"Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him." (Psalm 4:3 NIV)
Believers--who
are faithful to God--have been set apart to do His bidding in all
manner of settings. Most think that it is the "church" who has been set
apart and if we understand that the Body of Believers is "the
church" then that would be true. However, many people confuse the Body
of Believers with the "physical building" which can do nothing apart
from those who work within.
But
let's beyond that. Every individual Believer has indeed been set apart
by God to do a specific work and the work is different for everyone.
Some have been set apart to be prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors
or teachers. Some have been set apart to be worshippers. Some are set
apart to be praisers. Some are set apart to show compassion and
consideration to all. Some are set apart to serve--in whatever capacity
there is a need. And some--have been set apart--to learn and live before
others--their faith, without doubting.
We've
all been set apart to do something that promotes the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. No position within the building is more important than another
and the sooner, church leaders understand this, the sooner we'll see growth in attendance--when people know--all are important and respected.
We
are not set apart to lord who we are over others. We are set apart to
be the key used to bring them into the kingdom of God, not our own
personal kingdoms where we reign and not God.
What
have you been set apart to do? The calling on my life to pastor and
teach His Word is ever-present, no matter where I go. I preach and teach
online, as well as pray and counsel, and live my faith daily. No, I'm
not perfect, but I'm open to hearing Holy Spirit when He speaks.
I acknowledge my faults (impatience, primarily) and strive to do
better. As long as He is working on me to get things right, I know I am
loved and valued by Him.
I
am set apart--to bring others into the knowledge of the Most High God,
His great love for us, demonstrated by the work on the cross, and the
hope we have in Him for all eternity.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Strong To The End!
"He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be
free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns." (I
Corinthians 1:8 NLT)
We have heard many times that it is not how we start in life, but how we finish. That may be the stimulus needed for many who race in marathons or triathlons or whatever it is people do in which they need a strong finish. God's promise to us is that He will keep us strong to the end--we will finish this race--without blame--and be ready when He returns to collect us! What a wonderful thought!
Now, in order to "keep" us strong, we have to get to a place where we are strong and are willing to "exercise" our faith to stay there. This is really how He'll keep us strong. We must exercise our faith, on a daily basis, and know without a doubt that He will do whatever He said He'd do. God is not a man that He should lie and all of His promises are "yes" and "amen" to those who love Him.
How do we exercise our faith daily? Thanking Him daily for all we have or need is a good way to start. Once we develop this habit, we'll discover that thanking Him comes as easily as breathing and we see how He responds to our acknowledging Him, He'll do even more.
Obeying His command to love--no matter how difficult a person is--is an exercise of faith. We love Him and love others simply because it is required of us. The more we love, the easier it becomes to love, unconditionally. Think of this way--we are not always lovable, but He never stops loving us; therefore we must learn to do the same for others. The more we love, the easier it becomes to love.
So, let's start where ever we are--at the beginning of faith or in the middle and stay strong until the end!
We have heard many times that it is not how we start in life, but how we finish. That may be the stimulus needed for many who race in marathons or triathlons or whatever it is people do in which they need a strong finish. God's promise to us is that He will keep us strong to the end--we will finish this race--without blame--and be ready when He returns to collect us! What a wonderful thought!
Now, in order to "keep" us strong, we have to get to a place where we are strong and are willing to "exercise" our faith to stay there. This is really how He'll keep us strong. We must exercise our faith, on a daily basis, and know without a doubt that He will do whatever He said He'd do. God is not a man that He should lie and all of His promises are "yes" and "amen" to those who love Him.
How do we exercise our faith daily? Thanking Him daily for all we have or need is a good way to start. Once we develop this habit, we'll discover that thanking Him comes as easily as breathing and we see how He responds to our acknowledging Him, He'll do even more.
Obeying His command to love--no matter how difficult a person is--is an exercise of faith. We love Him and love others simply because it is required of us. The more we love, the easier it becomes to love, unconditionally. Think of this way--we are not always lovable, but He never stops loving us; therefore we must learn to do the same for others. The more we love, the easier it becomes to love.
So, let's start where ever we are--at the beginning of faith or in the middle and stay strong until the end!
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
The Spirit God Gives!
