Are you God's servant, or is He yours? (9/26/13)

Are you God's servant, or is He yours?

Thinking on the things of earth and focusing on material goals is being earthly minded. However, Kingdom thinking seeks God's will and purpose, aside from the cost to self!

There can be a subtle difference between seeing God as a means of obtaining our will and pleasures and seeing ourselves as a means of accomplishing God's Kingdom will. The latter is filled with eternal rewards and elevates God to His rightful place in our lives.

Today I ask you, are you God's servant or is He yours? Does your view of God lean toward the temporal side or are you thinking on the eternal side and wanting to fulfill the purposes of God?

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-3).

Stop protecting the enemy's work in your life! (9/22/13)

Stop protecting the enemy's work in your life!

Our thought patterns are greatly influenced by the way we are raised, our personal experiences and our culture. A little boy raised in a home with a stifling, overbearing mother may in turn have struggles trusting women. Likewise, a woman who lives with an abusive husband may fear men and shun the love of God.

These experiences, and the resulting thought patterns, are open doors for the devil to wreak havoc and chaos in our lives. He blinds us from seeing the way God would lead and drags us through dangerous and destructive doors by establishing strongholds in our thinking through unfortunate experiences and cultural norms.

Prejudices, hatred, unforgiveness...these are the result of strongholds. These are often means of self defense-but the defense is really protecting the stronghold and not the person-it's a protection of satan's territory in our lives. God is able to re-program and cleanse our thought processes by means of the washing of the water of the word (Eph 5:26). Even if we do not realize we have a stronghold, God will remove it if we are faithful to abide in Him and His word abides in us (John 15).

If we continually see relationships end in bitterness, get easily angered, feel as though we have to exhaust ourselves in an effort to win friendships.....these may be signs that there is something askew in our thinking process. These are just a few examples, but God can illuminate the root and resulting effect of a stronghold.

Bring your heart and mind as an open book before the Lord. Let the Lord examine you and release you from chains of the stronghold that has been established.

2Co 10:4-5a "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."

Time: a seed in your hands! (9/21/13)

Time: a seed in your hands!

"There is a time to every purpose under heaven" (Ecc 3:1). Seasons change and time marches on, however, time does not simply march on until, "PRESTO", an event occurs. Events and fulfillment of seasons generally take effort. As an example, weddings have a specific date on which they occur, but the preparation leading up to that event requires planning and finances to support it (in a typical American wedding).

If we spend our lives waiting for events or fulfillment of promises, we miss the purpose of waiting. Yes, there are periods where we need to be still, but there are also periods where we need to plow and work and grow before we reap the fulfillment of the promise in its season. These are times where God is preparing us to handle the promise once it manifests.

Additionally, looking only to an end result is like missing the joy of the journey and this can cause us to take the wrong road to get to a result. God is interested in perfecting and purifying us in the journey, but keeping our eyes focused only on the end result can leave a trail of destruction as we step over, or on top of, everything in our way to get to that end result. 

God's purposes in bringing His promise include learning to be patient and do things His way, especially as it relates to the lives of other people who we meet on the road to fulfillment.

Time is a seed which we plant. That seed dies to itself and is given over to God so that each day and week and month are allowed the proper actions and heart attitude to bring about God's fulfilled promise in His way. There is a season to work, a season to wait, a season to reap, a season to give....but cooperation with God is a necessity for the proper fulfillment of each season.

Gal 6:9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

 

Circumstances: Vehicles for the Gospel (9/19/13)

Circumstances: Vehicles for the Gospel

There are times when a situation comes up that we have no control over. We're minding our own business, serving God and BAM!, we find ourselves in a prison of circumstances.

Paul knew how to get through this type of circumstance: he kept his eyes focused on God. He actually used these circumstances to advance the Kingdom of God by preaching the Gospel when he was in a tight spot. He had an 'eye' for those in need of salvation, healing, deliverance and love!

People thought they were putting chains on him to keep him imprisoned, but he was already chained to Christ as His eternal prisoner. There was no shipwreck or imprisonment or beating that could come to him without opening a door for the furtherance of the Gospel and the glory of God. Paul understood that the true prisoners were those who didn't know Christ so he allowed every circumstance to become an opportunity. Prison guards got saved, remote islands became mission fields and his beatings furthered the Truth of the Word as he miraculously rose from the pile of stones through God's healing power!

