Proverbs 19:8 "To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper."
Self investment is the best investment you can make; Jesus told us that the greatest would be the servant of all. The only way that I can increase my ability to serve others is to grow as an individual. The only cap upon our lives when it comes to success is self investment. Now just in case you have not realized it, success is measured by service. The greater the service I give to others, the greater success I will experience in my life, spiritual and financial. Your value is determined by what you give not what you have, but you ability to bless others is directly determined by the self investment you have made.
When a person stops growing, the cap on their life is set and they will no longer be able to achieve greater success. This lack of self investment is seen in every area of life and culture. Churches stop growing when the pastor stops investing in his own personal growth. Businesses' stop growing when those in leadership stop investing in their own personal growth and even cities stop growing when those in authority, stop growing and becoming better individuals and leaders. I heard a wise man once say "what it takes to make you successful is never enough to keep you successful, you must continually invest in yourself and grow." The way I see it we all have two choices; we can settle where we are or we can invest in ourselves and grow. I choose growth because where there is growth there is new life and new opportunities.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Foolish Anger
Proverbs 19:3 "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord."
Everyday we make decisions and every decision we make is making us. Our lives are shaped by the decisions we make; if we make wise decision than we are blessed and step into the future that God has in store for us. But if we make foolish decisions then are lives are cursed and set on a path that leads to destruction. This one thought should bring us to a place of sobriety and seriousness where we consider every decision and measure them by the truth of God's word.
However this scripture doesn't stop with this thought about decision making, but it goes on to show how foolish we as humans really are. The Bible says that people ruin their lives by their foolishness and then they get angry with God. I can not tell you how many times I have counseled people who were angry with God because their lives had hit the rocks of destruction. The problem with this situation is that as long as you blame someone one else for your foolish choices, you are incapable of change. God becomes an easy target during these moments of ruin and destruction. We reason in our heads that God is able to do anything and we believe that he should have done something to help us out of our problems or difficulties, therefore it is God's fault that I am in this situation. Wrong!! The truth is that God can do anything in our lives when given the opportunity to work, but God can not do anything when we ignore his wisdom, counsel or truth. When you make decisions that violate the truth of God's word and you ignore the counsel of God, then you, through your own foolishness will ruin your life and it is no ones fault but your own. If you can come to grips with that truth, then you can change and God can help you to turn your life around.
In 1 Chronicles 13:11the Bible says that "David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today." David had acted foolishly and tried to move the Ark of God his way instead of God's way and it resulted in death. David then got angry with God and refused to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, this decision caused David to miss out on the blessing of God. It was only when David repented and took responsibility for his decisions, that he was able to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and experience the blessing that God had for him. Until we stop blaming God or others for our failures and destruction we can not change, but the moment we repent, the door is opened for restoration and rebuilding. God is waiting on you to come into agreement with him and begin to receive the fulness that he has for you.
Everyday we make decisions and every decision we make is making us. Our lives are shaped by the decisions we make; if we make wise decision than we are blessed and step into the future that God has in store for us. But if we make foolish decisions then are lives are cursed and set on a path that leads to destruction. This one thought should bring us to a place of sobriety and seriousness where we consider every decision and measure them by the truth of God's word.
However this scripture doesn't stop with this thought about decision making, but it goes on to show how foolish we as humans really are. The Bible says that people ruin their lives by their foolishness and then they get angry with God. I can not tell you how many times I have counseled people who were angry with God because their lives had hit the rocks of destruction. The problem with this situation is that as long as you blame someone one else for your foolish choices, you are incapable of change. God becomes an easy target during these moments of ruin and destruction. We reason in our heads that God is able to do anything and we believe that he should have done something to help us out of our problems or difficulties, therefore it is God's fault that I am in this situation. Wrong!! The truth is that God can do anything in our lives when given the opportunity to work, but God can not do anything when we ignore his wisdom, counsel or truth. When you make decisions that violate the truth of God's word and you ignore the counsel of God, then you, through your own foolishness will ruin your life and it is no ones fault but your own. If you can come to grips with that truth, then you can change and God can help you to turn your life around.