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
If we are wandering this land, full of fear--unable to speak up or speak out against injustice and indignities, and sin--we are not operating with the spirit given to us by God, but influenced by the spirit of the enemy.
The spirit God has given endows us with power--from within--the courage to stand firm upon the convictions of our beliefs and we are able to speak up and speak out when we see injustice, inhumane treatment of people and sin.
The spirit God has given fills us with love overflowing--so we are able to love all people--regardless of skin color, ethnicity, religious beliefs, or political stances--unconditionally.
The spirit God gives us enables us to develop and function with a self-disciplined life--one that is aware of limitations and the needs of self and others and accommodates with wisdom.
Why does God give us a spirit that enables us to do (not to make excuses in not doing)? Because we are His children and we are destined to do all He desires us to do--beyond our innate capabilities--moving full steam ahead with the power He has given us. What an awesome God!
He has given us a spirit that says, "We can do all things through Christ Jesus" and do them well, glorifying Him.
He has given us a spirit that says, "With Him, we can do it." We can stop doing all things that harm body and mind or would influence harming others.
He has given us a spirit that says, "Nothing is impossible with God." We can think things through before we act and know we have exercised wisdom in all decisions.
That's the Spirit God gives! Which spirit is influencing what you do today?
If we are wandering this land, full of fear--unable to speak up or speak out against injustice and indignities, and sin--we are not operating with the spirit given to us by God, but influenced by the spirit of the enemy.
The spirit God has given endows us with power--from within--the courage to stand firm upon the convictions of our beliefs and we are able to speak up and speak out when we see injustice, inhumane treatment of people and sin.
The spirit God has given fills us with love overflowing--so we are able to love all people--regardless of skin color, ethnicity, religious beliefs, or political stances--unconditionally.
The spirit God gives us enables us to develop and function with a self-disciplined life--one that is aware of limitations and the needs of self and others and accommodates with wisdom.
Why does God give us a spirit that enables us to do (not to make excuses in not doing)? Because we are His children and we are destined to do all He desires us to do--beyond our innate capabilities--moving full steam ahead with the power He has given us. What an awesome God!
He has given us a spirit that says, "We can do all things through Christ Jesus" and do them well, glorifying Him.
He has given us a spirit that says, "With Him, we can do it." We can stop doing all things that harm body and mind or would influence harming others.
He has given us a spirit that says, "Nothing is impossible with God." We can think things through before we act and know we have exercised wisdom in all decisions.
That's the Spirit God gives! Which spirit is influencing what you do today?
Monday, January 5, 2015
Purpose of Proverbs!
"Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance" (Proverbs 1:5 NLT).
A "proverb" by definition is a popular saying (some say of unknown origin) that expresses a common place truth or useful thought (online dictionary). King Solomon is credited with most of the proverbs included in the Bible and we can say (those who Believe The Word) that Solomon was a very wise man. Of course, the wisdom he gained, he received from God and through experience. Experience--is a very wise teacher for those who are able to discern such.
When we look at this one--that supports listening to proverbs--we see that if "we think" we are wise, we can become ever wiser when we pay attention. For those who understand the importance of listening to those who learned by experience so they won't have to "repeat" the stumbling to learn, the proverbs are designed to guide us.
I've often said--of my mother who died at age 58--that I wish she had lived longer to prepare me for the challenges of aging. My grandmother died before she turned 68 and had no real insight to offer us since she had her own challenges to handle. At this point in my life, I plan to live until I'm 95 and I have no problem telling anyone who listens about the challenges I've faced so far. Listen and learn if you plan to live as long as God determines.
1) Don't squander your money when you're young. You'll live to regret it.
2) Don't think youthful, foolish behavior is acceptable past the age of 20. It is not. Learn from living if you want others to respect you as an adult.
3) Seek The Lord in all things by getting acquainted with His Word and developing a relationship with Him early in life. The earlier you hear Him speak, the sooner you benefit from His goodness.
4) Retirement should be uppermost in your mind when you start working. Don't take that job for granted and save as much as you can to provide for yourself as you age.
5) When you have parents who know God and have experienced His goodness--listen to them. It will save you a lot of headaches later in life.
