alarm system goes off at the earliest signs of "self" sins including self-centeredness, self-indulgence, self-righteousness, and the mother of them all, self-pity. I trust God to show me all wrong thoughts, after which I give them to Christ, as if they were prisoners of war with which He must deal.
10. I praise God through every situation. No exceptions.
Everything that comes into my life, Satan wants to use to destroy me; but everything that comes into my life, God wants to use for my good. I refuse to wallow in disappointment, despair or self-pity, choosing instead to partner with God for His best in my life by moving immediately to praise. (Praising God through a devastating situation is called "the sacrifice of praise".)
11. I follow the Leader, doing every NEXT STEP that God ordains for me.
It is impossible for God to take me from the comfort of my current position into the glory of battles won without first working me through boot camp. I recognize that every obstacle, set-back, disappointment and challenge are God-ordained as training tools to prepare me for my destiny in Christ. I receive them with joy and push through with determined faith and hope.
12. I resolve to be patient with His process - as I firmly believe that all the events of my life are interactive.
I trust God more than I trust a physician, who would readily cut me open rather than see me die. I trust God more than I trust a professor, who would willingly inflict a painful score on me rather than watch me miss the knowledge I'd need to succeed. I trust God more than I trust an employer, whose regular paychecks appear to sustain me. I trust God, no matter what!
Friday, September 18, 2009
DAILY AFFIRMATIONS
"I will sing with my spirit, but I also will sing with my mind"
1 Corinthians 14:15b (NIV)
In the garden of our minds, weeds can choke out the beautiful flora that God intends for us to have. These weeds are destructive, unhealthy thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations left over from years of automatic thinking. We call these self-destructive thought patterns the Enemyfs pests and Vermin. In Renewing Your Mind, our program details powerful steps to chase these pests out, replanting the void with the beauty of Godly abundance.
Affirmations are the most powerful, immediate way to replant your garden. Affirmations are strong, positive and unbelievable statements about you. To grow, you must move into a new state of being that you have never know before. Because this new landscape is unknown to you, visualizing it ahead of time will be unfamiliar. Therefore, these statements about the soon to be new you will be unbelievable at first. They must be to lay the fertile soil necessary for the replanting to take root.
Creating new, strong, positive statements will feel unnatural at first. There are many ways to do this. The simplest is to reverse whatever negative thoughts you have uncover form a daily writing log. If you perceive a negative thought like "Ifll never get ahead" you reverse to say "I always get ahead". If you hear "I am such an idiot" you convert it to "I am a bright, and capable of thinking clearly and wisely". Many find inspiring affirmations from inspirational books, the Bible, a good sermon or from supportive friends and counselors. Here are some of our favorites:
-- I am attracting infinite wealth and unlimited abundance.
-- I am whole and perfect as God created me.
-- I love me.
-- I have unlimited abundance.
-- I have infinite worth and unlimited potential.
-- I am an enlightened adult and I can do whatever I want to do. I know the consequences.
-- I know God has a purpose for me everyday. I will look for His guidance, and lean on His strength.
-- I will pray for my children to seek God for their own sakes, and to learn to follow Him in trust and love.
-- I choose to accept the pain I have been resisting because I know it is healthy for me and will help me move forward.
-- I am attracting divine people and healthy, loving relationships.
-- Love is more valuable than silver or gold.
Create a Success Journal
This is going to be a document that is separate and distinct from your Enemy fighting log. In it you record affirmations and successes. Take some time to find a binder and cover that are attractive and meaningful to you. This is a document you will want to preserve for your legacy. It is a catalog of your positive character traits and the virtues you practice and value. It also serves as a record of your progress. This is helpful when the Enemy tries to tell you that you have not changed and this program is not working. Record you affirmations in this journal.
1 Corinthians 14:15b (NIV)
In the garden of our minds, weeds can choke out the beautiful flora that God intends for us to have. These weeds are destructive, unhealthy thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations left over from years of automatic thinking. We call these self-destructive thought patterns the Enemyfs pests and Vermin. In Renewing Your Mind, our program details powerful steps to chase these pests out, replanting the void with the beauty of Godly abundance.
