Live Simply, Trust Wildly

Lesson: live simply and trust wildly

Book: thriving in cross cultural ministry by Carissa Alma

Observation 

1. Make every decision count. Don’t “just let” things happen! Pray about every purchase you make, every lifestyle decision you make, and every single major choice you are given. Think about it! Does it lead you closer to your goal of engaging in cross-cultural ministry?

2. They have become slaves to their lifestyle, feeling trapped and unable to do anything but to maintain the status quo.

3. Simplify your life for the sake of the gospel so that you can release funds for the Kingdom of God. Train yourself to be satisfied and content with little. This will also allow you to better identify with 90% of the entire rest of the world.

4. think it is impossible to hold any kind of discussion on supernatural provision and simplicity without mentioning radical giving and the ability to live unattached to money and materialism.

5. I see two very common streams of thought among Christians today when it comes to finances: the “prosperity gospel” and the “spirit of poverty.” The more common of the two, the prosperity gospel, teaches that: “God wants you to be happy. He wants to bless you with nice things and wants you to be comfortable.” In a nutshell, this ideology says that God wants us to be prosperous.

6. In addition to the prosperity gospel, there is another school of thought amongst many Christians today regarding wealth. I call it the spirit of poverty, and it may be something they ascribe to without even knowing it. Basically, although it is somewhat hard to define, it’s the idea that it’s somehow more spiritual to be poor than to be rich. It is a kind of reverse glorification of poverty (real or perceived) because of sacrifice unto the King.

7. The truth is that the bondage to money is the root of both the messages of prosperity and poverty.

8. In order to last the long haul with joy, let me encourage you to live simply, to trust radically, and to give extravagantly.

9. John Wesley said about money: “Make all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can,” and “When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart.”

Main point 

Live simply, trust wildly

* I have combined my love for reading and my love for workers to write a blog. This week's lesson is from the book Thriving in Cross Cultural Ministry by Carissa Alma.  It is available on Amazon and IBooks.

Fixing your Focus

Philippians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 

I have found that what I focus on determines my attitude and mindset.  If I focus on the positive, I am usually positive.  If I focus on the negative, my attitude can turn sour.  When adjusting to cultural stress, changes in ministry, or life's difficulties I have to determine what I focus on.  Focus is a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity.  Here are five places to fix your focus.

1. Focus on Jesus not yourself

 Live the crucified life not the self life by putting Jesus on the throne of your heart.  He is your savior and your Lord, the supreme authority over your life.  Make him your first priority by spending extravagant time with him.  Die to your wants, desires, and dreams and live for Him and Him alone.  

2. Focus on what you have gained not on what you have lost.

We all make sacrifices in working overseas and you can make your sacrifice your focus or you can focus on all the blessings you have received. It is not about what you have to do, it all about what you get to do.  Set your eyes on what lies before you not on what is behind you.  Vision is always looks forward, don't spend the rest of your life looking in the review mirror.

3. Focus on what you can do not on what you can't.

There tends to be a lot of restrictions on what we can do where we live.  There are laws working against us, shortages of resources, people, etc.  We can focus on what we can't do and what we don't have or we can get up every morning and ask ourselves, what can I do today to glorify Jesus and expand  his kingdom?  The choice you make will determine your fruitfulness.  There will always be obstacles and reasons you can't, the people who make a difference discover what they can do and then they do it.

4. Focus on your responsibilities not on perks, privileges, and titles.

Never begrudge another person's blessing.  I have been given an assignment and that is to be what I focus on.  I do not concern myself with what a colleague may or may not be doing.  I am responsible for myself and I am to serve with the best of my abilities.  Jesus is the master and we are His servants. Servants have no rights or privileges. Servants serve.

5. Focus on giving not on receiving.

Always give more than you receive. Never focus on what you can get, always focus on what you can give. Find  a need and fill it.  Don't be self centered but other people centered.  Life shrinks when your eyes are on you and life expands when your eyes are on the world around you.

What are you focusing on today?

Cathy's Corner

Delight---such a beautiful and rich word.  But what does it really mean?  Do we in our daily lives really delight in anyone, anything, anywhere?  Over the past few weeks I've been praying and meditating over this verse.  

Psalm 37:4--Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 

It's a delightful thing as we come to the place where we hear Him call us to Himself and to follow His plans marked out before us.  But what happens when we set out on the journey and things don't always look the way we expected them to look and even we are not asked to do what I felt God called me to do.   Do we begin to question our leaders, the process, maybe even the LORD?  

In the beginning I stopped with verse 4; then one day I noticed the first word in the next verse is "commit".  

V.5--Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.  

When The Lord calls I must also trust His plan, His provision and His process.  He knows what must be put in me and what must be taken out of me to prepare me for what is in store for the days ahead.  When He called David to be king I wonder if he thought hiding in caves would be part of the preparation? Or if Esther could see she would one day be used to save her people, when it looked as though her purpose was to daily fulfill the desires of her earthly king?  

We must "commit" ourselves to Him and "trust" that He will act.

So fret not, my friend, at whatever task you find yourself attending to daily. Even if it seems you are serving an earthly king that serves no "kingdom" purpose; delight yourself in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart.   And remember that what you see today with your eyes, is not all that He is doing! 

So don't give up or grow weary in your well doing...HAVE FUN---life can be "delightful" if you're looking through His eyes! 

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Four Keys to Healthy Friendships

To cure loneliness we need to take the intiative and develop deep friendships.  What are the skills needed?  What if we have never seen deep friendships modeled or experienced one ourselves? Here are the four keys to healthy friendships.  

Key #1 Vulnerability 

 Vulnerabilth is the willingness to be hurt, to open yourself up to another person to the point your heart is defenseless.

Lack of vulnerability can happen for a number of reasons: 

A. Past trust violations, 

B. Relational hurts, 

C. Lack of exposure to authentic connections.”

This is important because without mutual vulnerability, one person becomes the counselor and the other the counselee.

Key #2 Time 

Best friendships require time to grow and produce the great relationships we need. There simply is no substitute for time. We need both quality and quantity.

The three stages of time in friendships are:

1. Caught up. 

You spend enough time with each other that you are caught up on the essential events of your lives: family, relationships, job, health, and so forth.

2. Connected. 

Whatever it takes to stay emotionally connected, that is your frequency minimum. Caught up and connected are not the same thing. One is about significant life events, and the other is about intimacy.

3. Caring

Truth is something BFs value and prize with each other. It is feedback and perspective that comes from a rich source of time and experience. It can be trusted. Honesty, however, takes time—probably more time than catching up and connection—and can be difficult to say and to hear

Key #3 Honesty 

1. Be truthful about yourself.

There are two kinds of honesty dynamics in best friendships. The first one is being truthful about yourself. It is when you tell the truth about yourself to your friend, warts and all.

2. Be truthful about the other person.

The second type of relational honesty is harder than the first: being truthful about the other person. It is harder because of the risk involved, but it is also extremely valuable. Close friendships require this type of honesty to help both of you be the best people you can be. Who else is going to tell you that you have spinach in your teeth? Or that the guy you are dating is a creep? Or that sometimes you come across self-absorbed?

Two people who genuinely care about each other can actually give and receive the truth, and still feel close and supportive of each other. It will take a little work, practice, and courage, but it is worth it.  Best friends are completely honest with each other and push each other to grow.  One of the most meaningful things you can do with a best friend is to see the potential in her and be part of helping her reach it. You may notice a blind spot that is hampering her life. Or you may see that she doesn’t see something awesome that she is capable of. Get in the mix and help her be a new person!

