Abide or Backsilde?
It’s Imperative for us to pray and meditate on God’s Truth everyday in order to obtain the strength to obey and the guts and inspiration to stay – the course that is. It takes time to “change your mind” but when you do you will change your life. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, sickness or health will be largely determined by how we think. If you think weak, sick and poor then you will be. Even if you obtain some measure of success on the out side you’ll still have your poor old miserable self on the inside. True change comes from the inside when you know the Truth.
3 John 2-4
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
NKJV
Daily PIErogram Instructions:
A. Apply “PIE”
1. Pray
2. Itemize
a. Prioritize
b. Strategize
3. Exercise
B. Meditate and build your life on the Scriptures
PIE90
PIErogram Scriptures
Begin to say and think these things in first person… Abide in the Word until you KNOW the Truth. This takes “Time!” Think about the scriptures everyday and let the Lord “build you up” with His Word!
1. Php 4: 13 - I CAN DO all things through Christ who strengthens me!
– …everything God asks me to that is. And how will I know unless I apply PIE and ask?
- I am a CAN DO person! I can do anything that God leads me to because He strengthens me to do it.
- He will not strengthen me to do anything that’s not His will.
- What else have you learned so far from meditating on this Scripture?
2. 2 Cor 12:9-10 – I CAN and will DO IT by GRACE!
- His grace is sufficient for me!
- His Power is made perfect in my weakness so when I am weak then I am strong! (Eph 6:10)
- What else have you learned so far from meditating on this Scripture?
3. PIE90 Scripture for TODAY! Jn 8 :31-32
- I am a disciple(disciplined student) therefore I will study and strive to learn the Words of the Master!
- I will think about His teaching and instruction until it becomes a part of me.
- The more I think like He thinks the more I will act like He acts and live like He lives!
- I will abide in His Truth until I KNOW that I KNOW it!
- His Truth will MAKE ME FREE!
- I don’t need to “try” to get free what I need to do is ABIDE in His Word then HIS TRUTH WILL MAKE ME FREE!
- What else will you learn from meditating on this scripture?
John 8:31-32
NKJV
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
MES
31 Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. 32 Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."
In Gods Word I decide to abide, He teaches me from the inside, In Him I confide and walk in stride, faith will not be denied, thus freedom God’s Truth does provide!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
“Got My Mind Set On You”
To get fit for the King in all areas we will need to work on our relationships. We are relying on God’s help to make things work “by grace through faith” just like in every area. A very successful minister said, “If you take care of your relationship with God everything else will take care of itself.” But how do you “take care of it?” The answer reminds me of the George Harrison song- Got My Mind Set On You. Part of it goes like this:
“It's gonna take time
A whole lot of precious time
It's gonna take patience and time, ummm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it,
To do it right child…”
That’s right, “It's gonna take time!” All relationships feed on time. The more time we spend with God the better we get to know Him. When we pray and spend time with Him everything else around us seems to come to life. He pours out His love into our hearts and His love is what makes all our relationships work right. When we believe it and daily take time to receive it we’ll get so full we’ll rave to relieve it. We will begin to overflow with love for others and then:
1 John 4:12b
…but if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us — perfect love!
MES
1 John 4:12b
…when we love each other God lives in us, and his love within us grows ever stronger.
TLB
1 John 4:12
But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
NLT
1 John 4:12
No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us!
AMP
Our heart is like a reservoir specially created to receive and give love. When it flows our heart lives and we are happy but if it gets ‘stopped up” at either end we begin to have problems. If we’re pouring out more than we receive or receiving more than we’re pouring out then problems are inevitable. We should always have plenty for everyone and especially when we open our channels of communication every morning when we, “eat PIE.” It’s not enough just to know love but we also yearn to show love to be fulfilled. Love is active and needs an object for its affection. God has made us “His own special treasure” and “the apple of His eye” and lavishes His love on us and pours it out into our hearts. Then it’s perfected in us as we love one another and this takes time. Time and yes also money because “where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” So as you’re working Getting Fit for the King realize that for your relationships to get better you are going to have to schedule time to invest in them.
1 John 4:7-19
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.
NKJV
1 John 3:1
3 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV
Rom 5:5
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
NIV
P.S.
THE PIE90 SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY IS:
2 Cor 12:9-10
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
NKJV
Because no matter what you’re going through and dealing with and especially when you think you’re to weak to make it you’re not because you can overcome by the power of God’s grace!
“It's gonna take time
A whole lot of precious time
It's gonna take patience and time, ummm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it,
To do it right child…”
That’s right, “It's gonna take time!” All relationships feed on time. The more time we spend with God the better we get to know Him. When we pray and spend time with Him everything else around us seems to come to life. He pours out His love into our hearts and His love is what makes all our relationships work right. When we believe it and daily take time to receive it we’ll get so full we’ll rave to relieve it. We will begin to overflow with love for others and then:
1 John 4:12b
…but if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us — perfect love!
MES
1 John 4:12b
…when we love each other God lives in us, and his love within us grows ever stronger.
TLB
1 John 4:12
But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
NLT
1 John 4:12
No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us!
AMP
Our heart is like a reservoir specially created to receive and give love. When it flows our heart lives and we are happy but if it gets ‘stopped up” at either end we begin to have problems. If we’re pouring out more than we receive or receiving more than we’re pouring out then problems are inevitable. We should always have plenty for everyone and especially when we open our channels of communication every morning when we, “eat PIE.” It’s not enough just to know love but we also yearn to show love to be fulfilled. Love is active and needs an object for its affection. God has made us “His own special treasure” and “the apple of His eye” and lavishes His love on us and pours it out into our hearts. Then it’s perfected in us as we love one another and this takes time. Time and yes also money because “where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” So as you’re working Getting Fit for the King realize that for your relationships to get better you are going to have to schedule time to invest in them.
1 John 4:7-19
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.
NKJV
1 John 3:1
3 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV
Rom 5:5
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
NIV
P.S.
THE PIE90 SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY IS:
2 Cor 12:9-10
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
NKJV
Because no matter what you’re going through and dealing with and especially when you think you’re to weak to make it you’re not because you can overcome by the power of God’s grace!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Movers, Shakers and Heart Breakers
As a Pastor I want to tell you what it feels like when a member decides to leave the church. It would be just like one of your children coming to you and saying that they have decided to “join” another family. Or just disappears and leaves you wondering “why” or “where” only to find out later that they moved in with the neighbors. It’s very challenging for the congregation and especially the younger ones if they don’t understand why their brothers and sisters wanted to go “live with someone else.” I’m not saying that people shouldn’t change if the Lord leads them to do so but it’s not something that should be done lightly. So consider this if you have a church family that loves you. It’s always easier to run away then work out your problems at home but if you don’t fix them you’ll take them with you wherever you go. It’s one thing for your children to move out because it’s time to move on and that’s O.K. because you’re still part of the family. But it’s not right to do it if you’re mad and offended and especially because you’ve been disciplined. My toddler or teen might not like the way my house is run but that does not mean that I just let them run away because they are “not happy.” I’m not saying this in regard to a specific situation if I want to speak to someone directly I will so don’t read anything more into this then you read in it. However a situation has reminded me of all the trauma people go through when a part of their body cuts itself off. It’s not easy for anyone and if that part does not get re-attached somewhere soon they will die spiritually. That’s how it is when someone leaves and goes “nowhere” it’s like losing a loved one. They may say the “Lord is their Shepherd” but He still keeps His sheep in flocks. It will be O.K. life goes on but that does not mean that it does not hurt. So I say that everyone should pray and definitely get God’s direction before “cutting” the body of Christ! There’s no excuse or respect for “floaters” or “church hoppers” because they just want love without commitment. So pray and find you family and get in it! There will be problems, personality conflicts and sibling rivalry - if there are more than two people but the love of the family unit is greater than that and holds everything together. And it’s true that I may be happier “living with the neighbors” but which family do I really belong to. Please don’t send me some debate saying, “Well we’re the body of Christ so it doesn’t matter where we go to church, or if we go to church at all!” But the Bible says, “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” (I Cor 12:18) - As “He pleased,” not as we pleased. Can you rebel against His will? Uh, apparently or there would be no sin. So anyway all I’m saying is unless you pray and KNOW its God’s will then you outta stay, because you really don’t want to be a mover a shaker and a heart breaker.
