Exodus 3
Verse 23&25 "Years passed, He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act."
Years passed, actually 400 years had past and God looked on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act. Why did it take God 400 years to act on behalf of the children of Israel, because that is exactly how long God told Abraham they would be slaves; Genesis 15:13-14 "Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth"
God is patient and willing to wait for the right time, what about you? Are you willing to wait on the timing of God or are you impatient and unwilling to wait always demanding your way on your time table? Well, let me tell you two things; number one is that you can not rush God. He is faithfully, dependable, loving and he is perfect which means that he is never early, he is always on time. Number two, rushing life and especially trying to rush God never works. When we run ahead of God we create problems and many times those problems become a constant source of frustration in our lives.
A lack of patience is really the result of pride. You are so convinced that your way is the right way and that now is the time. Pride blinds your eyes and causes you to rush into things that God never intended you to rush into. Pride says my timing is right and now is the time. God waited 400 years before he acted on behalf of the Israelites, why because it took that long for everything to be in place and for the time to be right.
Now I don't think you and I are going to have to wait 400 years to see our prayers answered or our dreams fulfilled, but I do know that when the time is right God will act and if we are patient we can act with God and get the results from life that we desire to see. Humble yourself before the Lord and prepare your heart and life for the promises of God. Stay set on Go and when the green light comes and the door is opened then run the race with all your might. But until that time comes wait on the Lord, prepare, prepare and then prepare some more and allow God to set the stage for his will in your life.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
First Listen
Matthew 17
Verse 5 "a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”
"Listen to him", those where the words that God spoke to Peter, James and John regarding Jesus. Be quiet and listen to Jesus, two thousand years later is still good advice. Think about it, we are so much like Peter, we like to talk and do but most people are not real good at being quiet and listening.
We want to talk to God and even talk for God, we like doing things in the name of God but what if the most important thing that we could do to build the kingdom of God is listen. Listening first makes our talking and doing more valuable and profitable. Listening first removes regret and mistakes and allows us to utilize our time, efforts, energies and resources to their fullest potential. So I challenge you this morning to Listen To Him, First. Before you speak, act or do anything. First Listen and if we listen well, we will speak well and do good for the Glory of God.
Verse 5 "a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”
"Listen to him", those where the words that God spoke to Peter, James and John regarding Jesus. Be quiet and listen to Jesus, two thousand years later is still good advice. Think about it, we are so much like Peter, we like to talk and do but most people are not real good at being quiet and listening.
We want to talk to God and even talk for God, we like doing things in the name of God but what if the most important thing that we could do to build the kingdom of God is listen. Listening first makes our talking and doing more valuable and profitable. Listening first removes regret and mistakes and allows us to utilize our time, efforts, energies and resources to their fullest potential. So I challenge you this morning to Listen To Him, First. Before you speak, act or do anything. First Listen and if we listen well, we will speak well and do good for the Glory of God.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Failure
Proverbs 24:16 "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked."
Failure is an event not a person. You may have failed but you are not a failure. The question is not will you fail, because if you are attempting anything of value, you will fail. Failing is as much apart of success as success is. Thomas Edison tried over 10,000 times in his efforts to create and invent and when ask about his failure, he said. "I did not fail, I learned 10,000 ways that do not work".
So if failing is not the defining question what is? The question that will define your life is, will you quit? People are never failures but they sometimes quit getting back up. Proverbs says that the thing that distinguishes between the godly and the wicked is not their mistakes or lack of them. The godly the bible says will get up again, they refuse to quit trying. So I challenge you today to reject the lie of the enemy, you are not a failure and if you commit to getting back up, you will not only succeed but you will be ranked among the "godly" and there is no greater mark of success than godliness.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked."
Failure is an event not a person. You may have failed but you are not a failure. The question is not will you fail, because if you are attempting anything of value, you will fail. Failing is as much apart of success as success is. Thomas Edison tried over 10,000 times in his efforts to create and invent and when ask about his failure, he said. "I did not fail, I learned 10,000 ways that do not work".
So if failing is not the defining question what is? The question that will define your life is, will you quit? People are never failures but they sometimes quit getting back up. Proverbs says that the thing that distinguishes between the godly and the wicked is not their mistakes or lack of them. The godly the bible says will get up again, they refuse to quit trying. So I challenge you today to reject the lie of the enemy, you are not a failure and if you commit to getting back up, you will not only succeed but you will be ranked among the "godly" and there is no greater mark of success than godliness.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Body Builder
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 "For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."