Paul's circumstances were simply vehicles which took him from one person who needed Christ to the next. They became his 'ride' to the next assignment. He is the ultimate example of serving God in turmoil yet in prayer and fastings and joy-keeping His eye on the prize!

God will further His purpose and His power and love cannot be contained! He came to Paul in Paul's most dire circumstances and delivered much of what we now call the New Testament. Allow your circumstances to be the vehicle for God's purposes to be accomplished!

Php 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

 

"Thank you for noticing. Really, I'm humbled." (9/17/13)

Here is a telling statement from the Word: Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already (Matt 6:2).

This concept, of showmanship stealing a reward, is repeated in Matt 6:5 and 6:16 concerning fasting and praying. What this speaks to is the motive of one's heart-are we doing the works of God for an 'atta boy' from man or in obedience to God for His glory? Those who 'performed' in this manner often carried horns with them which were blown at the accomplishment of their good deeds to draw accolades. Perhaps this is the source of the phrase "toot your own horn."

And what is this reward? That is the Lord's choice, but He has given many examples of possible rewards: a good measure will be poured into your bosom (Luke 6:38); you'll be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:14); you shall receive an inheritance in the Lord.

Ultimately, the child of God seeks to please God and advance His Kingdom in love and generosity. We are given and in return are able to give and provide for others as a testimony of our God's great love and provision.

A perfectly placed stone! (9/16/13)

A perfectly placed stone!

We all live on the same time continuum-the line of time on which God has laid out the history of the World with its seasons and events. Knowing what was ordained beforehand and what would come to pass before time on earth began, He put you in just the right spot at just the right time. (Acts 17:26)

You have an assignment here and a connection to other members of the Body of Christ. You may be a support person for another or you may be a Paul in the Kingdom, but you are one of the living stones that strengthens the wall and enables the entire Body to function properly.

With this in mind we must move past jealousy and competitiveness. The Body cannot be climbing over itself to accomplish the purposes of God. Each of us will be fulfilled to the greatest degree of contentment when we are aligned with purpose of God and work to build up the rest of the Body.

Jealousy involves guarding what God has given, it walks in envy and rivalry and finds ways to draw attention to itself. Since God has put His anointing inside of each person, jealousy of anothers gift is equal to being jealous of God. How ridiculous does that sound?!?!

Advance the Kingdom of God both by developing God in you and encouraging and helping others move forward in their assignment. Be the living stone He made YOU to be-with Him as the Chief Cornerstone.

Some questions about words! (9/14/13)

"Keeping" you in prayer?

We are a society with many freedoms, one of which is speech. We talk with varied people throughout the day and can reach a multitude of other cultures simply by phone or internet.

As I've pondered this recently there have been a few thoughts that have stuck with me as conviction concerning my words:
1. Agreeing to 'keep you in prayer' is a serious commitment. To keep means to protect, preserve, watch over and guard. This phrase is not a cliche`
2. If angels hearken to the voice which speaks the word of God (Ps 103:21) what happens when words are spoken which are inspired by the devil?
3. Since Jesus was perfect and He spoke only what the Father told him to speak (Jn 12:50), how much does listening have to do with righteous speech?

Col 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Zeal or Fanaticism? (9/13/13)

God gives us purpose in life and the zeal and grace to fulfill it. Sometimes we see that zeal being used for a misguided purpose-in both the saved and unsaved.

Paul said in Gal 1:13 You have heard of my earlier career and former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism), how I persecuted and abused the church of God furiously and extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it and destroy it.

Paul's zeal led him to fanatically destroy the Church of Jesus Christ, persecuting His followers, all the while genuinely believing he was doing God's work.

Misapplied zeal turns into fanaticism, has hyper-focus, pinpoints people for destruction and justifies the means, is unreasonable, has no desire for reconciliation and exalts self.

The zeal of the Lord is Spirit led-displaying the fruits of the spirit in love and grace yet with passion and endurance given by the Lord for His glory. Consider Paul's 'before' and 'after' zeal: immediately after his encounter with Jesus he began preaching the 'Good News' in the zeal of God!