Get With the PIErogram!
PIE is the program and way to fulfill Gods will. “Eat PIE” everyday and you will ‘Grow,’ ‘Know’ and get your soul in ‘Control’. When you spend time with God you will grow in your relationship with Him and your spiritual knowledge. When you know Him you will know His will and His plan for your life be empowered to fulfill. Receiving His implanted Word will save your soul and you’ll get your mind, will and emotions under control. This is the plan for your discipleship and I’m expecting you to apply it! I can’t give you a specific word everyday and talk with you about all the details of the personal plan BUT GOD CAN! He personally wants to lead you and teach, train, equip, empower and inspire you! So it’s vitally important for YOU to pray and obey everyday and “eat PIE” to receive God’s supply. And when you do and follow through you’ll taste His perfect will for you. You’ll find your purpose and be fulfilled and build His kingdom as you yield. Never again to be stuck in aimless redundance because you’ll enter into Gods abundance!
How to Apply/Eat PIE
PIE = Pray, Itemize, Exercise
You need to get directions and fuel BEFORE you go so do it every morning!
PRAY – talk and listen, read and write, journal
ITEMIZE –
an ITEM is an admonition or hint so make a LIST.
WRITE DOWN what God says to you when you pray.
This is the PLAN for your life and the details of the day!
Now P.S. it!
The LIST is God’s SCRIPT for your life and how you will ACT out His will.
But for it to be any good it must be out in order so pray some more and P.S. it!
PRIORATIZE – put the items in order of importance according to God’s leading.
STRATEGIZE – receive God’s wisdom on how to accomplish it.
EXERCISE – “Action!” act it out, do it, perform accomplish, fulfill
When you pray, to God’s supply you get connected, inspired, empowered and directed. You become his disciple as you abide with Him and He fills you up past the brim. It won’t be long till you overflow then the world His goodness and love will know. Now that’s enough I gotta GO!
P.S. If you’re doing the PIE90 Day Challenge then don’t forget to EAT YOUR P.I.E.!! The scripture for day one is Php 4:13. Write it down and think about it all day and everyday until you KNOW that you KNOW that…
Phil 4:13
NKJV - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
TLB - for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
AMP - I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
When you pray and obey everyday He will strengthen you every step of the way and
YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN DO WHATEVER GOD IS LEADING YOU TO DO! SO GO FOR IT!
How to Apply/Eat PIE
PIE = Pray, Itemize, Exercise
You need to get directions and fuel BEFORE you go so do it every morning!
PRAY – talk and listen, read and write, journal
ITEMIZE –
an ITEM is an admonition or hint so make a LIST.
WRITE DOWN what God says to you when you pray.
This is the PLAN for your life and the details of the day!
Now P.S. it!
The LIST is God’s SCRIPT for your life and how you will ACT out His will.
But for it to be any good it must be out in order so pray some more and P.S. it!
PRIORATIZE – put the items in order of importance according to God’s leading.
STRATEGIZE – receive God’s wisdom on how to accomplish it.
EXERCISE – “Action!” act it out, do it, perform accomplish, fulfill
When you pray, to God’s supply you get connected, inspired, empowered and directed. You become his disciple as you abide with Him and He fills you up past the brim. It won’t be long till you overflow then the world His goodness and love will know. Now that’s enough I gotta GO!
P.S. If you’re doing the PIE90 Day Challenge then don’t forget to EAT YOUR P.I.E.!! The scripture for day one is Php 4:13. Write it down and think about it all day and everyday until you KNOW that you KNOW that…
Phil 4:13
NKJV - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
TLB - for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
AMP - I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
When you pray and obey everyday He will strengthen you every step of the way and
YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN DO WHATEVER GOD IS LEADING YOU TO DO! SO GO FOR IT!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
When You Repose You Compose and Your Strength Grows
Rest is a key ingredient to success. When you’re pushing hard you get fatigued and exhaust your resources. You’re not actually getting stronger while you exercise but afterward when you rest. Spirit, soul, body, financially and relationally the investment is made in exertion but the increase comes afterward. Exercise is sowing but rest is required for reaping. If you don’t take a break you can’t grow no matter how much you sow. When you repose you compose and your strength grows. If you don’t rest you’ll never be your best. You can sow and sow until you wear yourself out but if you don’t stop your seeds can’t sprout. And no matter how devout you’ll have a drought if you’re always pouring yourself out. Your vitality multiplies when you stop not while you go and if you wanna go fast you gotta go slow. “I DON’T WANT TO GO SLOW!” But I know God is saying, “HELLO! If you don’t rest then you won’t grow!”
So we have to make this a regular part of our regimen. It takes discipline to exercise in every area and it also takes discipline to rest. We need to be just as committed to our intermission as our exertion. Otherwise the majority of our effort may produce little gain or be in vain. So don’t rebel but REST WELL and you will excel! Farewell!
Heb 4:9-11
9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
NKJV
Matt 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
NKJV
So we have to make this a regular part of our regimen. It takes discipline to exercise in every area and it also takes discipline to rest. We need to be just as committed to our intermission as our exertion. Otherwise the majority of our effort may produce little gain or be in vain. So don’t rebel but REST WELL and you will excel! Farewell!
Heb 4:9-11
9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
NKJV
Matt 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
NKJV
Friday, September 25, 2009
Bastard Weeds from Neglected Seeds
Feelings fluctuate frequently, if we follow them we’ll fail. Sometimes we ‘feel like it’ and sometimes we don’t but that doesn’t matter. Once we’ve made a decision we should keep it weather we feel like it or not. Otherwise we have a weak will and won’t win. Our ‘willing’ has to be stronger than our ‘feeling.’ Before we decide to do something we should check and see if we have a thick enough spine to follow through. Making decision is easy it’s keeping it that’s the challenge. It’s like making babies, almost any idiot can do it but who’s ready for a lifetime of responsibility? Makin kids is a lot easier than keeping them but which is more important? There are many things that we should never do if we are not first willing to commit and follow through. Jesus said “wisdom is justified by her children” another translation says, “But wisdom is shown to be right by its results." (Matt 11:19 NLT) So what do the results and offspring of our decisions look like? How many ‘bastard projects’ do we have waiting to be cared for and completed? If we are going to change our lives we will have to change our lifestyles. A period of change in nutrition, exercise regimen or spiritual discipline is like the nine months between conception and birth but what are you going to do when you bring it forth. It’s not right to make decisions, seek God’s help, get results and then neglect what He’s given us. That’s why it’s so important to get God’s mind on the matter to begin with. When you set out to do His will there’s no turning back.
Luke 9:62
But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." NKJV
We will be responsible for the results of the decisions we make. When God asks us why we couldn’t do what we said we would, what will we say? “Because I didn’t feel like it!”
