Recently I've been thinking and praying about blessings. I fully believe that Michelle and I are going to be seeing abundant blessings from God in the next few years. I believe that with all my heart! It started with a challenge from a friend/mentor to do a 5-year Plan for my life. I prayed about the plan before I started writing a word because I really didn't know where to start. But a few hours later, when it was done, and especially in the days that followed, I remember feeling guilty. I felt I had over asked what I should. I KNEW I had over asked what I deserved! So where in that plan did I over step the line at "enough?"
"Enough" is a word that we use in both a positive and negative connotation. In the positive, we may say, "I have enough," meaning that there is nothing else I need. in the negative, especially if angry, the use more often than not moves to the past tense, "I have had enough!" We may raise our voices when using the word in this context trying to get the point across that we're not going to take anymore of __________ from someone else. Still a third, actually, is at a point of resignation to pressure from others. "Ok. Enough. I'll do it." The list isn't exhaustive, but I think it's "enough" to get my point across.
To say that I've seen an outpouring of God on our lives since writing that plan on July 30, of last year would be a gross understatement! There's no magic in the outline; no hokus-pokus in even a plan. The fuel that drives the whole thing is an understanding of God's will/plan for my life, a surrender to that will/plan, and a sincere belief to the point of constant expectation that God will complete what He has obviously started! And oh, what a ride it has been already! And I'm only eight months into the plan!
So I began asking God if I was selfish. I'd asked this question before with an unmistakable response to the negative, but I just have a hard time believing what God is up to, so I felt the unnecessary need to ask again. It was in this questioning just last week that Michelle and I (along with another friend) started a 6 week journey of a Bible study by Priscilla Shirer on the life of Gideon in the Old Testament. The first night of "homework" and personal study gripped me and I started to see the answer of God unfold before my very eyes. Don't you LOVE it when God answers the cry of your heart in unmistakable ways?!?
In order to show you what I mean, I must first lead you on a very brief journey of where I've been in scripture. Click on the following scripture reference and read Deuteronomy 7:1-2. In this passage, God's people are on the threshold of the Promised Land! They've been led out of Egypt by Moses. Most recently, they've been led here by Joshua. The words, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" are already in Joshua's thoughts and not far from reaching the ears of God's people. God has said He will deliver these armies who are stronger in number and strength into the hands of His people. All they have to do to win the battle, practically, is SHOW UP!!! Then the land could change in name from "Promised Land" to "Delivered Land."
But what happens instead? To find out, let's skip ahead a little ways and read it as it happened. Click on the following links to verses from Judges 1. I think you'll get the idea.
Judges 1:19, 21
Judges 1:27-28
Judges 1:29-32
Judges 1:33
Are you getting the picture? Can you see the similarity in each one? Epic FAIL!!!
Each one of these failures that Judges chapter 1 outlines cost the people of God DEARLY!!! As a matter of fact, those very people that were not conquered, though God was going to deliver them into the hands of His people, are the ancestors of the people who give Israel a fit even to this very day. It is why we have the tension between Israel and Palestine and battles over the Gaza Strip. The thorn in the flesh has never gone away! All because God promised a blessing, gave it to His people, His people saw iron chariots and higher numbered armies and decided that a little Promised Land was better than no Promised Land. So they settled for about half.
Now in today's logic, half might make sense! After all, we want to be kind to our fellow man. Charity is a good thing! Why take all even if instructed to do so by God, when half seems to be comfortable? Half is good. Stir crap, it stinks, right?!? Let sleeping dogs sleep and go about your own business of enjoying some freedom! But God saw what was to come. He knew the hearts of those whom Israel didn't fully wipe out. This is why in Deuteronomy, He said to "show no mercy." He knew that in time, there would be no mercy shown for His people in return! God is not a God that is bound by common sense or reason. His ways and thoughts are higher than that. He sees all of time at a glance. That's not logical or even imaginable to the human mind! Click on this verse and read it, 1 Corinthians 1:27. See? Sometimes He just likes to use the most unusable person to accomplish the most difficult of tasks.
Our enemy, the devil, fooled the people of God into thinking that "some" was better than "all." Even though God had both promised all and commanded all. What about those questions you wrestle with all the time? You know what I'm talking about! It's the things that you know God is telling you to do; leading you to do, and so you do "enough." Christians today are all about "enough!" What is "enough" service as a volunteer in my church? What is "enough" time with my kids? What is "enough" money spent on my spouse for a birthday gift? What is "enough" to give as a tithe to my church? How much is "enough" forgiveness for that person that hurt me? How many good deeds is "enough" to outweigh the bad ones? Our church building is big "enough." I've done "enough." I've had "enough." Just "ENOUGH!!!"