Affirmations are the most powerful, immediate way to replant your garden. Affirmations are strong, positive and unbelievable statements about you. To grow, you must move into a new state of being that you have never know before. Because this new landscape is unknown to you, visualizing it ahead of time will be unfamiliar. Therefore, these statements about the soon to be new you will be unbelievable at first. They must be to lay the fertile soil necessary for the replanting to take root.
Creating new, strong, positive statements will feel unnatural at first. There are many ways to do this. The simplest is to reverse whatever negative thoughts you have uncover form a daily writing log. If you perceive a negative thought like "Ifll never get ahead" you reverse to say "I always get ahead". If you hear "I am such an idiot" you convert it to "I am a bright, and capable of thinking clearly and wisely". Many find inspiring affirmations from inspirational books, the Bible, a good sermon or from supportive friends and counselors. Here are some of our favorites:
-- I am attracting infinite wealth and unlimited abundance.
-- I am whole and perfect as God created me.
-- I love me.
-- I have unlimited abundance.
-- I have infinite worth and unlimited potential.
-- I am an enlightened adult and I can do whatever I want to do. I know the consequences.
-- I know God has a purpose for me everyday. I will look for His guidance, and lean on His strength.
-- I will pray for my children to seek God for their own sakes, and to learn to follow Him in trust and love.
-- I choose to accept the pain I have been resisting because I know it is healthy for me and will help me move forward.
-- I am attracting divine people and healthy, loving relationships.
-- Love is more valuable than silver or gold.
Create a Success Journal
This is going to be a document that is separate and distinct from your Enemy fighting log. In it you record affirmations and successes. Take some time to find a binder and cover that are attractive and meaningful to you. This is a document you will want to preserve for your legacy. It is a catalog of your positive character traits and the virtues you practice and value. It also serves as a record of your progress. This is helpful when the Enemy tries to tell you that you have not changed and this program is not working. Record you affirmations in this journal.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Do Not Worry by Joel Olsteen
Worry is Like a Rocking Chair
You might be rocking away, and it might feel like you're getting somewhere; but in the end, you are exactly where you started.
With the state of the economy and the unemployment rate, it's easy to worry.
Most of us remember the first time we heard officially on the news that our economy is in a recession. But did you know that the next morning, the birds still woke up and sang? They didn't fall off their branches in unbelief and start flying around here and there worrying, stopping their song.
No, the little birds sang and the big birds sang, and it was like a beautiful symphony.
You might be thinking, "Joel, that's great, birds singing and all; but come on, our economy is in a crisis."
Listen to what Jesus says, "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure to his stature or to the span of his life? And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will he not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?
Do Not Worry
Therefore, do not worry and be anxious, saying, "What are we going to eat? Or "What are we going to have to drink? Or, what are we going to have to wear? But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things taken together will be given to you. So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own." (Matthew 6:26-30, Amplified)
Friends, nothing is new under the sun. They might not have had economists back then with the term "recession", but there have been many who've gone before us that worried about what to eat, drink, wear, where to live, where to send their kids, how to pay for this or that; but God lovingly reminds us that He takes care of the flowers in the field and the birds in the air. How much more valuable are we to Him?
Jesus made it so clear about worrying. How many more days to our life will we added by worrying? Are you going to grow taller? Are you going to grow smarter? Are your problems going to disappear? Worrying does us no good! But what does us good is when we magnify God and not our problems. The Bible even says, "Do not fret, it only leads to evil."
So what are we to do? Trust God, and just like the birds, praise Him. Keep that song of praise in your heart. When the praises go up, the blessings come down. His joy is our strength through the hard times. When you spend your time worrying, you're not putting your faith out there.
Worry says, "I'm not going to get a job. I'm never going to get my retirement back."
But Scripture says to put on the garment of praise.
The garment of praise says, "Father, I thank you for the victories you've already brought me. Thank you for the favor. Thank you that you're turning my situation around."
One thing I've learned is that you can't worry and praise at the same time.
You can't say, "I know You're on the throne, and You're good all the time. You always cause me to triumph. You make a way when there seems to be no way," and then worry and think, "I don't know how this is going to turn around."
Supernatural things will happen when we praise. Supernatural things do not happen when we worry. Worry does nothing but rob your joy.