So I’m thinking we should stop making decisions so lightly knowing that we are committed to keep what we conceive. And once we know something is God’s will then ask for His help to endure to the finish. His plan is not just a temporary program but a lifetime proposition. Can we live with the long term results and offspring of our decisions? I trust we can because we are not doing it on our own strength but have God to help us keep what we’ve created. But what if we’ve made a mess? Then it’s time to make it right. It takes time to change but if we will make the decision God will be there and empower us every step of the journey. Then we’ll weed out the weeds and plant good seeds and bear fruit for the future!
Phil 4:13-14
13 for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
TLB
Heb 13:20-21
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV
Luke 9:62
But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." NKJV
We will be responsible for the results of the decisions we make. When God asks us why we couldn’t do what we said we would, what will we say? “Because I didn’t feel like it!”
So I’m thinking we should stop making decisions so lightly knowing that we are committed to keep what we conceive. And once we know something is God’s will then ask for His help to endure to the finish. His plan is not just a temporary program but a lifetime proposition. Can we live with the long term results and offspring of our decisions? I trust we can because we are not doing it on our own strength but have God to help us keep what we’ve created. But what if we’ve made a mess? Then it’s time to make it right. It takes time to change but if we will make the decision God will be there and empower us every step of the journey. Then we’ll weed out the weeds and plant good seeds and bear fruit for the future!
Phil 4:13-14
13 for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
TLB
Heb 13:20-21
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Fit or Fit?
You need to get fit so you don’t have a fit. To have a fit is to be disturbed and distressed to the point that you lose control. It’s a sudden violent attack of a disorder or the stroke of a disease. If you live on the verge of a fit it’s like walking on the edge of a pit. Unresolved issues and areas of disorder have made a giant hole that could be fallen into at any time. You cross the pit walking a tight line and barely keeping your soul in control. The dilemma is that when you actually make it you just end up on the other side which is just as treacherous if you only take but one step back. Reoccurring and chronic problems are pits you’ve chosen to live at and pace back and forth over worrying and wondering why the scenery never changes. You can go over, and know your crisis better than anyone but its still ugly and paying attention to it never changes anything. There’s varying levels fits and depth of pits and any area where you are not in control you are already having a mini-fit slip sliding on the edge of the pit to no benefit. If you don’t learn to discipline yourself spiritually, in your soul (mind, will, emotions), bodily, financially and in your relationships then you will end up in a cold and slimy hole. You may already be there or on the slope in some area so what’s the answer?
Ask God for help and then be willing to take the steps to change and get away from the situation. God does not only want to lift you up out of the pit but also lead you away from it so you don’t backslide. Many people have got delivered only to find themselves back in the same situation shortly. Receiving deliverance is the first step but receiving His grace to change and going through the process is the next. It takes time and effort and especially the help of the Holy Spirit. It takes a consistent application and daily discipleship and discipline to actually grow and go away from previous problems. If you live close to your depression it won’t be long until you fall back in. I know you want instant deliverance but true freedom comes as you take steps day by day and walk away from it. Make the quality decision and stay with it, refuse to quit no matter what happens or how long it takes. You can’t do it on your own but if you will purpose in your heart and receive God’s help by praying and obeying everyday then you’ll move forward and be o.k.!
Ps 40:1-3
40 I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth —
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
NKJV
1 Thess 5:23-24
May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together — spirit, soul, and body — and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. 24 The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! MES
Ask God for help and then be willing to take the steps to change and get away from the situation. God does not only want to lift you up out of the pit but also lead you away from it so you don’t backslide. Many people have got delivered only to find themselves back in the same situation shortly. Receiving deliverance is the first step but receiving His grace to change and going through the process is the next. It takes time and effort and especially the help of the Holy Spirit. It takes a consistent application and daily discipleship and discipline to actually grow and go away from previous problems. If you live close to your depression it won’t be long until you fall back in. I know you want instant deliverance but true freedom comes as you take steps day by day and walk away from it. Make the quality decision and stay with it, refuse to quit no matter what happens or how long it takes. You can’t do it on your own but if you will purpose in your heart and receive God’s help by praying and obeying everyday then you’ll move forward and be o.k.!
Ps 40:1-3
40 I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth —
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
NKJV
1 Thess 5:23-24
May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together — spirit, soul, and body — and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. 24 The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! MES
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A Bright and Shining Cloud is Rising Over You!
Pray = Perceive – Believe – Conceive – Receive – Achieve!
When you pray you perceive God’s plan. Choose to believe it, meditate and conceive it in your heart. Now develop it day by day and bring it forth by consciously receiving His Grace to achieve his will.
Pray
Perceive - Gods Will
Believe - His Word
Conceive – Think about it until you can see it on the inside.
Receive - His Grace which is His Divine ability to do what you can't do.
Achieve – Bring it forth and accomplish it by taking steps to fulfill it everyday!
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.
AMP
Luke 1:45
And blessed (happy, to be envied) is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her from the Lord.
AMP
Read, Lu 1:26-45 - and you know, “ the rest of the story.” The same way Mary fulfilled God’s will; so will we. We’re not called to bear God’s only Son and we may not have an angel come from heaven and speak to us. But we can go directly to God Himself in prayer and understand what he wants and bring forth and accomplish. Without God it’s impossible but with God we will do the impossible and He will get the glory! But how shall this be?
Luke 1:35
“ …The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a shining cloud]…” AMP
Zech 4:6-7
6 So he answered and said to me:
"This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,'
Says the Lord of hosts.
7 'Who are you, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"'"
NKJV
Zech 4:7
7 For who are you, O great mountain [of human obstacles]? Before Zerubbabel [who with Joshua had led the return of the exiles from Babylon and was undertaking the rebuilding of the temple, before him] you shall become a plain [a mere molehill]! And he shall bring forth the finishing gable stone [of the new temple] with loud shoutings of the people, crying, Grace, grace to it!
AMP
So Pray and Obey Everyday and it won’t be too long until you make your mountain a mere molehill!
When you pray you perceive God’s plan. Choose to believe it, meditate and conceive it in your heart. Now develop it day by day and bring it forth by consciously receiving His Grace to achieve his will.
Pray
Perceive - Gods Will
Believe - His Word
Conceive – Think about it until you can see it on the inside.
Receive - His Grace which is His Divine ability to do what you can't do.
Achieve – Bring it forth and accomplish it by taking steps to fulfill it everyday!
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.
AMP
Luke 1:45
And blessed (happy, to be envied) is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her from the Lord.
AMP
Read, Lu 1:26-45 - and you know, “ the rest of the story.” The same way Mary fulfilled God’s will; so will we. We’re not called to bear God’s only Son and we may not have an angel come from heaven and speak to us. But we can go directly to God Himself in prayer and understand what he wants and bring forth and accomplish. Without God it’s impossible but with God we will do the impossible and He will get the glory! But how shall this be?
Luke 1:35
“ …The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a shining cloud]…” AMP
Zech 4:6-7
6 So he answered and said to me:
"This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,'
Says the Lord of hosts.
7 'Who are you, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"'"
NKJV
Zech 4:7
7 For who are you, O great mountain [of human obstacles]? Before Zerubbabel [who with Joshua had led the return of the exiles from Babylon and was undertaking the rebuilding of the temple, before him] you shall become a plain [a mere molehill]! And he shall bring forth the finishing gable stone [of the new temple] with loud shoutings of the people, crying, Grace, grace to it!