Key #4 Values

Values are simply representations of what is most important to us—the things that matter most. Those things of lesser importance might be opinions or preferences, but they aren’t values.. It is impossible for you to become "best friends" without shared values.  You can only go so deep, so far.  

What are the benefits of a healthy friendship?

1. “good to great,” business guru Jim Collins calls it Good to great refers to those capacities and potentials you have that aren’t yet realized. An ability, a dream, a passion, or a possibility that has stayed at the “OK” level, but could go to the “fantastic” level.

2.  “broken to good,” referring to the healing process. We not only have unrealized potentials, we also have baggage, issues, hurts, and wounds. These can be emotional or relational scars from the past, where harmful experiences changed how we looked at life.”

How do I increase the intimacy in my friendships?

“First, become the one who models honesty about yourself, so that you both know that the truth can come out without anyone getting hurt. Bring up your own realities. 

Secondly create a culture of acceptance

Having deeply accepting friends helps us beyond the fact of being accepted by others, and then by ourselves. When our deepest relationships know us and accept us anyway, we are now free to deal with our weaknesses as a problem, rather than a condemnation. We can stop the darkness when we aren’t ducking from the stings of the judge. When we aren’t accepted, we are more likely to simply avoid the judgment than dig into the issue.

Third, you are not a victim

Take responsibility for yourself and your relational world.

*I have taken my love for reading and for workers and created a blog.  I read books and write what I have learned concerning thriving in cross cultural living.  The book for this article is "How to be a best friend forever" by Dr John Townsend. It is available on Amazon and IBooks.

The Cure for Loneliness

As Cathy and I travel and visit cross cultural workers, we hear common themes. One of them is loneliness, especially at the beginning of careers.  It makes sense, you have left your relational connections and moved to a new country, meeting new people, and learning new language and culture.  You become isolated.  How do you cure loneliness when you go on the field?  By building new friendships.

What is friendship?

Friendship is hard to define but easy to describe: friends are people we go to with our deepest dreams, needs, and questions, and who are lifelines to us. Friends are people who bring us life.

Why don't people have friends?

1. Isolation

One is that many people are simply isolated in the first place and, though they want more close relationships, they’ve learned to live without them.

2. Lack of awareness

Others are simply not aware of their deeper need.

3. Lack of skills

Some people don’t possess the required skills and abilities to deepen a relationship.

How do I develop strong friendships?

1. Knowing. 

You have objective information and personal experience with the person. You know where they live, their marital and parental status, what they do for work, their hobbies, their faith. On a personal level, you may know their history, their likes and dislikes, and their dreams and hurts. Knowing provides the foundation of whether or not this relationship will be a friendship, and how deep it can go. 

2. Liking. 

You want to spend time with each other. You are drawn to each other’s presence. When life happens, for good or bad, you want them to know about it, and you want to know about their life.  Chemistry with another person cannot be forced but you will never become best friends with someone you do not enjoy spending time with.

3. Presence. 

Friends spend time together. That is how knowing and liking happen. It may be a phone call, a lunch, an evening, a bike ride, a vacation. But time together is essential. The more time together between two good people, the better the relationship. There is a mutual commitment to be with each other, and you gladly pay the price for its benefits.

Application

You can neglect the care and maintenance of the relationship either in quantity (not enough time) or quality (what you do with the time). You may not notice it immediately, but friendships will either improve or diminish, depending on how proactive you are. Take initiative, and you will reap the rewards.

Questions:

1. Who are you building a friendship with?

2. What can you do to take the friendship to the next level?

*I have taken my love for reading and my love for workers and created a blog.  I read books and write what I have learned concerning thriving in cross cultural living.  The book for this article is 

"How to be a best friend forever" by Dr John Townsend. It is available on Amazon and IBooks.

Three Relationships every Cross Cultural Worker needs

It is vital for you to connect with others.  You were made for community and isolation is  the enemy.  You need friends that you can pour out your heart, weaknesses, sins, dreams, and passions to. You need people to hold you accountable, enable you to adapt to a new culture, and pray with you when you are in need.  There are three relationships that every cross-cultural worker needs.

1. Relationship with your partners 

It is crucial that you have a strong relationship base in your home country. You need a community of people back home who are praying for you, with whom you are in regular contact, and who you know will back you up whenever you need it.  

Do not get discouraged if after a few months that you stop hearing from some of your supporters or even close friends.  I found myself struggling with the fact that they seemed to depend upon me to initiate contact when I felt that I was the one who left everything and everyone that was familiar to me.  But remember, these friends, churches, and communities have a lot going on in their own lives, and relationship is a two way street. It’s up to us to communicate well and to communicate often.  

2. Relationships with co-workers

Community at home is vital, but also ask God for life-giving community with those from your home culture where you live.  It is important to have people you can communicate with in your heart language.  You need accountability partners that you can speak truth to and will  speak truth into you.  God surely meets us in our seasons of loneliness, teaching us reliance but you were created for community.  Take personal responsinbilty to form these relationships.  You want to be praying for and open to any friendships God gives you, making time and room to strengthen such relationships whenever possible.

3. Relationships with nationals

Getting refreshed by westerners/ people from you own culture is awesome, but I am advocating balance. If you want to last a long time in cross-cultural ministry, you must cultivate rich and deep relationships with people from your host country.  There are some things you need that only a national can help you with.  

It is also important that people in your host country know you need them.  Many workers tend to see themselves as benefactors: givers of money, givers of wisdom, givers of knowledge, givers of truth. Very few see themselves as receivers. You will win their heart when they know you need them as much as they need you.  

Application 

Take time to cultivate all three of these types of community, for all three are equally important. A home community who backs you up 100% is crucial. Friends from a similar culture to yours living in your host country are a gift. True friends from your host culture are invaluable. Many “casualties” of cross-cultural ministry seem to have in common a lack of life-giving community. Pray for this community, and seek it out. Give yourselves to it. Fight for it. You will be glad you did, and you will last longer in ministry. Life giving community is one of the secrets to lasting the long haul with joy!

*Excerpts for this article are taken from a chapter of the book "Thriving in Cross Cultural Ministry" by Carrissa Alma.  You can purchase the book on Amazon.  I highly recommend it.

The Key to Success

August 8, 2015

Scripture 

Ezra 7: 6, 9, 29; 8: 18

This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him. 

( NLT)

He had arranged to leave Babylon on April 8, the first day of the new year, and he arrived at Jerusalem on August 4, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.

And praise him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and all his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the LORD my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem.

 ( NLT)

Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they sent us a man named Sherebiah, along with eighteen of his sons and brothers. He was a very astute man and a descendant of Mahli, who was a descendant of Levi son of Israel. 

(NLT)

Observation

Ezra gave glory and credit to God.  Four times in two chapters he said "the gracious hand of our God was on us.

Gracious- pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous.

1. The key to Ezra's ministry was the favor of God.  God's hand of blessing was upon him.  Favor, blessing, grace, approval was on Ezra which made him successful.

2. The prayer of Jabez expresses this same sentiment:

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. (I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV)

Application

1. I must seek and ask for the favor and blessing of God.

2. Daily ask for his blessing

3. Believe in faith I have it.  

It is an act of grace not merit.  I do not earn God's favor, it is given as a gift.

Prayer

Bless me and bless me much.