One of my favorite quotes by an unknown author is "any old donkey can kick down the barn, but it takes a skilled carpenter to build it". Paul told the Thessalonians that God choose to save us through the death of his son, Jesus and that in light of what God did to save our lives and not destroy them, we as Christians should encourage one another and build each other up. Every Christian should be a "Body Builder", building up the body of Christ. If God went through so much to save us from destruction, shouldn't we at least not tear one another down.
Think about the destructive power of gossip, backbiting and division. Many Christian don't think twice about saying a critical or judgmental word about another believer, but we should. We should recognize the price God paid to save them and honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Instead of criticizing or judging them, we should build them up by praying for them. We should come along side that believer and ask God to show us how to help them instead of doing the work of Satan; accusing and criticizing them. Settle in your heart today, that you are going to be a "Body Builder" and encourage those around with the love, hope and life of God
One of my favorite quotes by an unknown author is "any old donkey can kick down the barn, but it takes a skilled carpenter to build it". Paul told the Thessalonians that God choose to save us through the death of his son, Jesus and that in light of what God did to save our lives and not destroy them, we as Christians should encourage one another and build each other up. Every Christian should be a "Body Builder", building up the body of Christ. If God went through so much to save us from destruction, shouldn't we at least not tear one another down.
Think about the destructive power of gossip, backbiting and division. Many Christian don't think twice about saying a critical or judgmental word about another believer, but we should. We should recognize the price God paid to save them and honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Instead of criticizing or judging them, we should build them up by praying for them. We should come along side that believer and ask God to show us how to help them instead of doing the work of Satan; accusing and criticizing them. Settle in your heart today, that you are going to be a "Body Builder" and encourage those around with the love, hope and life of God
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Five-fold Challenge
The Five-fold Challenge
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
In these two verses Paul gives us a five-fold challenge that lines perfectly up with a 21 day fast. Today is day 17 of the fast and these words are spiritual ammunition for the last few days. It is easy in our flesh to slack at the end, but in reality it is how we finish the race that matters most. So today I want to pass Paul's challenge along to you.
Number one, be on guard. It was at the end of Jesus's forty day fast that Satan tempted and attacked him. When we are physically unstable we become more easily tempted.
Number two, stand firm in the faith. Don't start backing away from your impossible prayers just because you have not seen any change in the flesh. God is working through your prayer of faith to produce supernatural results. Stand Firm.
Number three, be courageous. Boldly declare who God is and what he is doing in your life. Step out of your comfort zone and engage others in conversations about the things of God. Don't hesitate to walk through every open door of opportunity that God gives you.
Number four, be strong. Keep you body in check, don't allow your flesh to override your spirit. Be strong in the Lord and finish the fast that God has called you to walk out.
Number five, do everything with love. As you live, give and serve those around you allow the love of God to saturate your life. Choose love in how you treat your family, work your job and interact with those in your life. Love is a choice, so do everything with love.
I believe that as we accept this five-fold challenge we will finish strong and see the full potential of this 21 day fast fulfilled in our lives.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
In these two verses Paul gives us a five-fold challenge that lines perfectly up with a 21 day fast. Today is day 17 of the fast and these words are spiritual ammunition for the last few days. It is easy in our flesh to slack at the end, but in reality it is how we finish the race that matters most. So today I want to pass Paul's challenge along to you.
Number one, be on guard. It was at the end of Jesus's forty day fast that Satan tempted and attacked him. When we are physically unstable we become more easily tempted.
Number two, stand firm in the faith. Don't start backing away from your impossible prayers just because you have not seen any change in the flesh. God is working through your prayer of faith to produce supernatural results. Stand Firm.
Number three, be courageous. Boldly declare who God is and what he is doing in your life. Step out of your comfort zone and engage others in conversations about the things of God. Don't hesitate to walk through every open door of opportunity that God gives you.
Number four, be strong. Keep you body in check, don't allow your flesh to override your spirit. Be strong in the Lord and finish the fast that God has called you to walk out.
Number five, do everything with love. As you live, give and serve those around you allow the love of God to saturate your life. Choose love in how you treat your family, work your job and interact with those in your life. Love is a choice, so do everything with love.
I believe that as we accept this five-fold challenge we will finish strong and see the full potential of this 21 day fast fulfilled in our lives.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Experiencing His Love
Ephesians 3:19 "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."
Paul said that as we experience the love of Christ we will be filled or made complete with all the fulness of life and power that comes from God. We can never experience the fulness of God apart from the love of God. His love unlocks his fulness.