6) Take care of your body--you only have one and you need all of your body parts to live a productive life--keep your lungs healthy, your heart pumping and your blood flowing--unrestrained by toxins and fat. Keep brain cells functioning with clarity and not fogged by smoking (anything), drugs and misuse of alcohol. You'll have healthier children.
7) Don't ignore the warnings of those who have gone before you--most of them know what they're talking about because of their own experience.
Of course, this is just a handful of things I've learned in my life, but when I have any questions and need direction, I seek God for the answers because life is too short to keep making the same mistakes over and over again. I'd like to think that I'm wise enough to listen and receive direction--from Wisdom.
A "proverb" by definition is a popular saying (some say of unknown origin) that expresses a common place truth or useful thought (online dictionary). King Solomon is credited with most of the proverbs included in the Bible and we can say (those who Believe The Word) that Solomon was a very wise man. Of course, the wisdom he gained, he received from God and through experience. Experience--is a very wise teacher for those who are able to discern such.
When we look at this one--that supports listening to proverbs--we see that if "we think" we are wise, we can become ever wiser when we pay attention. For those who understand the importance of listening to those who learned by experience so they won't have to "repeat" the stumbling to learn, the proverbs are designed to guide us.
I've often said--of my mother who died at age 58--that I wish she had lived longer to prepare me for the challenges of aging. My grandmother died before she turned 68 and had no real insight to offer us since she had her own challenges to handle. At this point in my life, I plan to live until I'm 95 and I have no problem telling anyone who listens about the challenges I've faced so far. Listen and learn if you plan to live as long as God determines.
1) Don't squander your money when you're young. You'll live to regret it.
2) Don't think youthful, foolish behavior is acceptable past the age of 20. It is not. Learn from living if you want others to respect you as an adult.
3) Seek The Lord in all things by getting acquainted with His Word and developing a relationship with Him early in life. The earlier you hear Him speak, the sooner you benefit from His goodness.
4) Retirement should be uppermost in your mind when you start working. Don't take that job for granted and save as much as you can to provide for yourself as you age.
5) When you have parents who know God and have experienced His goodness--listen to them. It will save you a lot of headaches later in life.
6) Take care of your body--you only have one and you need all of your body parts to live a productive life--keep your lungs healthy, your heart pumping and your blood flowing--unrestrained by toxins and fat. Keep brain cells functioning with clarity and not fogged by smoking (anything), drugs and misuse of alcohol. You'll have healthier children.
7) Don't ignore the warnings of those who have gone before you--most of them know what they're talking about because of their own experience.
Of course, this is just a handful of things I've learned in my life, but when I have any questions and need direction, I seek God for the answers because life is too short to keep making the same mistakes over and over again. I'd like to think that I'm wise enough to listen and receive direction--from Wisdom.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Renewed Strength!
"...but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they
will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah
40:31 NIV)
No matter what happens or has happened in the past that drained our strength and made us feel we could not go on, when our hope is in The Lord, our strength--courage and determination--will be renewed (revived).
This is why we cannot get stuck on news reports with all the negativity. Those negative reports of violence, hatred, bigotry, and despair, drain us of hope and then some wonder why there are so many depressed and oppressed people. If we continue to simply look at all the negatives--and never look to Jesus--we will lose all hope cease to live the life that He intends us to live.
Whenever we feel like we cannot go on--our focus should be on Jesus and all He has done--and trust that He will continue to do for us. The disparaging reports of people dying should not deter us from living. The reports of bigotry of hatred should not keep us from loving. Every time we hear a negative report about anything--we should talk to the Father--praying for comfort, healing, resolution to problems, and peace and joy in the land. That should be our response to negative events--not hopelessness, but hope in The Lord.
If church leaders and those who plan "revivals" really understood the purpose of a revival (not to make money)--to strengthen the hearts and minds of Believers by turning their focus to Jesus, we would rise and soar with renewed conviction in our Risen Savior! Revival cannot occur in the Body of Christ until we make Jesus the focus--not the news or how much money we need to raise because of poor money management skills.
Until we--the Believers--get our priorities straight, we cannot hope for a world influenced by darkness to ever understand or have hope in The Lord we say--we believe and trust. Our priority--get everyone focused on Jesus--not the President, or Congress or any other person we have no control over, but turn them over to the One who can speak to their hearts and set them on the right path.