AMP
So Pray and Obey Everyday and it won’t be too long until you make your mountain a mere molehill!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Use P.I.E. to Overcome
Weather you’re getting ready to take the Get Fir 4X4X-Mas Challenge or just preparing for your day P.I.E. will work. P.ray and find out what God wants you to do. I.temize – write it down and make it plain. P.S. it = Prioritize and Strategize. Then E.xercise – do it, fulfill and perform the plan. You need to Pray, Plan and Perform what you believe God is leading you to do. Simply stated – Pray and Obey Everyday!
If you are taking the Get Fit 4X4X-Mas Challenge what areas do you believe is God leading you to work on? Spiritual, soul, body, financial, relationships? What is the order of priority? Not what you want the order to be but what you believe God wants the order to be. Let Him “order your steps!” What’s the strategy to accomplish this? Ask God, and I believe He will show you one or lead you to a plan that has already been prepared by someone with expertise in that area. Now Exercise it Everyday! You need a calendar or spreadsheet or some way to see the days before you. You need to commit to the schedule and X off the days when you accomplish what you set out to do. Schedules can be challenging to keep but if you’re committed you will find time. If you can’t make at the regular time then you make it up later. What your grade will be highly depends on you percentage of attendance. Don’t expect A+ results with 60% attendance. Something is better than nothing but when I set out to accomplish God’s will He seemed to say to me, “Is anything less than 80% really even acceptable at all?” Now I’m not sure about your standards but you don’t want to flunk out of Gods will do you? People say, “I just don’t have time!” and that’s A BIG FAT LIE! If God is leading you to do it then you MAKE TIME! The Master Planner of the universe knew exactly how much time it would take when He told you to do it. If you say that you don’t you call Him a liar and are stuck in the bondage and the deception of the enemy. It’s the lamest and most worn out excuse on the planet and possibly holds more people in chains than any other. It’s not how much time you have, everybody has the same and if you say that you can’t do God’s will because you don’t have enough you might as well cry and say, “I’m just a very poor steward of my time so I CAN’T do what God told me to, I’m sure He’ll understand.” NOT! He may understand but does not grade on a curve or make special exceptions for lazy people. So you will simply fail the test and remain in your current lame situation.
I’m working on a 90 day schedule for applying P.I.E. with a scripture for everyday meditation. I plan on having at least the first week done and make it available to you by Sept 28th. I believe P.I.E. is the plan to work on your spiritual life and an easy to understand method to fulfill God’s will. But it’s personal and you just need to DO IT everyday and it will work because you will be seeking direction and help from God and when you do He will certainly give it. He will also teach you and lead you in the way you should go and impart grace and wisdom for you to succeed in all the other areas. Putting God first and in the center of everything is how you will succeed and make everything else work. God is like the hub in a wheel and everything else is like spokes going out. You can have a broken spoke and go on but if you lose the hub you aren’t going anywhere until you fix it. P.I.E keeps God in the center and His life and wisdom flowing into all the other areas. When you know His will and receive His Grace then you will be able to do the impossible.
So whatever you’re getting ready to do you need to first believe that you can do it. If you’ve failed in the past this can be hard to believe, but don’t despair just ask God for help and begin to meditate on what He said. Take Php 4:13 and think about it and think about it until you believe it with all your heart. Get rid of, “I CAN’T!” because that’s the cry of the failure and replace it with I CAN! I can do it and I know I can! Not because I’m so great but because the Greater One lives in me and strengthens me to DO His will. Take this scripture and abide in it that is – think about it over and over and over until you know it. Reps. make you stronger. “And you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free!” This is a great key to your success and you need to get it - an A+ “I CAN DO ATTITUDE EMPOWERED BY GOD’S GRACE!” No more lame excuses! If God said you can then you can! Believe it!
Php 4:13
NKJV
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.
TLB
I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ
Who gives me strength and power.
AMP
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me
[I am ready for anything and equal to anything
through Him Who infuses inner strength into me;I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
TEV
I have the strength to face all conditions
by the power that Christ gives me.
Wuest
I am strong for all things in the One who
constantly infuses strength in me.
If you are taking the Get Fit 4X4X-Mas Challenge what areas do you believe is God leading you to work on? Spiritual, soul, body, financial, relationships? What is the order of priority? Not what you want the order to be but what you believe God wants the order to be. Let Him “order your steps!” What’s the strategy to accomplish this? Ask God, and I believe He will show you one or lead you to a plan that has already been prepared by someone with expertise in that area. Now Exercise it Everyday! You need a calendar or spreadsheet or some way to see the days before you. You need to commit to the schedule and X off the days when you accomplish what you set out to do. Schedules can be challenging to keep but if you’re committed you will find time. If you can’t make at the regular time then you make it up later. What your grade will be highly depends on you percentage of attendance. Don’t expect A+ results with 60% attendance. Something is better than nothing but when I set out to accomplish God’s will He seemed to say to me, “Is anything less than 80% really even acceptable at all?” Now I’m not sure about your standards but you don’t want to flunk out of Gods will do you? People say, “I just don’t have time!” and that’s A BIG FAT LIE! If God is leading you to do it then you MAKE TIME! The Master Planner of the universe knew exactly how much time it would take when He told you to do it. If you say that you don’t you call Him a liar and are stuck in the bondage and the deception of the enemy. It’s the lamest and most worn out excuse on the planet and possibly holds more people in chains than any other. It’s not how much time you have, everybody has the same and if you say that you can’t do God’s will because you don’t have enough you might as well cry and say, “I’m just a very poor steward of my time so I CAN’T do what God told me to, I’m sure He’ll understand.” NOT! He may understand but does not grade on a curve or make special exceptions for lazy people. So you will simply fail the test and remain in your current lame situation.
I’m working on a 90 day schedule for applying P.I.E. with a scripture for everyday meditation. I plan on having at least the first week done and make it available to you by Sept 28th. I believe P.I.E. is the plan to work on your spiritual life and an easy to understand method to fulfill God’s will. But it’s personal and you just need to DO IT everyday and it will work because you will be seeking direction and help from God and when you do He will certainly give it. He will also teach you and lead you in the way you should go and impart grace and wisdom for you to succeed in all the other areas. Putting God first and in the center of everything is how you will succeed and make everything else work. God is like the hub in a wheel and everything else is like spokes going out. You can have a broken spoke and go on but if you lose the hub you aren’t going anywhere until you fix it. P.I.E keeps God in the center and His life and wisdom flowing into all the other areas. When you know His will and receive His Grace then you will be able to do the impossible.
So whatever you’re getting ready to do you need to first believe that you can do it. If you’ve failed in the past this can be hard to believe, but don’t despair just ask God for help and begin to meditate on what He said. Take Php 4:13 and think about it and think about it until you believe it with all your heart. Get rid of, “I CAN’T!” because that’s the cry of the failure and replace it with I CAN! I can do it and I know I can! Not because I’m so great but because the Greater One lives in me and strengthens me to DO His will. Take this scripture and abide in it that is – think about it over and over and over until you know it. Reps. make you stronger. “And you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free!” This is a great key to your success and you need to get it - an A+ “I CAN DO ATTITUDE EMPOWERED BY GOD’S GRACE!” No more lame excuses! If God said you can then you can! Believe it!
Php 4:13
NKJV
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.
TLB
I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ
Who gives me strength and power.
AMP
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me
[I am ready for anything and equal to anything
through Him Who infuses inner strength into me;I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
TEV
I have the strength to face all conditions
by the power that Christ gives me.