In 1 Chronicles 13:11the Bible says that "David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today." David had acted foolishly and tried to move the Ark of God his way instead of God's way and it resulted in death. David then got angry with God and refused to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, this decision caused David to miss out on the blessing of God. It was only when David repented and took responsibility for his decisions, that he was able to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and experience the blessing that God had for him. Until we stop blaming God or others for our failures and destruction we can not change, but the moment we repent, the door is opened for restoration and rebuilding. God is waiting on you to come into agreement with him and begin to receive the fulness that he has for you.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Snake Bite Blessing
Acts 28:3-6 "As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god"
All things work together for our good, because we love God and are called according to his purpose. Even a snake bite can position you to reach a community for Jesus Christ. What was supposed to bring death ushered in the life of God and many heard the message of Jesus Christ and many were healed and made whole.
Paul walked in faith and faith changes everything. If you believe you can, then you can, if you believe that God will, then God will. There is nothing impossible to those who believe! Everyone is walking in faith, unfortunately many people's faith is built upon the lies of the enemy instead of the promises of God. Everyone gets up everyday with an attitude of expectancy, sadly many expects problems and struggles, instead of the blessings and favor of God. If you want to change your future change your faith, because if you believe that all things work together for your good, then they will and nothing can ever stop you.
All things work together for our good, because we love God and are called according to his purpose. Even a snake bite can position you to reach a community for Jesus Christ. What was supposed to bring death ushered in the life of God and many heard the message of Jesus Christ and many were healed and made whole.
Paul walked in faith and faith changes everything. If you believe you can, then you can, if you believe that God will, then God will. There is nothing impossible to those who believe! Everyone is walking in faith, unfortunately many people's faith is built upon the lies of the enemy instead of the promises of God. Everyone gets up everyday with an attitude of expectancy, sadly many expects problems and struggles, instead of the blessings and favor of God. If you want to change your future change your faith, because if you believe that all things work together for your good, then they will and nothing can ever stop you.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Victory Is In Your Mouth
Psalms 3:1-4 "...so many are against me.2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain."
David enemies were speaking against him and like David there are many things being spoken against our lives but we must realize that our victory is not determined by what our enemy says; it is determined by what we say.
David refused to come into agreement with his enemies, what about you? Are you declaring the word of God over your life or are you agreeing with your enemies and speaking death. The out come of your life will be determined by the words that you speak. Words are spiritual containers that pave the direction of our lives and determine our future.
The key to victory is to speak by faith and not by feeling. The natural tendency of our lives is to speak what we feel. When we feel hopeless, we speak hopelessness. When feel discouraged, we speak defeat. When we feel sick, we speak sickness. When we feel angry, we speak bitterness.
But what would happen if we, like David refused to come into agreement with our feelings and started to speak by faith. I tell you what would happen, our lives would change for the good. We would break the attack of the enemy, reestablish the course of God and the victory of Jesus Christ in our lives. If you are not agreeing with God's word then you are in agreement with the enemy. So what you are saying?
David enemies were speaking against him and like David there are many things being spoken against our lives but we must realize that our victory is not determined by what our enemy says; it is determined by what we say.
David refused to come into agreement with his enemies, what about you? Are you declaring the word of God over your life or are you agreeing with your enemies and speaking death. The out come of your life will be determined by the words that you speak. Words are spiritual containers that pave the direction of our lives and determine our future.
The key to victory is to speak by faith and not by feeling. The natural tendency of our lives is to speak what we feel. When we feel hopeless, we speak hopelessness. When feel discouraged, we speak defeat. When we feel sick, we speak sickness. When we feel angry, we speak bitterness.
But what would happen if we, like David refused to come into agreement with our feelings and started to speak by faith. I tell you what would happen, our lives would change for the good. We would break the attack of the enemy, reestablish the course of God and the victory of Jesus Christ in our lives. If you are not agreeing with God's word then you are in agreement with the enemy. So what you are saying?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Power of Unity
Psalms 133:1-3 "How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting."