Discern for yourself (and in yourself) between the zeal of the Lord and the zeal of the flesh through the enemy - is the "Good News" being spoken in all sincerity and grace?

Attention! Calling all Adversaries. (9/12/13)

Paul said he had an 'open door of opportunity' to minister in Ephesus, but immediately following that statement he said 'and there are many adversaries.' An open door is not a guarantee of 'happily ever after' in your life and work for the Lord!

When Nehemiah was ordained by God to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem there were adversaries all around. The builders carried a sword in one hand and worked on the wall with the other. Those who were not working on rebuilding served as armed guards. Nehemiah gave them the tools to both do the Lord's work and fight their enemies as they worked: "I said to the ...people, do not be afraid of the enemy; remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes." Neh 4:14

In this life we will have trouble-that includes adversaries prompted by the enemy of our souls and things within ourselves that keep the road from being smooth, even if the door of opportunity is wide open. Moving forward in God's plans will draw the adversaries attention.

Take courage! Fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, your homes! HE is greater in us than the enemy is in this world!

 

Missing peace. (9/10/13)

Missing peace!

2Co 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.

I find this to be an interesting scripture in light of Jesus words in John 14:27 :"my peace I leave you, my peace I give you." Can't we simply call for peace and have it come to us?

What Paul is saying, however, is somewhat progressive. First he tell us to be fully restored-to be complete and perfected in the knowledge and life of Christ. Following this he calls for encouragement (building up and strengthening the Body) and unity in Christ. This unity cannot come about without being in agreement in doctrine and having great love, patience and grace toward the other members of the Body.

Paul then gives the command to live in peace! How many of us look for peace and feel it has drifted away and we cannot find it? Here we are commanded to actively live peaceably: make the choice to put aside those things which create havoc and bring stress in relationships and life in general. This is the peace Jesus left us!

After all this Paul says that the "God of love and peace will be with you (accompany and participate)." If you want to draw the presence of God, cultivate and pursue peace! Peace is the fruit of righteousness-it comes as a result of actively living the righteous life of God as Paul directed: restoration, encouragement and unity.

All for His glory-the fruit of righteousness is peace!

The battle rages! Is it Us against Them? (9/9/13)

The battle rages! Is it Us and Them?

Are you on our side or theirs? This was Joshua's question to the 'man with a sword' who stood before him shortly before the battle of Jericho (Josh 5:13-14). And the angel of the Lord replied to him "NEITHER, I have come as the commander of the army of the Lord."

Though the Lord had guided the Israelites through the wilderness and was now taking them into the promised land, this was a reminder that the Lord was not following them, but they were following Him and His plan.

We know that God is 'for' us, however, in the bigger scheme of life, God's plan is what's being carried out and we are participants in it. Here is where we need to take care in the Lord not to choose people and sides of battles over seeking and serving God. Humans have a tendency to see disputes and battles as 'us and them' where God looks at the eternal perspective.

In the everyday life of the Christian we are not battling against flesh and blood-the battle is against principalities and powers behind flesh and blood which come against the Spirit of God in us (Eph 6). The way God directs us into battle is to arm ourselves entirely with His word, will and way-be completely aligned with Him!

Set your mind on eternal perspectives: be FOR God and focus on His eternal purposes rather than AGAINST flesh and blood. He will then have an open door to guide you into all righteousness and give you His victory-that is the only true victory!

Pride, motives and relationships!

The Bible is the ultimate guide to relationships! As much as God desires for us to have undisturbed, faithful and pure relationship with Him, He also desires that we have the same with one another.
So what happens when difficulties trouble our relationships and strife puts a wedge between us?

This post has little space for a long discussion, but I believe there is one major key to the beginning of restoration in these situations: examining one's self before the Lord through the Holy Spirit!

Allow the Lord to show where strongholds in thinking processes have taken place in you. Let Him guide your own heart into all Truth, revealing pride and motives within you. Where these sins exist they separate us from God-these must be removed before clear understanding can come.

Pride-proof your heart in the Lord, then He can freely direct the healing of your relationships as much as it depends on you.

Psa 26:2 Examine (test and investigate) me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind.