Renewed strength comes with renewed focus on Jesus and then our spirits will know true revival and hope fulfilled in the knowledge that whatever we need, will be supplied in Jesus' name!
No matter what happens or has happened in the past that drained our strength and made us feel we could not go on, when our hope is in The Lord, our strength--courage and determination--will be renewed (revived).
This is why we cannot get stuck on news reports with all the negativity. Those negative reports of violence, hatred, bigotry, and despair, drain us of hope and then some wonder why there are so many depressed and oppressed people. If we continue to simply look at all the negatives--and never look to Jesus--we will lose all hope cease to live the life that He intends us to live.
Whenever we feel like we cannot go on--our focus should be on Jesus and all He has done--and trust that He will continue to do for us. The disparaging reports of people dying should not deter us from living. The reports of bigotry of hatred should not keep us from loving. Every time we hear a negative report about anything--we should talk to the Father--praying for comfort, healing, resolution to problems, and peace and joy in the land. That should be our response to negative events--not hopelessness, but hope in The Lord.
If church leaders and those who plan "revivals" really understood the purpose of a revival (not to make money)--to strengthen the hearts and minds of Believers by turning their focus to Jesus, we would rise and soar with renewed conviction in our Risen Savior! Revival cannot occur in the Body of Christ until we make Jesus the focus--not the news or how much money we need to raise because of poor money management skills.
Until we--the Believers--get our priorities straight, we cannot hope for a world influenced by darkness to ever understand or have hope in The Lord we say--we believe and trust. Our priority--get everyone focused on Jesus--not the President, or Congress or any other person we have no control over, but turn them over to the One who can speak to their hearts and set them on the right path.
Renewed strength comes with renewed focus on Jesus and then our spirits will know true revival and hope fulfilled in the knowledge that whatever we need, will be supplied in Jesus' name!
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Don't Be Led Astray!
"No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who
continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not
let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is
righteous, just as he is righteous." (1 John 3:6,7 NIV)
Now that I have time to think about things in my life, I often remember some of my mother's responses to things when I questioned her judgment. When I tried to make a case for her to change her mind about something by saying, "Everyone else is going or doing something," she'd remark, "If they all jumped off the bridge, would you go?" That sounded like such a silly question to me--then--of course I wouldn't jump off a bridge just because everyone else did. But now, her response makes a lot of sense.
When everyone else is saying that "sin is not sin" any more, I know better. I don't have to go along with everyone else; I'm not jumping off that bridge. I am not a lemming!
That's exactly what people are doing when they go along with the PC group (politically correctness) that declares that God didn't really mean what He said. For those who declared they knew Him and yet have this stance--they lied. And we have the proof in His Word. No one can say they know God and yet willfully sin against Him or live in opposition to His Word. Don't take my word for it--read it for yourselves. In fact, read The Word, pray and meditate about what you read, then repent and move into fellowship with Jesus and be made whole by hearing Holy Spirit when He speaks!
Don't allow the enemy or anyone who has been influenced by the enemy to lead you astray--away from Truth in God's Word. When He appeared upon the earth in the likeness of flesh--Jesus--did not re-define sin, He opened the way for us not to sin and directs our pathway to heaven by the work on the cross. Are we going to make His sacrifice for us--pointless?
Choose to live according to His Word, not allowing anyone to lead you astray. If they want to jump off the bridge, let them go by themselves. If I'm the only one left--who will not support living in opposition to God's Word--then I'll be the only one left--I will not allow the enemy to lead me astray--off the path of righteousness!
God yet honors those who promote Truth and obey His Word! Hallelujah!
Now that I have time to think about things in my life, I often remember some of my mother's responses to things when I questioned her judgment. When I tried to make a case for her to change her mind about something by saying, "Everyone else is going or doing something," she'd remark, "If they all jumped off the bridge, would you go?" That sounded like such a silly question to me--then--of course I wouldn't jump off a bridge just because everyone else did. But now, her response makes a lot of sense.
When everyone else is saying that "sin is not sin" any more, I know better. I don't have to go along with everyone else; I'm not jumping off that bridge. I am not a lemming!
