Devotions - Prayer
The circumstances of life, the events of life, and the people around me in life, do not make me the way I am, but reveal the way I am.
“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” – Psalm 144:1
**Knowledge without experience is mere folly.
Only when you are placed in situations where there is nothing or no one who can save you but God will you learn the lessons of warrior faith.
This is the training ground of God, which will make you into a soldier for Christ.
Consider it to be suicidal faith – faith that says I want to be dead to anything that keeps me from fulfilling God’s purposes for my life.
It is when your efforts can do nothing to change your circumstance and you are at the mercy of God.
* These are the real training grounds of God. Do not shrink back from the battle that God may be leading you to today. It may be a training ground that is necessary for the calling He has on your life.
If you can trust Him in these times, you’ll know that you have gained a faith that will move mountains and will sustain you in the most difficult of circumstances. “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
Jeremiah 20: 9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am
weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
*******Moving Body Forward:********
How can we change us?
1. Ask God to absolutely set you on fire…to ignite you with passion that consumes you so that you are not merely working in a job but fulfilling His vision for your life.
People who work a job make a living…but people who are fulfilling their passion/calling make a difference!
*In Christianity you are either a break-man or a fire man. Basically you add to to the fire or you hold it back .
2. Make the decision that you are going to lead out of CONVICTION of the Holy Spirit rather than the CONVENIENCE of doing what is easy rather than what is right.
*Are we spirit controlled or self controlled?
We need to be spirit controlled. We need to be ready to go to heaven because time is short.
God has a ministry for all and we need to find our ministry. We are most like Jesus when we serve.
3. Beg God to allow you to see people the way He sees people. I think one of the fundamental problems in the body of Christ is that our eyes no longer see as His eyes see! However, if we take off our “church colored glasses” and begin to see the world the way HE sees it…it changes EVERYTHING!
2 Corinthians 5:16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
4. Make the decision that you don’t have to have all of the answers before you obey the voice of the Lord. Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
5. Understand that everyone is NOT going to understand you…and that you can’t make it your goal to make sure that everyone understands and approves.
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the lord is kept safe.
6. PRAY BOLD PRAYERS for the Body! *The early church prayed for boldness…we pray for safety.
* The early church prayed for people to come to Christ…we pray for Sister So-and-so’s hangnail!
* The early church prayed for the church to expand and the Gospel to advance…we pray that we can keep our churches small and safe.
** Let’s BEG God for things to happen in our churches that are UNEXPLAINABLE and UNDENIABLE so that HE can receive ALL the glory!
7. STOP trying to be everyone else and be who God called you to be…you should be a result of responding to the REVELATION of God and not the IMITATION of others! 
8. Become a skillful warrior.
The only way one can become a skillful warrior is to be trained and placed in the middle of the battle. It is only when we are placed in the furnace of battle that we truly learn to fight the real battles.
*Practice doesn’t make you battle ready. *War games won’t prepare you for facing your real enemy in the battlefield.
** The stark reality of being in the midst of the battle makes us effective warriors.
AGAIN: Knowledge without experience is mere folly. Only when you are placed in situations where there is nothing or no one who can save you but God will you learn the lessons of warrior faith.
1 Samual 15: 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the lord, he has rejected you as king.” 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.
*When God speaks, we must learn to follow Him with complete obedience. The Lord blesses obedience.
Saul is arrogant – full of pride and audacity.
He refuses to take responsibility for his actions and he attempts to minimize his disobedience.
According to Jesus, God grants us the ability to recognize Kingdom truths. Jesus promises if we are truly open to His teachings, He will help us understand spiritual realities.
** Therefore, it’s not up to you or me to figure out the mysteries of God or the deep truths of the Bible with our own perception. No need to spend your days in seclusion, or your money on an advanced degree.
**JESUS is our secret decoder!
God never hides truth from sincere seekers. In fact, He came to earth in the person of Jesus to ensure that we’d learn His secrets and understand His ways.
Our task is to open ourselves—ears, eyes, and heart—and listen intently to Him. To concentrate and apply ourselves to the process of prayerfully reading the Bible.
If you will learn the art of being the gatekeeper of your own soul by setting a watch over your eyes, ears, and mouth, you will be an overcomer in the temple of the Living God. You must learn to stop the intrusion of the enemy at the gate.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good, says the Lord.
Isaiah 28:5-6 In that day the LORD of hosts will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people, for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.
How does a man lose a kingdom? BY focusing his life on himself instead of God. He feared public opinion; he would not trust God because he felt he had to be in control.
We must remember that obedience requires us to have trust and humility. Father help me to always remember not only do you command for me to merely listen but to do what your word says. Help me Lord to not deceive myself and to comprehend that your Word is my perfect law of liberty! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Hebrews 5: 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
*How amazing and humbling this is, that even the son of God prays and pleads to the Lord, I am sure he could have taken the easy way out and not done all of this, but he didn’t, he chose not to. Just as Perfect as he is, he is also the Perfect example to us all and that is why he did not choose the easy way, but also showed us how to endure suffering.
Our truth is that we don’t like to suffer or hurt, because we don’t know how we might handle it, but all we need is Jesus the Perfect example and endure it as he did, we must not be thankful only for our good times, but also for our bad times, and our suffering, with suffering comes the changes that we are looking for. Amen
Read More…”Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.” Revelation 18:4
There is a day when God is going to judge the system of Babylon around the world. What is Babylon?
*** Babylon is a system of doing business. The stronghold of the workplace is mammon and pride. *Dependence on money and misplaced trust are at the core of a Babylonian philosophy of life.
Revelation 18 describes a time when God will judge this Babylonian system. It is the one place that we see a system destroyed in one day, even one hour.
I do not believe Babylon is a particular city, but a world system.
“Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her” (Rev. 18:8a).
“Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!” (Rev. 18:10b).
God will deal harshly with the sins of his people.
Sin is a big deal to God.
God hates sin and can not tolerate it.
God will not stand for it.
It must be punished and remedied.
*****Out of God’s Perfect Love for us:
*Jesus is the punishment.
*Jesus is the remedy.
*Jesus is…
Come Lord Jesus to redeem us!
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Mt. 22:37).
In Jesus: you can go to church and go through the ”christian motions” but never connect with God!
ITS ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS! (It’s His greatest commandment) ….he picks the hardest things for us to work on (aka relationships) because if we get that down everything else will follow through *If we are not building relationships, we are missing the mark. reconcile:
— restoring something broken. …our relationships w/ God has been reconciled through Jesus -healthy, strong, everlasting relationships.
GOD IS REALLY THAT- INTO YOU!! ….we fascinate him! ….we amaze him! ….he finds beauty in us! ….he loves listening to you sing, speak, praise …..he takes pictures of every smile ….he’s in deep with us ….he’s our biggest fan …he knows everything about you!
So how into God are WE??
Satan tested Job’s faith in God, and he does it to us too ….never be too busy or too tired for time with Jesus because then we are neglecting our purpose …we need to continuously be renewing our lives & heart with God including constantly learning & improving with God.
1. Make your relationships (w/ God& people) a priority and devote yourself to it (its the most valuable thing in life) -they don’t just happen, you have to work at it.
2. Be real (cultivate transparency)
-you only get to know yourself when you open up to others
3. We have to declare your love ..be sentimental! There is magic in the words I LOVE YOU!!!!!!
4. Love is expressed by ACTIONS not only words …demonstrate your love
-learning the rituals of love (learn about the other, give them things they love or need) ….if you wanna be loved, you gotta love.
-to be known and accepted by God is a renowned experience …BE Transparent in relationships.
God’s top 10 list:
1. Love—No other God!!!
2. Loyalty-Do not bow down before idols
3. Respect–Do not use God’s name in vain—God’s last name is not “damn”!!
4. Obedience–Remember the sabbath (OT) – fellowship today
5. Honor–Honor your father and mother
6. Peace—Shall not murder
7. Faithfulness–Do not commit adultery
8. Honesty—You shall not steal
9. Integrity–Shall not give false testimony about your neighbor
10. Contentment–You shall not covet
God does not force us to serve Him. He gives us a choice because He loves us and because He loves us He will lovingly allow us to choose.