When did "enough" become "enough" to God when it comes to blessing His people? When He talks about blessing us, He speaks in terms of windows being poured out so that we won't have room to receive it! He talks about cups running over! He mentions an eternal heavenly inheritance! He uses words like "whoever," and "whatever." There is a promise to the seeking, asking, and knocking. And not one time do you ever hear turn into a holy personification of the Seinfeld TV show character, The Soup Nazi, and scream at you, "No blessing for you!" There's not a "Full" on God's gauge! It doesn't even have an "ENOUGH" about halfway up!
What God does, Himself, is the only time we can ever say that enough has been done. His creation was enough. His plan was enough. His Son, Jesus, was/is enough. Heaven will be enough. But then, in all of this, He gave all He had. There was nothing more to give.
What is it that you have walked away from too soon because you saw something that scared you? You saw the iron chariots too and they looked quite daunting! You thought there was no way to complete the task because of the opposition. Or there were ALL THOSE PEOPLE who said you couldn't do it, or that you shouldn't do it, and you gave up because of some form of "reality check" that you got duped into believing. DON'T STOP!!! DON'T QUIT!!! The Promised Land is just that . . . PROMISED!!! If God said it's yours, then HOLD HIM TO HIS WORD and TAKE IT!!!
But Kevin, how do I KNOW that the promise is from God?!? Here's how I check it. If it fails any ONE of these, I know that I'm to walk away and that I'm being deceived by the enemy.
1. Does it go against any part of scripture in any way? If no, you're good here.
2. Does it bring glory to God? If yes, you're golden on this one.
3. Does it have the good of others at heart? If yes, keep going.
4. Does it fall into any area of my weaknesses to sin & temptation? If no, good.
5. Is any part of it born from selfish motivation? If no, go on.
6. Would it put God in a position to show off? If yes, yippee!!!
7. When I tell Jesus about it face to face, will it make Him smile? If yes, it's a keeper!!!
I leave you with this. Part of obedience is in realizing there are no parts to obedience! It's all or nothing. But so is the reward. The fullness of our blessing depends on the completeness of our obedience. Be blessed, my friends, as you claim His promise.
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. Most of you should choose the NAME/URL option and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Showing posts with label dream. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dream. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Friday, January 31, 2014
Time and Timing
I live in a town where, maybe more so than most places, "time is money." Though Nashville is known as Music City, USA, the music industry comes in at #2! The leading industry here being health care with over 300 health care companies located here. Some of the other leading industries are insurance, finance, publishing, and the automotive industry following Nissan's move of their headquarters from California to Nashville in 2006. If goals aren't met on time, deadlines met, if you can't play a song perfect in the first or maybe second pass, in this town, you need to find a new way of life, or take some time to refine your craft! And in many cases, deadlines are a matter of life and death! Time is a precious commodity in ANY market; any facet of life. Time is important with your family. Time certainly is important as well to earn an income with blocks being spent at work.
Just as important as time is timing. I see it in my own life constantly! I'm in the right place at the right time. Or you see someone involved in a tragedy and they're described as being "in the wrong place at the wrong time." The timing in which we act defines the success of our future as much as being on time with our goals, deadlines, and schedules.
An examination, or a reflection, of time and timing can give clarity to a series of events. Just watch crime dramas on TV, whether real or not, and in every case, one of the first goals in the case is to establish a timeline. Investigators want to know exactly what time the accident happened, what time the murder occurred, what time the person was last seen or heard from; all of which will help put certain people in certain places to help solve the case. Business leaders look back on the timing of product releases and schedules to better plan the coming year's timelines and to streamline productivity. When planning out vacations, one may choose to plan times to see certain attractions at their destinations, or schedules that allow them to make sure there is time to "get it all in."
Scripture gives us some valuable insight into time and timing that I just want you to see so that the coming days, weeks, and months might be better spent for you and those about whom you care most. There are a number of verses to which we could look, but for now, let's just look at Ephesians 5:15-17 (click on the scripture reference and the verse will open for you).
I once read a book by Pastor/Leader/Author, Andy Stanley, titled THE BEST QUESTION EVER. I highly recommend it! There is much more to the book than the revelation of the question, but he leads the reader to conclude that the best question ever (based on the above scripture passage in Ephesians) is, "In light of my past experiences, my present circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?" If we're wise about our past, present, and future, those three will line up with God's will for our lives. And it is His desire that we know His will! It says so in the above scripture! So wise decisions involve knowing God's will, having a vision for your future based on that will, and acting accordingly in a manner that you can accomplish that will!
Every day there should be something that we learn that we didn't already know. There should be a book, a YouTube video, a conversation, a blog (like this one! :-) ), a periodical, a class with which we engage on a regular basis that takes our knowledge just a little farther or deeper than it was before. The very moment we stop learning, our potential of our effectiveness in this world is over. The ways in which God can use us become immediately limited not for our lack of ability, but because of our lack of caring. We are never too old, too young, too rich, too poor, too dumb, or too smart to learn. There's never "enough."