You might feel like worrying is getting you somewhere, but it does nothing but zap your strength. We need our energy for the battles in life, and we need the knowledge of who God is during these difficulties to keep singing.
Suddenly, God can change your situation around like Paul and Silas when they were in prison. In the midnight hour, they were set free. But was it from them crying, fretting and wringing their hands, being in despair and complaining? No, they were praising God and the prison door went wide open.
No matter what the news report says about how many points the Dow Jones is down, each day, wake up with great faith and keep your joy and praise God.
And don't forget to enlarge your vision. You can't do that when you're worrying. You might have lost a lot in the stock market, but God can cause you to make back everything you lost, plus more. There is no limit to what God can do. But what does limit Him is when we don't believe, and we allow worry to rob our joy and faith.
This is what Scripture says in Jeremiah 33:11, "'…Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before.' says the Lord."
God Will Cause Two Things, Reversal and Restoration.
That means when you wake up, praise God. Believe Him for restoration in your retirement and savings. Believe God for restoration in that business you lost. There is nothing too difficult for God to do. Everything that was stolen can be restored in your life. God always gives us double for our trouble, and He likes to outdo Himself. The question is do you believe He will?
Keep your hopes up. Don't let worry have any room in your heart today.
Keep a song in your heart. And when you wake up in the morning and hear the birds singing, let it remind you to praise God during these difficult economic times. He has the whole world in His hands. In fact, He has you in the palm of His Hand. Nothing is a surprise to Him. If you will stay full of hope and praise, God will show Himself strong in your life, and you will not be disappointed!
You might be rocking away, and it might feel like you're getting somewhere; but in the end, you are exactly where you started.
With the state of the economy and the unemployment rate, it's easy to worry.
Most of us remember the first time we heard officially on the news that our economy is in a recession. But did you know that the next morning, the birds still woke up and sang? They didn't fall off their branches in unbelief and start flying around here and there worrying, stopping their song.
No, the little birds sang and the big birds sang, and it was like a beautiful symphony.
You might be thinking, "Joel, that's great, birds singing and all; but come on, our economy is in a crisis."
Listen to what Jesus says, "Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure to his stature or to the span of his life? And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will he not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?
Do Not Worry
Therefore, do not worry and be anxious, saying, "What are we going to eat? Or "What are we going to have to drink? Or, what are we going to have to wear? But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things taken together will be given to you. So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own." (Matthew 6:26-30, Amplified)
Friends, nothing is new under the sun. They might not have had economists back then with the term "recession", but there have been many who've gone before us that worried about what to eat, drink, wear, where to live, where to send their kids, how to pay for this or that; but God lovingly reminds us that He takes care of the flowers in the field and the birds in the air. How much more valuable are we to Him?
Jesus made it so clear about worrying. How many more days to our life will we added by worrying? Are you going to grow taller? Are you going to grow smarter? Are your problems going to disappear? Worrying does us no good! But what does us good is when we magnify God and not our problems. The Bible even says, "Do not fret, it only leads to evil."
So what are we to do? Trust God, and just like the birds, praise Him. Keep that song of praise in your heart. When the praises go up, the blessings come down. His joy is our strength through the hard times. When you spend your time worrying, you're not putting your faith out there.
Worry says, "I'm not going to get a job. I'm never going to get my retirement back."
But Scripture says to put on the garment of praise.
The garment of praise says, "Father, I thank you for the victories you've already brought me. Thank you for the favor. Thank you that you're turning my situation around."
One thing I've learned is that you can't worry and praise at the same time.
You can't say, "I know You're on the throne, and You're good all the time. You always cause me to triumph. You make a way when there seems to be no way," and then worry and think, "I don't know how this is going to turn around."
Supernatural things will happen when we praise. Supernatural things do not happen when we worry. Worry does nothing but rob your joy.
You might feel like worrying is getting you somewhere, but it does nothing but zap your strength. We need our energy for the battles in life, and we need the knowledge of who God is during these difficulties to keep singing.
Suddenly, God can change your situation around like Paul and Silas when they were in prison. In the midnight hour, they were set free. But was it from them crying, fretting and wringing their hands, being in despair and complaining? No, they were praising God and the prison door went wide open.