The ONE thing He will not allow is for us to ride the fence(we must choose God or Satan, Life or death). But, be very careful how you choose; choices are long lasting and life changing.
Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the first and great commandment.
We often forget that God knows more than us. We need to ask ourselves if we are happy or are we suffering Christians.
In Christianity you are either a break-man or a fire man. Basically you add to to the fire or you hold it back .
Ephesians 4:29-32
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Are we spirit controlled or self controlled?
We need to be spirit controlled. We need to be ready to go to heaven because time is short. God has a ministry for all and we need to find our ministry. We are most like Jesus when we serve.
We spend so much of our time trying to chase other things we forget that God says seek me FIRST and all other things will be given to you.
We need to let God sit on our stool and take control of our lives. Jesus showed us the value of our lives to Him by giving his own life for us.
Thank you Jesus! JN 3:16-17……
Jer. 1:5 “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you:
GOD WON’T ALLOW US TO SUCCEED WITHOUT HIM.
I’m sure there’s been a time in your life were you have tried to make things work out right, but no matter what you do it always seems to fail.
Your problem is not that you’re a failure; your problem is simply that you haven’t gone to the right source for help.
Proper prior planning prevents puke poor performance!
Remember, true success is not the ability to accumulate material wealth. It is the ability to TRULY ENJOY LIFE and EVERYTHING GOD PROVIDES IN IT!
“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” – Jeremiah 10:23
I hear a lot about planning. Every January I hear about:
* Believers establishing their planning for the year.
*Corporations establish plans that cover anywhere from one to five years.
*Individuals establish personal life plans.
These are all great-BUT (as I came to realize the hard way) is God in the Plan?
There is only one problem that I see with most planning done by well-meaning believers and business people.
If God is not the “originator” and “director” of the plan, then that plan is doomed for failure at some point in time. (I know this to well from personal experience’s).
Gods word gives us all needed instruction if WE would only follow:
* Psalms 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
*Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Let the Light of life lead us the word of God, Jesus Christ.
Key to truth of Questions and Plans:
*Proverbs!!! The entire book is such a perfect source of Wisdom, Guidance and the outcome of choices we will make or thinking of making. Read Proverbs with any question in mind and you will find many answers to your question.
So often, Christian believers set out to plan something that seems good in their own mind. The merits of what is being planned can look great, and it can even be a worthy endeavor.
However, that is not the point. When Jesus said He came only to do the will of the Father, He could not consider doing anything that was not what the Father wanted, no matter how good or righteous it might appear to be.
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9).
*God must give us the vision for what He calls us to do.
* After we have the vision, we must ask Him IF He wants us to take action on that vision and WHAT the action steps entail.
Habakkuk. 2: 2 Then the lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
**The Lord wants to direct each step of the planning process. Take time to listen and write down.
*** It is our responsibility to seek Him to find out His mind on the matter.
*Our planning must be established in Him.
Only when we remain so connected to the source can we be assured of putting God’s plan into place.
* Also, getting that plan confirmed through OTHERS will assure that we are not following the deceit of our own heart.
When you begin to plan next time, ask God for His wisdom for establishing the VISION and ACTION steps.
You will be surprised how well He can plan!
“I’m letting go GOD- I am yours- take me and do YOUR will with my life.”
* It takes a very strong person to say that they are going to give up there life and not be in control but that is what we need to do… that is what I need to do.
Jeremiah 10:23 says “Lord, I know that our lives don’t really belong to us we cannot control our own lives”
Jeremiah sums it up right there our LIVES DO NOT BELONG TO US!!!
A quote: Instead of throwing a fit when things don’t go YOUR way, try asking God about HIS way” let Jesus “take the wheel” so to speak!
**Knowledge without experience is mere folly. Only when you are placed in situations where there is nothing or no one who can save you but God- will you learn the lessons of warrior faith.
Hosea 6:6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
It is when our efforts can do nothing to change your circumstance and we are at the mercy of God when we start to include Him in making our PLANS.
* These are the real training grounds of God. Do not shrink back from the battle that God may be leading you to today.
* It may be a training ground that is necessary for the calling and Plan He has on your life.
If you can trust Him in these times, you’ll know that you have gained a faith that will move mountains and will sustain you in the most difficult of circumstances.
Jeremiah 20: 9 But if I say, “Forget it! No more God-Messages from me!” The words are fire in my belly, a burning in my bones. I’m worn out trying to hold it in. I can’t do it any longer!
When We KNOW what we have in God:
*You won’t allow the circumstances of life stress you.
*You realize external factors don’t define you, it’s the internal.
*Your circumstances have nothing to do with his goodness. ” God is good.” Praise because he always has a plan.
*It is good for us to wait quietly.
*Stop adding up your problems and start counting your blessing!!!!! *The longer you complain, the longer you restrain your gift.
*Stop categorizing God as TIME.
(Lam 3:23 They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! 24 I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. 25 God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.)
*Never let you circumstances allow you to believe he’s checked out. (Matt 23:20) He is always right there.
*He who believes knows that God will bring you out on HIS time.
What is good leadership?
- The continual effort of bringing as many people along side you as possible when you cross the finish line of life.
- It’s about taking a vested interest in the dreams of others as much as my own dreams matter to me.
- It’s about spreading joy to others and encouraging them daily.
My plan must be in line with the Lord’s perfect will for my life. If it isn’t, I pray he will stop it in its early stages and that he will give me the grace to know it was Him
Proverbs 21 No matter how good the plan, VICTORY always rests with the Lord. FAITH is the foundation of the Plan’s success.
‘The victory belongs to the Lord’(31). When defeat seems inevitable, God comes to us with His Word of encouragement: ‘The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save, a Warrior who gives victory. He will take great delight in you. He will renew you in His love. He will rejoice over you with singing’(Zephaniah 3:17). God’s Word shows us the way of victory. It is the way of faith in our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ‘This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?’(1 John 5:4). God ‘gives victory’ to us. We must receive His victory by ‘faith’. Living for Christ is never easy – ‘In this world you will have trouble’. Don’t let this get you down. Jesus says, ‘Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world’(John 16:33).
Remember. We Fight FROM VICTORY not for victory. 1JN 4: 4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. (NLT)
Our success is not in our human strength but in the fact we are trusting the Lord through our difficulties. He will deliver us from out of those difficulties.
AMEN
PROVERBS ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:
Read through Proverbs with the questions you have about your business or life issues.
Get a note book and every time you read something that applies to your personal/business situation – write down what you learned from it.
Example:
1. What does proverbs teach about decision making, e.g. Seek good council and you do everything in truth/honesty.
2. What does Proverbs teach about business dealings?
3. What does proverbs teach about allowing the Lord to care for you and your future?
4. What does proverbs teach about Honor and dishonor
5. About one’s reputation, about one’s friends, about gossip, about integrity and trusting God in His Leading and provision.
Simply be open to what the Holy Spirit guides you too.
AND after this week long process try the same approach using the Gospel of Matthew.
All I know is that when the answer comes from the Word it is true and reliable and we can go with it.
The Lord is always faithful in applying His Word to His children.
Do you need direction in your life today?
- Set aside TIME to draw close to His presence. There, you will sense His unfailing love for you. His direction for your life will be a natural by-product of this time of communion with Him. Ask God to lead you by His Spirit today.
*In order to remain in Jesus, we have to build a relationship with Him. It boils down to love. If you love Jesus, then you will want to spend time with Him.
* The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. (We have the Bible to know Him)
* Love is linked with joy! In the body of Christ we lack joy, because we lack love. Love is not a request, its a commandment.