We have taken "enough" and "content" and made them interchangeable. I don't believe God ever designed them to be. Yet we have said that we will be content when we have enough. We will know we have enough when we are content. God desires for us to be content with what He has given without being covetous for what He has not. But to say that He has an "enough" line on His blessing for our lives, or that our hearts have a line that reads "don't fill over this point" doesn't describe the Heavenly Father I've come to know who withholds nothing, not even the very life of His only Son, from those whom He loves and love Him in return.
And in Christian circles, we rightfully teach that God desires for us to experience contentment over happiness. Happiness is fleeting; it's here today and gone tomorrow. Contentment can be permanent and can result in happiness more than the continued pursuit of the latter. Temporal happiness can't result in sustained contentment, but sustained contentment can produce repeated periods of true happiness. It is possible to be content, yet not have enough.
We make time for what we want. Show me your calendar, I'll show you your personal priorities. Don't have time to read or take a class? Don't have time to get healthy and exercise? Don't have time to serve your church in some capacity or even go to church? Don't have time to play with your kids? In every case, SURE you do! You've got 24 hours in a day just like everyone else. You just 1) don't manage your time well, or 2) don't make time because it's not a priority to you and you just don't care. One or the other is true. Maybe both.
But even if you know the plan and you're doing the best to schedule it out, timing is JUST as important as making the time. Read 1 Samuel 8:4-22 (click on the scripture reference and the verse will open for you). Israel wanted a king in order to be like other nations. Until this point, they'd only had a "judge" of whom Samuel was one. Judges were the voice of God to His people, Israel, for a certain period time (crisis, trial, decisions, etc) and would then return to the way of life once the messages had been delivered or the season had passed. A king would be permanent and the lineage would be passed down to future generations. God planned on a king. That king was David, of whose lineage Jesus would one day be born. But the timing wasn't yet. And so Israel asked and received their king before the time God had ordained. His name was Saul. He was a coward, disobedient, and fulfilled every one of the warnings that we just read which Samuel had delivered. Timing is everything.
If the enemy can't disrupt the plans, he will try to disrupt the timing with which they are to be carried out. Normally, this is in the form of rushing rather than waiting too long. Israel rushed on receiving a king. Churches rush into building buildings too soon without proper resources. Companies rush to be the first to get certain products on the market and they fail due to not taking the time to properly test them. Right now in the news we see where child "stars" fall to addictions and other troubles due to not having the time to mature and develop properly on the front end prior to having that depth of responsibility.
Seven months ago, I was challenged to do a five year plan for my life. I had no clue where to start! It had been over 15 years since the last one! So I prayed and God began to reveal some things that He wanted to do in me over the next five years. To say I'm excited is an understatement!!! But if I had time to list what God had done (and there's NO WAY I could have done this one my own - not talking coincidence!) in these last seven months, it would BLOW YOUR MIND!!!
Try it. Pray FIRST! Start with next week. Then this month. Then break the next six months down with monthly goals for each one. Then one six month block for the final six of this year. After that, do six month blocks for next year, or maybe the next two years. Finally, use year long blocks to round out your five year plan. God gives us our dreams and He wants to see them realized in even bigger ways that we can imagine ourselves. His thoughts and ways are higher for us, remember?
A realistic view of where you are must precede a look into where you are going in your dream! This is the only way we can fulfill our verses from Ephesians and make wise choices about our lives. But once you have established that reality check (and I went so far as to list where I am on paper before writing down where I wanted to go), then I believe if God is in your dream (and your five year plan to start realizing it), this is what your DREAM should look like:
D - Destinations: Note that this is plural. Mile markers measure successes.
R - Resources: God doesn't do handouts. He gave you abilities to attain it.
E - Enterprise: God expects initiative and self motivation. MAKE TIME!
A - Aspirations: "Enough" doesn't exist. LEARN consistently!
M - Ministry: Serve others. God won't give to you what He can't get through you!
If you would like help with your five year plan, contact me using the form on this page (the form doesn't show on mobile devices). I will be glad to help any way I can. But I can't do it for you. Neither will I send you mine. I will, however, answer your specific questions and do my best to help guide you in the right direction on how to do the plan. What the details are of the plan is completely up to you and God!
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. Most of you should choose the NAME/URL option and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Just as important as time is timing. I see it in my own life constantly! I'm in the right place at the right time. Or you see someone involved in a tragedy and they're described as being "in the wrong place at the wrong time." The timing in which we act defines the success of our future as much as being on time with our goals, deadlines, and schedules.