Wuest
I am strong for all things in the One who
constantly infuses strength in me.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Resist the Resistance
Whenever you step out to advance and make positive change you will face resistance. It’s stationed at certain boundaries in life and designed to keep you in bondage. It opposes progress and leads you to believe that it’s beyond your ability to overcome. It seems bigger and greater than you can bear and so you despair. The weight you need to move is bigger than your muscle and it’s a horrible place to be when you know that you need to change, but can’t seem to do it. It’s compounded by guilt, condemnation while you wallow in worthless woe and wonder why. You cuss, cry and complain but things still won’t change. Dark clouds of anger form over you and fear torments you until all you want to do is go hide under a blanket somewhere. If you identify with this then you need help! And that’s exactly what God said that He will do.
Isa 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
God said that He would help you! NOT do it for you. What you need to do is pray and ask for help and then begin to press against the resistance. God will ‘spot’ you not lift it for you. If He did it for you then you would not get any stronger but with His help we can lift any weight and overcome any resistance. Day by day as we pray and we receive His help to push forward we get stronger and stronger and the things that previously held us back get weaker and lighter. Soon we will find ourselves in a place that we thought impossible. Then the enemy will begin to try set up new boundaries and deceptive barriers to hold us back. But once you learn that you can go anywhere and do anything God leads you to you will become an unstoppable force by the power of Gods grace. We don’t overcome all obstacles instantly but moment we decide we will commit and not quit victory becomes imminent and inevitable! It doesn’t matter how many times we fall down God will always be there to help us get up and go on. And if we keep praying and receiving God’s hand of help we will be able to resist and persist and possess all the promises. Time passes by and we will either grow and change or shrink and stink. Things will get better or worse depending on what we do. And what we are able to do depends on what kind of help we receive. If we live in our own strength we won’t amount to much in the end, but if we will pray and obey everyday then we will be blessed in every way and glorify God until the final day!
Heb 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Ps 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Ps 121:2
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Isa 41:13
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'
Isa 50:7
"For the Lord GOD will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.
Isa 50:8-9
He is near who justifies Me; who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me. Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
Ps 63:7
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
Ps 54:4
4 Behold, God is my helper;
The Lord is with those who uphold my life.
Heb 13:5-6
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say:
"The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?"
John 14:15-18
15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
NKJV
John 14:26-28
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
NKJV
John 15:26
26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
NKJV
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
NKJV
1 Cor 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
NKJV
Isa 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
God said that He would help you! NOT do it for you. What you need to do is pray and ask for help and then begin to press against the resistance. God will ‘spot’ you not lift it for you. If He did it for you then you would not get any stronger but with His help we can lift any weight and overcome any resistance. Day by day as we pray and we receive His help to push forward we get stronger and stronger and the things that previously held us back get weaker and lighter. Soon we will find ourselves in a place that we thought impossible. Then the enemy will begin to try set up new boundaries and deceptive barriers to hold us back. But once you learn that you can go anywhere and do anything God leads you to you will become an unstoppable force by the power of Gods grace. We don’t overcome all obstacles instantly but moment we decide we will commit and not quit victory becomes imminent and inevitable! It doesn’t matter how many times we fall down God will always be there to help us get up and go on. And if we keep praying and receiving God’s hand of help we will be able to resist and persist and possess all the promises. Time passes by and we will either grow and change or shrink and stink. Things will get better or worse depending on what we do. And what we are able to do depends on what kind of help we receive. If we live in our own strength we won’t amount to much in the end, but if we will pray and obey everyday then we will be blessed in every way and glorify God until the final day!
Heb 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Ps 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Ps 121:2
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Isa 41:13
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'
Isa 50:7
"For the Lord GOD will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.
Isa 50:8-9
He is near who justifies Me; who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me. Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
Ps 63:7
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
Ps 54:4
4 Behold, God is my helper;
The Lord is with those who uphold my life.
Heb 13:5-6
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say:
"The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?"
John 14:15-18
15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
NKJV
John 14:26-28
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
NKJV
John 15:26
26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
NKJV
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
NKJV
1 Cor 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
NKJV
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Good Help is NOT Hard to Find!
If you’re standing on a ladder trying to put up a long board you are likely to get frustrated. You can try to figure out all kinds of funky methods to do it by yourself but the easiest thing to do is to ask for help. But to do that you have to humble yourself and inconvenience someone else but it’s really the only wise way to do it. Fulfilling the will of God often involves things like putting up boards that are way to long for us. He asks us to do things that are beyond our knowledge and ability. We can waste a lot of time trying to figure out how to succeed by ourselves but it will never work because He never planned for us to do it alone. He sent the Holy Spirit who has unlimited power and ability, to help us! And said when we need a hand to just ask. And, “You have not because you ask not.” He is our ever present help in time of need and we need Him all the time. Living a godly life seems to require constant growth and change and is like putting up long boards all day long. If we will humble ourselves and receive His grace He will help us and we thrive and prosper. And if we don’t we will get frustrated and probably end up falling off the ladder and wondering why life is so hard and why, “God let this happen to us.” So there’s only one wise thing to do. We need to ask for help and keep on asking. Because the truth is, “we need help” and especially in the areas of life that we are currently failing in. So continue to struggle or get some good help? You decide, but I think I need to go pray now.
Heb 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
NKJV
Heb 4:16
16 So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
MES
Heb 4:16
16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
AMP
Ps 46:1
46 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
NKJV
Ps 46:1
46 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
NIV
Ps 46:1
1 GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.
AMP
Heb 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
NKJV
Heb 4:16
16 So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
MES
Heb 4:16
16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
AMP
Ps 46:1
46 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
NKJV
Ps 46:1
46 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
NIV
Ps 46:1
1 GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.
AMP
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Hearsay Faith & Second Hand Seeking
If you want to know God you will have to seek Him yourself. You may be able to learn about Him from someone else’s revelation but the only way to get to know Him is to spend time with Him yourself. The Bible does not say that your Pastor, Preacher or Teacher shall seek Him and find Him for you. You may be thinking, “Well I didn’t even know He was lost!” but He is to those who don’t know to get a hold of Him. Is He in your contact list or do you have to call someone else to get His number? When you want to know His will do you simply ask Him or do you have to go find someone else to see what they think about it? The truth is He is always present and available but you can spend days or years in the same room with someone and never get to know them if you don’t engage in conversation. He wants to talk to you everyday in different ways the question is; will you listen and respond? The way to do it is to pray which simply means to talk to God. And you know what happens when you talk to God? He ignores you? No, that would be rude, and God’s not like that, He talks back. He will speak to you from the inside out and reveal Himself to you by His Spirit and from His Word. You don’t have to just take someone else’s word for it and live in some kind of hand me down religion. You can have brand new and personal conversations with God Himself everyday. When you seek Him you will receive the great reward of knowing Him for yourself and there truly is no one more awesome than He!
Heb 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
NKJV
Gen 15:1
15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
NKJV
Heb 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
NKJV
Gen 15:1
15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
NKJV
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Simple Solution to Life’s Pollution
I will keep the command of the King. It’s a simple concept but the application can be more difficult than the understanding. The simple way to fulfill God’s will is one step at a time. It seems like the enemy is always trying to trip us up and that we’re moving down a path of endless distractions. Procrastination lurks to overcome determination and just needs a little yielding of our will to gain the advantage. The only way I know to get enduring victory over adversity and the weakness of the flesh is to apply the Word of truth to the situation.
Last year I was dealing with discouragement and temped to quit but since I already decided that’s not an option I was diligently seeking the Lord for help. I prayed and prayed looking for some elaborate epiphany but the Word that came was very basic instruction. It didn’t satisfy my desire for spectacular and divine entertainment but is the answer to the situation and many other problems. God said, “Keep a Schedule!” which simply means, “Do what I tell you to do when I tell you to do it!”