*Joy is made complete in the safety of unconditional love. Nothing steals joy like feeling unloved & unlovable. - We all need to learn from Jesus. He who knows everything
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
The Power of Encouragement
We show God our love by our relation- ships with others.
The Lord is with us wherever we go and will give us strength!
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, BUT Encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Let’s get excited about coming up with creative ways to build others up!
God created us to be social creatures, and we are influenced by each other, either for good or for worse. Time spent with other believers influences us to do good, and encourages us as we see the world crumble around us. Who do you know that does not like Encouragement????
God instructs us to live in community — the dictionary says community is “a unified body of individuals”. We are united in Jesus Christ. The body of Christ supports and encourages us – and we in turn, support and encourage others – especially during our most difficult times. God builds our faith in community as we journey together and bear one another burdens.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:9
Like God did with Joshua and like He does with us, WE can come alongside each other in some of life’s hardest challenges and highest peaks and say, “Don’t give up, you can do it. I’ll be with you and I will help you.”
Isn’t it amazing that when we take our eyes off our fears, our doubts, and our struggles and focus on someone else’s needs, we somehow forget our own.
**In believing the power of God’s promises for others, our confidence in His promises for us seems to grow as well.
**** That my friend is the power of. encouragement!
E quip
N otice
C ourage
O pen
U nity
R ally
A ppreciate
G race
E ncourage
We are called to encourage! when we encourage we EQUIP each other we NOTICE each other we give COURAGE to each other, we also need to have a OPEN door to allow others to enter in to the Body so they can see the UNITY, we need to RALLY around those who need strengthening we need to APPRECIATE one another, and have GRACE for each other, and finally if we are going to build His Church then let’s ENCOURAGE one another.
So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.
Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
*Fear is a hindrance. It creates anxiety in our heart, it divides our mind, it drains our energy and it hinders whatever we’re doing in life. Learn how to conquer this damaging emotion and live with the confidence only found in God.
Have we allowed our prideful thoughts,
wounded emotions and self-centered
desires to quench God’s Love in our
hearts and separate us from each other?
God’s Love doesn’t just fall out of
heaven. It comes through us! We
are the Body of Christ on earth,
and His hand outstretched to heal.
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us…” II Corinthians 5:20
“The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now” 1 John 2:9
I surprised myself. I had silenced the voices of my own fears by focusing on helping someone else overcome theirs. In that moment, I realized the same promises I was claiming for this person were true for me, too. I could do it with God’s strength, and I did!
Colossians 2: 2 My(Paul)) goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
*To Paul, there are great riches and treasures to be found in fully understanding the great mystery of God – Jesus Christ. Getting to know who he is, what he did, how he behaved and why he did what he did on earth will unlock many great mysteries of God and help us find the wisdom that we lack. That’s how powerful a deeper study on the life of our Lord Jesus can bring!
1 Thes. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Father, help me to stop doubting You and Your Word. I want to live in belief and faith that I can do anything in faith and by Your strength.
Lord, thank You for the power of Your words that give me courage to become who You’ve created me to be – to go to places You’re calling me to go and climb spiritual heights that are out of my reach without Your help. Give me Your encouragement and help me encourage someone else today. In Jesus Name
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Amen
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” – Psalm 24:1-2
As Christian believers, God calls us to view Him as the owner of everything. *We are to be stewards of all that He entrusts to us.
This is one of the hardest of all commandments to follow for the Christian believer because, if we work hard at business, we receive all the benefits of that work.
It appears as though all that we have achieved was through our hand.
* Yet God says that it is by His hand that we are able to make wealth (see Deut. 8).
*We invest in our children, our jobs.
*** But what have you invested in your soul?
*What have you invested in your relationship with Jesus?
*“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
*Christ sees your value and hidden potential. Do you?
*Invest in God thru tough times and see your return in the end.
*Don’t be like the rich man only remembering himself.
We all have personal experience and know we can invest in material things and still NOT have any peace.
*God is looking for a people willing to invest in Him.
Get rid of the spirit of greed.
*God is the source of that ability. As soon as we become owners and not managers, we fall into trouble with God.
*There’s literally nothing that we need that He cannot provide. Everything we need and that is good for us, He has the capability to give. That’s really comforting.
God’s Love is the light that pierces
the darkness and exposes the truth.
“..but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts…” 1 Corinthians 4:5
Joseph understood that he was a steward of all the resources of Egypt. God promoted him to affect an entire region of the world. Joseph had more power, prestige, and wealth than any 30-year-old who ever lived before him.
The temptation for him in this newfound role in life must have been great.
* Many a man has not been able to handle material success.
*Many of God’s choicest servants began well in their calling and service to God only to fail at the end.
*Consider Hezekiah, the great king who achieved many great things but failed to acknowledge God’s blessing at the end of his reign. His reign was cut short due to pride.
*Gideon’s fate was similar. Success can lead to pride if we are not careful.
“Not every man can carry a full cup. Sudden elevation frequently leads to pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to survive is prosperity” [Oswald Chambers].
Ask the Lord today if you are living as a steward or an owner.
Put whatever skills and resources you possess on His altar.
**Then you can expect God to do great things through YOU.
“Delight thyself in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:4-5
The Lord will provide you with the right desires when you delight (enjoy being in) Him. Desiring anything more than Him can lead to sin.
*God wants the world to see the difference between his people who love him and the rest of the unbelieving world.
*God wants us to be an example of a delivered and victorious people, trusting in his mighty arm to deliver us from all harm and evil.
The reasons for separation from the world (Egypt) today are the same as they were in ancient time. God is once again drawing a line between his people and this wicked age, so that this generation can know there is none like him to deliver in all the earth.
**The wicked of this age must have an even greater manifestation of the Lord’s presence; nothing else will get their attention.
*Nothing else will smite them with conviction for sin. The Holy Spirit has been outpoured, so that ALL flesh could come under the power of Christ’s presence and be convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgment!
Hebrews 12:2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God-he could put up with anything along the way: the cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.(Message Bible)
Father, please help me to depend on you more. You have never let me down, but in my ignorance I always turn to myself for answers first, then when I find none I turn to you. That’s backwards. Enable me through your Holy Spirit to trust you in and for all things, not being dependent on my own strength. Help me to manage what gift You have gifted me with for Your Glory and my Joy!
-Amen
Warning Signs of Leadership Failure

God gave you, your life so that you can live it. No one can live it for you.
Luke 9:25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
The Lord formed each and everyone of us for a destiny. Sometimes we get caught up in all of the circumstances in our life, good or bad, and push Jesus to a lower priority.
* We are called FIRST to love God with all of our heart and then to serve the King of kings in ALL circumstances just as John did in exile, Joseph & Paul in chains, and Noah being ridiculed.
* Be obedient to what God has called you to do in the face of persecution. *Jesus is our only hope and salvation and is worthy of our service.
While our outrage at disgraced leaders may be justified sometimes, we fail to realize how quickly “they” become “US.” When everything seems to be against us it stings our heart, especially when we’ve been faithful.
*It stings when I deserve the promotion only to discover it went to someone Else.
* It stings when I invest only to lose my lifelong savings in the stock market.
*It stings when I invest in a home and the value is now below what I paid.
*It stings when I Change my business ways in hopes of a better profit and it’s not working as I put on paper.
*It stings when bankers no longer want to lend me money as before.
*It stings when I am a number verses a living breathing human being to others.
*It stings when I share the love of Christ and others do not want His Free gift of eternal salvation.
**It’s when I reach the end of self-effort that I realize what God is after—my undivided heart.
***A sting/trial is not something to be tolerated, but a TRUST to be treasured!
*** I have come to believe through many a stings and failures, the message for all of us is that life is a loan from God (Luke 12:20) and belongs to him. God creates it and gives it and takes it according to HIS own will and owes us nothing.
We are His servants here on earth visiting till He calls us to our Eternal Home.
We are being shaped and prepared on earth today for God’s special place for us in heaven.