Forceful people take hold of it! (9/3/13)

Choosing God is rejecting the way of the flesh and it's often a severe battle. Reading the Old Testament shows us that man is unable to control himself to righteous living...Jesus is the one person on earth that did it! We need the help of the Spirit-every day all day long-to live for the Lord from the inside out.

Paul said he reached forth (stretched himself) and pressed toward (fleeing the past and passionately pursuing) Godliness (Php 3:13-14)! What's needed is a violent rejection of the ways of the enemy of our souls and a forceful breakthrough into the ways of God-coming from the Spirit within us.

Determine to leave no Spirit-directed weapon unused in your arsenal: prayer, fasting, worship, giving, fellowship, self-sacrifice...in forcefully pursuing and following God.

Mat 11:12 Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been advancing with force. And forceful people are taking hold of it.

What's your domain? (9/2/13)

Kids who throw temper tantrums in Walmart seem to be crying out for a parent's guidance and even if I'm not the parent it's hard to resist putting things in order. For the most part, all I can do is walk away because those children are not under my authority.

Paul was told to walk away when he wanted to preach the word in Asia (Acts 16:6) and women are told to be subject only to their OWN husbands (Eph 5:22). A common thread in these scriptures is boundaries: staying within our God given sphere of authority (or influence).

Paul speaks of this in 2 Cor 10: in the Lord he was given a sphere of influence or domain, and he was not to step out of that domain because that is where his God given authority was to be used. Inside the domain God's given you are your assignments and God's provision, fellowship and reward. Know your domain-this will also protect you from conflicts and exhausting yourself on behalf of someone elses assignment.

God or Culture? (8/31/13)

The body in which we live is the physical tool on earth for the work of the Lord and His glory. Take care of it, but see it as it is: the bus that takes us through this life for the purposes of God.

This is the same for wealth and fame and abilities-they are tools to use on this earth for the glory of God. Take care to keep this focus because our culture has this completely upside down-seeing these things as the measure of a man and giving glory to each man accordingly.

Php 3:3 For we [Christians]... worship God in spirit and by the Spirit of God and exult and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ, and put no confidence or dependence [on what we are] in the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances.

"Wait" is a naughty word! (8/29/13)

It must have taken between 2 and 4 hours for Abraham's servant to kill and roast the calf as the meal for his heavenly visitors-all the while they sat and waited, rested and visited (Gen. 18). Today, if McDonald's, Hardees or Taco Bell aren't speedy enough we get frustrated. Waiting seems to eat at our society, it's a naughty word!

What eats the time God's given you? As I look back I can see where I didn't take time to wait on the Lord, and I paid the consequences of doing things in my own time. Just as reading something too quickly can bring errors in understanding so can trying to get a quick fix of God. Anytime you take short cuts in relationships the relationship suffers; ask your kids!

Isa 40:31 But those who wait (bind to, tarry, look patiently) on the LORD shall renew their strength (vigor, capacity to produce); they shall mount up with wings like eagles (rising above, enabled to see from the heavenly perspective), they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Part of following God is waiting.....when we shorten the time of waiting we move over into trying to lead Him.

The Death of Faith (8/27/13)

The death of faith!

There's something I've noticed over the years-stretching the Truth of the Bible kills faith.

God's word never returns to Him without accomplishing the thing for which He sent it (Is 55:11), but that which is NOT his word will not return His promise! The effect of wrong doctrine is that we don't see His word come to pass-we see nothing! This sometimes prompts people to dangerous territory: trying to make the wrong doctrine "work" by pushing it along in the flesh!

The long term effect of operating in wrong doctrine can be the death of faith-losing confidence and trust that God is what He says He is and does what He says He does. This in turn leads to nominal Christianity or simply returning to the way of the world.

One remedy for this problem is to be as the noble Bereans: search the Word for Truth (Acts 17:11). Let the Word reveal the Word before allowing outside influences to reveal it for you. Books, blogs, etc., are great for extra learning and encouragement-but you are responsible for discerning the Truth of the Word and the Holy Spirit is God's means of doing so. Let the water of the Word wash you and bring revelation-spend time with the Living Word-Jesus Christ!

2Ti 3:15 "...And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus..."

All for His glory!

Prayers that avail beyond 'much' (8/26/13)

Inside of the prayers you pray for your nation and your state and your community are prayers for your children and yourself!