No matter what the news report says about how many points the Dow Jones is down, each day, wake up with great faith and keep your joy and praise God.
And don't forget to enlarge your vision. You can't do that when you're worrying. You might have lost a lot in the stock market, but God can cause you to make back everything you lost, plus more. There is no limit to what God can do. But what does limit Him is when we don't believe, and we allow worry to rob our joy and faith.
This is what Scripture says in Jeremiah 33:11, "'…Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before.' says the Lord."
God Will Cause Two Things, Reversal and Restoration.
That means when you wake up, praise God. Believe Him for restoration in your retirement and savings. Believe God for restoration in that business you lost. There is nothing too difficult for God to do. Everything that was stolen can be restored in your life. God always gives us double for our trouble, and He likes to outdo Himself. The question is do you believe He will?
Keep your hopes up. Don't let worry have any room in your heart today.
Keep a song in your heart. And when you wake up in the morning and hear the birds singing, let it remind you to praise God during these difficult economic times. He has the whole world in His hands. In fact, He has you in the palm of His Hand. Nothing is a surprise to Him. If you will stay full of hope and praise, God will show Himself strong in your life, and you will not be disappointed!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
How to Start A Ministry/Mission
Today more than any other time in history, there has been a great Spiritual awakening, renewal or movement. People can sense things are happening and those things are moving ahead rapidly. Many people have asked how to start a ministry as they want to be a part of something. Believers globally are beginning to realize that we all have been called to do something and desire to get involved in some level or other but often times are not sure what exactly to do.
Enclosed is a brief checklist of things that you should consider while you are moving forward:
1) Know, not just Believe that you have been called: Make sure that you are called and to which field that you have been called. This is something to pray about as you begin the process and you can begin the process while praying. Certainly, pray that God gives you confirmation, the ability, and the where with all to carry out what you believe that you have been called to do. Are you being called to start a ministry totally independent and on your own or are you being called to start a ministry and work with an organization which depending on the organization and often times resources, will help you get started.
2) Preparation: After deciding which organization that you are going to affiliate yourself with, the next step is to make sure that you are prepared. Scripture tells us that my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge and vision. This lets us know that while vision is important in the scheme of things it is also important to have the education and training behind you. Some ministry opportunities take months while others may take years. in addition to education there is a need for mentorship. Mentorship is an important part of the process. mentorship offers Godly advice and prayer support for you. The other part of the educational process is on the job training or Internship experience. Internship gives valuable experience but it also lets people know that you are willing to follow through. Everyone will follow through when thing are going well, but God wants to know when things seem to be falling apart on the outside and that you are indeed trusting Him.
3) Legal Considerations: Besides the normal legal consideration like having a church or organization charter if you are going to go with an established ministry, there are the costs of articles of incorporation, which either will give you a legal entity to work from. In addition to legal status there may be further legal considerations from anywhere from meeting certain fire codes, depending on the ministry, to state licenses which may have to be applied for. If you work with and existing ministry under a charter, that ministry will be able to help you further in this area and other areas that you may not know about.
4) Building a Support Team: Behind all good and stable ministries is a team of people willing and called to pray for your ministry. This is a step like many of these steps that take time to build. The larger the number of your prayer partners, the larger your outreach will be. It is where the battles begin. It is where the Spiritual warfare is done. Your prayer support team is as important, if not more important than the rest of these steps.
5) Funding: Funding is a major concern to all that are in ministry. One would like to think that the funds will just be there when needed, but funding is much like finding people that are willing to pray for you ministry. It is difficult to go forward without prayer or funding. Although there are a few ministries that have taken off quickly, the majority struggle with how to raise enough funds to match the need, especially if that ministry is attempting to raise funds for projects like feeding the hungry or helping provide shelter. These are costs above your cost of operation and should be looked at closely.
6) Test Your Ministry: A final word about getting started. As you decide to go forward be aware that often times you may feel led, the time may not be right even though there seem to be doors that are open to you today. Doors do not always stay open and some ministries are designed by God even to be open, but for a short period of time. Not to cast doubt, but often times before one starts in ministry we instead are to just pray. This leads us back to step one. It is important to have in place enough of these steps in order to be able to test your ministry as Paul wrote.