David compared harmony or unity to the anointing and the refreshing dew that falls upon Mt. Hermon. All a person has to do to understand the value of unity is just walk into a room where there isn't any. When people are in discord or strife, the whole environment around them is tainted with the stench of war. Invisible bullets are flying across the room and everyone in the room feels the sting.
But unity and harmony refreshes the soul and empowers people to live, love and serve together. There are very few things more powerful than unity. When a family is united, they have a special bond that empowers them to weather the storms of life and come out on the other side. When a church is united, it fires on all cylinders and effectively fulfills the Great Commission. Unity creates an unstoppable force that is capable of the impossible. No wonder Satan sows seeds of discord in our life's because Satan fears unity. He knows what we should know, that unity is powerful and creates an unstoppable force that establishes the kingdom of God and declares His Glory.
Paul said in Romans 12:18 "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone".
I challenge you today to do all that you can do to live in peace,unity and harmony with everyone. Refuse the seeds of discord and choose the life giving, refreshing power of unity; in your family, on your job and in the church.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting."
David compared harmony or unity to the anointing and the refreshing dew that falls upon Mt. Hermon. All a person has to do to understand the value of unity is just walk into a room where there isn't any. When people are in discord or strife, the whole environment around them is tainted with the stench of war. Invisible bullets are flying across the room and everyone in the room feels the sting.
But unity and harmony refreshes the soul and empowers people to live, love and serve together. There are very few things more powerful than unity. When a family is united, they have a special bond that empowers them to weather the storms of life and come out on the other side. When a church is united, it fires on all cylinders and effectively fulfills the Great Commission. Unity creates an unstoppable force that is capable of the impossible. No wonder Satan sows seeds of discord in our life's because Satan fears unity. He knows what we should know, that unity is powerful and creates an unstoppable force that establishes the kingdom of God and declares His Glory.
Paul said in Romans 12:18 "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone".
I challenge you today to do all that you can do to live in peace,unity and harmony with everyone. Refuse the seeds of discord and choose the life giving, refreshing power of unity; in your family, on your job and in the church.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Intimacy and Prophecy
1 Kings 13:16-26 “No, I cannot,” he replied. “I am not allowed to eat or drink anything here in this place. 17 For the Lord gave me this command: ‘You must not eat or drink anything while you are there, and do not return to Judah by the same way you came.’ ” 18 But the old prophet answered, “I am a prophet, too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the Lord: ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.’ ” But the old man was lying to him. 19 So they went back together, and the man of God ate and drank at the prophet’s home. 20 Then while they were sitting at the table, a command from the Lord came to the old prophet. 21 He cried out to the man of God from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: You have defied the word of the Lord and have disobeyed the command the Lord your God gave you. 22 You came back to this place and ate and drank where he told you not to eat or drink. Because of this, your body will not be buried in the grave of your ancestors.”
23 After the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the old prophet saddled his own donkey for him, 24 and the man of God started off again. But as he was traveling along, a lion came out and killed him. His body lay there on the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. 25 People who passed by saw the body lying in the road and the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported it in Bethel, where the old prophet lived. 26 When the prophet heard the report, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the Lord’s command. The Lord has fulfilled his word by causing the lion to attack and kill him.”
This story illustrates what happens when we live by prophecy and not intimacy. The young prophet had a word from God and he had fulfilled his commission and was returning home as the Lord had commanded him. Then the old prophet comes after him and speaks lies in the name of the Lord and because the young prophet abandoned the intimate word he had received out of his relationship with God and followed what he thought was a prophetic word, he died. It cost him his life and future ministry.