So, if you pray and get the WHAT and WHEN and actually DO IT then you’ll win! And when you win, you’ll feel fulfilled, and to discouragement no longer yield.
My STEPS/SCHEDULE is:
1. ORDERED – Ps 37:23
2. UPHELD – Ps 17:5
3. DIRECTED – Ps 119:133, Pv 16:9
4. ESTABLISHED – Ps 40:2
…BY GOD
My STEPS/SCHEDULE shall not:
1. DEPART FRON GOD’S WAY – Ps 44:18
2. SLIDE – Ps 37:31
3. BE HINDERED – Pv 4:12
Ps 37:23
3 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
NKJV
Ps 17:5
5 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.
NKJV
Ps 119:133
133 Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
NKJV
Prov 16:9
A man's heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
NKJV
Ps 40:2
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
NKJV
Ps 44:18
Our heart has not turned back,
Nor have our steps departed from Your way;
NKJV
Ps 37:31
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
None of his steps shall slide.
NKJV
Prov 4:12
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.
NKJV
Last year I was dealing with discouragement and temped to quit but since I already decided that’s not an option I was diligently seeking the Lord for help. I prayed and prayed looking for some elaborate epiphany but the Word that came was very basic instruction. It didn’t satisfy my desire for spectacular and divine entertainment but is the answer to the situation and many other problems. God said, “Keep a Schedule!” which simply means, “Do what I tell you to do when I tell you to do it!”
So, if you pray and get the WHAT and WHEN and actually DO IT then you’ll win! And when you win, you’ll feel fulfilled, and to discouragement no longer yield.
My STEPS/SCHEDULE is:
1. ORDERED – Ps 37:23
2. UPHELD – Ps 17:5
3. DIRECTED – Ps 119:133, Pv 16:9
4. ESTABLISHED – Ps 40:2
…BY GOD
My STEPS/SCHEDULE shall not:
1. DEPART FRON GOD’S WAY – Ps 44:18
2. SLIDE – Ps 37:31
3. BE HINDERED – Pv 4:12
Ps 37:23
3 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
NKJV
Ps 17:5
5 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.
NKJV
Ps 119:133
133 Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
NKJV
Prov 16:9
A man's heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
NKJV
Ps 40:2
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
NKJV
Ps 44:18
Our heart has not turned back,
Nor have our steps departed from Your way;
NKJV
Ps 37:31
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
None of his steps shall slide.
NKJV
Prov 4:12
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.
NKJV
Monday, September 14, 2009
GO, GO, GO, Your Boat!
Before any journey our life or work is like a boat sitting at the dock. When we pray it’s like starting the engines and turning on the radio. If we go ahead without prayer we will just drift aimlessly hoping to end up somewhere. We can take out the ‘oars’ and try to succeed in our own strength but we will just end up tired, burned out and discouraged. It doesn’t matter if it’s our own small skiff or a great ship with a large crew, we can try to “row, row, row, and our boat” all we want but we won’t end up going far or fast. To go against the negative life flow we need more than our own energy and volition. When we pray we receive Gods grace and it is the power to do His will. Prayer is also the radio that keeps us in constant contact with God. We need to ‘tune in’ every morning and chart the course. Then as we go we will hear God’s voice and be empowered to do His will. The Almighty Omnipotent and perfect planner desires direct all the details of our life and work. He is always watching over us and knows about everything surrounding us. But it’s still imperative that we have our radio on and be tuned in to His frequency. God offers Divine direction and protection but it’s the result of hearing and following His voice. It’s hard to steer a ship with the engine off and also one that is not in motion. So start your engines, be propelled by God’s power, go forth in faith, fulfill God’s will, walk in His ways and win!!
Acts 8:26-40
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:
"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth."
34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
37 Then Philip said,"If you believe with all your heart, you may."
And he answered and said,"I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
NKJV
Heb 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
NKJV
Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
NKJV
Jer 33:3
3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
NKJV
Jer 33:3
3 'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.'
MES
Jer 33:3-4
3 'Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here.
TLB
Jer 33:3-4
3 Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.
NLT
Jer 33:3
Let your cry come to me, and I will give you an answer, and let you see great things and secret things of which you had no knowledge.
BBE
John 16:13-15
13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].
14 He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.
15 Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.
AMP
2 Cor 9:8-9
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
NKJV
Acts 8:26-40
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:
"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth."
34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
37 Then Philip said,"If you believe with all your heart, you may."
And he answered and said,"I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
NKJV
Heb 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
NKJV
Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
NKJV
Jer 33:3
3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
NKJV
Jer 33:3
3 'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.'
MES
Jer 33:3-4
3 'Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here.
TLB
Jer 33:3-4
3 Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.
NLT
Jer 33:3
Let your cry come to me, and I will give you an answer, and let you see great things and secret things of which you had no knowledge.
BBE
John 16:13-15
13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].
14 He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.
15 Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.
AMP
2 Cor 9:8-9
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
NKJV
Friday, September 11, 2009
Ye-Drowning or Z-Crowning?
Joy comes from knowing how much God loves you and walking in His will! Joy is wonderful it makes you feel ecstatic, energized and exuberant! Hi, “my name is Pat and I’m a JOY-OHOLIC!” haha! I used to be an alcoholic but then I found out how much God loves me and got filled with His Spirit! Now the Holy Spirit continually pours the love of God into my heart and so now I do not have to drink the ‘rot’ because what I’ve got is so strong I can hardly ‘stand’ it and scarcely contain it! It’s like putting the tap in your mouth but instead drinking rotten fruit that produces death and destruction you drink of the fresh fruit of Spirit and it is love, joy, peace… Whohoo!! – It’s the best mixed fruit juice in the universe! But BEWARE it is spiked with the very life and nature of God Himself! So you can either drown your sorrows or crown yourself with the glory and honor that comes when you know how much God loves you! If you really don’t know then ask Him to show you because it’s really not ignorance but knowing God’s love that’s bodacious bliss baby!
John 15:9-12
9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
NKJV
Rom 5:5
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
NIV
Ps 16:11
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
NKJV
Rom 14:17-18
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
NKJV
Isa 12:3
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
NIV
Rom 15:13
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
NKJV
Gal 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
NKJV
1 John 1:4
4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
NKJV
1 John 3:1
3 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV
John 15:9-12
9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
NKJV
Rom 5:5
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
NIV
Ps 16:11
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
NKJV
Rom 14:17-18
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
NKJV
Isa 12:3
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
NIV
Rom 15:13
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
NKJV
Gal 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
NKJV
1 John 1:4
4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
NKJV
1 John 3:1
3 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Simply Ask or Try to Figure it Out?
If you want to find out what God’s will is, don’t study Him and try to ‘figure it out’ but simply ask Him. He is not a dead specimen that you put under mans microscope and then understand the universe. You are to “study” Gods Word but you are doing it with Him and not without Him. He is alive and available to teach you and reveal His will to you.
When I want to know my wife’s will, I don’t study her and try to figure it out, I simply ask her. I haven’t ‘figured her out’ yet and probably never will but that does not mean that I do not know her. I know her because we live together and have been communicating all these years. But just because she felt a certain way about something five years ago does not mean that it’s the same today. If we went to a Chinese restaurant of Friday and had a good time it does not mean that it’s her will eat Chinese food every Friday. If I really want to know what she wants I need to ask and she will tell me.