I like to call these 'compound prayers', kind of like compound interest.... it's GOD'S MATH. The investment you make has a greater affect on more than what you are praying for!

With compound prayers, you pray for your nation and community - your family/friends live in that community. You are seeking God's will and God's way for that community. In turn, your children and friends and family members living in that community are affected by your prayers, moving them into the their part in God's work in that community. In essence, you are also praying for your grandchildren and future family members!

Abraham is a perfect example of this. Not only did Abraham seek and do God's will, but doing so brought a blessing on his descendants. Heb 7:9-10 "Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his [fore]father [Abraham] when Melchizedek met him."
WOW-what does that mean? The meaning in part is that your children and grandchildren are reaping the benefit of your Godliness....this example is through Abraham's tithe, but the spiritual principal applies to spiritual actions! Prayers, giving, forgiving....the list goes on....the benefits of these things to the next generation are immeasurable!

As you pray, as you give, as you live the life of Christ, you become the seed for the next generation. What will you plant today-and expect to see the results tomorrow?

All for the glory of God!

No Enemies in the Body (8/23/13)

How do you view the church down the street?  Or the one who's leaders made a big mistake and they're striving to get back on track?  How do you view the church who views yours with enmity?  What about the one who's members believe in speaking in tongues and you don't?  Does one church have the perfect doctrine?  What about the one you left a few years ago-surely God must be done with them?

Today I'm thinking about the Body of Christ. It's not just a group of people that meet together each week, that's a subset of it....it's much bigger than that. It's a worldwide Body. The Body you belong to is in New York and Singapore and Zimbabwe and wherever 2 or more are gathered. Don't lose touch with His universal work!  

The Body of Christ, in different locations, are not enemies-but members of one another-we are not severed from one another. Rejoice in what God is doing through one another-recognize God's work-affirm the good!

Love the family, be the Body, reach out, stay connected,focus on Him!

 

 

 

 

Bring back the teacher, make my heart teachable! (8/15/13)

Bring back the teacher and make my heart teachable!

While praying together and gathering to hear a message preached are both God ordained activities in the Church, what is also needed is teaching and learning in a setting where people can converse and discuss.

Today many churches have mixed groups of people: older Christians, those new in Christ, some who have come out of cultish atmospheres and those with various other backgrounds. The importance of sitting together in an examination of scriptures cannot be underestimated. Here are a couple of reasons why:

1. Opening the Word together brings common understanding and clarification of what the Word says-it clears up doctrinal differences
2. Opening the Word together breaks apart quarrels and false expectations before they begin-knowing how God wants the Body to operate in unity is the basic building block for being in a church
3. Opening the Word together brings life into the body-God's Word is life
4. Opening the Word together brings the basic plans of living into the life of new and old Christians. Once we are taught what the Word says about finances, marriage, friendship, love and a multitude of other subjects, we are better able to carry out His way of living. Having older and younger Christians in the mix brings the Word to life as true to life examples are given during these times.

Eph 4:11-23 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God...speaking the Truth in love, [so that we] may grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ...and be renewed in the spirit of your mind...

Do not forsake gathering, but make teaching and learning a part of that gathering.

Some scripture references on teachers and the work of the Word in our lives: Matt 22:16, Acts 20:32, Eph 4:11-17, Matt 7:27-29.

To God be the Glory!

An Unpopular Post! (8/14/13)

This is not going to be a popular post!  As a person who's born again, serving God and has worked with other people's finances for 25 years, here are some observations I've made and pondered on for quite a while now. 

If a family of 4 eats out 1x/week, at a very reasonable cost of $12/person, the tab would come to about $55 with tip. At 4x/month this comes to $220.00 That's enough to make a car payment, save for retirement or pay your mortgage off early.

While it's wonderful to enjoy a good life, we might want to question ourselves as to whether we are our own worst enemy in this area. Are we using our $$ in this way, then borrowing money or financing with a credit card for a car or other necessities of life?

Sometimes eating at the world's table is at the price of owning our own table...we may be sacrificing the Lord's blessing to fill our bellies with the world's food.