As New Testament Christians, we all are capable of hearing and knowing the voice of God. Jesus said my sheep hear my voice and they follow me. So what part does the prophetic play in our lives. The prophetic word is confirmation, it confirms what you have already sensed or heard God saying to you. When God gives you a prophetic word and let me just interject that if you are not in a place where the prophetic word is in operation then you need to find a Church where the reality of the prophetic word is at work. Because the confirmation of the prophetic word launches you into the will of God for your life. We have all had those times where we felt like God was leading us to do something but because of fear, worry or just a uncertainty we held back waiting for that confirmation, so that we would know that it was God. And that is where the prophetic comes in. God uses someone to speak into your life and what they say confirms what God has already spoken into your heart and because of the prophetic word you now have the boldness to step out and obey God.
Understand the divine order, first you receive an intimate word from God that flows out of your relationship with him. Then someone gives you prophetic word, if that that word agrees with what God has already told you then receive it and launch out in faith. But if the prophetic word doesn't agree or maybe even contradicts what you have heard God tell you, then wait. Set it upon your spiritual shelf and go back to God. Don't allow the prophetic word to over ride the intimate word, the young prophet made that mistake and it cost him everything.
23 After the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the old prophet saddled his own donkey for him, 24 and the man of God started off again. But as he was traveling along, a lion came out and killed him. His body lay there on the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. 25 People who passed by saw the body lying in the road and the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported it in Bethel, where the old prophet lived. 26 When the prophet heard the report, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the Lord’s command. The Lord has fulfilled his word by causing the lion to attack and kill him.”
This story illustrates what happens when we live by prophecy and not intimacy. The young prophet had a word from God and he had fulfilled his commission and was returning home as the Lord had commanded him. Then the old prophet comes after him and speaks lies in the name of the Lord and because the young prophet abandoned the intimate word he had received out of his relationship with God and followed what he thought was a prophetic word, he died. It cost him his life and future ministry.
As New Testament Christians, we all are capable of hearing and knowing the voice of God. Jesus said my sheep hear my voice and they follow me. So what part does the prophetic play in our lives. The prophetic word is confirmation, it confirms what you have already sensed or heard God saying to you. When God gives you a prophetic word and let me just interject that if you are not in a place where the prophetic word is in operation then you need to find a Church where the reality of the prophetic word is at work. Because the confirmation of the prophetic word launches you into the will of God for your life. We have all had those times where we felt like God was leading us to do something but because of fear, worry or just a uncertainty we held back waiting for that confirmation, so that we would know that it was God. And that is where the prophetic comes in. God uses someone to speak into your life and what they say confirms what God has already spoken into your heart and because of the prophetic word you now have the boldness to step out and obey God.
Understand the divine order, first you receive an intimate word from God that flows out of your relationship with him. Then someone gives you prophetic word, if that that word agrees with what God has already told you then receive it and launch out in faith. But if the prophetic word doesn't agree or maybe even contradicts what you have heard God tell you, then wait. Set it upon your spiritual shelf and go back to God. Don't allow the prophetic word to over ride the intimate word, the young prophet made that mistake and it cost him everything.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Better Than
Proverbs 17:1 "Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting-and conflict."
Peace is better than prosperity, because a prosperous house without the peace of God is a place of conflict and torment. Through Jesus we can prosper with peace, without the peace of God all prosperity is short circuited and short lived. Prosperity magnifies the hole in our heart that only Jesus can fill. Instead of creating peace, prosperity without Jesus just creates more tension and conflict, but through Christ we can enjoy peace with God and the peace of God that make all things right. It is amazing what you can endure and overcome if you have peace. Peace sustains you through the difficult times and multiplies the good times.
Peace is better than prosperity, because a prosperous house without the peace of God is a place of conflict and torment. Through Jesus we can prosper with peace, without the peace of God all prosperity is short circuited and short lived. Prosperity magnifies the hole in our heart that only Jesus can fill. Instead of creating peace, prosperity without Jesus just creates more tension and conflict, but through Christ we can enjoy peace with God and the peace of God that make all things right. It is amazing what you can endure and overcome if you have peace. Peace sustains you through the difficult times and multiplies the good times.
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