An examination, or a reflection, of time and timing can give clarity to a series of events. Just watch crime dramas on TV, whether real or not, and in every case, one of the first goals in the case is to establish a timeline. Investigators want to know exactly what time the accident happened, what time the murder occurred, what time the person was last seen or heard from; all of which will help put certain people in certain places to help solve the case. Business leaders look back on the timing of product releases and schedules to better plan the coming year's timelines and to streamline productivity. When planning out vacations, one may choose to plan times to see certain attractions at their destinations, or schedules that allow them to make sure there is time to "get it all in."
Scripture gives us some valuable insight into time and timing that I just want you to see so that the coming days, weeks, and months might be better spent for you and those about whom you care most. There are a number of verses to which we could look, but for now, let's just look at Ephesians 5:15-17 (click on the scripture reference and the verse will open for you).
I once read a book by Pastor/Leader/Author, Andy Stanley, titled THE BEST QUESTION EVER. I highly recommend it! There is much more to the book than the revelation of the question, but he leads the reader to conclude that the best question ever (based on the above scripture passage in Ephesians) is, "In light of my past experiences, my present circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?" If we're wise about our past, present, and future, those three will line up with God's will for our lives. And it is His desire that we know His will! It says so in the above scripture! So wise decisions involve knowing God's will, having a vision for your future based on that will, and acting accordingly in a manner that you can accomplish that will!
Every day there should be something that we learn that we didn't already know. There should be a book, a YouTube video, a conversation, a blog (like this one! :-) ), a periodical, a class with which we engage on a regular basis that takes our knowledge just a little farther or deeper than it was before. The very moment we stop learning, our potential of our effectiveness in this world is over. The ways in which God can use us become immediately limited not for our lack of ability, but because of our lack of caring. We are never too old, too young, too rich, too poor, too dumb, or too smart to learn. There's never "enough."
We have taken "enough" and "content" and made them interchangeable. I don't believe God ever designed them to be. Yet we have said that we will be content when we have enough. We will know we have enough when we are content. God desires for us to be content with what He has given without being covetous for what He has not. But to say that He has an "enough" line on His blessing for our lives, or that our hearts have a line that reads "don't fill over this point" doesn't describe the Heavenly Father I've come to know who withholds nothing, not even the very life of His only Son, from those whom He loves and love Him in return.
And in Christian circles, we rightfully teach that God desires for us to experience contentment over happiness. Happiness is fleeting; it's here today and gone tomorrow. Contentment can be permanent and can result in happiness more than the continued pursuit of the latter. Temporal happiness can't result in sustained contentment, but sustained contentment can produce repeated periods of true happiness. It is possible to be content, yet not have enough.
We make time for what we want. Show me your calendar, I'll show you your personal priorities. Don't have time to read or take a class? Don't have time to get healthy and exercise? Don't have time to serve your church in some capacity or even go to church? Don't have time to play with your kids? In every case, SURE you do! You've got 24 hours in a day just like everyone else. You just 1) don't manage your time well, or 2) don't make time because it's not a priority to you and you just don't care. One or the other is true. Maybe both.
But even if you know the plan and you're doing the best to schedule it out, timing is JUST as important as making the time. Read 1 Samuel 8:4-22 (click on the scripture reference and the verse will open for you). Israel wanted a king in order to be like other nations. Until this point, they'd only had a "judge" of whom Samuel was one. Judges were the voice of God to His people, Israel, for a certain period time (crisis, trial, decisions, etc) and would then return to the way of life once the messages had been delivered or the season had passed. A king would be permanent and the lineage would be passed down to future generations. God planned on a king. That king was David, of whose lineage Jesus would one day be born. But the timing wasn't yet. And so Israel asked and received their king before the time God had ordained. His name was Saul. He was a coward, disobedient, and fulfilled every one of the warnings that we just read which Samuel had delivered. Timing is everything.
If the enemy can't disrupt the plans, he will try to disrupt the timing with which they are to be carried out. Normally, this is in the form of rushing rather than waiting too long. Israel rushed on receiving a king. Churches rush into building buildings too soon without proper resources. Companies rush to be the first to get certain products on the market and they fail due to not taking the time to properly test them. Right now in the news we see where child "stars" fall to addictions and other troubles due to not having the time to mature and develop properly on the front end prior to having that depth of responsibility.
Seven months ago, I was challenged to do a five year plan for my life. I had no clue where to start! It had been over 15 years since the last one! So I prayed and God began to reveal some things that He wanted to do in me over the next five years. To say I'm excited is an understatement!!! But if I had time to list what God had done (and there's NO WAY I could have done this one my own - not talking coincidence!) in these last seven months, it would BLOW YOUR MIND!!!
Try it. Pray FIRST! Start with next week. Then this month. Then break the next six months down with monthly goals for each one. Then one six month block for the final six of this year. After that, do six month blocks for next year, or maybe the next two years. Finally, use year long blocks to round out your five year plan. God gives us our dreams and He wants to see them realized in even bigger ways that we can imagine ourselves. His thoughts and ways are higher for us, remember?