Do not underestimate what God can do in and with a life that has been placed in His hands to use. It is not what we have, but what we are doing with what we have. God uses what we have-BUT God must have ALL of it!!!!!
When we give Him our all-God takes it and multiplies it by HIS Power. So feel FREE because then what we do is not in our power like before-BUT is in HIS Power!
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
***** And that includes enemies:
*Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27);
*Because sooner or later people want more than empathy, hand outs and aid ***they will want answers.
…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…..
1 Peter 3:15
Fallen leaders never set out to sacrifice their integrity, abandon ethical behavior, or exploit those they lead. But it happened! Their failures should be our cautions.
*** Warning Signs of Leadership Failure

(which we all are leaders in some way shape or form: be it parenting, to
organizing,to supervising to ownership)
Warning Sign #1: A Shift in Focus
*Leaders are usually distinguished by their ability to “think big.” But as their focus shifts, their thinking shrinks. *Often, leaders simply lose sight of what’s important.
*They micro-manage, get caught up in minutiae, and succumb to perfectionism in trivial decisions better left to others.
*Even more subtle is an obsession with “doing” rather than “becoming.”
*** A leader’s greatest influence flows from inner vision and integrity, but it’s possible for a leader to become infatuated with ACTION and, in the process, lose touch with the all-important development of character. ***Busier isn’t always better!!!!
* What is your primary focus right now? If you can’t write your primary focus down as your vision or as your mission statement then your leadership suffers from a lack of clarity.
Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Warning Sign #2: Poor Communication
*Lack of focus disorients a leader and sets the stage for poor communication.
Followers can’t possibly understand a leader’s intent when the leader isn’t even sure what it is!(Vision/Goals?)
*A goal is looking into the future and aiming in a certain direction. Attack it with your faith and submit it all to God.
*Vision- a mode of seeing or conceiving.- unusual discernment of the future- A faith-filled view of the future.-an understanding of where we are going.-discovering God’s thoughts regarding our future.
***Where their is no vision their is no order.
Sometimes, leaders delude themselves into believing that committed followers can SENSE their goals and carry out their wishes without being told.
When misunderstandings arise, managers blame their people for lack of effort (or commitment) rather than recognizing their own communication negligence.
** “Say what you mean, and mean what you say” is timeless advice, but it must be preceded by knowing what you mean!
Clarity of purpose is the starting point for all effective communication.
Proverbs 13:10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Warning Sign #3: Risk Aversion
*Past victories create pressure for leaders:
“Will I be able to sustain outstanding performance?”
* The longer a leader is successful in His eyes, the higher his or her perceived cost of failure will be.
*When driven by the fear of failure, leaders are unable to take reasonable risks. They limit themselves to tried and proven pathways.
* Attempts at innovation—key to their initial success—diminish and eventually disappear.
Which is more important to you: the journey or the destination?
Are you still taking reasonable risks? Prudent leadership avoids reckless risk, BUT neither is it paralyzed by fear.
Phil. 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Warning Sign #4: Ethics Slip
*A leader’s credibility depends upon two qualities: what he or she does (competency) and who he or she is (character).
Deficiencies in either create an integrity problem.
**The highest principle of leadership is integrity.
1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
When ethical compromise is rationalized as necessary for the “greater good,” a leader is on the slippery slope of failure. All too often, leaders see their followers as pawns, mere means to an end.
* As a result, they confuse Manipulation with leadership.
Such leaders rapidly lose respect.
To save face, they cease to be people “perceivers” and become people “pleasers,” using popularity to ease the guilt of lapsed integrity.
Are there areas of conflict between what you believe and how you behave?
Warning Sign #5: Poor Self-Management
*If a leader doesn’t take care of him/herself, no one else will.
* Unless a leader is blessed with unusually perceptive followers, nobody will pick up on signs of fatigue and stress.
* Leaders are counted on to produce, but they aren’t superheroes with limitless energy.
While leadership is invigorating, it is also tiring.
*Like anyone other mere mortal, leaders are susceptible to feeling drained, depressed, and demotivated.
**** Those who neglect their physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual needs are headed for disaster.
*Make time for refreshment and replenishment.
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
*When we enter into God’s presence, we can rest on Him, on His Word! His Word is the truest and most infallible principal/moral system in existence which, if believed, has the power to separate your soul (emotion- tired & ready to quit) from the spirit (the eternal truth- God cares!)! Believe, walk in love, seek His presence, & KNOW that we labor only to enter into His rest! Rest IS available! (Read Hebrews 4:9-12)
*Take care of yourself. Self-preservation isn’t selfish; it’s vital to the health of those you lead.
Warning Sign #6: Lost Love
*Leaders face impending disaster when they abandon their first love.
The hard work of leadership should be fulfilling and fun. However, when divorced from their visions/goals/ dreams, leaders may find the responsibility of leadership to be frustrating and fruitless.
*Even when you know your God given vision their will be trials, and things that come against you, to keep you from your visions.
* To stay motivated, leaders must stick to what they love and rediscover what compelled them to accept the mantle of leadership in the first place.
You have the word of God. You have Jesus. You have the Holy Spirit. You have God. Get scriptures to stand on to help get past all the blocks and distractions. Even when your ready to quit, read them.
The warning signs in life—from stoplights to prescription labels—are intended for our good.
*They protect us from disaster, and we would be foolish to ignore them. Don’t be afraid to take an honest look at yourself.(Personal inventory)
Our lives will become less cluttered, less stressful, and more fulfilling when we follow the MODEL Jesus provided. It may not always please everyone.
* Jesus never sought to please Everyone.
* Ask the Lord each day this week HOW you and He are to spend YOUR time. *Yield your schedule to Him.
* Let Jesus direct your every activity. **You may discover that He desires you to CUT BACK some things in order to spend more time alone with Him.
* JESUS will be faithful to show you. And you will become more fulfilled because you are centered in His will for you.
* Jesus often sought times of prayer and reflection away from the disciples. His life appeared to have a BALANCE of quiet moments(rest) and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with.
2 Corintians 3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our HEARTS, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you ARE a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
I want more of the Spirit within me. I want to be prepared to lead as Joshua was. Not because of my skills, talents, or knowledge. No, I want to be approved to lead because the Holy Spirit dwells in me.
1 Corinthians 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the SAME Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the SAME Lord.
**We all have the ability to perform great works for God. No matter what others may have or may perform you will always be just as important. We All are part of the body of Christ and should only encourage the other and fulfill what God has planned for us.
Father, fill me anew today with Your Holy Spirit. Fill me to overflowing. I want to be a leader approved and equipped by You. Help me publicly praise and empower other leaders, maybe next generation leaders, in front of our followers so that we all can set them up for success.
Psalms 25:20 Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, lord, is in you. AMEN
“What we believe defines us determines how we approach everyday life. ”
2 Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years….. 2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
*This passage is about a man who “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father, not turning aside to the right or to the left”.
**The truth: you can’t blame your parents or grandparents for your behavior or sin.
* The Word of God is so powerful! Josiah did not even know the Word existed – the godless & wicked culture of his day (and those before him) had attempted to bury & destroy the Truth. They replaced the TRUTH with immorality, greed and the worship of idols.
* But this didn’t work… As the Bible of Josiah’s day rose from the heap of rubble, so, too, the attempts of so-called “higher critics” and skeptics to “bury” the Bible with their doubts and criticisms have come to failure.
* Josiah heard it and immediately knew it was God’s Word and he changed everything in his life & influence in order to follow God’s Word.
**In the New Testament, however, we see that by receiving Christ, we ARE born into a NEW family: God’s family. It is clear—
*We are NOT captives to our lineage here on earth but have the CHOICE to be agents of change.
* We do not have to follow in the footsteps of our “fathers,” right or wrong—yet we sometimes choose to do so.