I ask for your favor, blessing be upon me.  Bless and keep me.  Make your face shine upon me and be gracious to me.  Turn your face towards me and give me peace.  I will not let go until you bless me.

Enlarge my territory

Increase my influence in your kingdom.  Empower me to bring you glory and enlarge your kingdom.  May I live for your glory and your kingdom not my glory or my kingdom.  Enable me to make an impact on this earth for you. May I lift up and exalt Jesus.

May your hand be with me

I ask for a fresh filling of your Spirit, fill me afresh and anew.  Increase my anointing.  Do not promote me beyond my competence or capacity.  Empower me to accomplish the tasks you set before me.

Keep me from evil

Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil.  Enable me to resist the devil and to flee temptation.  Purify me,  make me pleasing to you. I desire to be holy righteous, a man of integrity. Remove any and all offensive ways within me.  Examine me, search me, purify me.  

Partnership

August 7, 2015

Scripture 

1 Corinthians 3:6-9

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. (NLT)

Observation

1. Some people plant, others water, but God gives the increase.

2. It is not important what role I play, what is important is that God makes the seed grow.

3. The sower and water work together with the same purpose.

4. Will be rewarded for their hard work.

5. We are both God's workers

What is important is God's blessing and favor.  He is the only one who can give the increase.

I am to work hard, will be rewarded for my labor, am in partnership with others.

Appication

1. Accept the role God has given me.

My role is not the traditional role a worker plays and at times it is hard to explain and some times I demur.  I have to believe what I do is important and significant. 

2. Work hard. 

3. Don't compare myself to others

4. Be content

Contentment is a choice

5. Be passionate 

What enables longevity and productivity?  How do we equip people to stay longer and be more fruitful?   Not just called to live overseas, not putting that down, because it takes a skill set.  But we are called and sent to complete a task.  People are not giving their hard earned money so we can live overseas but to fulfill the great commission.  

6. Grow

Learn how to do what I do better.  

Prayer

Do a work in me.  Make me satisfied, content, passionate, and a learner.

God directs your steps

August 6, 2015

Scripture 

Proverbs 20:24

The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (NLT)

Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way? 

(MEV)

Observation

1. God directs my steps, my goings are of the Lord

A.  God is sovereign

a person who has supreme power or authority.

B. This is comforting

I am not in control, God is.

He will get me exactly where I need to be when I need to be there.

3. It is faith building

I trust God.  I can take risks, not fear mistakes, go for it

4. It takes the pressure off

I don't have to figure everything out or have all the answers

5.  It is liberating

I am free of the demands and expectations of others

Application

1. Trust that God brought me here for this time and in this ministry.  Believe that I am in the center of the will of God.  

2. Don't try to figure everything out.

Don't worry about who holds what position, what others are thinking about me, what is going to happen

3. Find fulfillment in what I am presently doing.

Don't look into the past, don't try to figure out the future, live in the moment.

4. Learn, grow in my professional development.

God has placed me here right now in member care. It is not leadership but it is a field.  Become an expert in my field.

5. Do it with all my heart.

Work hard, passionately, diligently

6.  I can even trust God with my purity.

Question: is this my place?  Am I going to do this for the rest of my life?  Truth is I don't know, can't know.  God directs my steps, I cannot understand my own way.  So live in the present.  Take steps towards what I am doing now. Don't hesitate because of what might or might not happen.  

Prayer

What do I do?  For now?

You are free

August 5, 2015

Scripture 

1 Corinthians 1:30

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.  (NLV)

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— (NKJV)

Observation

1. I am in Christ

United with him in his death and in his resurrection 

2. Jesus is wisdom from God.

Jesus is the evidence, proof, wisdom, knowledge about life, how to live life, everything.

3. Jesus made me right with God

4. Jesus made me pure and holy

5. Jesus set me free from sin

This is a powerful verse that represents a powerful truth.  Jesus made my salvation possible.  He set me free from the penalty of sin.  I am no longer on my way to hell but am on my way to heaven.  That would be enough but it is not all.  He also set me free from the power of sin, made me pure and holy.  How can I live this God-pleasing life? By being in Christ, being united with the him in his death on a cross and in his resurrection from the dead.  Water baptism is a great illustration of this:  when I was submerged into the water it symbolized my death, when I came out of the water, it symbolized my resurrection.  My old man, nature has died, I am a new creation, a new man.  

Application

1. Count myself as dead to sin and alive in Christ.

It begins with my thinking, my beliefs.  I have to believe I am dead to sin and alive in Christ.  My behavior will never surpass my beliefs because belief systems determine behaviors.  I am transformed by the renewing of my mind.  

2. Abide in Christ.

Time in his presence will transform and empower me.  The Holy Spirit empowers me to be: to progressively become the man God has called me to be.

3. Spend time in the Word.

The Bible is my guidebook in life, it gives me the principles to live by but it is also a living book that gives life.  I receive life, strength by allowing the Bible transform me.

4. Spend time with other believers

The fellowship and accountability with other believers strengthens me.  I receive life, strength, when I spend time with like minded, same hearted people.

Prayer

I am right with God, pure, holy, free from sin.

How to stay strong till the end

August 3, 2015

Scripture 

1 Corinthians 1: 8-9

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. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (NLT)

who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ( NKJV)

Observation 

1. Jesus will keep me strong to he end

Confirm me to the end

Confirm-to make firm or more firm; add strength to; settle or establish firmly: Their support confirmed my determination to run for mayor.

2. I will be free from all blame on the day Jesus returns

3. God is faithful. 

He will do what he says.

4.  He has invited me into partnership, fellowship, communion with Jesus.

Application

1. Trust in God, he is faithful

2. Depend on Jesus who will keep me strong and blameless in the end.

3. Rely on and ente in my partnership, fellowship, communion with Jesus.

Prayer

I depend upon you.  I desire for you to be my partner.  I desire communion with you.  Come near to me, please.  Make me strong and keep me blameless till the end.

Your one thing, only thing, everything

August 3, 2015

Scripture

2 Chronicles 34: 3, 31-32

During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images.

The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the LORD’s presence. He pledged to obey the LORD by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll. And he required everyone in Jerusalem and the people of Benjamin to make a similar pledge. The people of Jerusalem did so, renewing their covenant with God, the God of their ancestors. (NLT)

Observation

1. When Josiah began to seek God, his desire for purity increased.

Seeking God with all my heart, soul, mind, and body will increase my desire for purity.

2. When leaders take their place of authority, the people's desire for purity will increase.

The people began to cleanse their lives when Josiah took his place.

Speed of the leader equals speed of the team.  The people will never surpass their leaders.  My desire for Jesus, my desire for purity will set the pace.

Application

1. Abiding has to be my first priority.  Seeking Jesus, abiding in his presence is everything, my one thing, the only thing.

2. I have to set the pace, leaders set the bar for the rest of the team.

Pace of the leader, pace of the team.  

Prayer

Holy Spirit, increase my desire for the Father.  May I burn inside for Jesus.  May he my number one priority, my one thing, my only thing. I want more of Jesus.

Spiritual Warfare

August 2, 2015

Scripture 

2 Chronicles 32: 2-8

When Hezekiah realized that Sennacherib also intended to attack Jerusalem, he consulted with his officials and military advisers, and they decided to stop the flow of the springs outside the city. They organized a huge work crew to stop the flow of the springs, cutting off the brook that ran through the fields. For they said, “Why should the kings of Assyria come here and find plenty of water?” Then Hezekiah worked hard at repairing all the broken sections of the wall, erecting towers, and constructing a second wall outside the first. He also reinforced the supporting terraces in the City of David and manufactured large numbers of weapons and shields. He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate. Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. (NLT)

Obaervation

Hezekiah found himself under attack by the Assyrians.  How did he respond?