A realistic view of where you are must precede a look into where you are going in your dream! This is the only way we can fulfill our verses from Ephesians and make wise choices about our lives. But once you have established that reality check (and I went so far as to list where I am on paper before writing down where I wanted to go), then I believe if God is in your dream (and your five year plan to start realizing it), this is what your DREAM should look like:
D - Destinations: Note that this is plural. Mile markers measure successes.
R - Resources: God doesn't do handouts. He gave you abilities to attain it.
E - Enterprise: God expects initiative and self motivation. MAKE TIME!
A - Aspirations: "Enough" doesn't exist. LEARN consistently!
M - Ministry: Serve others. God won't give to you what He can't get through you!
If you would like help with your five year plan, contact me using the form on this page (the form doesn't show on mobile devices). I will be glad to help any way I can. But I can't do it for you. Neither will I send you mine. I will, however, answer your specific questions and do my best to help guide you in the right direction on how to do the plan. What the details are of the plan is completely up to you and God!
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. Most of you should choose the NAME/URL option and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Thursday, January 23, 2014
...and that's the way I WANT IT!!!!
I remember in the late 90's when I was serving a church in Ohio. My Pastor there introduced me to the teachings of Dr. John C. Maxwell. Maxwell has written numerous best-selling books on the subject of leadership, with his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership being one of my favorites to this very day. Back then, Maxwell was Pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, CA, and did a monthly mentoring club via cassette/CD called The Injoy Life Club, appropriately named for his company, Injoy. This club sent leadership lessons to church leaders each month along with lesson notes for you to fill in the blanks.
In one of these lessons, John stated that he had not originally planned on being a pastor, but instead had a degree in counseling. His story goes that he was so excited to be able to help those in need of hope, that he went into his first few counseling sessions with great enthusiasm! But when they would report back to him the next week for the next session and he asked them how things were going, the response was mostly that things were going the same as they had been the week before! Didn't he give good advice? Of course, he did! Sound and Biblical advice. Was there follow-up? Yes. So you what was the issue?!? The same one that exists today. Those people didn't WANT to change! They either loved the drama, or wanted the magic pill that made everything better with one single dose!
You know the people I'm talking about! They're the people who always find themselves in the middle of some kind of situation. They're mad at someone or someone else is mad at them. They've been done wrong by a friend (usually former friend) or someone is causing a crisis type dilemma. One thing is for certain, it is almost NEVER their fault!!! Always quick to point out the faults in others while ignoring their own, they normally have some level of delusion of grandeur that has blinded them to the real truth of the circumstance. I was counted among these people! But thank God, I've been DELIVERED!!! :-) Seriously, about five minutes of conversation and the negativity starts to boil out, IF it takes that long! So you get the picture. Maybe you got a better picture when you looked in the mirror! Just sayin'.
So how do we overcome this?
1. Speak Biblical truth. This is where 99% of us will do EXACTLY...nothing. We will be the ones about whom Dr. Maxwell remembered. We may say that we're going to do it, but then it drops from the priority list quicker than last year's New Year Resolutions! But you have GOT to start speaking OUT LOUD the things you WANT to be, not the things you think you ARE! The Bible tells us who we are in Christ. You've heard me talk about how I say some Biblical truth each day that is taken straight from scripture. They are taped to my bathroom mirror at home so I see them every day to remind me. If you would like a copy, click here and you will be directed to my blog where I listed them. Print them off! Use them!
2. Speak practical truth. My pastor, Danny Chambers, recently spoke of a speaker he heard once who challenged the audience to put the phrase "and that's the way I WANT it!" right after everything they would say about themselves. It teaches you to pay attention to the way you speak!
"I'm sick...and that's the way I want it!"
"I had a bad day at work...and that's the way I want it!"
"I didn't get that contract at work...and that's the way I want it!"
If we start speaking the way God speaks about us and sings over us, we would start to see changes in our lives! I HAVE!!! Ask anyone that knows me and is close to me right now! There is POWER in words!!!!
3. Expect goodness. But when trouble comes, recognize it for what it is. Read by clicking here what scripture says in John 16:33. That's not an option. We should EXPECT goodness, but recognize trouble as just an attack to distract or discourage us. Your biggest breakthroughs are often preceded by your biggest breakdowns. Pastor Danny says, "The size of your challenge is usually an indication of the size of your future!"
4. Worship in your pain. David did. Click here. David had just had to pretend to be insane and Abimilech had sent him away. And he starts exalting the name of Christ. Worship does two things in our pain. First, it takes the focus OFF of our pain and puts it ON Christ. When we focus on other things, we can't focus on present trials. And second, it creates an attitude of hopeful expectation for God to step in and work. These are the ways He responds best!!! Write this down: "What you magnify will mess you up or lift you up!" Are you magnifying Christ, or do your words magnify your problem?