I can choose to:
** dwell on the problems from my past or the consequences of my “fathers'” sins that have come before me.
**Or I can choose to set my own path straight, and to understand and forgive the sins of my “fathers.”
* I can choose to seek God in all that I do and ask for blessings upon my life, on my children’s lives, and all who come after me.
*I choose to be a blessing in my family tree. What do WE CHOOSE?
Choose today – and everyday – who you will serve. Will it be God, or money, or work, or people, or activities, or hobbies, or sports, or computer, or religion, or retirement, or popularity, or television, or drugs, or sex, or food etc?
We have many gods in many shapes and sizes, but they do not look like the gods the ancient Hebrews faced. However, WE must still face them and make a decision/CHOOSE. I want to serve God, my father, the maker and ruler of the universe.
“What we believe defines us determines how we approach everyday life”
God’s ways of determining where we invest our time and energy often have little to do with results. The danger for each of us is to determine that we are in the center of God’s will simply by the success or failure of the events we are involved in.*** Our plumb line for determining success can be only one thing: obedience. We can responded in obedience to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
1JN 2:17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Phil. 3:10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
God does not force us to serve Him. He gives us a choice because He loves us and because He loves us He will lovingly allow us to choose.
The one thing He will not allow is for us to ride the fence(we must choose God or Satan, Life or death). But, be very careful how you choose; choices are long lasting and life changing.
You know, God feels and loves to be with us and watch over us, even while we’re sleeping. It’s not because we are doing anything for Him, but simply because WE are His(Read and soak on Psalms 139).
We might have even disappointed Him todayday, but it doesn’t change how He feels about us.
God wants you and me to know today that He delights greatly in us. And with His love, He is there today to quiet your fears, concerns, past shame, insecurities and doubts.
I hope the next time you have one of those down days you’ll imagine that Your Heavenly Father loves and delights in YOU.
Zephaniah 3:17 The lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
**Jesus is the vessel God has chosen
to reveal and demonstrate His Way
of Agape Love to this fallen world.
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father…” John 14:9
Psalms 37:4 Take delight in the lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the lord; trust in him and he will do this:
Psalms 147:11 the lord delights in those who fear(respect / in awe of) him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Rise up, in the light of the Lord’s glory where YOU can be restored and renewed. It is time to stop just trying to get by. Come and partake of that spiritual atmosphere where you can thrive spiritually and naturally. Come in faith as the Lord calls you to that place of life and blessing. The Lord will lead us. Only believe.
Mark 11:23-24 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Dear Lord, please help us understand the people who came before us, and who I am today as a result. Lord, on this day, I choose to let go of those things which hold me back,(strongholds). Forgive me Lord for blaming others for not coming close to You in our relationship. Please use me to be a blessing in my family, the Body and generations to come by planting good lasting seed.
Lord, thank You for the reminder that You are always with me and that You love to watch over me, every minute of every day – even while I am sleeping. Help me to completely believe this truth about Your love for me and thank you Father, for sending Your Son for me a sinner. Thank you that through your Son, JESUS I am free forever from condemnation and to be blessed to know your Perfect Love, which casts out all fear. Thank you Lord and let my identity be known that I am a follower of You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Psalms 149:4 For the lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
The circumstances of life, the events of life, and the people around me in life, do not MAKE me the way I am, but REVEAL the way I am.
Read MoreMost Christians believe that praising God and being thankful is good; however, many think it is optional, something to do after they have served the Lord in other ways. Some Christians only praise God when their circumstances are good and they have a reason to thank Him. The truth is that praising God is not an option. Praise has a powerful effect on the believer, the devil, and on God. It is our highest calling. Praise makes us humble. By focusing on your problems instead of praising God, you become self-centered and prideful. PRAISE forces you to get your attention on God and off your problems. If you focus on the Word of God, faith will come. How do you keep from focusing on the problem when you are in pain or have no money? The most important thing you can do is praise God. A negative, complaining attitude won’t change overnight, but beginning to praise God will start the transformation in your attitude. Practice thinking on positive things. Philippians 4:4 tells us to “rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Praise will build you up spiritually and keep you from crumbling, “for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). The Apostle Paul was persecuted and suffered far more than most of us, yet he put it all in perspective in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18: Paul said our affliction is just for a moment in light of eternity. He looked into the spiritual realm. Praise will push you into the spiritual realm to SEE what God has done for you. Praising God doesn’t just affect us; it is a powerful weapon against the devil as well. Some people are so involved in spiritual warfare that their attention is on the devil more than on God. There is a place for fighting and resisting the devil, but focusing too much on the devil is NOT good. Why does praise defeat Satan? Satan’s sin was jealousy of God. He is still driven by jealousy today (Is. 14:13-14). It’s also important to understand that all temptation is rooted in selfishness. In fact, our selfishness is really Satan’s beachhead. Jesus stripped him of his power two thousand years ago, so the only thing he can really do is deceive us through our own selfish desires. The Bible tells us exactly what’s of the world: 1 John 2:16,“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” And in James 1:14 we read, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” Even if satan can’t get people to worship him, his goal is to keep people from worshiping God. He seeks to draw attention away from God. When we worship God, we mess up Satan’s plan. Praise stops a negative attitude. God created us to be full of praise, joy, and thanksgiving. He is blessed by His creation. We are often so service-oriented that we think we have to minister to others or work at the church to bless God. We think our net worth to God is our service. We forget that if it blesses God, it doesn’t have to touch anyone else. He longs to KNOW us personally and intimately. (Read JN 17:3) There are many times in Scripture that God solicits our praise. Psalm 100:4 says that we should “enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Our number one priority must be to love God personally. Praise is giving of yourself to God — an intimate communion with Him. If we would praise and seek God first, during our prayer time, other things would be added unto us. (Matt. 6:33) John 3:16 tells us that God gave His Son that we might have eternal life. Christians often think eternal life begins when you die and go to heaven, but John 17:3 tells us differently. Eternal life is now. Intimately knowing God is eternal life. Praise is a way to begin this love relationship with God. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name”(Heb. 13:15). Allow your light to shine. Refuse to allow discouragement and gloominess to overtake you, for the Lord has given you power to rule over darkness. Illuminate your atmosphere by allowing HIS glory to clothe you. You have the light of HIS Spirit dwelling in you to radiate outwardly and touch all that surrounds you. Overcome evil with good. Let the power of of the Lord work in you to bring down strongholds that have hindered the flow of your anointing for some time. Rejoice in this great and yet subtle and supernatural work. Isaiah 45:2-3 I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Amen
Read MoreOur Secret Weapon. “Intercessors'”
* Intercession means that we rouse ourselves up to get the mind of Christ about the one for whom we pray for.
*Intercessors are the front-line warriors raised up to do battle for the saints.
“And He . . . wondered that there was no intercessor.” Isaiah 59:16
God puts people in our lives for His Glory!!!!!
“He(Epaphras) is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” – Colossians 4:12b
*-Epaphras was a man who was dedicated to praying for those he knew. He prayed for the church in Colosse that they would stand firm in God’s will and that they would become fully mature and know for sure they belong to God.
Going all out to lift others up to the Lord in prayer( intercessors’). A serious commitment to ‘pray without ceasing.’
1 Tim. 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
*Although God is all-powerful and all-knowing, he has chosen to let us help him change the world through our prayers. How this works is a mystery to us because of our limited understanding but it is a reality. Paul urges us to pray for each other and the leaders of the government. Our earnest prayers will have powerful results.
Give your prayers the undivided attention it deserves as Christ Jesus himself gave prayer His undivided attention. And He is our ultimate example. Follow Him.
The Lord has called you and me to be ministers of the gospel in and through the workplace. This means we must fight our battles, grow our companies, and minister to employees, co-workers and vendors through the power of the Holy Spirit.
**Intercessory prayer is the secret weapon of Spirit-led activity.
*Praying with passion for spiritual health should be heart felt.
*Praying with passion for spiritual health will be hard work.