That's exactly what people are doing when they go along with the PC group (politically correctness) that declares that God didn't really mean what He said. For those who declared they knew Him and yet have this stance--they lied. And we have the proof in His Word. No one can say they know God and yet willfully sin against Him or live in opposition to His Word. Don't take my word for it--read it for yourselves. In fact, read The Word, pray and meditate about what you read, then repent and move into fellowship with Jesus and be made whole by hearing Holy Spirit when He speaks!
Don't allow the enemy or anyone who has been influenced by the enemy to lead you astray--away from Truth in God's Word. When He appeared upon the earth in the likeness of flesh--Jesus--did not re-define sin, He opened the way for us not to sin and directs our pathway to heaven by the work on the cross. Are we going to make His sacrifice for us--pointless?
Choose to live according to His Word, not allowing anyone to lead you astray. If they want to jump off the bridge, let them go by themselves. If I'm the only one left--who will not support living in opposition to God's Word--then I'll be the only one left--I will not allow the enemy to lead me astray--off the path of righteousness!
God yet honors those who promote Truth and obey His Word! Hallelujah!
Friday, January 2, 2015
Just Ask!
"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do
the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than
these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:12-14 NIV)
Whoever believes--will do--even greater things! Do we really believe what Jesus said? And if we do, are we doing the greater things? Are people being healed--supernaturally--because of what we do? Are we living an abundant life and blessing those around us with instruction and guidance? Are we teaching The Word and people are receiving it--getting ready to march onto the battlefield, armed, and fully prepared for victory in this spiritual warfare? Are we introducing people to our Risen Savior by how we live, not what we say?
If we're not doing greater things, why aren't we? Is it the environment of unbelief or our own lack of faith? Have we not studied the Word enough to understood how God will use us to do great things?
Or is it that we are so consumed with desire to pacify people and fit in with the crowd that we ignore God speaking to us and through us?
We have all been given the gift of the Holy Spirit--to guide, instruct, correct, and supernaturally do--all we need to do, but if we never access the power that has been given, we will never see the greater things accomplished in our lives.
Do we not understand that in order to fulfill our destiny according to God's plans, all we need to do is ask? But when we ask, in Jesus' name, we must believe that all He says is true and will come to pass.
Father, we thank You for the gift of grace, salvation, favor, mercy, and love. We ask You for direction in doing the greater things that You would have us do, so You might receive the glory for all we do. We ask for supernatural healing of bodies of all who believe in You. We ask for wisdom to use our financial resources for supernatural increase so we might bless others in need. We ask for supernatural favor in the sight of all to accomplish all that You would have us to do. We ask for peace and wisdom to abide in the hearts of all leaders so that all may enjoy peace in the land. All these things we ask of You, in Jesus' name and we receive it--as done! Amen!
Whoever believes--will do--even greater things! Do we really believe what Jesus said? And if we do, are we doing the greater things? Are people being healed--supernaturally--because of what we do? Are we living an abundant life and blessing those around us with instruction and guidance? Are we teaching The Word and people are receiving it--getting ready to march onto the battlefield, armed, and fully prepared for victory in this spiritual warfare? Are we introducing people to our Risen Savior by how we live, not what we say?
If we're not doing greater things, why aren't we? Is it the environment of unbelief or our own lack of faith? Have we not studied the Word enough to understood how God will use us to do great things?
Or is it that we are so consumed with desire to pacify people and fit in with the crowd that we ignore God speaking to us and through us?
We have all been given the gift of the Holy Spirit--to guide, instruct, correct, and supernaturally do--all we need to do, but if we never access the power that has been given, we will never see the greater things accomplished in our lives.
Do we not understand that in order to fulfill our destiny according to God's plans, all we need to do is ask? But when we ask, in Jesus' name, we must believe that all He says is true and will come to pass.
Father, we thank You for the gift of grace, salvation, favor, mercy, and love. We ask You for direction in doing the greater things that You would have us do, so You might receive the glory for all we do. We ask for supernatural healing of bodies of all who believe in You. We ask for wisdom to use our financial resources for supernatural increase so we might bless others in need. We ask for supernatural favor in the sight of all to accomplish all that You would have us to do. We ask for peace and wisdom to abide in the hearts of all leaders so that all may enjoy peace in the land. All these things we ask of You, in Jesus' name and we receive it--as done! Amen!
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