Most people win or lose their battles on the battlefield that's between their ears - their minds. What you entertain there will manifest into speech. What you speak manifests into your life and who you are. BE CAREFUL! BE WISE!!!
I could go on and on here with what God has taught me. But this is enough for now. I have a feeling you may need to start practicing putting "and I want it that way" after everything you say about yourself. Know that I'm praying for you as you get this and read it and hopefully start applying it.
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
1. Click on the words "No Comment" or " (#) Comment" (whichever is listed just to the right of the posting time directly below this paragraph)
2. Write your comment in the box provided.
3. You must also choose a selection from the COMMENT AS drop down list. If you have a Google+ ID, AIM, or other you wish to use, choose that. If not, simply choose NAME/URL and leave your name in the space provided. You do NOT need to leave a URL unless you wish.
4. Click the PUBLISH button. THAT'S IT!!!
THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
In one of these lessons, John stated that he had not originally planned on being a pastor, but instead had a degree in counseling. His story goes that he was so excited to be able to help those in need of hope, that he went into his first few counseling sessions with great enthusiasm! But when they would report back to him the next week for the next session and he asked them how things were going, the response was mostly that things were going the same as they had been the week before! Didn't he give good advice? Of course, he did! Sound and Biblical advice. Was there follow-up? Yes. So you what was the issue?!? The same one that exists today. Those people didn't WANT to change! They either loved the drama, or wanted the magic pill that made everything better with one single dose!
You know the people I'm talking about! They're the people who always find themselves in the middle of some kind of situation. They're mad at someone or someone else is mad at them. They've been done wrong by a friend (usually former friend) or someone is causing a crisis type dilemma. One thing is for certain, it is almost NEVER their fault!!! Always quick to point out the faults in others while ignoring their own, they normally have some level of delusion of grandeur that has blinded them to the real truth of the circumstance. I was counted among these people! But thank God, I've been DELIVERED!!! :-) Seriously, about five minutes of conversation and the negativity starts to boil out, IF it takes that long! So you get the picture. Maybe you got a better picture when you looked in the mirror! Just sayin'.
So how do we overcome this?
1. Speak Biblical truth. This is where 99% of us will do EXACTLY...nothing. We will be the ones about whom Dr. Maxwell remembered. We may say that we're going to do it, but then it drops from the priority list quicker than last year's New Year Resolutions! But you have GOT to start speaking OUT LOUD the things you WANT to be, not the things you think you ARE! The Bible tells us who we are in Christ. You've heard me talk about how I say some Biblical truth each day that is taken straight from scripture. They are taped to my bathroom mirror at home so I see them every day to remind me. If you would like a copy, click here and you will be directed to my blog where I listed them. Print them off! Use them!
2. Speak practical truth. My pastor, Danny Chambers, recently spoke of a speaker he heard once who challenged the audience to put the phrase "and that's the way I WANT it!" right after everything they would say about themselves. It teaches you to pay attention to the way you speak!
"I'm sick...and that's the way I want it!"
"I had a bad day at work...and that's the way I want it!"
"I didn't get that contract at work...and that's the way I want it!"
If we start speaking the way God speaks about us and sings over us, we would start to see changes in our lives! I HAVE!!! Ask anyone that knows me and is close to me right now! There is POWER in words!!!!
3. Expect goodness. But when trouble comes, recognize it for what it is. Read by clicking here what scripture says in John 16:33. That's not an option. We should EXPECT goodness, but recognize trouble as just an attack to distract or discourage us. Your biggest breakthroughs are often preceded by your biggest breakdowns. Pastor Danny says, "The size of your challenge is usually an indication of the size of your future!"
4. Worship in your pain. David did. Click here. David had just had to pretend to be insane and Abimilech had sent him away. And he starts exalting the name of Christ. Worship does two things in our pain. First, it takes the focus OFF of our pain and puts it ON Christ. When we focus on other things, we can't focus on present trials. And second, it creates an attitude of hopeful expectation for God to step in and work. These are the ways He responds best!!! Write this down: "What you magnify will mess you up or lift you up!" Are you magnifying Christ, or do your words magnify your problem?
Most people win or lose their battles on the battlefield that's between their ears - their minds. What you entertain there will manifest into speech. What you speak manifests into your life and who you are. BE CAREFUL! BE WISE!!!
I could go on and on here with what God has taught me. But this is enough for now. I have a feeling you may need to start practicing putting "and I want it that way" after everything you say about yourself. Know that I'm praying for you as you get this and read it and hopefully start applying it.
Don't forget to use the social media just below here to share to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts directly. I welcome your comments! PLEASE leave one!!! Here's how:
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THANK YOU for stopping by! Till next time...