7) Work in Unity: Realize that you are a work in progress and although you should stand in faith, you are not complete although at times you may feel that you are. You a part of the body and need to learn to work with the body. Scripture tells us that we can do all things through Christ. That is a true statement but how we define Christ makes the difference whether we are on the right track or not. Many believers define Christ as just Jesus. Those that do look at Him as an external force as he is out there. The other interpretation is that Jesus is the head, but we are the body. He was the light and the salt of the earth, no doubt, but so are we. In that understanding comes the anointing, but with the anointing comes responsibility and maturity of knowing that we are responsible for the outcomes. He died in order to give us the tools, but it takes time in order to learn to use the tools.
It is also important to remember that in Paul's case, it took twelve years from the time of His conversion on the road to Damascus to the actual time that he started in his ministry. This may sound discouraging as we all want to be good firemen or women and put out the great fire, but God in His wisdom not only desires that you go forward, but at the same time does not want you to fall on your face. Learn to reach out and ask questions, but also learn to trust that the reason what is in front of you is placed there because God put it there.
Enclosed is a brief checklist of things that you should consider while you are moving forward:
1) Know, not just Believe that you have been called: Make sure that you are called and to which field that you have been called. This is something to pray about as you begin the process and you can begin the process while praying. Certainly, pray that God gives you confirmation, the ability, and the where with all to carry out what you believe that you have been called to do. Are you being called to start a ministry totally independent and on your own or are you being called to start a ministry and work with an organization which depending on the organization and often times resources, will help you get started.
2) Preparation: After deciding which organization that you are going to affiliate yourself with, the next step is to make sure that you are prepared. Scripture tells us that my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge and vision. This lets us know that while vision is important in the scheme of things it is also important to have the education and training behind you. Some ministry opportunities take months while others may take years. in addition to education there is a need for mentorship. Mentorship is an important part of the process. mentorship offers Godly advice and prayer support for you. The other part of the educational process is on the job training or Internship experience. Internship gives valuable experience but it also lets people know that you are willing to follow through. Everyone will follow through when thing are going well, but God wants to know when things seem to be falling apart on the outside and that you are indeed trusting Him.
3) Legal Considerations: Besides the normal legal consideration like having a church or organization charter if you are going to go with an established ministry, there are the costs of articles of incorporation, which either will give you a legal entity to work from. In addition to legal status there may be further legal considerations from anywhere from meeting certain fire codes, depending on the ministry, to state licenses which may have to be applied for. If you work with and existing ministry under a charter, that ministry will be able to help you further in this area and other areas that you may not know about.
4) Building a Support Team: Behind all good and stable ministries is a team of people willing and called to pray for your ministry. This is a step like many of these steps that take time to build. The larger the number of your prayer partners, the larger your outreach will be. It is where the battles begin. It is where the Spiritual warfare is done. Your prayer support team is as important, if not more important than the rest of these steps.
5) Funding: Funding is a major concern to all that are in ministry. One would like to think that the funds will just be there when needed, but funding is much like finding people that are willing to pray for you ministry. It is difficult to go forward without prayer or funding. Although there are a few ministries that have taken off quickly, the majority struggle with how to raise enough funds to match the need, especially if that ministry is attempting to raise funds for projects like feeding the hungry or helping provide shelter. These are costs above your cost of operation and should be looked at closely.
6) Test Your Ministry: A final word about getting started. As you decide to go forward be aware that often times you may feel led, the time may not be right even though there seem to be doors that are open to you today. Doors do not always stay open and some ministries are designed by God even to be open, but for a short period of time. Not to cast doubt, but often times before one starts in ministry we instead are to just pray. This leads us back to step one. It is important to have in place enough of these steps in order to be able to test your ministry as Paul wrote.
7) Work in Unity: Realize that you are a work in progress and although you should stand in faith, you are not complete although at times you may feel that you are. You a part of the body and need to learn to work with the body. Scripture tells us that we can do all things through Christ. That is a true statement but how we define Christ makes the difference whether we are on the right track or not. Many believers define Christ as just Jesus. Those that do look at Him as an external force as he is out there. The other interpretation is that Jesus is the head, but we are the body. He was the light and the salt of the earth, no doubt, but so are we. In that understanding comes the anointing, but with the anointing comes responsibility and maturity of knowing that we are responsible for the outcomes. He died in order to give us the tools, but it takes time in order to learn to use the tools.