This is a great example of how to respond to spiritual warfare.

1.  He consulted with advisors.

A. He was not a Lone Ranger.

We are a part of the body of Christ.

B. Sought wisdom

Trusted friends and advisors.

2. Hezekiah worked hard

A. The Bible teaches to work out your own salvation

We depend upon the Holy Spirit and work out our salvation. It is and/both not either/or.  I am to be 100 percent defendant on Jesus and I am to work hard

B. Work ethic

The men and women who have made the biggest difference for the kingdom of God worked hard, sacrificed greatly, left it all on the field of battle.

3. He had faith that God would bring the victory.

Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” 

A. He worked hard while believing God would fight the battle fkor him.

B.  He believed in the power and greatness of God.

4. As a leader Hezikiah encouraged the  people.

A. Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: “Be strong and courageous! Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people

B. One the greatest gifts a leader can give his followers is encouragement.

To have heart.

Human beings need to be motivated, encouraged.

They need to be challenged to be brave, strong, and courageous 

Application

1. Have a strong work ethic

2. Remember theology tends to be both/and not either/or

3. Be 100 percent dependent on Jesus

4. Have wise advisors and seek out their counsel

Have them before you need them

Consult them even when you think you got this

5. Be an encourager

Anyone can suck the life out of others, but you be a person that speaks life into others.

Prayer 

May I work out my own salvation and depend 100 percent on you.

Show me the right path

August 1, 2015

Scripture

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me the right path, O LORD ; point out the road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.

 (NLV)

Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. 

( MEV)

Observation

1. Make me to know your ways.

Do not give me a choice. 

2. Show me the right path

I am limited in my knowledge, you are unlimited, all knowing.  Show me the right path 

3. Lead me in your truth, teach me

I want go beyond knowing the truth but be lead into the truth.  Teach me

4. You are the God who saves me.

Application

1. God reveals the right path, he points out the way.

2. He leads me into his truth and teaches me.

3. He saves me from harm and pain.  Leads me to the right destination 

Prayer

Make me to know your ways.  Point out the right path.

Transformation

July 29, 2015

Scripture 

Romans 12:1-3

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 

(NLT)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

Observation

1. Beseech- to implore urgently: They besought him to go at once.

to beg eagerly for; solicit.

It means to urge, plead, implore

To do what?

2. Give my body to God as a sacrifice.  

My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, it belongs to God.  I am to be a steward of my body

3. Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world.  

Do not conform be shaped by the world.  It's values, beliefs, cultures.  I am to be shaped by God and His Word.

4. But be transformed by the renewing of my mind

Allow God to shape the way I think, my mind will be controlled by the Holy Spirit and shaped by the Bible.

Then I will be able to:

5. Prove the good, acceptable, pleasing and perfect will of God.

Application

1. Offer my body as a sacrifice, treat my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit

Holiness and health 

2. Do not conform to the values, beliefs, and cultures of the world

Edit entertainment and be careful that I do not allow academia to have too much influence.

3. Be transformed by the renewing of my mind through God's word by the Holy Spirit.

Read, journal, memorize, and pray the Bible

4. Then I will know the good, pleasing, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Live in the will zone

Prayer

Enable me to live holy and healthy 

Personal growth leads to prosperity

July 14, 2015

Scripture

Proverbs 19:8

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. (NKJV)

To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. ( NLT)

Observation

1. Acquire wisdom

Get wisdom

2. Is to love yourself

Personal growth is key to advancement.  Always learn, grow, and develop self

This is not pride but love.

3. Keep understanding

Personal growth is not just learning but applying what I learn. I must keep what I learn.

4. Personal growth is the key to prosperity.

Good things will come my way as I grow, learn, and continually develop.

Application

1. Read daily

2. Life coaching

3. Member care growth

Prayer

May I grow so I will prosper

The process of becoming hostile to God

July 13, 2015

Scripture 

Romans 1:21

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. (NLT)

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (NKJV)

Observation

1. They knew God

God has given us revelation of himself through nature, an inner void and hunger for him.

2. They did not give God the glory, they refused to worship him, give him the glory he deserves.

3. They were ungrateful, they did not give God thanks.

He has been good to mankind, giving us all we need to survive, exist, and prosper

As a result:

1. They became futile in their thoughts

A. Futile- incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful: Attempting to force-feed the sick horse was futile.

trifling; frivolous; unimportant.

B. They created God in their own image and imaginations.

They created the God they wanted not as he revealed himself to be.

2. Their hearts were foolish and darkened.

A. Foolish- resulting from or showing a lack of sense; ill-considered; unwise: a foolish action, a foolish speech.

lacking forethought or caution.

B. Darkened- to make dark or darker.  to make obscure.

Application

There is a process of becoming estranged or even hostile to God.

1. Know God

2. Refuse to give him the glory he deserves

3. Become ungrateful, not appreciative of what God has done.

Be unthankful, not a person of worship.

The result is:

1. Become futile in their thoughts

2. Heart become dark

So I need to:

1. Be thankful, grateful, and appreciative for what God has done for me.

2. Give God all the glory, worship him, be in awe of him, fear him.

3. Seek to know God as who He is.

Prayer

I worship you, reveal yourself to me.

Expereince God's favor by encountering God's presence

July 12, 2015

Scripture

1 Chronicles 13:13- 14

So David did not move the Ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed- edom of Gath. 14 The Ark of God remained there in Obed- edom’s house for three months, and the LORD blessed the household of Obed- edom and everything he owned. (NLV)

So David stopped moving the ark of God to himself in the City of David and diverted it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite, and while the ark of God stayed in his house three months, the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all he had. (1 Chronicles (MEV)

Observation

1. The ark of God represented the presence of God.

Where the ark was, the manifested presence of God resided.

2. David took he ark of God to the house of Obed- Edom for three months

3.  God blessed the house of Obed- Edom and all he had

There is blessing where the presence of God is. 

1. If I desire to experience the favor of God I must be in the presence of God.

2. My family will be blessed because I spend time in God's presence

3. God's blessing will rest on all I have and own

Application

1. Spend extra and time with Jesus

2. Pray for his blessing and favor

3. Expect his blessing to be upon me, my family, and all I have

Prayer

May I experience your blessing in greater degrees.

Investing into relationships

July 10, 2015

Scripture

Proverbs 18:23

A man who has friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (MEV)

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT)

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NKJV)

Observation

1. to have friends I have to take the initiative.

2. There are special friends that become like family.

Relationships are like finances, it includes sowing and reaping.  I invest into the relationship and reap friends.  The health of my relational world is in my hands.  I can make good wise investments and will reap good solid friendships.

3. There are times when friends will turn on me, even try to destroy me.

I cannot allow this to keep me from exposing myself to people.  I cannot allow my heart to become hard and cynical.  I must stay pliable, soft, and receptive.

Application

1. Keep investing into the important relationships in my life.

2. When people turn on me, mourn, hurt but then recover.

3. Invest more into a few close relationships.  Let them be like family.

Prayer

Enable me to invest into my relationships wisely, consistently, and generously

What should a preacher preach?

July 8, 2015

Scripture 

Acts 26:20

I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. (NLT)

but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do works proving their repentance. (MEV)

Observation

What did Paul preach?