In essence, this post is not necessarily about the cost of eating out, but what we might be swallowing by the lifestyles we've bought into. I'm not suggesting we live as hermits and block out the world, but that we not be absorbed by the world's system and teeter on the brink of misappropriating the blessings of God by pouring our selves and our finances into the open throat of the plan of the the enemy of our souls, who is waiting to steal, kill and destroy.

Evaluate what God has called you to do, what He's given you and how He calls you to steward those blessings. No longer can we sit and wish we had this or could go there-it's time to discipline ourselves and put the flesh under....there is kingdom work to be done and people are in need of help. You may be the one that's called to help-will you be able to do so when He says "now?"

All for His glory!

 

 

Prayers of Anguish... (8/13/13)

The Lord hears your silent prayers-when you cry out to him with a heart of anguish!

In 1 Samuel 1:11-15 Hannah cries out to the Lord from her heart...not her mouth. She is in anguish of soul and the Lord hears her prayer. "Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard (1 Samuel 1:13)." 

Be encouraged today that the Lord is moving on your behalf to bring about His perfect will in your life! Pour out your heart to Him, then rejoice and live a life of honoring Him as you wait for His response to manifest.

1Sa 1:20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the LORD." Hannah dedicated her son, Samuel, to the Lord and the Lord used him as a prophet to his people.

God will put His desires in your heart and then bring them to pass-in His perfect timing. 

Submit both your heart and your requests to Him. Wait on the Lord-He has perfect timing.

To Him be all glory!

"Against You, and You only, have I sinned" (8/10/13)

"Against You and You only have I sinned."

The ultimate sin is denial of God, so it follows that sin in our lives, even as Christians, is forsaking God, however momentary it may be.

David came to this understanding after he abused his position as King by shirking his responsibility as commander of his army, committing adultery with Bathsheba, and forcing the head of his army (Joab) to position Bathsheba's husband for death in battle (2 Samuel 11).
David's prayer of repentance included the words "against You and You only have I sinned" (Psalm 51:4). What a strange thing to say after the serious indiscretions he committed and hurts he brought on others! But when David came to repentance he had the revelation that his actions would have followed his heart if his heart had been seeking God above all else. That was his ultimate sin-he distanced God and blocked out His voice-if he hadn't turned away from the face and voice of God, these sins would not have occurred. If the heart is right with God, right motives and actions will follow.

True love for God is the impetus for loving others. Let me be found with a heart after you!

To God be all the glory!

Tossing Your Pearls... (8/2/13)

Having relationship with someone means you can talk to that person and approach difficult subjects, if need be. Keep the relationship in order by going directly to that person, not to the person on his/her right or left, to deal with situations as they come up. Keep the door open for loving conversation, encouragement and instruction in all patience. Communicate directly to that person-others don't need to hear your concerns with that person.

There may be times when we need advice, the Lord knows we need His counselors. Trusted followers of God will keep confidence and love all parties involved. Be cautious who you give your pearls to....those people you are dealing with are pearls but so are the words you speak in order to bring resolution...don't toss them to careless people.

Luk 10:27 He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

"Poor Wimp or Man of Valor?" (8/1/13)

Ever have a day when you wake up feeling somewhat useless-like a lump on a log? I had one of those days yesterday. Years ago I may have let it get me down, believing it to be true and allowing the enemy of bring me to a state of misery. Today, however, I recognize it as an attack of the enemy against my mind. Even further, now I can see that an attack like this is usually followed by a breakthrough or an opportunity to bring the love of God to someone in need.

Difficulties come and go...some are worse than others....but we must keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. These difficulties look impossible to us, but the Lord allows them as opportunities to seek Him and claim the victory that's already been payed for. He has not said 'you will one day be conqueror's' but 'you ARE more than conquerors' and that is RIGHT NOW!

Gideon was in the process of hiding his food from the Midianites when the Lord called him a "mighty man of valor [wealth, virtue and strength]." Gideon was so convinced of the opposite that he argued with God, saying "I'm poor and I'm a wimp!" But God is not interested in what the enemy is telling us is impossible, He is interested in bringing us to the destiny in Him which will give Him glory and fulfill our purpose for His Kingdom.

Today, pick yourself up by the seat of the pants and look upwards to your victory....there's work to be done for the kingdom and He's given you the skills to do it!!!

Eph 2:10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].