Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Exciting the Heart of God

Psalms 147:10-11 "He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might.  11  No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love."

It is not our strength that causes God to get excited, it is our faith in him. Human strength is not what God is looking for, he is looking for people that will put their trust in him. Those who will hope in His unfailing love. God gets excited when people step out on faith, trusting in Him to meet their needs and move the mountains in their lives.

It is so easy to base our lives upon our own strength, to literally remove God from the equation. If you are not attempting things that only God can do and stretching for things that only God can make happen. Then you are living in your own strength and God is bored, unexcited and unengaged in your life. But I say let stir up the heart of God and get him excited. Let's live lives that cause God to sit on the edge of his throne and elbow the angels as he points to our lives with excitement, as he sees a people that are living by faith and trusting in his unfailing love. Let's tap into the supernatural provision and power of God that he has made available to us by faith, Let dare to believe God and reach for the impossible.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Stepping Stones

Psalms 141:3  "Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.

"Take control of what I say and guard my lips", this simple prayer has the potential to change the direction and destination of our lives. When God controls our tongue, then he controls our life. Our words are the stepping stones of our lives, they literally pave the pathway into our future. You will end up exactly where you said you would be.

So the principle is simple, if you don't like the path that your life is on. Surrender your mouth to God and when you allow him to control your tongue, it will change the pathway of your life.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The People Trap

Proverbs 29:25 "Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety."

I want you to say this with me "I will not fear people, because I choose to trust the Lord", didn't that feel good. I will not fear people, why? Because the scripture teaches us that it is a trap. When you live in fear of people, you become a people pleaser and you get trapped. You get trapped by their expectations and ideas, that are constantly changing. The people pleaser trap has no end and will suck the joy out of your life.

The only way to break free from the trap is to choose to trust the Lord. To recognize that he is your source, not people. When you begin to trust the Lord, you begin to live your life with purpose. What is your purpose, to please God.

Which really isn't as difficult as you may think. First of all, he has given us his word that never changes. He has offered Jesus to pay for all your sins and mistakes and he has given you the Holy Spirit to live in you and empower you to do what pleases God.

So I challenge you today to come out of the trap and start to enjoy the freedom that comes from trusting in the Lord. Let say it one more time "I will not fear people, because I choose to trust the Lord", just saying it makes me smile. Have a Blessed Day!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

In Tune

Psalms 125:4 "O Lord, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you."

What is the tune of your heart? Jesus taught us that "out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth speaks" So whatever comes out of your mouth is the tune of your heart.

David asked God to do good to those who are good, why are they good because their hearts are in tune with the Lord. Jesus also taught us that out of a good heart comes good things and out of an evil heart comes evil. So the quality of your life will be determined by the condition of your heart. And they way you check your heart is to listen to your mouth.

So I want to ask you again, what is the tune of your heart? Take time to listen to what you are saying and realize that the problem with your mouth is really a problem of the heart. But here is the Good News, Jesus came to heal the broken hearted! Negative tongues come from wounded hearts, bitter words come from broken hearts, angry words come from a damaged heart.

There are two lessons to be learned from this truth. The first is that if your words don't line up with what God says about you or others, then you need to get alone with God and ask him to reveal and heal your wounded heart. The second lesson is that when you hear hateful, negative and angry words coming out of people's mouths, you need to recognize that their hearts are out of tune and they need your prayer not your criticism.