1. All must repent

2. Turn to God

3. Do works proving their repentance, befitting repentance 

Application

1. This should be the message of every preacher,

A. Repentance

Change of thinking that leads to a change of living

B. Turn to God

Turn- to reverse the position or placement of: to turn a page; to turn an egg; to turn a person around.

C. Do works befitting their repentance

Befitting- suitable; proper; becoming: planned with a befitting sense of majesty.

Proving, befitting, demonstrate, in keeping with

2. The idea is a changed life,

Repentance, turning, proving all point to a person who has changed.  

Prayer

Change me, I turn to you, I repent before you.

Humility

July 3, 2015

Scripture 

2 Kings 22: 11, 18-20; Proverbs 18: 12; James 4: 6-10

When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.

“But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the LORD and tell him: ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I said against this city and its people—that this land would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the LORD. So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace. You will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city.’” So they took her message back to the king. (NLT)

Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. ( NLT)

Observation

1. God's word brought humility

When we use the word of God as a plumb line, we see our failures.

2. Humility precedes honor

Humility- to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.

Honor- to hold in honor or high respect; revere: to honor one's parents.

3. God fights against the proud but gives grace to the humble.

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:6-10 NLT)

A. This passage is similar to Josiah's experience.  When he heard the word of God there were tears, cleansing, sorrow, and grief.  Josiah was a model for what true humility and repentance is suppose to be like.

4. Humble myself before God

I do not want God to have to humble me.

5. Draw near to God.

6. Cleanse myself

God promises to:

A.  Give me grace

B. Lift me up in honor

Application

1. Truly repent over my sins.

Sin should bring grief 

2. Humble myself before God

Humility is acknowledging my need of God

3. Trust him for the results 

He promises to give me grace and honor

Prayer

I humble myself before you.  I acknowledge my need of you.

Trusting God's will

July 2, 2015

Scripture

2 Kings 20:1-6, 12-13, 17; 21:1-3, 6-7

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the LORD says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, “Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly. But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the LORD: “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own honor and for the sake of my servant David.’”

Soon after this, Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent Hezekiah his best wishes and a gift, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been very sick. Hezekiah received the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them everything in his royal treasuries! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. (NLT)

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah. He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, following the detestable practices of the pagan nations that the LORD had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites. He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father, Hezekiah, had destroyed. He constructed altars for Baal and set up an Asherah pole, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. He also bowed before all the powers of the heavens and worshiped them.

Manasseh also sacrificed his own son in the fire. He practiced sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the LORD’s sight, arousing his anger. Manasseh even made a carved image of Asherah and set it up in the Temple, the very place where the LORD had told David and his son Solomon: “My name will be honored forever in this Temple and in Jerusalem—the city I have chosen from among all the tribes of Israel. ( NLT)

Observation

This is a great example of accepting and obeying God's will.  Isaiah told Hezekiah that he was going to die and to get his affairs in order.  Hezekiah prayed and God healed him, giving him 15 more years.   But during those 15 years Babylon can and saw all the riches of Judah, and Manasseh, the most evil king in the history of Judah, was born.  If Hezekiah had accepted and obeyed the will of God none of these things would have happened.

1. Hezekiah but self interest above the well being of the people.

2. Hezekiah but his well fare above the will of God.

3. If is confusing and interesting to me that God went ahead an answered his prayer.  Why?  God knew it was a mistake.  In his sovereignty sometimes God gives us what we want even though he knows it is not best.  

4. I must be careful to pray in agreement the will of God.

5. God will not turn his head away from evil forever, ,eventually judgment will come

Application

1. Trust God above all else

2. Pray in agreement with the will of God.

3. Put the interest of the people above self interest

4. live in purity 

Prayer

May I live in the center of your will,  I trust you.

Purify yourself

July 1, 2015

Scripture 

2 Chronicles 29:5, 31

He said to them, “Listen to me, you Levites! Purify yourselves, and purify the Temple of the LORD, the God of your ancestors. Remove all the defiled things from the sanctuary. (NLT)

Then Hezekiah declared, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, bring your sacrifices and thanksgiving offerings to the Temple of the LORD.” So the people brought their sacrifices and thanksgiving offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings, too. ( NLT)

2 Chronicles 31:18, 21

Food allotments were also given to the families of all those listed in the genealogical records, including their little babies, wives, sons, and daughters. For they had all been faithful in purifying themselves. (NLT)

In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful. ( NLT)

Observation 

1. Purify yourselves

2. Purify the temple

Purify- to make pure; free from anything that debases, pollutes, adulterates, or contaminates: to purify metals.

3 remove all defiled things

Defile- to make foul, dirty, or unclean; pollute; taint; debase.

4. Consecrate yourself 

Consecrate- to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity: to consecrate a new church building.

5. Seek God wholeheartedly 

To achieve success God's way you need to purify yourself, concecrate myself and remove all defiled things in my life.  Seek God wholeheartedly and God will make me successful.  

Application

1. Live in green

2. Seek God daily

3. Remove anything that can defile me

Three things to do everyday

1. Abide

2. Live in green

3. Walk 100000 steps

Prayer

Purify me.  I consecrate myself to you.

More blessed to give than to receive

June 30, 2015

Scripture 

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you how, working like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (MEV)

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive." ( NLT)

Observation 

1. Remember the words of Jesus

It is good to remember all the words of Jesus.

2. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Application

1. Pay special need to the words of Jesus

They are my life, guide, compass, moral authority.

2. It is more blessed to give than to receive 

Have a generous spirit, a giving heart

Being a giver is exhibiting the character of the Father.  God so loved the world that he gave.  If I am like my father I will be a giver.

Prayer

Produce in me a generous spirit.

May I be a giver, not stingy, or selfish.  May I die of self and be generous.

May my heart be fully devoted so I can be completely faithful

June 28, 2015

Scripture 

2 Kings 17: 36-39

But worship only the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt with great strength and a powerful arm. Bow down to him alone, and offer sacrifices only to him. Be careful at all times to obey the decrees, regulations, instructions, and commands that he wrote for you. You must not worship other gods. Do not forget the covenant I made with you, and do not worship other gods. You must worship only the LORD your God. He is the one who will rescue you from all your enemies.” ( NLT)

Observation

1. Worship only the Lord

2. Bow down to him alone

3. Be careful at all times to obey

4. Do not worship other Gods

5. Do not forget the covenant I made with you

6. Worship only the Lord my God

Then he will rescue me from all my enemies

Application

God desires my full devotion.  I want to worship him alone and obey him completely.  I am to forsake anything that competes with my devotion to God.  I am to be fully devoted to Him. Worship only the Lord and be careful to obey all.

Obedience is all about love.  If I love him I will obey him.  If my heart is fully devoted it will be completely faithful.  

Prayer 

I worship you only and desire to obey you completely.

I pray that my heart will be fully devoted so I can be completely faithful.