But it is not the knowledge of his love that makes us complete, it is the experience of his love. So I ask the question, how do we experience his love? I believe the answer to that question is through relationship. As we walk with God through relationship the Holy Spirit releases Gods love into our lives. We experience his love through the giving and receiving of a healthy relationship with Him. Think about it, how do you experience the love of your spouse? Your love experience with your spouse is not defined by your wedding ceremony or even your vows; though both of these things are foundational to your relationship. It is the daily exchange of life, the giving and receiving of daily interaction that takes your relationship to new levels of life and intimacy.
The same is true with God, we experience his love through the daily interactions of life, the giving and receiving of a healthy relationship with Him and through those experiences we are made complete with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Paul said that as we experience the love of Christ we will be filled or made complete with all the fulness of life and power that comes from God. We can never experience the fulness of God apart from the love of God. His love unlocks his fulness.
But it is not the knowledge of his love that makes us complete, it is the experience of his love. So I ask the question, how do we experience his love? I believe the answer to that question is through relationship. As we walk with God through relationship the Holy Spirit releases Gods love into our lives. We experience his love through the giving and receiving of a healthy relationship with Him. Think about it, how do you experience the love of your spouse? Your love experience with your spouse is not defined by your wedding ceremony or even your vows; though both of these things are foundational to your relationship. It is the daily exchange of life, the giving and receiving of daily interaction that takes your relationship to new levels of life and intimacy.
The same is true with God, we experience his love through the daily interactions of life, the giving and receiving of a healthy relationship with Him and through those experiences we are made complete with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
What are you saying?
Psalms 91:1-2 "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him."
What are you saying? What are you saying about your life, your relationships, your finances and most important what are you saying about God? The words of your mouth are producing and reproducing the results of your life.
One of the challenges that we face in the midst of difficult and even heartbreaking times is the challenge of the tongue. If you surrender your tongue to your emotions, then you have sentenced yourself to a vicious cycle of death, disease, fatigue, poverty, failure and disappointments just to name a few. Your emotions are wonderful servants but they make a horrible master. The challenge then is to override the feelings of your flesh and mind and surrender your tongue to the Holy Spirit and the word of God.
David said "I declare about the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in him I will trust", David was man that understood hard times and difficult circumstances but he was also a man that understood the power of his tongue. And when your life is falling apart around you, the last thing that you need to do is begin to declare death over your life. It is at that moment that your words become catalyst of change, supernatural weapons of warfare that can turn the tide your life and reposition you on firm ground. So I challenge you to join David and begin daily to declare who God is and to declare the life you want, not the circumstances that you have
What are you saying? What are you saying about your life, your relationships, your finances and most important what are you saying about God? The words of your mouth are producing and reproducing the results of your life.
One of the challenges that we face in the midst of difficult and even heartbreaking times is the challenge of the tongue. If you surrender your tongue to your emotions, then you have sentenced yourself to a vicious cycle of death, disease, fatigue, poverty, failure and disappointments just to name a few. Your emotions are wonderful servants but they make a horrible master. The challenge then is to override the feelings of your flesh and mind and surrender your tongue to the Holy Spirit and the word of God.
David said "I declare about the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in him I will trust", David was man that understood hard times and difficult circumstances but he was also a man that understood the power of his tongue. And when your life is falling apart around you, the last thing that you need to do is begin to declare death over your life. It is at that moment that your words become catalyst of change, supernatural weapons of warfare that can turn the tide your life and reposition you on firm ground. So I challenge you to join David and begin daily to declare who God is and to declare the life you want, not the circumstances that you have
Friday, January 14, 2011
God's Secret Service
Psalms 91:11-12 "For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone."
God loves you so much that he has dispatched his heavenly host to protect you wherever you go. What a powerful thought, angels are really watching over you, it's not just a song we sing or a little quote that we use, it is a reality. As a child of God you have angels watching over you, but not only watching you but assisting you and warring over your life. They fight for you, protect you and even hold you up to keep you from falling. They are God's Secret Service Agents, unseen but always present; you are never alone and you can confidently do what God has called you to do because God has got your back.
God loves you so much that he has dispatched his heavenly host to protect you wherever you go. What a powerful thought, angels are really watching over you, it's not just a song we sing or a little quote that we use, it is a reality. As a child of God you have angels watching over you, but not only watching you but assisting you and warring over your life. They fight for you, protect you and even hold you up to keep you from falling. They are God's Secret Service Agents, unseen but always present; you are never alone and you can confidently do what God has called you to do because God has got your back.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Fear
Day 12
Psalm 91:5-7 "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in the darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you."