Imagine having intercessors who are part of your team, committed to helping you make decisions in your life “that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
It is a comforting feeling to know the decisions you and I make during the course of a day are in the will of God.
*Intercessors are the front-line warriors raised up to do battle for the saints.
** Ask God to rise up intercessors who can support YOU as you go forth in the battlefield of Life.
*One of the subtlest burdens God ever puts on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning other souls.
**God reveals things in order that we may take the burden of these souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them, and as we intercede on His line, God says He will give us “life for them that sin not unto death.”
It is not that we bring God into touch with our minds, but that we rouse ourselves until God is able to convey His mind to us about the one for whom we intercede.
Phil. 2:5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Beware of imagining that intercession means bringing our personal sympathies into the presence of God and demanding that He does what we ask. Our approach to God is due entirely to the vicarious identification of our Lord with sin. We have “boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.”
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” Hebrews 10:19   
Identification is the key to intercession, and whenever we stop being identified with God, it is by sympathy, not by sin. It is not likely that sin will interfere with our relationship to God, but sympathy will, sympathy with ourselves or with others which makes us say –
“I will not allow that thing to happen.” Instantly we are out of vital connection with God.
Intercession is an area I need to grow in. I need to spend more time “wrestling in prayer” for those I know.
I will spend additional time praying more fervently for those God has put in my life and on my heart.(As I sent this to you this AM-You had additional prayer-“May God Bless your day with new found people to pray for”).
It is Christ . . . who also maketh intercession for us.” “The Spirit . . . maketh intercession for the saints.” Romans 8:34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 8: 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.)
We each have the perfect intercessor!
As we pray for others God meets our needs.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he(Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
*Jesus IS the glory of God. We want more glory we need more Jesus.
Father, I hear you and I will begin today doing what you have called me to do. I will spend more time talking with you about those you have placed in my heart. I know it is only through your power that we can stand firm and we can grow mature. You have placed this burden on my heart to help and encourage each person to grow in their relationship with you and I know now how I can best do that. By getting on my knees for them. Lord help us all( the Body) to be more aware of our surroundings and lift up the needs to you. Lord help us as Your Body, be a believer who realizes that things happen and change when God’s people pray.
Amen
God has chosen to communicate His Love to us through Christian brothers and sisters.
“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did in you.” John 13:14-15
Jesus came to serve and empower people. In all His greatness he placed himself at the bottom and put others above. The greatest leaders are those who serve others.
Jesus took ordinary people like us, served us, and empowered us to do extraordinary things. The result is a world forever changed-one person at a time. All Glory to our LOVING FATHER in Heaven!
There are two ways we get life wrong:
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19
1. We want to be OUR OWN Lord instead of Jesus
*I often replace Jesus as Lord with me as lord, running life my way.
* I want to be in charge.
**This often leads to behaviour that by moral standards is bad, e.g. sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. We do not think Jesus is enough, disbelieving that living under His rule is the “good life.” So we replace Jesus with others things.
But there is another way we get life wrong:
2. We want to be OUR OWN Saviour instead of Jesus.
I often replace Jesus as Saviour with me as saviour: attempting to save myself by doing good things, saving other people by straightening out their lives, or saving the world through good causes.
People trying to be their own saviour often live morally good lives. They’re good husbands, wives, and parents because they want to rescue their family. Or they’re involved in good causes, e.g. raising money for the poor, campaigning for justice, or addressing environmental issues.
These are commendable things. Replacing Jesus as Saviour often looks like a good life. People in the Body are doing this and you think they’re doing great.
But its fruit will eventually become apparent: pride, frustration, stress, anxiety, or manipulation.
Consider a parent trying to fix their child thinking it all depends on them. They may be manipulative or domineering as they attempt to control and protect their child. Or they may be bitter about their child’s behaviour or weighed down with stress.
Without God’s Love flowing from
our hearts, good works and
sacrificail giving are of no benefit.
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love
[Agape], it profiteth me nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:3
**Presumption is based on our own reasoning.
“So she said to Abram, ‘The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.’ Abram agreed to what Sarai said.” – Genesis 16:2
Presumption is based on our own reasoning. Abraham and Sarah fell into presumption when they got too old to have children. God had promised a son to Abraham and Sarah – a son who would fulfill His promise to birth a nation. But Abraham and Sarah were past the normal age for childbearing. So, they concluded that GOD needed help to work out His plan.
Many believers make the same mistake every day. We make assumptions about what we believe God is doing and wants us to do.
However, before we really have FULL assurance that God has spoken to us on the matter and revealed His perfect action plan, we move forward with OUR steps to get it done.
* How do we protect ourselves from presumption?
The Proverbs tell us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors (see Prov. 11:14 KJV). Submitting our decisions to others for confirmation protects each of us from the deceit of our own heart. This process will protect us from presumption and encourage us to move in faith.
The people who are rejecting Jesus as Lord will usually be easy to spot. But be on the lookout for people who are rejecting Jesus as Saviour.
***People who are rejecting Jesus as Lord must repent, find joy in Christ and change their ways.
**** People who are rejecting Jesus as Saviour must do … nothing. Instead, stop. LISTEN: “It is finished.” There is nothing left to do. You have a heavenly Father who loves and cares for you.
Here’s the good news: JESUS IS Lord
and Saviour(24/7) . He’s both a better Lord and a better Saviour than we will ever be.
Proverbs 1: 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Lord, you are our firm foundation, which is Christ the Rock. You, Lord tell us the truth, the Lord cannot build and tear down at the same time. The Lord has called you to build with the Word, with your own words of truth, with faith and in obedience. Build His kingdom with integrity and diligence by the power of His Spirit, and refuse to tear down through operating in the works of the flesh. Arise and build, for the Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Amen
2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
**Do be not be discouraged, keep on working for God and someday you will be rewarded-this verse may help, when you are feeling tired and cant be bothered to go own, remember, one day you will be rewarded for your work.
John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
God ought to be our food! Our desires ought to match up with his! The ONLY way we can do this is by doing it his way, and his way ONLY! Today, crave His will alone! His way is Clearly written in His word.
Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Lord, this is an encouragement to me. Although, I only wish I worked harder and loved more consistently and sacrificially. Of course, I may still have many more days to love others, as You allow. Help the days ahead to be more fruitful than the days behind.
What an amazing gift that You would remember no more the sinful things I have done, but would remember the good works and love I have given. Help me to be like You in this way with those in my life every day. AMEN
LISTEN:
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Isaiah 28: 23 Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.
Psalms 50:7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God.
*In the day of distress we must apply to the Lord by fervent prayer. Our troubles, though we see them coming from God’s hand, must drive us to him, not drive us from him. We must acknowledge him in all our ways, depend upon his wisdom, power, and goodness, and refer ourselves wholly to him, and so give him glory. Thus must we keep up communion with God; meeting him with prayers under trials, and with praises in deliverances.
A “faith experience”
You cannot know how to fully trust the Lord in any area of life until you really have to.
Why do we most times have to loose everything before we trust God. We never would trust God totally until we lost something of great value because we had plenty. We don’t seem to willingly enter this level of trust with God?
2 Corinthians 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:6 “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.”
God must love you a lot! He doesn’t allow someone to go through the kinds of adversity you have experienced unless He has a SPECIAL calling on your life.
“The depth and width of your faith experiences are directly proportional to your calling.”
This above is describing a process of preparation that God takes each of His leaders(a person of influence) through when He plans to use them in significant ways.
A “faith experience” is an event or “spiritual marker” in your life about which you can say, “That is where I saw God personally moving in my life.”
* It is an unmistakable event in which God showed Himself personally to you.
This faith experience was;
*The burning bush for Moses;
*The crossing of the Red Sea or the Jordan River for the nation of Israel; Jacob’s encounter with the angel.
* It was the feeding of the 5,000 for the disciples.
**It was the time when you saw God face to face in your life.
Phil.2: 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
If God has plans of using you in the lives of many others, you can expect that He is going to allow certain faith experiences to come into your life in order to build a foundation that will be solid.