People do this with God; they study the Bible and say God did this and God did that and so this is what God will do. And that is a good start but the next step is to go ASK HIM what He thinks about it and what He is going to do. He knows and you don’t and you can’t ‘figure it out’ because you don’t have all the figures. For example you can’t see what’s really going on in people’s hearts and you don’t know the future but God does. If you try to be really smart and come to your own conclusion it’s like doing a big math problem without all the figures and you can’t get the right answer unless you ask God to reveal the missing elements. This method usually gets very complicated and you might get some answers but you will also make mistakes and be wrong some of the time. So instead of all this strain on your brain why not just ask God to tell you the answer? Pray and be willing to hear what He has to say, study His Word WITH Him and He will show you His will.
Some people think they have it all figured out and say that they can tell you God’s will for your life. And this is true in the broad sense God’s Word is the same for everyone. But when it comes to the details why would God tell someone else about the details of your life and not you? If you are willing to hear He will speak to you from the inside out and reveal His will for your life. Humanity needs answers and looking for someone to tell them. People want to hear from the man of God, but it’s better to hear from the God of man. So seek Him and you will find out then there will be no need to try to ‘figure it out.’
Jer 33:3
3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
NKJV
When I want to know my wife’s will, I don’t study her and try to figure it out, I simply ask her. I haven’t ‘figured her out’ yet and probably never will but that does not mean that I do not know her. I know her because we live together and have been communicating all these years. But just because she felt a certain way about something five years ago does not mean that it’s the same today. If we went to a Chinese restaurant of Friday and had a good time it does not mean that it’s her will eat Chinese food every Friday. If I really want to know what she wants I need to ask and she will tell me.
People do this with God; they study the Bible and say God did this and God did that and so this is what God will do. And that is a good start but the next step is to go ASK HIM what He thinks about it and what He is going to do. He knows and you don’t and you can’t ‘figure it out’ because you don’t have all the figures. For example you can’t see what’s really going on in people’s hearts and you don’t know the future but God does. If you try to be really smart and come to your own conclusion it’s like doing a big math problem without all the figures and you can’t get the right answer unless you ask God to reveal the missing elements. This method usually gets very complicated and you might get some answers but you will also make mistakes and be wrong some of the time. So instead of all this strain on your brain why not just ask God to tell you the answer? Pray and be willing to hear what He has to say, study His Word WITH Him and He will show you His will.
Some people think they have it all figured out and say that they can tell you God’s will for your life. And this is true in the broad sense God’s Word is the same for everyone. But when it comes to the details why would God tell someone else about the details of your life and not you? If you are willing to hear He will speak to you from the inside out and reveal His will for your life. Humanity needs answers and looking for someone to tell them. People want to hear from the man of God, but it’s better to hear from the God of man. So seek Him and you will find out then there will be no need to try to ‘figure it out.’
Jer 33:3
3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
NKJV
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Fall in Love!
It’s good to know that there is One who loves you with unconditional and everlasting love. God is faithful and does not change and has said, “I have always loved you and always will.” He does not love you when you are good and hate you when we are bad. He loves you in spite of our conduct, but desires for you to change because He loves you. And can’t you see why when you really love someone don’t you want them to love you in return? When you find how much God loves you – with great, intense and wonderful love then it makes you want to change. Don’t try to act right because you are trying to get God to love you but because you know that He ALREADY loves you. Even if you reject Him He will still love you but it takes two to be in a relationship. He has done everything He can to make it work including demonstrating how much He loves you by sending His Own Son to die for you. So the ball is in your court. The Holy, Awesome, Almighty, Loving, Faithful and True God wants to have a rich relationship with you. Will you open up your heart and let Him fill it to overflowing with His Love? When you do you will be forever changed and you won’t have to “try” to love God and good but your nature will be changed and you won’t be able to help yourself.
Rom 5:5
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
NKJV
1 John 3:1a
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV
Rom 5:5
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
NKJV
1 John 3:1a
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Prospector or Panhandler?
You can skim a little bit off the top of the Word and walk in a bit of the blessing but if you want the true treasure you have to dig for it.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a REWARDER of those who DILIGENTLY seek Him.” (Heb 11:6 NKJV Caps. added)
If you seek God casually you will have a slight and superficial relationship but if you seek Him diligently it will be deep and rewarding. Something is better than nothing but you won’t find enough panhandling to live “life more abundantly.” But if you daily desire God and diligently seek Him you will find treasure greater than all the riches of earth.
Ps 119:162
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
NKJV
Ps 119:72
72 Your instructions are more valuable to me
than millions in gold and silver.
NLT
Prov 8:10-11
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
NKJV
Ps 19:7-11
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great REWARD.
NKJV Caps. added
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a REWARDER of those who DILIGENTLY seek Him.” (Heb 11:6 NKJV Caps. added)
If you seek God casually you will have a slight and superficial relationship but if you seek Him diligently it will be deep and rewarding. Something is better than nothing but you won’t find enough panhandling to live “life more abundantly.” But if you daily desire God and diligently seek Him you will find treasure greater than all the riches of earth.
Ps 119:162
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
NKJV
Ps 119:72
72 Your instructions are more valuable to me
than millions in gold and silver.
NLT
Prov 8:10-11
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
NKJV
Ps 19:7-11
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great REWARD.
NKJV Caps. added
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Word Gives Word Heart Burn!
Before the fire of Acts comes the fire of the Word. You get the fire on the inside before you get it on the outside! Before the day of Pentecost Jesus came and opened the scriptures and caused His Word to burn in the hearts of believers. He was, and is made known in the breaking of bread. As we open His Word and seek him we break the bread of life. He said, “The Words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life!” Everyday He prepares fresh hot bread from heaven and it will give you holy heartburn if you eat it. You will be “nourished in the words of faith”, “delight yourself in abundance” and “your soul shall live!” He gives His word to heal and deliver from destruction and it is life if you those who FIND it and health to all their flesh. So eat the Word if you dare but beware because fire on the inside can’t hide but will soon rise up and abide on the outside.
Lu 24:13-49, I Tim 4:6, Ps 107:20, Prov 4:20-23
Luke 24:32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?
Jer 20:9
9 Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name."
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not.
Jer 23:29
29 "Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord,
"And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Jer 23:9
9 My heart within me is broken
Because of the prophets;
All my bones shake.
I am like a drunken man,
And like a man whom wine has overcome,
Because of the Lord,
And because of His holy words.
Jn 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Isa 55:1-3
55 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live…
Matt 6:9-11
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread…
Lu 24:13-49, I Tim 4:6, Ps 107:20, Prov 4:20-23
Luke 24:32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?
Jer 20:9
9 Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name."
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not.
Jer 23:29
29 "Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord,
"And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Jer 23:9
9 My heart within me is broken
Because of the prophets;
All my bones shake.
I am like a drunken man,
And like a man whom wine has overcome,
Because of the Lord,
And because of His holy words.
Jn 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Isa 55:1-3
55 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live…
Matt 6:9-11
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread…
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sloppy Living?
To get fit you will need to exercise self-control. You can exercise everything else but if you don’t exercise self-control all your gain will go down the drain. Why waste time and money trying to overcome physical, financial, spiritual, mental or relational deficits that would not be there if you only exercised self-control? It is the answer to a multitude of problems. Your self-control is like muscle and it will only it get stronger if you use it. If you can’t control yourself then you are really very weak and will end up entering into temptation, trial and torment. If your desires you don’t withstand, your problems will expand and grow grand and demand your land and the labor of your hand. Passion without purpose will consume all you increase like a fire. You will just keep working to your appetite but will not be satisfied even though you are a slave to self. Don’t even give the time of day to the greedy gluttons which are low on your priority items or they will keep feeding and eating and producing nothing but problems and pain.