Having vision/ strategy and being Spirit filled, led, and empowered

June 24, 2015

Scripture 

Acts 16:6-10

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there. (NLT)

Observation 

Being led by the Spirit

1. God is at work building his church

2. He knows who and where is open to the gospel.

3. The Holy Spirit prevented Paul from going to two cities

4. Through a vision the Holy Spirit guided Paul to Macedonia.

5. From there the gospels spread through the whole region.

Application

I haves to be spirit filled, led, and empowered.  I have to join God where he is at work.  I need to have vision and make plans.  Paul was proclaiming Jesus where he has not been preached.  But the Holy Spirit knew who and where was the most open and ready to receive.  We see vision and strategy combined with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

1. Be Spirit filled, led, and empowered.

2. Have vision and strategy,

3. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

4. Abide in Jesus.

Prayer

May I be spirit filled, led, and empowered 

A Merry Heart

June 22, 2015

Scripture 

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. (NLT)

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. (NKJV)

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (ESV)

Observation 

1. A cheerful, joyful, Merry heart is a good medicine 

Cheerful- something that gives joy or gladness; encouragement; comfort: words of cheer.

Joyful- full of joy, as a person or one's heart; glad; delighted

Merry- full of cheerfulness or gaiety; joyous in disposition or spirit: a merry little man.

laughingly happy; mirthful; festively joyous; hilarious: a merry time at the party.

2. A broken or crushed spirit dries up the bones or saps a person's strength 

There is no energy in crushed dreams or a broken spirits.  Joy, Merry, cheer revives me.

Application

Life is not meant to be a drudgery.  It is not meant to be all duty.  There is to be gladness, cheer, merry, and joy in life.  

Laughter and joy revive the soul.  Broken spirits and crushed dreams drain my energy.

Prayer

I am a melancholy by nature arm sometimes I feel discouraged and down.  I ask that you give me joy, cheer, and a heart full of merry.  Bring joy to my life, bring cheer to my days.  Give me a merry heart.  

The favor of God

June 21, 2015

Scripture 

Psalm 139:5

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. (NLT)

You put Yourself behind and before me, and keep Your hand on me. (MEV)

Observation 

1. God goes before me

2. God follows me

3. God is with me

4. God places his hand upon me, his blessing and favor

1. I am is a safe place.  God is in front of me, behind me, and with me.  I am safe.

2. I am in a victorious place.  God fights for me.  He defeats the enemies that are in front of me, behind me, and engaged directly with me.

3. I am in a place of blessing.

God's hand is upon me.  This is one of my greatest desires, to know the favor and blessing of God.  

Application

1. Go forth with confidence.

I am safe, I am victorious, I am secure, I am blessed.

I can act in faith

2. Depend upon God's blessing not my skills or talents.

His hand is upon me.  It is a promise in Scripture.  I am living the blessed life, with the favor of God.

Prayer

Go before me and behind me.  Make me safe, secure, and victorious,

May your hand be upon me.  Keep you hand on me.  I ask for your favor. Bless me and bless me much.

You can trust Him

June 20, 2015

Scripture 

Psalm 138: 2, 6, 8

I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.

The LORD will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. (NLT)

I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. (NKJV)

Observation

This Psalm has three great verses and three great life lessons.

1. God promises are back by all the honor of his name.

Faith is in the character of God.  I believe God will keep his promises. He will do what he said he will do.

2. God is great and the only one worthy of praise.

He keeps his distance from the proud but comes near the humble.

Regard- to look upon or think of with a particular feeling: to regard a person with favor.

to have or show respect or concern for.

to think highly of; esteem.

to take into account; consider.

God resists the proud but shows favor to the humble.

3. God will work out his plans for my life, will perfect that which concerns me.

Application

1. Trust God because he keeps his promises

2. Be humble because cares for  those with humility

3. Have faith God will fulfill his purposes for my life.

God is sovereign.  God is faithful.  I can trust him.  I do not have to try to fix my own life or make things happen for me.  I do not have. To position myself.  I can be humble, trusting, depending upon him.  That seems like inactivity, like I am passive or lazy but that is not true.  Faith is active, trust is work.  Making my own way is pride.  Taking things into my hands is not trusting God to fulfill his plans.  The truth is God will keep his word, he is fulfilling his purposes and plans.  I can trust him and wait for him to act.  I do not position myself, make things happen on my own.  Manipulat others.  I trust.  I believe.  I humble myself and wait on God.

Prayer

I humble myself before you today.  I trust you with my past, present, and future. You are at work.  You are sovereign, supreme authority over the universe.  You will act on my behalf and more importantly on behalf of your kingdom.  I trust you.  Your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.  I trust you.

Being Spirit led

Scripture 

Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man” ), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas ), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. (NLT)

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (NIV)

Observation

1. The church in Antioch had plural prophets and teachers in it.

2. Worship, fasting, and prayer were key elements of the church.

3. The Holy Spirit spoke

The knew it was God speaking and knew exactly what they were suppose to do

4. The Holy Spirit sent

The prophecy was not directional but timing.  Paul was called on the road to Damascus.  The Holy Spirit instructed them to set them apart for the work he had called them.  The Holy Spirit did the calling and the sending.

5. The church and Paul and Barnabas obeyed

There was a partnership between the church and Paul & Barnabas

6. They experienced God as they obeyed.

Application

1. The gifts of the spirit and the gifts of Jesus are for the church today.

We need both the church leadership and the gifts to be in operation.

2. Prayer, fasting, and worship are vital to church health and success

Spend time abiding.

3. The Holy Spirit is orchestrating the advancement of the church

It was not corporate planning but spirit led

4. I have to respond to the Holy Spirit in obedience.

Prayer

May the church today function as the church in the book of Acts.

May I spend extravagant time with Jesus in worship, prayer, and fasting.

May I respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit in obedience

Impart into me the faith and courage I need to obey

The power of God at work in your life

June 18, 2015

Scripture 

Psalm 136:12

with a strong hand and a stretched-out arm, for His mercy endures forever; (MEV)

with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; (ESV)

Observation 

1. God's mercies are new every morning, great is his faithfulness.

2. His love and mercy endures forever.

3. His love is steadfast

Steadfast- firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.

unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.

firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.

firmly fixed in place or position.

4. With a strong hand and an outstretched arm are symbolic of the power of God.  

God acting by his strong right hand indicated the intervention of God, the power of God at work.

Application

1. God's power is still at work today.  He fills me with His Holy Spirit to empower me. 

I need a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit everyday 

2. I receive God's power based upon his mercy and steadfast love.

I do not earn or purchase his power.  Anytime God empowers me or intervenes in my circumstances it is an act of mercy and love.

3. I can depend upon the strong right hand of God

This Psalm recites all the wonderful and powerful things God did based upon his mercy and love.

4. I can act in faith believing God will fill me with his spirit.

Prayer

May your hand be with me.

Fill me with Your Spirit, fill me afresh and anew

Empower me to accomplish your will for your glory

The goal of prayer is the glory of God

June 17, 2015

Scripture 

1 Kings 18:36-37

At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” (NLT)

Observation

Elijah is used as an example of effective prayer.  Here we see:

1. Recognized God as who he is,

2. Understood the lordship of Christ

3. Desired the glory of God.

Elijah asked God to answer his prayer so that God would be honored, that God would receive the glory.

Application

"For His glory" is the right motive for prayer.  I seek the glory of God and the honor of His name.  I do not pray out of selfish motives but that Jesus would be praised, lifted up, acknowledged, believed in.  

1. When others see God answering my prayers, it increases their faith.  

2. The motive behind my prayers, is key to receiving answers to prayer.

It protects me from selfishness.  

Self-centeredness, selfish ambition, greed, etc. all hinder my prayers.

3.  The glory of God is the goal of every believer, every ministry, every prayer.

It is for His glory.

4. It gives me credibility 

When people see God answering my prayers, it proves or authenticates my ministry.

Elijah knew it would prove he was a true prophet of God.