That foundation is what you will be able to look back on to keep you faithful to Him in the times of testing.
1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which IS Jesus Christ.
*Christ must be the foundation for ALL things in our life, else our life will crumble.
*Do we understand that Jesus was fully God and fully man at the same time?
* Do we understand why it is important? *Do we know how he fulfilled prophecy? *Do we understand how Jesus is woven throughout God’s Word?
* Do we know Jesus’ message?
*Do we understand His sacrifice and the power of it?
***Is Jesus our foundational message? **Do we use Jesus as our uniting focus and passion for the universal Church?
Paul continually wrote and preached Jesus and the good news. Jesus is the foundation. The better we know every detail of the foundation the stronger we build and the closer we all become.
Each of us most likley have personal faith experiences in which we experienced God personally so that we could move in faith to whatever He was calling us to.
Do you need a personal faith experience right now in your life? Pray that God will reveal Himself to you. He delights in doing that.
Desperate dependence is the place where we can stop living by our own power.” It’s where we discover God’s strength in and through us.
God has made His call plainly to all the saints, a call to share the suffering of Christ.
Have you ever felt in the midst of your pain, you are doing God a favor?
I can identify myself that I have not looked upon Christ for the comfort that I am supposed to.
When we truly share the sufferings of Christ, we have in Him peace in the midst of it all, and grace to bear it. The sufferings of the Christian are the sufferings of Christ. He sympathizes with His members when they suffer for His sake.
My prayer is that God would cause us to find joy in our suffering, place our eyes on the cross where Jesus had laid down His life for us that we may too share abundantly the comfort He offers.
Hebrews 5: 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered. 9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Father God, I cannot even begin to comprehend the love that you have for me, and how you were willing to stand by and watch as your son was treated so poorly. Your greater plan prevailed, though, and I am saved by His blood. Your love for me is immeasurable and I am trying so hard to fathom it with earlthly terms. I feel inadequate so much of the time and I will never fully understand it. Please work with me and help me to share in this suffering so that I can experience your comfort and strength. Help me to praise you in the storms, even when things are dark. I love you so much. I ask that you enter my heart and help me to be more like you, give me your eyes and ears so that I may walk into the world as you would have. To see, experience, and interact with the world with the level of interest and patience that you once did. I love you so much and look forward to the day when we will be together in paradise. I love you, Amen
Our love only becomes genuine
when God’s Love first penetrates
our hearts.
“We love, because He firstloved us.”
1 John 4:19
You are the Lord’s anointed, and He has raised you up to do all that is in His heart and in His mind. Your faithfulness goes before you in the spiritual realm to establish the way of favor. Hindrances have to give way to the light of those who walk upright and go forth with integrity and humility. You belong to the Lord and are His chosen.
Psalms 84:5And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel;
Read MoreLiving for a Cause Greater Than Yourself
It just seems to be human nature. As we grow in wealth and ability, our confidence moves from complete trust in the Lord to trust in our resources.
Can you imagine what our marriages,
families, churches, and communities
would be like if more of us were walking
in God’s unconditional Love?
“…they were taking their meals together with gladness an sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47
Hebrews 13:… “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.”
Jesus said “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever” (John 14:16).
God the Father, through the Holy Spirit abides with you forever, NOT sometimes.
Don’t consider what your feelings tell you. As long as you haven’t willfully rejected Christ and His sacrifice of salvation for you on the Cross, the Holy Spirit cannot and WILL NOT leave you!
Some Christians think the Holy Spirit sometimes goes on a break, or takes a recess just because at such times they don’t “feel” His presence.
You don’t have to “feel” God to know that He’s with you.
*Rather, you ought to KNOW that He’s with you always, because the Word says so. Jesus said, “…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20). He didn’t say, “I’m with you only when you can “feel” that I am.”
** Many have reduced their experience of Christianity to the carnal realm of feeling, and that is so wrong, for we walk by faith and not by sensory perceptions (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Today we find many Christian believers living a status quo relationship with God that is more characterized as “business as usual” than a life demonstrating God’s power.
Our focus is often more concerned with improving our standard of living than improving the Kingdom of God through our circle of influence.
* While this takes place, millions upon millions die without the saving grace of Christ.
* Many other Christians die never experiencing the freedom in Christ that His blood paid for.
* God has called each of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves – a life that is dependent on His grace and power to achieve things we never thought possible through our lives.
Its no surprise how God keeps his promises. He says he will keep us, never leave us and be here for us and he is.
Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them: “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Just a side note:
In 1979 Bob Dylan recorded the song “Gotta Serve Somebody.” For those who listen with biblically informed ears the refrain echoes Paul and Jesus:
Paul: “You are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness” (Romans 6:16).
Jesus: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).
Dylan’s refrain:
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed, You’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.
This is one of the truest songs Dylan has written.
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
The funny part is we have God’s promise, but we are the ones who turn away from him ” like we have the power”.
* We get so wrapped up in what we are doing and believe that it is our doing that we let go of God.
* We can be so backwards sometimes that we will let go of something eternal for things that will pass away..
This is His plan for your life. The apostle Paul prayed that He might experience the power of the resurrection in his life.
Phil. 3:10
This power is available to you and me to live for a cause greater than ourselves. Ask God what He wants to achieve through your life today. And consider yourself dead already to the consequences of what that might mean for you.
Will you take your part as a person who influences other people?
The only way other people are going to experience the reality of our Christianity is by our LOVE.
Not everyone sees our devotion to God, but the LOVE we show others is the visible evidence of our faith.
“But whoever has the world’s goods,and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17
Nothing can happen today, or any other day, that God isn’t aware of or in control of anything that he isn’t able to bring you through. ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you!’ Hebrews 13:5
Yes, those amazing truths—that God makes much of you—should thrill your soul! But why?
The answer to that question makes all the difference.
***If the answer is, “Because I’m at the bottom, and I love to be made much of,” you’re not born again.
*** If the answer is, “Because it reveals more of God and makes me know him, treasure him, love him, be satisfied in him, more than I ever dreamed!” then you are born again.
Lord Jesus, help me know You, treasure You, love You, be more satisfied in You, more than I can ever dream each and every day. In Jesus Name. AMEN
Read MoreWhat is Leadership? “Influence”!
Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to resist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone.
Joshua was the man whom God appointed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. So he needed to go through a “leadership crash course.”
He learned seven important leadership principles that will help US be a great leader as well.
*You may wonder if this leadership devotional would apply to your life?
*Maybe you think you are not a leader? *Or maybe you do not even want to be a leader because life for you is busy as it is?
When we look at John Maxwell’s definition of leadership,
***“Leadership is influence,”*** suddenly Everyone is a leader!
Everyone influences someone. You influence your children, your spouse, your colleagues or employees, your neighbors, the other people in your small group or in the ministry team you are part of.
So how can you be a good steward with the influence God has given you?
Here are some leadership principles we can glean from Joshua’s life:
1) A godly leader has learned how to serve: “Joshua had been Moses’ assistant from his youth” (Num 11:28).
2) A godly leader knows his mandate: God had already given the land to Joshua in the spiritual realm. Joshua needed to take into possession in the physical realm (Josh 1:3).
3) A godly leader is assured of God’s help: “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you” (Josh 1:5).
4) A godly leader sets an example that others can follow.
Joshua had to be “strong and courageous” and set the right example in three areas:
a) By exercising leadership: “You are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them” (Josh 1:6);
b) By reading God’s word and obeying it (Josh 1:7-8);
c) By not being afraid or discouraged (Josh 1:9).
5) A godly leader delegates:
After God gave Joshua the charge to take leadership, Joshua gave the charge to the officers of Israel to “go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Josh 1:11).
6) A godly leader encourages teamwork and comradery:
Joshua made an appeal to the tribes who received their land on the east side of the Jordan River to help the other tribes take possession of the land on the west side of Jordan (Josh 1:14-15).