So how do you exercise self-control? You do reps. of “NO!” Just start saying, NO” to low things and resisting the useless, unhealthy and non-productive little life leeches. They may be small but if you let them remain they will multiply sap you strength and consume your control. Ask God for help because self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and if you will exercise it you will get supernaturally strong. Decide to put first things first and do what is right and God will empower you to overcome! Distractions and desires demand attention deny them! Don’t give in to sin but say, “no” then do it again. With all these reps. soon strong you will be, and it’s those who control themselves who are truly free.
Gal 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
NKJV
Gal 5:22-24
22 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard — things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, 23 not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. 24 Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good — crucified. MES
1 Cor 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
NKJV
1 Cor 9:24-27
24 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. 25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
26 I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! 27 I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
MES
So how do you exercise self-control? You do reps. of “NO!” Just start saying, NO” to low things and resisting the useless, unhealthy and non-productive little life leeches. They may be small but if you let them remain they will multiply sap you strength and consume your control. Ask God for help because self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and if you will exercise it you will get supernaturally strong. Decide to put first things first and do what is right and God will empower you to overcome! Distractions and desires demand attention deny them! Don’t give in to sin but say, “no” then do it again. With all these reps. soon strong you will be, and it’s those who control themselves who are truly free.
Gal 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
NKJV
Gal 5:22-24
22 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard — things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, 23 not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. 24 Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good — crucified. MES
1 Cor 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
NKJV
1 Cor 9:24-27
24 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. 25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
26 I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! 27 I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
MES
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Hey! Where the Heck is Easy Street?
Is there anywhere in the Bible where it says God promises to make our life easy? In the years I’ve been reading it I haven’t found it. Jesus did say,
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 NKJV
He said that we could have rest for our souls but we still have to wear a yoke and carry a burden. When you find what God has called you to do it’s not hard because you were created for it and are perfectly suited for it but it still requires effort and without His help you can’t do it at all. You have to be a dedicated disciple daily. It’s not easy in the sense that He just does it for you but because He trains you daily so you become a strong and a mighty over comer. Think of all the people in the Bible who served God – did they just meet Him and then He put them on Easy Street? They all had to resist temptation, fight battles and overcome adversity so if you really want to serve God do you think it should be any different for you? Stop looking for an easy way out and get busy working out. You will have to fight to live right everyday and the only way to make that fight easier is to make sure train like a dedicated disciple so that you WIN!
1 Cor 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
NKJV
1 Cor 15:58
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
AMP
1 Cor 15:58
58 With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.
MES
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 NKJV
He said that we could have rest for our souls but we still have to wear a yoke and carry a burden. When you find what God has called you to do it’s not hard because you were created for it and are perfectly suited for it but it still requires effort and without His help you can’t do it at all. You have to be a dedicated disciple daily. It’s not easy in the sense that He just does it for you but because He trains you daily so you become a strong and a mighty over comer. Think of all the people in the Bible who served God – did they just meet Him and then He put them on Easy Street? They all had to resist temptation, fight battles and overcome adversity so if you really want to serve God do you think it should be any different for you? Stop looking for an easy way out and get busy working out. You will have to fight to live right everyday and the only way to make that fight easier is to make sure train like a dedicated disciple so that you WIN!
1 Cor 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
NKJV
1 Cor 15:58
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
AMP
1 Cor 15:58
58 With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.
MES
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
If Your Relationships Are Not Fit You Will Live in a Pit.
People like people that are like themselves and I think God is the same way. He loves you because that’s who He is but He likes those who live in His likeness. It’s easier to imitate His image than it is to actually be like Him. It’s like a kid who gets all the right clothes for the click but doesn’t have any of the same interests so still can’t be cool. Good friendship and real fellowship come from having character in common. The good, kind and loving don’t get along with the bad, mean and hateful. While misery loves company victory has a party.
Relationships are like oranges and it takes work to get to the fruit. You have to let down your guard and peel away a bit of protection to find a slice in common. You have to give of what you have if you want a harvest. If you don’t you may end up old and hard like an orange baseball. (If you live in Colorado where it’s dry, I suppose if you live where it humid you might end up old and moldy.) Anyway - hard or moldy neither one is good so if you want life to be sweet you will need to take a risk and open up a bit. If you don’t do anything to cultivate your relationships they won’t grow. And if your relationships are not fit you’ll live in a pit. All the other areas of your life may be going great but if you have no one to share it with you’ll still be sad.
As I’ve been thinking about getting fit in every area of life the question has come up which one is the most important - spirit, soul, body, finances or relationships? One answer is, “the one you are struggling with most at the time” and that applies but today I was thinking that the greatest commandments have to do with relationship. First and foremost we are to love God and people and without them what would be the point of all the rest? We were created to be social but it takes effort to have the fruit of friendship. Sometimes people think that if they were just more “successful” then they would have more friends but the truth is that if you have more friends you will be more successful. How does this success come? The same as all that endures - you have to WORK on it. Just like every area it takes consistent exercise to develop and increase. God will help us and multiply our efforts but zero times zero is still zero. So what will you do and keep on doing? Will you call, complement and confide. Will you text, e-mail or just stop by? Will you eat, talk, and walk together? Or will you get so busy trying to “succeed” that you miss out on really living and loving God and the people around you?
When death comes knockin on your door will you be ready for it? There might not be time to make amends and tell people that you love them. People give flowers to dead people but what’s the point? Is it to show love and respect, to apologize for regrets or just for decoration? You know the old saying and it really is better, “Give them the flowers while they live!” And if you do then you can both enjoy the fragrance of a good relationship before it’s to late for this lifetime. Thank God for heaven but we really are supposed to get things right before we die! No more excuses! Take time and make time to do it!
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.”
Prov 18:24aKJV
Relationships are like oranges and it takes work to get to the fruit. You have to let down your guard and peel away a bit of protection to find a slice in common. You have to give of what you have if you want a harvest. If you don’t you may end up old and hard like an orange baseball. (If you live in Colorado where it’s dry, I suppose if you live where it humid you might end up old and moldy.) Anyway - hard or moldy neither one is good so if you want life to be sweet you will need to take a risk and open up a bit. If you don’t do anything to cultivate your relationships they won’t grow. And if your relationships are not fit you’ll live in a pit. All the other areas of your life may be going great but if you have no one to share it with you’ll still be sad.
As I’ve been thinking about getting fit in every area of life the question has come up which one is the most important - spirit, soul, body, finances or relationships? One answer is, “the one you are struggling with most at the time” and that applies but today I was thinking that the greatest commandments have to do with relationship. First and foremost we are to love God and people and without them what would be the point of all the rest? We were created to be social but it takes effort to have the fruit of friendship. Sometimes people think that if they were just more “successful” then they would have more friends but the truth is that if you have more friends you will be more successful. How does this success come? The same as all that endures - you have to WORK on it. Just like every area it takes consistent exercise to develop and increase. God will help us and multiply our efforts but zero times zero is still zero. So what will you do and keep on doing? Will you call, complement and confide. Will you text, e-mail or just stop by? Will you eat, talk, and walk together? Or will you get so busy trying to “succeed” that you miss out on really living and loving God and the people around you?
When death comes knockin on your door will you be ready for it? There might not be time to make amends and tell people that you love them. People give flowers to dead people but what’s the point? Is it to show love and respect, to apologize for regrets or just for decoration? You know the old saying and it really is better, “Give them the flowers while they live!” And if you do then you can both enjoy the fragrance of a good relationship before it’s to late for this lifetime. Thank God for heaven but we really are supposed to get things right before we die! No more excuses! Take time and make time to do it!
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.”
Prov 18:24aKJV
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