Mark 6:2 "The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?”
We need wisdom to know the will of God and power to perform the will of God. Wisdom and power are necessary ingredients for true success in the Kingdom of God. Without wisdom we become lose cannons unable to harness the power of God. Without power we become intellectual icons that sit around talking but never accomplishing the will of God.
But when wisdom and power come together they create an explosive impact that shakes our world for Christ. That impact enables us to be an advancing army that is moving forward, taking back what the enemy has stolen and establishing God's Kingdom in the lives of men.
So where do we get wisdom and power, at the feet of Jesus; he is our source.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24 "So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God."
If you are not at the feet of Jesus then you are disconnected from the source of wisdom and power. Reconnect today and Charge the Gates of Hell!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Good Decisions
Proverbs 9:10-12 "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer."
Verse ten teaches that "Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement". Only when we see the world through the lens of scripture are we able to make good decisions. Without the knowledge of God, your decisions are based upon your opinions, which change in every season of your life. God's word has never been more relevant or important, our world is spiraling out of control. Because the world and unfortunately many in the church, have rejected the standard of God's word. Our world is being governed by the opinion of man instead of the principles of God's word. Christians are illiterate of the scriptures and are following the ideas and opinions of social media, tv and talk show host.
Verse twelve tells us that "If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer." Our world is suffering not because we lack wisdom, but because we have rejected God's wisdom.
Take authority over your life, by submitting your decisions to the word of God. Allow God's wisdom to govern your life and you will benefit; spiritually, relationally and financially.
Verse ten teaches that "Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement". Only when we see the world through the lens of scripture are we able to make good decisions. Without the knowledge of God, your decisions are based upon your opinions, which change in every season of your life. God's word has never been more relevant or important, our world is spiraling out of control. Because the world and unfortunately many in the church, have rejected the standard of God's word. Our world is being governed by the opinion of man instead of the principles of God's word. Christians are illiterate of the scriptures and are following the ideas and opinions of social media, tv and talk show host.
Verse twelve tells us that "If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer." Our world is suffering not because we lack wisdom, but because we have rejected God's wisdom.
Take authority over your life, by submitting your decisions to the word of God. Allow God's wisdom to govern your life and you will benefit; spiritually, relationally and financially.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Welcome To The War Zone
Exodus 13:17 "And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt"
This scripture teaches us something very central to the Christian life, if you follow Jesus you will encounter warfare. As a matter of fact, this scripture tells us that God did not take the children of Israel the shortest route to the promise land but he led they by way of the Red Sea. Before they would experience the enemies of the promise land, God wanted them to experience his power to save them, no matter what came against them. So before they ever fought a battle, they saw God fight for them and destroy the mightiest army on the planet. He was building their faith, he was preparing them for what was to come.
Salvation seems to come with a honeymoon period. When a person gets saved there seems to be a short season where everything is wonderful, when God is supernaturally answering prayers and the red seas of their lives are easily parted and then comes the battle. Somehow we forget that possessing the promise land means driving out the enemy. We are in enemy territory, Satan is the prince of the powers of the air and there are principalities and powers in heavenly places that are warring against every step that we try to take into the promises of God and the advancement of his Kingdom in the earth.
1Peter 4:12-13&19 tell us "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you"
Don't be surprised by the fiery trials or the suffering that happens in your life. Look what is says "if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right". So what kind of suffering pleases God, the kind of suffering that comes from doing what is right in the eyes of God. The suffering that comes from the battlefield. Every solider that has ever fought a battle can tell you, that in order to fight and especially in order to win you have to suffer. The surprise attacks of the enemy, bombs, bullets, fox holes and sleepless nights. Soldiers suffer for the cause, they realize that they have an enemy that hates them and will do anything to stop them from claiming victory.
If you are a Christian than let me say welcome to the war zone. We are at war, at war for the souls of men and the kingdom of our God. Our job is to take back what the enemy has stolen, to charge the gates of hell. So don't be surprised when the enemy throws a hand grenade into your life, don't be surprised by the bullets flying at your head, don't be surprised to see your friends, family and even your self get wounded once in a while. The heroes of war always have scars. 1 Peter 4:19 closes with this statement " keep on doing what is right and trust your lives to the one who created you, for he will never fail you".
So how should I respond to the battle and suffering that comes with fighting for the Lord: first I keep on doing what I am doing, don't stop, give up or throw in the towel. Second I recommit my faith and confidence in the one who created me and loved me enough to send his Son to die for me and third I settle in my heart that our God will never fail us. He has called not just to fight, but to win. The only way a Christian can be defeated is if he quits, so refuse to quit and Fight, Fight, Fight!!
This scripture teaches us something very central to the Christian life, if you follow Jesus you will encounter warfare. As a matter of fact, this scripture tells us that God did not take the children of Israel the shortest route to the promise land but he led they by way of the Red Sea. Before they would experience the enemies of the promise land, God wanted them to experience his power to save them, no matter what came against them. So before they ever fought a battle, they saw God fight for them and destroy the mightiest army on the planet. He was building their faith, he was preparing them for what was to come.
Salvation seems to come with a honeymoon period. When a person gets saved there seems to be a short season where everything is wonderful, when God is supernaturally answering prayers and the red seas of their lives are easily parted and then comes the battle. Somehow we forget that possessing the promise land means driving out the enemy. We are in enemy territory, Satan is the prince of the powers of the air and there are principalities and powers in heavenly places that are warring against every step that we try to take into the promises of God and the advancement of his Kingdom in the earth.