7) A godly leader knows that in the end it’s God’s battle:
Right before the conquest of Jericho, Joshua had this life-changing encounter with the “commander of the Lords army” (Josh 5:14). When Joshua asked him on which side he was, his or the enemy’s side, he said: “Neither one.” God is not a God of partiality. He does not choose sides against or for people. He asks us to choose side with him. It’s his battle!
These leadership principles can not only be found in the life of Joshua, but even more in Jesus’ life.
Read the Gospels! These are the characteristics of a godly servant-leader.
If we apply them in the Body today, both our church and the community around us will notice the difference!
Will you take your part as a person who influences other people?(If Gods with US it doesn’t matter who or what is against US).
Nothing can happen today, or any other day, that God isn’t aware of or in control of anything that he isn’t able to bring you through.
‘I will never leave you nor forsake you!’ Hebrews 13:5
Thank you Jesus for amazing me:
*I am amazed in my spirit when I read Your word.
* I am amazed that God will not fail and abandon me.
* I am amazed that no matter how strong or how ruthless my adversary may be, God is stronger and will favor and protect me.
* I am amazed that no matter how poorly others speak of me or think of me, God will protect my integrity and give me favor in my interactions with others.
*I am amazed that God, the creator of the universe, sent His one and only Son as a sacrifice for me so that He could shower me with more blessings, more protection, and speak even more tender words to my spirit. God, I am amazed by You! Thank you for your love!
Amen
All-Sufficient Relationship
Psalm 23:1,4
1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.( He is such and awesome God that I’m content with what I have).
Then David speaks about all the provisions that come to him as being the one whom the Lord shepherds, and in verse 4 he says this:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
David related his relationship with God to a shepherd taking care of his sheep. Shepherd is a verb that means:
1. He will be.
* He looks out for our future. He’s concerned about what’s happening in our future. He has the ability to take care of our future. God didn’t bring us to this point to stop being concerned about our future. The devil will try to get us scared but God…
2. He is.
* He takes care of whatever happens in our lives right now.
3. He has been.
* He is a God who handles our past. The devil will remind you of your past. Your past wants to catch up and track you down. That might of been who you were but that’s not who you are today.
**Future… Present tense… And our past
You see, God does not guarantee His people that we will not walk
through the valley of the shadow of death. In fact, the psalmist really assumes that at some time or another we will.
I don’t believe that valley is just dying physically. I believe there are many
occasions in life when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death – occasions of bereavement, loneliness, sickness, poverty, discouragement.
* God does not promise that we will not walk through those valleys, but He does promise to be with us.
And in particular He promises that His rod and His staff will comfort us.
For me, the rod represents discipline, the staff represents comfort.
And I believe the implication is that if we want God’s comfort we must submit to His discipline, and on that basis His
presence with us is guaranteed even in the darkest valley.
* And His presence illuminates the darkness of the valley.
*When I am lonely God is my companion.
*When I am worried God is my confidence
*When I am tempted God is my accountability.
*When I am discouraged God is my encouragement.
Light: Enables us to see which direction we should walk in.
Eyes: These need to be open; to see Jesus, to see the way, and to help others.
1 JN 1: 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from ALL sin.
Indeed the manifestation of the light is the absence of darkness. It is clear that the one that walks with God has seen the light BUT an inconsistent relationship with the light will produce spots of darkness.
“…for you are all sons of light and
sons of day. We are not of night
nor of darkness…But since we are
of the day, let us be sober, having
put on the breastplate of faith and
love…” 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8
God I ask that you expose the darkest areas of my life in the deepest areas of my soul. May Your Light reveal them and bring them forth so that I may confess my sin and be clean and in pure fellowship with You.
I want Your light to shine through me and be a light unto my path. Lead me in the paths that I take and may I, a broken vessel, be used by YOU to shine in this dark and broken world. Lead me where YOU want me to go.
Amen
Love the Lord with all you heart mind soul and strength above all other things. Imitate the Lord. Being an imitator of Christ. Ephesians 5:1
Is Everything the Lord’s?
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5).
Have you ever argued with God? One of the first sermons Jesus ever gave was from a boat. It was Simon Peter’s boat. Jesus used a businessman’s business to preach the Gospel. However, Peter had to first make his business available to the Master. When he did, something wonderful happened to his business.
Job 41:11 (Who has confronted me that I should repay? Everything under heaven belongs to me!)
This scripture reminds me that God is in control and everything on this earth is His.
* I am simply a steward over what He has given on this earth.
* This also means that I am His and that my body is not my own (Romans 12:1) and that I need to treat it as such.
My selfish wants should never overpower His heavenly desires for me. Thank you for cleansing me of me oh heavenly Father! It is ALL Yours!
You see, Peter’s fishing business was in a slump. They had just fished all night and caught nothing. Nevertheless, Peter made his boat available to Jesus to use as He wished. Jesus used it to preach to the multitudes. After Jesus used Peter’s boat for His purposes Jesus did something interesting for Peter. He blessed his business.
However, Peter almost Missed the Blessing because he began to argue with Jesus. Peter was looking at the market conditions instead of the instruction of Jesus. (#1. Keep our eyes on JESUS. Heb 12:2 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. ….)
Something inside of him made him reconsider Jesus’ instruction. Jesus rewarded his obedience. ”
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink?” (Luke 5:6-7).
We see a number of Kingdom principles we can apply in our work lives in this story.
1) We must be willing to let God use our work life for His purposes.
2) We must not look at circumstances and argue with Jesus when His instruction seems to contradict what we have seen or experienced already.
3) We must obey the Lord. When we obey the Lord we might just see Jesus use US for His glory and bless our obedience.
4)Wow! One more thing. When you listen to the Lord’s commands, be prepared to receive a blessing that is too great to contain!
*** You may have to mend your nets!
Jesus admonishes us as to “go deep”. He told the disciples to move from where they were and go deep and immediately they had a bounty of fish in their nets.
There are times we have to leave where we are and travel by ourselves to where God has created opportunities for us. It is in this place that the blessings of God will overtake you.
– My future has unlimited opportunities – when I follow Jesus daily. (What better example of a leader is there?)
1) We follow by being connected to God and others
*Jesus didn’t do life or ministry alone – he had his apostles and followers
* Paul used his local church as a body and worked together
* Jesus led by example and his apostles followed the model of their leader
2) We follow by listening
* Every Believer has GOD – the Holy Spirit Living inside of them
– Primarily we follow God through:
– The written Word
– Influence of The Holy Spirit
3) We follow by changing (teachable and flexible)
* God wants to TRANSFORM our lives through our Bible study to know how Jesus lead in different circumstances.
* “Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves”
* God I am ready and excited to follow you
*God I am ready to be changed on the inside
*God I am ready to change the world through YOU
*God I am ready to make you look GOOD! ALL Glory goes to the Lord.
Matthew 4: 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
•God loves us enough to speak into our lives at different times and in different ways.
•Three very distinct times God will speak to us…
1. The call to Come
2. The call to get Closer
3. The call to Serve
•Do you hear Him calling?
•The closer my walk with Jesus, the more He deals with my inner struggles and sins.
•LOVE to be acts of kindness in relieving or helping those who are hurting in some way.
Jesus wants to teach us to be fishers of men. What will be the bait? Our love AND lifestyle.
Psalms 105:
1. GIVE thanks to the LORD,
proclaim his greatness; TELL the nations what he has done.
2. SING praise to the LORD; TELL the wonderful things he has done.
3. Be GLAD that we belong to him;
LET all who worship him rejoice.
4. GO to the LORD for help; and Worship him continually.
Eph. 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Be prepared and willing to progress in the areas of your anointing and creativity. Pray and watch for opportunities for a greater and more complete expression of your gifting both spiritually and naturally. And, the Lord will establish you in confidence and boldness to do all that HE has set before you. Exercise your faith.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Amen