Monday, November 18, 2013
Plans and A Purpose
Click on this scripture reference and read 1 Corinthians 2:9-12.
I've read these verses many times prior to a few nights ago. But God revealed something to me that might not seem big to you, but it did to me. I've joined with people all over the world, maybe you're even one of us, who have searched for God's purpose for your life. I think that even the fact that Pastor Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, sold so many copies, gives evidence to the fact that people the world over are concerned with their life's purpose. I was called to the ministry when I was 16 years old, but I've come to learn that sometimes your calling and your purpose are not always one and the same. Many times, maybe even MOST of the time, your purpose lies within your calling.
Since moving to Nashville, I have made some new friends. I'm thankful for all of them! Some of them may even prove to be the rare life long friends. But one of these friends, Jamie, challenged me back in July to do a 5 year plan for myself. Having walked away from local church ministry a little over two years ago for a number of reasons, and having been in a wilderness experience almost ever since that event, I was really at a loss for where to even start! I'd taught leadership on a state level to church leaders, led volunteer armies of 200-300 in my former role of Worship Pastor, but trying to come up with a vision for myself seemed to be a much more daunting task!
Jamie and I had met at 10:00a that morning, and he wanted it in his Inbox by 8:00p that night!!! I remember sitting down right after lunch with my laptop and just staring at a white screen wondering where in the world to start. There is NO DOUBT in my mind that God brought Michelle and I here to Nashville, TN! None whatsoever! The doors He kicked open for us to be here and the favor He has shown on us since arriving has been quite overwhelming, if I'm honest. But how many of you reading this, who have experience with a relationship with God, know that just because God's unmistakable hand leads you somewhere, doesn't always mean He shows you WHY He led you there upon arrival?
So I prayed. And as I prayed I started typing. And as I typed, God revealed some things about me that I, with His help, needed to change. He also renewed some dreams that He had given me long ago that I had let slide. He renewed some passions within me and gave me new ones in the process. I got a vision for what He could do in and through me and it EXCITED me! When I got done a couple of hours later, I was amazed at what I'd written. As a matter of fact, I thought it was a bit grandiose and even questioned God as to whether I'd written some of it out of greed or pride. The details of my plan and the ways that God confirmed it to be from Him are not important for now. Just know that there was a confirmation as to the details. What IS important is what I saw that led me to even type the first word. And that part of the story takes us back to scripture.
Click on this scripture reference and read Isaiah 55:8-9. Think back. You may even have to think back to your childhood. What were your dreams? I'm talking about the dreams you had when you were old enough to be passionate about something. They've been there all along, and no matter how old you are right now, they've never gone away. Resources, age, lack of experience, life circumstances may have gotten in the way and you laid your dreams and passions aside, but they've never gone completely out of your mind. Yeah. Those. Think on those for a minute.
Now click on this reference and read Jeremiah 29:11-13. Now when this reference is used, most people stop with verse 11. GREAT! We have a hope and a future! But there is more to it than that. If we are to KNOW that hope and future, we must pray and seek God! It is when we seek that we find. Remember the verse in Isaiah? God's ways and thoughts for us are higher than our own. You know those dreams you had? Well God put them there. And His purpose for them is even HIGHER than what you think could be done!!! Getting excited yet?!?
Now let's go back to the first passage of scripture you read at the beginning. Verse 9 talks about how no eye can see nor mind imagine the things that God has prepared for us. That is SO exciting and great to know! But how many are like me and you want to taste the dough even before the cookies are in the oven?!? I'm glad that there are things being prepared for me one day in heaven when I see Him face to face! But what about right now? Jesus came to establish His kingdom on this earth. Not that this earth is heaven, but that we might experience a portion of the eternal in the here and now!
Now look at verses 10-12. Do you see it? God has given us His Spirit which searches out and reveals to us God's "deep secrets." We have a window into the very mind of God!!! A window that He controls, mind you, but a window that reveals to us His higher ways and thoughts about us and His plan and purpose for our lives!!! I believe with all my heart that when I sat down to write my 5 year plan, that it was this window through which I saw what God has planned for me and will do in and through me if I remain faithful!!!
I challenge you to do a 5 year plan for your life TODAY! It's much like a prayer journal for your own life. In a prayer journal, we see and record God's answers to our prayers as they happen and it strengthens our faith. With a 5 year plan in place, you can see God working and bringing to fruition those things He gave you dreams and passions about. You can watch His encouragement in your life as He opens doors and you pass through them. It's a wonderful faith building tool! Plus you get to see through His Spirit those things which He has in store for you, His faithful child.
Please leave comments below! Ask questions! Tell your friends by clicking on the social media links and posting on your Facebook or Twitter or Google + accounts. It helps to know that these are being read and even helping YOU! I never know that unless you're doing these things and ESPECIALLY leaving comments!!! Thanks for sharing a few moments with me!