Prayer

Answer my prayers for your glory, that people would praise your name and place their faith in you.

Answer my prayers to authenticate me as your ambassador.

Purify my motives in praying,  remove greed, pride, and selfishness. Let me learn to deny myself

May my life and prayers increase the faith of others.

God takes the initiative

June 15, 2015

Scripture 

Acts 10: 3-5, 9-11, 19, 23

One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said. Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel. And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter.

The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners.

Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you.

So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. (NLT)

Observation 

Again, see how the Holy Spirit is orchestrating everything.   

1. God speaks to Cornelius through a vision

2. Cornelius knew it was God speaking and knew exactly what he was suppose to do.

3. God noticed Cornelius because of his giving and his praying

4. God spoke to Peter through a vision while he was praying.  

5. Both Peter and Corneliius chose to obey God.

Application

1. The gospel going to the Gentiles was the initiative of God: what, when, who, and how we're all God's decision.  God chose what Gentile would hear the gospel.  God chose who would take the gospel to them.  God chose when this would happen and how.  God was at work.

2. The people involved responded to God.

They both had visions, knew God was speaking to them, and know exactly what they were supposes to do.

After the visoins both men had to chose to obey God or disobey.  It was crisis of faith that took faith and courage.

Faith- believe it was God speaking to them and that God would do what he said he would do.

Courage- to overcome their fears, anxieties, doubts, and questions.

3. Regular and consistent times of prayer were keys to these men hearing from God.

I have to have ears to hear, be in his presence, make myself available.

Prayer does not earn me anything, it positions me.

4. Obedience is the key to experiencing God working through my life.

Peter did not dream a dream for God, he obeyed God.  Peter was mightily used by God for his glory and purposes because he obeyed.  God did everything else.  He dreamed it, planned it, took the initiative, everything.  

Peter prayed and obeyed.  That is what he did.

Prayer

May I be a man of prayer.  Impart in me the faith and courage to obey you.  I cannot earn your favor or purchase an anointing but I do want to position myself that if you chose to use me, I can hear from you.  Enable me to join you in your work.  May I bring you glory and honor. May I expand your kingdom.  I love you.

God is both/and

Scripture 

1 Kings 11:2, 33, 38

The LORD had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. ( NLT)

For Solomon has abandoned me and worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians; Chemosh, the god of Moab; and Molech, the god of the Ammonites. He has not followed my ways and done what is pleasing in my sight. He has not obeyed my decrees and regulations as David his father did. (NLT)

If you listen to what I tell you and follow my ways and do whatever I consider to be right, and if you obey my decrees and commands, as my servant David did, then I will always be with you. I will establish an enduring dynasty for you as I did for David, and I will give Israel to you. ( NLT)

Observation

Here we see examples of free will.  God warned Solomon not to marry these wives but he insisted.  He chose to by his own free will.  Then these wives caused Solomon to abandon God and worship false Gods.

Later God gave Jeroboam a conditional promise.  If you obey me, I will bless you.  If you disobey me I will judge you.  Jeroboam  had the ability to choose, to make a choice.  

These are examples of free will.  It is not the sovereignty of God or man's free will, it is both/and.  Both are true and at work at the same time.  God is completely sovereign, in control, supreme authority over the universe and man has a free will.  I think these are opposites that cannot work in conjunction with one another but with God they can.  He can be in complete control and give man free will at the same time.  I cannot comprehend that completely but I do not want to be able to.  I desire a God who is bigger than me, more complex than me, who is higher and greater than my thought processes.  He is not either/or God is both/and.

Application

1. Trust and rest in the sovereignty of God.

He is the supreme authority of the universe.  He is in complete control.  He is in charge, Lord of all, master of all.  

2 I am responsible 

I am responsible for my decisions, actions, attitudes, and motives.

Prayer

I look to you, love you.  I believe in and trust you 100 percent.  

God's operating system

Scripture 

Psalm 123:2

We keep looking to the LORD our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal. (NLT)

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He has mercy on us. (NKJV)

Observation

1. As a servant look to the hand of his master.

2. As a slave girl to the hand of her mistress.

3. My eyes look to God for his mercy.

I find it interesting that It did not say directions.  As a servant looks to his master for directions, would make sense there but the Bible says mercy.  My eyes are on God looking for his mercy.  

Why?  Anything that God does for me is an act of mercy.  I deserve punishment, judgment, and his righteous anger but God gives me mercy.  I do not receive the judgment I deserve but the grace I do not deserve.  Everything with God is based upon mercy and grace.  That is God's operating system.

Application

1. My operating system should be mercy and grace.

I should view others through the same lens I want God to view me.

2. I should always be grateful.

I deserve no good thing from God.  I deserve death but through his love he has given me mercy and grace.  Gratitude should be my overriding attitude.

3. Live a life of worship.

God is worthy of my worship, praise, and loyalty.

4. Be a servant.

Because I deserve death I am thrilled with any service he gives me in the kingdom.  I should be a prisoner of the kingdom with no rights or privileges.  He has made me a son.  He has given me a place.  He has entrusted me with responsibility.  I should be grateful and serve with all my heart, mind, emotion, and strength.

Prayer

Thank you for mercy and grace.  Thank you for loving me and being kind to me.  May I live a life of worship, be forever grateful. Repay you with loyalty and service.  Treat others as  I want you to treat me.

How to obey God's Word

Scripture

Psalm 119: 34-40

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness. (NLT)

Observation

I love the request made by David.

1. Give me understanding of your word so I can obey your instructions

2. Make me walk along the path of your commands.

3. Give me an eagerness for your laws

4. Reassure me of your promise

5. Help me abandon my shameful ways

6. I long to obey your commandments.

Application

The truth is unless God gives me the ability to obey his word, I cannot do it.  Will power, self control, trying harder, making more promises will no work.  Self effort always fails.  I need to be spirit- filled, led, and empowered.  God gives me the ability to obey his commands.  He wants me to be obedient more than I want to.  The key to obedience is Him, my relationship with the Father.

Prayer

1. Help me to understand your word so I can obey your instructions.

2. Make me walk along the path of your commandments

3. Give me an eagerness for your laws

4. Reassure me of your promises

5. Help me to abandon my shameful ways

6. I long to obey your commands

Do it in me, please!!!!!!!!

How can I be pleasing to God

Scripture

Psalms 119:9-11

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ( NLT)

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ( ESV)

Observation 

This passage answers the question: How can I stay pure?  How can I defeat sin?

1. Obeying the word of God

2. Seek God with your whole heart.

3. Hide God's word in my heart

Application

Love, learn, and live God's word

Read, journal, memorize, speak the Bible.

Make it a part of my daily life

Seek God in prayer, pray in the spirit, pursue his presence.

My purity is a work of the Holy Spirit in my life.  As I spend time in prayer and in the word, the Holy Psirit will transform me, change me, break and mold me.  

Prayer

May I spend more time in prayer and more time in the word.  As I do, I ask that you make me pure and pleasing to you.

Giving Honor

Scripture 

2 Samuel 1: 19, 21-24

Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills! Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen!

O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fruitful fields producing offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty heroes was defiled; the shield of Saul will no longer be anointed with oil. The bow of Jonathan was powerful, and the sword of Saul did its mighty work. They shed the blood of their enemies and pierced the bodies of mighty heroes. How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan! They were together in life and in death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. O women of Israel, weep for Saul, for he dressed you in luxurious scarlet clothing, in garments decorated with gold. (NLT)

Observation

It is understandable that David mourned for Jonathon, he was his best friend.  They loved each otherm they were close.  Yet David also mourned for Saul.  Saul was David's enemy, he tried to kill David on several occassions.  David truly grieved the death of his enemy.