1Peter 4:12-13&19 tell us "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you"
Don't be surprised by the fiery trials or the suffering that happens in your life. Look what is says "if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right". So what kind of suffering pleases God, the kind of suffering that comes from doing what is right in the eyes of God. The suffering that comes from the battlefield. Every solider that has ever fought a battle can tell you, that in order to fight and especially in order to win you have to suffer. The surprise attacks of the enemy, bombs, bullets, fox holes and sleepless nights. Soldiers suffer for the cause, they realize that they have an enemy that hates them and will do anything to stop them from claiming victory.
If you are a Christian than let me say welcome to the war zone. We are at war, at war for the souls of men and the kingdom of our God. Our job is to take back what the enemy has stolen, to charge the gates of hell. So don't be surprised when the enemy throws a hand grenade into your life, don't be surprised by the bullets flying at your head, don't be surprised to see your friends, family and even your self get wounded once in a while. The heroes of war always have scars. 1 Peter 4:19 closes with this statement " keep on doing what is right and trust your lives to the one who created you, for he will never fail you".
So how should I respond to the battle and suffering that comes with fighting for the Lord: first I keep on doing what I am doing, don't stop, give up or throw in the towel. Second I recommit my faith and confidence in the one who created me and loved me enough to send his Son to die for me and third I settle in my heart that our God will never fail us. He has called not just to fight, but to win. The only way a Christian can be defeated is if he quits, so refuse to quit and Fight, Fight, Fight!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Refuse To Be Silent
Matthew 20:31 "Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
The world wants to quiet you, they will try to keep you silent. But God responds to the cries of his people, especially the cry for mercy. Some of you have been quieted by the world, they have told you that God doesn't care, that he would never help you or that it's your problem so you have to figure it out on your own. But world is wrong and the voice that needs to be silenced is the voice of fear, unbelief and condemnation.
God loves to hear our cries for mercy, because he is a God of mercy, Psalms 86:5 "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee" and his heart longs to help those who cry out to him. So open your mouth and cry out to God, refuse to be silenced because God loves you and wants to answer your cry for help.
The world wants to quiet you, they will try to keep you silent. But God responds to the cries of his people, especially the cry for mercy. Some of you have been quieted by the world, they have told you that God doesn't care, that he would never help you or that it's your problem so you have to figure it out on your own. But world is wrong and the voice that needs to be silenced is the voice of fear, unbelief and condemnation.
God loves to hear our cries for mercy, because he is a God of mercy, Psalms 86:5 "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee" and his heart longs to help those who cry out to him. So open your mouth and cry out to God, refuse to be silenced because God loves you and wants to answer your cry for help.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Profit or Loss
Exodus 1:8-10 "Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done. 9 He said to his people, “Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are. 10 We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don’t, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country"
The new Pharaoh made a decision based upon fear and it ended up costing him the very thing that he did not want to lose. When we make a decision based upon fear, we make the wrong decision. Fear always causes loss, it destroys your potential for greater things and causes you to lose the very thing you were trying to hold onto, whether that be a relationship, marriage, children, occupation, finances or a ministry.
Fear many times comes out of a lack of knowledge(the new Pharaoh didn't know Joseph or what he had done)but when making a decision you need two things, the right information and a clear word from God. When you have these two things you can step out in faith, with confidence that you are doing what pleases the Lord and you will have great success.
The new Pharaoh made a decision based upon fear and it ended up costing him the very thing that he did not want to lose. When we make a decision based upon fear, we make the wrong decision. Fear always causes loss, it destroys your potential for greater things and causes you to lose the very thing you were trying to hold onto, whether that be a relationship, marriage, children, occupation, finances or a ministry.
Fear many times comes out of a lack of knowledge(the new Pharaoh didn't know Joseph or what he had done)but when making a decision you need two things, the right information and a clear word from God. When you have these two things you can step out in faith, with confidence that you are doing what pleases the Lord and you will have great success.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
An Attitude of Expectancy
Psalms 5:3 "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."
David had a holy habit of meeting with God each morning. He set the pace for each new day at the feet of Jesus. But he came with an attitude of expectancy. He expected to hear from God, he expected an encounter with the Lord each day. Do you? Is your quiet time just that, a quiet-time or is it a daily encounter with the living God.
If you have got stuck in a routine that has lost the life giving presence of God, then understand there is nothing wrong with your routine, but there is something wrong with your faith. You've lost your attitude of expectancy and you are just going through the motions. God honors our appointments with him, but only if they are filled with faith. Without faith you can not please God and without faith your quiet time is just quiet-time. But when you come before the Lord with an attitude of faith, expecting a divine visitation every morning, then you will not be disappointed. So don't give up on your quiet time, revamp it with faith.
David had a holy habit of meeting with God each morning. He set the pace for each new day at the feet of Jesus. But he came with an attitude of expectancy. He expected to hear from God, he expected an encounter with the Lord each day. Do you? Is your quiet time just that, a quiet-time or is it a daily encounter with the living God.
If you have got stuck in a routine that has lost the life giving presence of God, then understand there is nothing wrong with your routine, but there is something wrong with your faith. You've lost your attitude of expectancy and you are just going through the motions. God honors our appointments with him, but only if they are filled with faith. Without faith you can not please God and without faith your quiet time is just quiet-time. But when you come before the Lord with an attitude of faith, expecting a divine visitation every morning, then you will not be disappointed. So don't give up on your quiet time, revamp it with faith.
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.
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.
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