It is also important to remember that in Paul's case, it took twelve years from the time of His conversion on the road to Damascus to the actual time that he started in his ministry. This may sound discouraging as we all want to be good firemen or women and put out the great fire, but God in His wisdom not only desires that you go forward, but at the same time does not want you to fall on your face. Learn to reach out and ask questions, but also learn to trust that the reason what is in front of you is placed there because God put it there.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Christian Separation
The Bible teaches us that as Christians, we live in the world, but we are not of the world. We must become separate. The problem is that several of us Christians, yes me too, find ourselves like the Apostle Paul, going places we should not go, saying things we should not say, and doing things we should not do. Now we shall not convict ourselves becuase of our discobendience. We must use the pain of correction as a time to pray for God to Create in US Clean Hearts and Renew our Spirits.
The difficulty with the lack of practicing Christian separation, is that Professed Christianity has not been grounded with a Scriptural concept of being set apart unto God from the world. "But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is Godly for Himself" (Psalm 4:3). Our election by God has separated us from the sinfulness of the world. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2Corinthians 6:17). Even as the LORD Jesus is "separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26)-- hating the sin, but loving the sinner-- we ought to conduct ourselves as those who "love not the world" (1John 2:15). "15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (2:15-16).
Even the Apostle Paul had to ask "why do I go the places I am not supposed to go, say the things I am not supposed to say, and do the things I am not supposed to do." (paraphrased) Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.(Romans 7:20) Instead of feeling guilty and being overwhelmed, the Apostle Paul was made aware that it is not his Heart but His Flesh that takes him places he has no business going , doing things he has no business doing and saying things he has no business saying.
Cousins, let us no longer become victims of our own persecution. Jesus was not sent to persecute sinners, but to give us salvation from our sins. At the time we begin to feel guilty about our lack of Christain separation, as we are getting low in the club or hanging out with out pot smoking frineds, remenber. God's Mercies are new everyday!!! Instead of beating yourself with the "oh no I should not have done that last night and Blame it on the alcohol...." Rememeber it is not the time to get depressed or wallow in guilt, but a time to pray for God to help you overcome your flesh, which is SIN!
The difficulty with the lack of practicing Christian separation, is that Professed Christianity has not been grounded with a Scriptural concept of being set apart unto God from the world. "But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is Godly for Himself" (Psalm 4:3). Our election by God has separated us from the sinfulness of the world. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2Corinthians 6:17). Even as the LORD Jesus is "separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26)-- hating the sin, but loving the sinner-- we ought to conduct ourselves as those who "love not the world" (1John 2:15). "15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (2:15-16).
Even the Apostle Paul had to ask "why do I go the places I am not supposed to go, say the things I am not supposed to say, and do the things I am not supposed to do." (paraphrased) Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.(Romans 7:20) Instead of feeling guilty and being overwhelmed, the Apostle Paul was made aware that it is not his Heart but His Flesh that takes him places he has no business going , doing things he has no business doing and saying things he has no business saying.
Cousins, let us no longer become victims of our own persecution. Jesus was not sent to persecute sinners, but to give us salvation from our sins. At the time we begin to feel guilty about our lack of Christain separation, as we are getting low in the club or hanging out with out pot smoking frineds, remenber. God's Mercies are new everyday!!! Instead of beating yourself with the "oh no I should not have done that last night and Blame it on the alcohol...." Rememeber it is not the time to get depressed or wallow in guilt, but a time to pray for God to help you overcome your flesh, which is SIN!
Obedience vs Sacrifice
22 But Samuel replied:
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Have a Blessed Day
I know that God is going to pour His Blessings out amongst all who call upon His name. Ask and He will answer. Seek and ye shall find! God's Mercy endureth forever. Yes. Forever. So today is your day for a brand new start. I think that you should Praise Him in advance for the miraculous day you will have. Hallelujah! Thank you Father!!!!
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)