I've read these verses many times prior to a few nights ago. But God revealed something to me that might not seem big to you, but it did to me. I've joined with people all over the world, maybe you're even one of us, who have searched for God's purpose for your life. I think that even the fact that Pastor Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, sold so many copies, gives evidence to the fact that people the world over are concerned with their life's purpose. I was called to the ministry when I was 16 years old, but I've come to learn that sometimes your calling and your purpose are not always one and the same. Many times, maybe even MOST of the time, your purpose lies within your calling.
Since moving to Nashville, I have made some new friends. I'm thankful for all of them! Some of them may even prove to be the rare life long friends. But one of these friends, Jamie, challenged me back in July to do a 5 year plan for myself. Having walked away from local church ministry a little over two years ago for a number of reasons, and having been in a wilderness experience almost ever since that event, I was really at a loss for where to even start! I'd taught leadership on a state level to church leaders, led volunteer armies of 200-300 in my former role of Worship Pastor, but trying to come up with a vision for myself seemed to be a much more daunting task!
Jamie and I had met at 10:00a that morning, and he wanted it in his Inbox by 8:00p that night!!! I remember sitting down right after lunch with my laptop and just staring at a white screen wondering where in the world to start. There is NO DOUBT in my mind that God brought Michelle and I here to Nashville, TN! None whatsoever! The doors He kicked open for us to be here and the favor He has shown on us since arriving has been quite overwhelming, if I'm honest. But how many of you reading this, who have experience with a relationship with God, know that just because God's unmistakable hand leads you somewhere, doesn't always mean He shows you WHY He led you there upon arrival?
So I prayed. And as I prayed I started typing. And as I typed, God revealed some things about me that I, with His help, needed to change. He also renewed some dreams that He had given me long ago that I had let slide. He renewed some passions within me and gave me new ones in the process. I got a vision for what He could do in and through me and it EXCITED me! When I got done a couple of hours later, I was amazed at what I'd written. As a matter of fact, I thought it was a bit grandiose and even questioned God as to whether I'd written some of it out of greed or pride. The details of my plan and the ways that God confirmed it to be from Him are not important for now. Just know that there was a confirmation as to the details. What IS important is what I saw that led me to even type the first word. And that part of the story takes us back to scripture.
Click on this scripture reference and read Isaiah 55:8-9. Think back. You may even have to think back to your childhood. What were your dreams? I'm talking about the dreams you had when you were old enough to be passionate about something. They've been there all along, and no matter how old you are right now, they've never gone away. Resources, age, lack of experience, life circumstances may have gotten in the way and you laid your dreams and passions aside, but they've never gone completely out of your mind. Yeah. Those. Think on those for a minute.
Now click on this reference and read Jeremiah 29:11-13. Now when this reference is used, most people stop with verse 11. GREAT! We have a hope and a future! But there is more to it than that. If we are to KNOW that hope and future, we must pray and seek God! It is when we seek that we find. Remember the verse in Isaiah? God's ways and thoughts for us are higher than our own. You know those dreams you had? Well God put them there. And His purpose for them is even HIGHER than what you think could be done!!! Getting excited yet?!?
Now let's go back to the first passage of scripture you read at the beginning. Verse 9 talks about how no eye can see nor mind imagine the things that God has prepared for us. That is SO exciting and great to know! But how many are like me and you want to taste the dough even before the cookies are in the oven?!? I'm glad that there are things being prepared for me one day in heaven when I see Him face to face! But what about right now? Jesus came to establish His kingdom on this earth. Not that this earth is heaven, but that we might experience a portion of the eternal in the here and now!
Now look at verses 10-12. Do you see it? God has given us His Spirit which searches out and reveals to us God's "deep secrets." We have a window into the very mind of God!!! A window that He controls, mind you, but a window that reveals to us His higher ways and thoughts about us and His plan and purpose for our lives!!! I believe with all my heart that when I sat down to write my 5 year plan, that it was this window through which I saw what God has planned for me and will do in and through me if I remain faithful!!!
I challenge you to do a 5 year plan for your life TODAY! It's much like a prayer journal for your own life. In a prayer journal, we see and record God's answers to our prayers as they happen and it strengthens our faith. With a 5 year plan in place, you can see God working and bringing to fruition those things He gave you dreams and passions about. You can watch His encouragement in your life as He opens doors and you pass through them. It's a wonderful faith building tool! Plus you get to see through His Spirit those things which He has in store for you, His faithful child.
Please leave comments below! Ask questions! Tell your friends by clicking on the social media links and posting on your Facebook or Twitter or Google + accounts. It helps to know that these are being read and even helping YOU! I never know that unless you're doing these things and ESPECIALLY leaving comments!!! Thanks for sharing a few moments with me!
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