"Fear" is a word that has disabled, discouraged and defeated many believers in their walk of faith. The psalmists declared that we would "not be afraid" because God is our defender and protector. God fights for his children and he defends those who stand for him. When we dwell in the secret place we abide under the shadow of his wing, therefore those who attack you attack God and he can not be defeated.
All great men and women of God have had to face their fears and overcome them in order to receive God's best for their lives. The question is not will You feel fear, because the answer to that question is yes. You will feel fear every time your life spins out of your control. The question is how will You respond to the feelings of fear? Will You give in to your feelings and allow fear to rob you of what God has for your life, or will You conquer your fear with a spirit of faith that declares victory over your life? The more you abide in the secret place of his presence the more confidence and faith you will built in his word, presence and power.
Psalm 91:5-7 "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in the darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you."
"Fear" is a word that has disabled, discouraged and defeated many believers in their walk of faith. The psalmists declared that we would "not be afraid" because God is our defender and protector. God fights for his children and he defends those who stand for him. When we dwell in the secret place we abide under the shadow of his wing, therefore those who attack you attack God and he can not be defeated.
All great men and women of God have had to face their fears and overcome them in order to receive God's best for their lives. The question is not will You feel fear, because the answer to that question is yes. You will feel fear every time your life spins out of your control. The question is how will You respond to the feelings of fear? Will You give in to your feelings and allow fear to rob you of what God has for your life, or will You conquer your fear with a spirit of faith that declares victory over your life? The more you abide in the secret place of his presence the more confidence and faith you will built in his word, presence and power.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Flakes
It's Monday morning, I slept in today. It's 9am and I am looking at 6-7 inches of snow, this is the deepest snow we have had is about 50 years. North Alabama has been stopped by this snow. It is amazing how something so beautiful, and fluffy can be so powerful. Truly the weakness of God is stronger than the mightiest man. Snow is a perfect picture of the power of unity. Each snowflake in it's self is powerless against our society, even the smallest child can smash a single flake, but when all the flakes come together they create a powerful force that shuts down entire regions and we are unable to do anything but sit and wait. And the terminology may be a perfect fit for Christians, because to the world most bible believing, spirit filled, soul winning, disciple making and devil stomping Christian are "Flakes". And the fact that snow is white is also a great symbol of Christians, washed pure through the blood of Jesus and what a contrast snow flakes make as they cover the ground, not to mention that fact the world brightens up when the snow flakes cover the world. So my conclusion this morning is that I am honored to be a "flake" and I challenge all the other flakes out there to commit yourself to coming together with other believers and let's show the world what a few "flakes" serving the right God, Jesus Christ can do to change the landscape of our world.
Genesis 11:6 "Look!" he said. "The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!"
Genesis 11:6 "Look!" he said. "The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!"
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
His Pleasure
Revelation 4:11 "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
We were created for his pleasure, to bring him delight. We were created to cause him to rejoice and celebrate, to fill his heart with joy and gladness. We were created for his pleasure, and nothing delights the heart of God like intimacy with his children, when we run to him, love him, serve him, celebrate him and receive love from him; we bring him pleasure.
As a parent I recognize that no one can bring me greater joy than my children. Their smiles, successes and silly ways tickle my heart and bring me pleasure, and so it is with God. So today make it you goal to be close to God, run to him, love him, receive from him and serve him, because you were created for his pleasure.
We were created for his pleasure, to bring him delight. We were created to cause him to rejoice and celebrate, to fill his heart with joy and gladness. We were created for his pleasure, and nothing delights the heart of God like intimacy with his children, when we run to him, love him, serve him, celebrate him and receive love from him; we bring him pleasure.
As a parent I recognize that no one can bring me greater joy than my children. Their smiles, successes and silly ways tickle my heart and bring me pleasure, and so it is with God. So today make it you goal to be close to God, run to him, love him, receive from him and serve him, because you were created for his pleasure.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wisdom and Discipline
Proverbs 1
Verse 7 "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
Fools despise wisdom and discipline, don't be a fool. Wisdom allows you to work smarter not harder and discipline empowers you to accomplish you dreams, because success doesn't happen in a day, it happens daily. Those who say no to temporary please enjoy lasting results.
Verse 7 "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
Fools despise wisdom and discipline, don't be a fool. Wisdom allows you to work smarter not harder and discipline empowers you to accomplish you dreams, because success doesn't happen in a day, it happens daily. Those who say no to temporary please enjoy lasting results.
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