David honored his king.  He did not agree with every decision that Saul made or endorsed Saul's lack of character but David honored the king, the man who held the position.

Application

I need to honor those in authority over me. I may not agree with every decision they make or even like the person, but I can honor the position of authority and honor the person who holds the position.  I may not respect the person but I can honor them.

1. Keep my tongue.

Don't speak evil against leadership.

2. Try to influence for good.

3 humble myself

Truth is I make bad decisions and lack character.  I should not hold my leaders at a higher standard than I hold myself. 

Prayer

 I have been guilty of speaking evil of my leadership, not being supportive, and not honoring them completely.  I can say one thing to their face and another when they are not present.  I can get glee when the president fails regardless if it is best,  I just want him to fail.  This is wrong and it is evil.  I ask for forgiveness and cleansing. Change my heart.

Jesus is fighting for you

Scripture

Psalm 118: 14-16

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! (NLT)

Observation

1. God is my strength.

He gives me the power to live for him, to be pure, to fulfill his will.

2. God is my song.

He is my joy, my reason for living, my love, passion.  He gives me life.

3.  He is my victory

Because of Him I can defeat the devil, overcome sin, bring him glory.

4. His strong right arm is on my side.

This is a visual of a powerful, victorious, strong soldier, warrior.  Jesus is fighting for me, interceding for me.

Application

1. I rest in and trust in his providence.

He is in complete control, guiding me, leading me, caring for me, providing for me.

2. I can live victoriously.

He gives me the victory.  Jesus is fighting for me.  He is my advocate.  He is my defender.  Whom shall I fear?  If God is for me, who can be against me?

3. I find joy in my relationship with Jesus.

This world cannot satisfy.  Fame, wealth, power all fall short and leave me empty but Jesus fills me with life, passion, and joy.  He makes life worth living.

4. Life is lived by faith, trusting and depending upon Jesus.

Prayer

I do trust you, need you, and depend upon you.  You are my life, my joy, my only thing, my everything, my all in all.  You give me victory, provide for me, are my joy. I depend upon you, worship you.  Give you all the glory, honor, and praise.

What does God reward?

Scripture

1 Samuel 24:17-21

And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the LORD put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the LORD reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. And now I realize that you are surely going to be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. Now swear to me by the LORD that when that happens you will not kill my family and destroy my line of descendants!” (NLT)

Observation

Your character is displayed in the unexpectant times.  David had an opportunity to kill his enemy Saul but he didn't.  He spared his life and trusted God for his future.

1. David repaid good for evil.

2. David showed kindness to a man who try to kill him.

3. God rewarded David.

4. David became king without killing Saul.

5. David won the hearts of the people.

Application

1.  Do good to those who do evil to me.

2. Never take vengeance.

3. Never seek position

4. Trust God to take care of my enemies

5. Trust God to get me where he wants me when he wants me there.

Prayer

Father develop that kind of character in me.  May my faith in you be so strong that I will show kindness to my enemies and trust you with my future.

What makes a person rich?

Scripture

Proverbs 15:17

A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. ( NLT)

Observation

I desire to be rich in relationships. This proverb teaches me that people will bring more satisfaction than things.  I like a good steak but I would rather eat a fair meal with good friends than a good meal with people I do not enjoy being with.  Life about relationships not things.

Application

1. Invest in my relationships.

We are told to invest financially for retirement and there is wisdom in that but the most important investments I will make are into my family and friends.  

2. Prioritize my relationships.

Jesus, Cathy, kids, family, friends, personnel

Prayer

Father, help me get the first thing first.  I don't want to spend my life accumulating material things but I want to have rich, deep, meaningful relationships.

Freedom!!!!!!!

Scripture

John 8: 31-32, 34-36

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (NLT)

Observation

1. Disciples remain faithful to Jesus teaching.

2. Know the truth

3. The truth (Jesus) will set me free.

4. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin,

5. I am not a slave but a son.

6. When Jesus sets someone free, they are completely free.

Application

1. Know who I am.

I am a child of God, a joint heir with Jesus, I have been adopted into God's family.

2. Know the truth

A. Truth is a person. Jesus is the truth.  Abide in him, focus on my relationship with Jesus.

B. Know the Bible. It is the Word of God and the standard of all truth.  Love it, learn it, live it.

3. Believe I am free.

By faith receive the freedom that Jesus has provided for me.  I am completely, truly free.  I am free indeed!

Prayer

Thank you for loving and setting me free.  Thank you for adopting me into your family.  Thank you for setting me free from the bondage and slavery to sin.  I ask that you deliver me today from all unrighteousness.  I ask that you set me free and that I live as a free person not a slave.  It is for freedom I are been set free.

He still loves you

Scripture

Proverbs 15:11

Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart! (NLT)

Observation

The human heart is deceitful.  I tend to think I am better than I really am.  I can overestimate my goodness and underestimate the goodness of others.  I compare myself with those that I know I will come out favorably.  I give myself the benefit of the doubt but point my finger at others.

God is not fooled by me.  He knows the true condition of my heart, affections, purity, and devotion.

He sees the real me.  I do not have secrets from God.

Application

1. Come to God with boldness. 

He already sees me at my worst and chooses to love me. 

2. Received my value from Him.  

I can have confidence in his acceptance of me because he knows the real me.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to examine me.

I can fool myself so I need the Holy Spirit to reveal the real me to me.

4. Have compassion on others.

I must be a person of mercy and grace.

Prayer

Thank you for loving me even at my worse,  I don't have to hide things from you because you know everything about me and you still love me.  I take great comfort in that, receive great confidence.  You make me who I am.  It is all because of you.

How to overcome a low self esteem

Scripture

1 Samuel 15: 17, 24-25, 30

And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD has anointed you king of Israel.

Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the LORD.”

Then Saul pleaded again, “I know I have sinned. But please, at least honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel by coming back with me so that I may worship the LORD your God.” (NLT)

Observation

The power of how we see ourselves.  When Samuel came to anoint Saul as king he hid in the baggage.  His low self esteem affecting him throughout his reign.  Here we see Samuel saying

1. Although you think little of yourself.

Then we see Saul being concerned about his image.

2. Honor me before the elders.

God made Saul a king, filled him with his spirit, anointed him for service and to prophecy but Saul never saw himself this way.  He spent his time as king hiding in the baggage and trying to make himself look good to others. Saul destroyed himself.  He is an example of self destruction.

Application

1. My identity comes from whose I am not my position, title, material wealth, or reputation.

I am a new creation, joint heir of Jesus, a child of God.  I see myself as God sees me.

2. I minister out of who God has made me not my skills and abilities.

God anoints his servants to fulfill His purpose for their lives.  I minister from the anointing not my talent.  This protects me from low self esteem because I depend upon God for productivity.  It also protects me from pride because Jesus gets all the glory.  I cannot take any credit.

3. My relationship with Jesus is everything and the only thing.

Who I am in Jesus is what I depend upon, I will fail and fall short.  Jesus is faithful and more than able.

Prayer

Father I receive my identity from you. I am significant because you adopted me, made me a member of your family. It is not based upon my image, achievements, or reputation.  It is based upon whose I am.  Thank you for choosing me, loving me, giving me your name.  I love you for it.